Forum newb with '73 F100 FE 390

[electricguru]

Just tellin' the world hello... this is actually my first post in any forum I've signed up for... anyways about my truck:

...picked it up in December 2011. No brakes... engine barely turning over... and this is what she looks like so far, which no (cosmetic) changes have been made since i got it...

...to date, i've had the tranny and engine rebuilt ,along with a few pick-me-ups like an edelbrock intake, edelbrock 4BBL, hooker headers, edel brock chain and crank, pertonics ignition (to replace the points it still had by the way), true dual magna flows with 2 1/2 pipes right behind the tires... this is what the engine looks like now...

...i forgot to grab the before shot, but in case you're wondering, the engine was a matching set with the looks of the tranny when it was originally pulled...

...just a few questions:

Anyone figure out how to pump gas in these things at full rate??? ...the slow trigger is a PITA!!!

I have this weird electrical issue, where the lights fade in and out when I'm at high rpm, do you think this is the headlight switch that needs replacing?

Thanks for your time guys!!!

 

[slmann]

Welcome to the site. cool truck

 

[Fellro]

Welcome!

I doubt the headlight switch is the issue, sounds more like a regulator problem to me.

It would seem your vent likely is plugged or such, as the air that is displaced by the fuel needs to be able to get out quickly, and when it can't, the liquid kicks back and shuts the pump down.

 

[LEB Ben]

Welcome aboard, lots of knowledge around these parts and several dentside gurus.

I'm with Roger on his assessment. Sounds like a gas vent is plugged up. And your voltage regulator is probably on it's last leg, probably be worth load testing your alternator as well.

 

[electricguru]

Thanks guys...

I've replaced the regulator and alternator... so i'll probably need to double check a few other things, or it may be in the old wiring...

I'm sure that's the ticket on the gas issue... perhaps it's on the vent side of the lines... i'll check those out...

 

[smokey]

welcome to FTF

 

[Fellro]

I would verify the connections are good, especially at the regulator, as that is a common issue.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to FTF

 

[SuperCab]

Welcome! I love the FE engines... I have a 390 in my '74...


Headlight switch is usually an on or off thing... sonds like bad wiring...

And some of these trucks just never take fuel well... or at least that's my experience...

 

[Austin]

HE POSTS PICTURES! You're already one of the guys! Welcome to the site.

 

[fatherdoug]

Welcome. That is a nice, clean engine compartment!

 

[electricguru]

HE POSTS PICTURES! You're already one of the guys! Welcome to the site.

ha! i take it not many do... thanks!

 

[electricguru]

Welcome. That is a nice, clean engine compartment!

thanks... i pride myself on that, considering the fact that nothing else on the truck is that clean.. lol. but next on the list is the interior...

 

[Beach66Bum]

Welcome to FTF! that engine!! want to swap?! can't wait to see the future work your doing

 

[aussie_f350]

welcome, i would leave the outside as is!!! i love it

 

[electricguru]

just an update on the gas filling issue, for those that are interested... i got a tip that it could possibly be, that the hoses favor being taped together... i tried it, and that was the solution for me...

 

[mtflat]

good to hear the pumping problem was easy...

electrical gremlins - keep in mind ford ran electrical power thru the dimmer switch - they go bad, are easy to replace and fairly cheap. It's one of the first things I swap when doing a rebuild