1972 F100 Shortbed Bumpside Project

[Ludachris]

Think I'm just going to stick with the blue paint on the intake manifold. I did notice I failed to label the pushrods when I took them out. Well, let's hope that doesn't come back to bite me when I start it up.

Just need to work on a new fuel line and figure out a solution for plugging the block heater port coming out of the block. Then it's just a matter of bolting everything back together - assuming I can remember how it all goes together

 

[Fellro]

At least the push rods are all the same length...I took an old postal box and poked holes through it to put the push rods in when I take them out now.

 

[Ludachris]

At least the push rods are all the same length...I took an old postal box and poked holes through it to put the push rods in when I take them out now.

I like that. I’ll be sure to do something like that next time I take them out. Figure I’ll be rebuilding the motor before too long.

 

[Ludachris]

Hoping to make some progress putting things back together this holiday weekend.

Been swamped with projects around the property lately now that it's getting warm.

 

[Ludachris]

How quickly 8 months flies by. Turns out I had to spend most of my free time last summer finishing the build of the in-laws quarters on our property. That build not only took up time, but it sucked up funds that were allocated for the truck. Not to mention some projects that popped up around the house that took more time away, family visiting over the holidays, etc. I'm just now now getting back to the point where I can put some time into the truck.

The plans for the build have changed a little over the past year. I'm leaning towards grabbing a low mileage 6R80 automatic transmission and swapping it in. The thought behind this is to make it easier for my wife (and daughter) to drive, and also make towing a little easier. I'll have to use an adapter plate and swap out the pedals and the steering column. A title column would be nice.

I'm also leaning towards pulling the motor and getting it rebuilt sooner instead of just slapping it all back together and driving it. I want it to be reliable enough to drive anywhere, and might as well just do it all now. It will make swapping out the transmission easier, working on power brakes and power steering, etc. I've gone full circle on suspension plans, looking at IFS options and coming back to just keeping the twin I-beam setup to retain the utility of the truck.

The only thing holding up progress is $$$ at this point.

 

[Fellro]

Can't really argue against rebuilding - I had a nasty exterience with a couple wrist pin snap rings failing and then wearing grooves into the cylinder walls in 2 cylinders. Not to mention that if it hasn't ever been done, will want to get a look at the valve seats and make sure they have hardened seats.

 

[Ludachris]

For the longest time I had planned on just getting a new power disc brake conversion kit from a company like Master Power. I realize their brake boosters are typically a GM unit, which many purists don't care for. I wouldn't mind sourcing all the parts from an old donor truck but there aren't many around these days. Doing so would allow me to collect parts over time, which is easier on the wallet. But it's not easy to find donor F100s.

I do find an occasional F250 in local wrecking yards but still not too often. Problem is, those all have 8-lug setups, and I don't really want to go that route. I checked Fordification and it sounds like I could, theoretically, source all the parts from a 2wd F250 that has a GVW rating of 6200 lbs or 6900 lbs with axle I-beam stamped D2TA 3008 or 9-DA, since the kingpin size is the same as the my F100. Then I could still use my 5-lug setup.

Or maybe it's just easier and more effective to get a new aftermarket kit that will fit.

 

[Fellro]

A little research shows that you can move up in years to the 73-79 years as well. Are your wheel bolt pattern the 5 x 5.5"? If so I happen to have a parts truck, main trick is time to get it apart. Apparently the 75-79 master is the more desirable.

 

[Ludachris]

A little research shows that you can move up in years to the 73-79 years as well. Are your wheel bolt pattern the 5 x 5.5"? If so I happen to have a parts truck, main trick is time to get it apart. Apparently the 75-79 master is the more desirable.

Yeah, I've looked for dentside donor trucks at the wrecking yards around my area but can't find any F100 or F150 models, only F250.

My bolt patter is 5x5.5". I would be in no rush. As it is, what's driving me to go this route is the ability to buy parts here and there as I find them to prevent having to come up with a larger lump sum. The upcoming college tuition for the girls is getting in the way of larger parts purchases.

Does your donor truck also have power steering and an auto steering column?

 

[Fellro]

It does, and tilt as well I think, would have to check that for sure. I would have everything, booster, proportioning valve, spindles, rotors calipers (core) master (core) as the parts truck is still complete mostly. No title and body is destroyed (cab, box) so not going to be fixed. It's a shame too, was an extended cab shortbed XLT but sat for a long time and the idiots that got it out destroyed the passenger side of the cab and bed and tailgate.

 

[Ludachris]

It does, and tilt as well I think, would have to check that for sure. I would have everything, booster, proportioning valve, spindles, rotors calipers (core) master (core) as the parts truck is still complete mostly. No title and body is destroyed (cab, box) so not going to be fixed. It's a shame too, was an extended cab shortbed XLT but sat for a long time and the idiots that got it out destroyed the passenger side of the cab and bed and tailgate.

Sorry to hear about them destroying it. That's really sad.

I just gotta figure out how to get out to Iowa.

 

[Fellro]

Much of that is shippable. Actually, I can shorten your trip a bit and send it with my sister to Boise, Idaho. That is where she lives, just is out here escaping the wildfire smoke. If nothing more, they come back a bit to visit, especially now that her son is living here too.

 

[Ludachris]

Much of that is shippable. Actually, I can shorten your trip a bit and send it with my sister to Boise, Idaho. That is where she lives, just is out here escaping the wildfire smoke. If nothing more, they come back a bit to visit, especially now that her son is living here too.

Can you send some photos of the engine bay when you have some free time? I'm definitely interested. PM me some pricing too. Thanks man! Now I'm excited!

 

[Fellro]

 

[Fellro]

Got busy so didn't get them uploaded until now. Working a roofing project on my parent's house as well.