Sara the 78 f150 Straight 6 "Build up"

[bowhunter]

So i came across this truck on craigslist when i was trying to sell my 4runner. Ended up selling that to a friend and we drove up to flagstaff, az to test drive this truck. Once i saw how clean it was and how well it drove, i didnt hesitate about the price, they were asking 1900 but i showed them $1700 cash and drove it home. Before i left i talked to the old man and he told me to drive over to the barn before i left, and he loaded up a extra set of wheels, fenders, 2 bumpers and a spare block he had that was recently machined. I got a steal in my eyes. Drove flawlessly for about 1 month, than i started to have some electrical issues, turned out to be a worn out voltage regulator and the brake pedal not returning all the way these were easy fixes. Was running great until i had some oil pressure issues and it went down hill really quick after i replaced the oil pump which led to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ spent at summit racing, which i will get to later in this first post.

Up to this date i have replaced the following:


New parts:
Alternator(NAPA)
Battery(NAPA)
Starter(NAPA)
Starter Silinoid(NAPA)
Water Pump(NAPA)
Voltage Regulator(NAPA PREMIUM)
Ignition Coil(NAPA PREMIUM)
Plug Wires(NAPA PREMIUM)
Thermostat(NAPA PREMIUM)
Carb Rebuilt(NAPA KIT)
Wheel Cylinders
Shoes + Pads and rotors resurfaced.
Floor Pan
Radiator Overflow
Thermostat
Spark Plugs
Air Filter
Coolant Flush
Custom Autosounds Retro Style Radio
Re-upolstered Seat.
Exhaust 2.5 inch and a glass pack
4 kicker speakers
bought 4 legit KC lights for 30 bucks off a good friend ad well!




Now this was all running great until i had oil pressure issues, and major top end noice and its been taking 2-3 even 5 minutes to build oil pressure. so before i threw a rod i choose to stop driving it. I want to rebuild this and flip it after i get my engine work done..

If you recall i was given a machined and honed engine block when i bought the truck. it has been worked to .030 overbore. So i now have a legit excuse to spend some $$$ at summit racing


Here is what i have got on the way:

Offenhauser intake mani
Edelbrock 500cfm carb
Comp Cams 268 Cam Kit
Comp Cams Rocker Arms
Break Master Cyllinder/booster thingy
Bushing kit
Headers
Battery
Mini Starter
Flexplate
Clutch Kit
ARP headstuds

all ordered 6/18 should be here wednesday - friday.

getting the rebuild kit through a local machine shop with just the parts i need.

Will be posting more as i tear into it in the next few weeks. plan on repainting the engine bay as well.


As she is:

updates to come.....

 

[DNFXDLI]

Cool!..looking forward to seeing this!

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Nice looking truck

 

[bowhunter]

Something I am lookin to buy is the trim set!

 

[taxreliever]

Something I am lookin to buy is the trim set!

I was hoping you'd look into the trim....would set this truck off....very cool.

 

[LEB Ben]

Awesome build, looking forward to updates.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Something I am lookin to buy is the trim set!

I can look into finding a used set for you if you want, but it won't be until July, either beginning or end of month. Not sure yet.

 

[bowhunter]

I can look into finding a used set for you if you want, but it won't be until July, either beginning or end of month. Not sure yet.

That would be awesome if you stumble upon a set let me know their hard to come by in az.


Thanks guys engines coming out today. Should have pictures up tonight.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Ok I will let you know.

 

[bowhunter]

Well did work to the truck today. turns out the spare block i had is no good and i was able to cancle the shipment with the rebuild kit. its going to the machine shop tomorrow along with getting some head work done

 

[DNFXDLI]

And it begins!

 

[bowhunter]

Cam kii intake and carb should be here tomorrow as well! Tonight im sandblasting the engine bay, and possibly making room for a bigger radiator as well.

 

[bowhunter]

Just got word from the shop, need togo 20 overbore. Helllo summit racing for the third time this week

 

[LEB Ben]

.020 over...really? They can't just hone that SOB into submission? If I were you, I'd wanna see what that shop is seeing. Although, I understand the importance of not cheaping out...but I'd still want to know why they think .020 over is justified.

 

[5.0Flareside]

WOAH.... please explain... i thought you said the spare block you had was machined and ready to go.. and now its no good?? don't make any since..

sorry if im sounding like a jerk..

 

[5.0Flareside]

.020 over...really? They can't just hone that SOB into submission? If I were you, I'd wanna see what that shop is seeing. Although, I understand the importance of not cheaping out...but I'd still want to know why they think .020 over is justified.

i've always learned its better to bore, than to Hone on a high mileage engine..

cause the way the piston travels up and down in the cylinder walls it obviously wears into the walls. but it also doesnt wear it into a perfect circle. its kinda into an oval shape. so if you bore it out you get a perfect circle again, that way you get better ring to wall tightness for better compression..

and i do understand that the piston is moving straight up and down, but its the way the rod, rides the crank, puts more pressure on one side of the piston going up, and more on the other side coming down during each stroke..

 

[LEB Ben]

I get that...and I guess I can appreciate the shop not cheaping out because of it...but I still think a good hone could achieve the same thing.

 

[DNFXDLI]

If the bore is out of spec (say ovalled), the hone will follow it as the honing stones are on a flexible shaft...boring bar is fixed and will give you the proper hole.

 

[LEB Ben]

Yeah...I was just thinking that .020 is still bigger than the most out of round area of any cylinder...and to me, .020 is basically a clean up.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Agreed...but a hone will follow the out of round spot.