1966 f250

[cstmwgn]

making some progress sorting things out:

I confirmed that Hooker's 6811 headers will work with the A429 heads that I want to use on this build. I have the old set that were on the truck but they are pretty rough. I am talking with JetHot about re-coasting them under warranty. The downside to these is they are only 1 7/8" primaries but hopefully for a low RPM motor that won't hurt it too much.
Either way not having to build custom headers is a relief for me.

Still on the fence on engine - I have the 533 that I pulled out of the wagon a couple years ago but haven't unwrapped it yet to see if it is in fact still viable. I have a couple bare blocks sitting around that I could use to build a new one. My D0VE bock sonic checks very good so it could easily go 4.440 (+.080) but isn't the best choice for a 4.5 crank. IF I did go this route it would net a 557. My D9TE block didn't sonic check as well so it would be prudent to not bore it more that .030 (4.390) but it does have longer bores so the 4.5 crank is somewhat better suited in it. This combination will yield a 545. I am beginning to think the 545 is the smarter path to go down as pulling engines and transmissions isn't as easy for me as it use to be.

C6 will stay in the truck. The case needs to be replaced but the internals should be viable with all new frictions and steels. I am thinking about going with a shorty GearVendor unit like I have on the wagon. Will need a new shifter as B&M no longer makes parts for the one in the truck now and it is getting pretty old.

I am hoping that the Dana 60 housing is OK. When I put the posi in it a hundred years ago it looked like the bearing races were spinning in their bores. I centerpunched the area and used some red loctite so hopefully it will have "one more" rebuild in it. It definitely needs clutches!

Funny how the powertrain bits and pieces seem so easy to figure out!

I have decided to go with a hydroboost this time around (mostly for valve cover clearance) and confirmed that Talon Hydraulics has a mounting bracket that should work with the truck. That will make the fabrication / installation much easier than on the wagon.

I have figured out which Painless harness I am going to use.

So now I have to start thinking about sheet metal repair / modifications. There is a lot of work to be done in that area and I possesses NO skill or talent to perform what needs to be done!

[oletrux4evr]

Can't wait to see how this one goes....based on the previous projects, this is gonna be awesome!

And it will run like a scalded dog too!

[silver_bullet]

Can't wait to see how this one goes....based on the previous projects, this is gonna be awesome!

[oletrux4evr]

Good start. You'll keep the shop and yourself cleaner by going to that trouble too...........

[Redline04]

Here is the starting point:

I like look & the rounded edges... cool truck!

[moparjim71]

Great project! I see the Fairlane in the background too.

[DanStokes]

Good start! Please keep posting. I bought a pressure washer to avoid the $25 in quarters thing but it doesn't have the power of the commercial units. One time we were having the house washed (ours needs it every other year or so) and I had the pro point his sprayer at Mutt's engine bay - worked GREAT!

Dan

[cstmwgn]

Two bolts and the engine can come out. I suspect I will leave it there for now while I continue taking stuff apart. Need to start on the cab next to get the dash stripped so I can send the dash pad out for rejuvenation.

[cstmwgn]

First month update
I spent $25 in quarters at the car wash mostly cleaning the underside of the truck. Most of the time was spent lying on my back with my eyes closed spraying hot soapy water at point blank range. I wish I could tell you it was really clean but if nothing else it is way better than it was and will make taking stuff apart a little less traumatic.
Next I spent another 2 hours with my traditional heavy mixture of Clorox Outdoor bleach to clean the outside sheet metal - so now most of the pollen scum and mildew is gone.

Here is some documentation on progress:

[cstmwgn]

Congrats on getting this started. I know it's been on your back burner for a long time.

Yeah Ed - this one is going to be very difficult for me! It is very hard for me to "just" freshen stuff up! I am beginning to think I will need to buy Willow a new truck so we have something to haul stuff around with while my POS (your lake truck) gets rehabbed. I got the hood back for the Fairlane so I am really enjoy driving it as my daily driver. This will be a very slow process with all the events on our plate this year, I am not sure how much time I will actually have to work on it. HOPEFULLY, it won't become a Torinio style project that my grand children will have to finish!

[oletrux4evr]

Congrats on getting this started. I know it's been on your back burner for a long time.

[cstmwgn]

Wow! I am really loving this! I couldn't find the build thread on your wagon tho... any help? Requesting it for inspiration....

No build thread on the wagon as it was done (as done as they ever are) before bangshift was around

[silver_bullet]

Wow! I am really loving this! I couldn't find the build thread on your wagon tho... any help? Requesting it for inspiration....

[pintoboy77]

You should be able to do that project in a couple of weekends now that your retired. Right???

[cstmwgn]

Congrats on the shop! Complete freshen up you say? Do tell!

Chris

That is a very difficult question.
I don't want another beauty queen but I don't want faux patina either.
I am still on the fence about doing a Crown Vic front clip for the improved ride and brakes but I don't want to hurt its working capabilities either.

Sooooo
Frame off - clean everything
Complete rebuild of the Dana 60 - new clutches, bearings .... Maybe shortened a tad for a little better footprint
Compete rebuild of the C-6 - maybe adding a shorty GearVendors (really like the one in the wagon)
All new suspension bushings - urethane
If I stay with the Twin I-Beam - new king pins
Brakes - NO CLUE! I am starting to do research now on something better than the 2 piston front calipers I am currently running with the stock rear drums
Painless wiring harness - complete with all new switches, lamp sockets, connectors - replace everything possible in the electrics
Complete interior redo - new padded dash, instrument cluster, door panels, seat, stereo
This is where it starts to go off the tracks! I would like more room - secure storage. Not sure if I want to stretch the cab or put a sleeper in the bed. I also want to have a full 8' - so do I stretch the frame and run a stock box with an "extra cab" style cab or ????? The cab and doors are also the parts that have the most damage - rust in the bottom of the doors and the drip rails.
In front of the firewall is easy - I will pull the old 460 out and put in the 533 that use to live in the wagon for the initial build. It will be a good test to see if I need to build something a little tamer or if I can go big - just depends on how the suspension handles more power than it has now.

Ultimate goal - I am going to need a truck to do all the things you do with a truck while still being able to spank those silly kids in their late model hot rods!