New build thread

[mat in tn]

Found another project . This truck said save me!  So we pulled it out of the woods. It will be a while but i will try to get started this winter.

[mat in tn]

83 f100 6/3 on the tree

[mat in tn]

i

[Pete Whitstone]

Aside from the surface patina, it looks in pretty good shape, no massive rust visible in the photo. Fix it up enough to drive it, or full-on restoration?

[Gary Lewis]

Looks like a worthy cause.  

It will be interesting to see how the shift linkage is.  Some of the 3-on-the-tree linkages have been worn enough they won't work properly.  Hopefully you won't have that problem.  Or, if you do, perhaps you can find a way to rebuild it?

But, you also said "6".  Is it the venerable 4.9L in-line six or the little 3.8L V6?

[mat in tn]

Its a 300/4.9.
I have  not messed with it yet but we will see when i get in to it.

[Gary Lewis]

That's great.  The 300 is far, far better than the V6.

[mat in tn]

I know its one of the best engines. I have one in bubba. But i stil want to do a 3.8 someday if only for its rarety .
This truck has one option that i can see so far. Dealer air! It has dash vents that i have never seen but are so obviously very specific to this. Its so basic that i almost expected a radio delete. Haha.

[Gary Lewis]

I've thought I wanted to build up a flathead to be different.  But I'd not really thought about the Essex in the same light.

However, the Split Port Induction system might make it interesting.  It wasn't used on our trucks, but probably could be added.  Or, you could go with the supercharged version.

But, you could also go with a Coyote.  

[mat in tn]

People are always asking “ when are you doing a coyote”? I guess im a little old fashioned. I like carburetors! I understand the power etc. but i can build a 351 to spin tires.  Im not racing. I also like drivability. And i can do that without adding 10k or more to a build. It seems that there is always a 5.0 and or a 5.8 on a stand at any given time. Just all around hard to beat.

[Gary Lewis]

I can understand a 351W.  Makes a lot of torque and are plentiful.  And getting that power would be far less expensive than doing an Essex V6.  

[Rusty_S85]

mat in tn wrote

People are always asking “ when are you doing a coyote”? I guess im a little old fashioned. I like carburetors! I understand the power etc. but i can build a 351 to spin tires.  Im not racing. I also like drivability. And i can do that without adding 10k or more to a build. It seems that there is always a 5.0 and or a 5.8 on a stand at any given time. Just all around hard to beat.

Id rather do the 7.3 Godzilla motor its only marginally wider than a 351W compared to a 5.0 coyote which is a foot wider than the 351W.

[Rembrant]

I like this truck! Subscribed.

[mat in tn]

I like it too. Oddly enough i found it last year and tried getting the message through different people ( mainly my brother ) to the owner. Last week i met the owner in person for something else and he showed it to me among many other old cars and he priced it. I said “ sold”! I never mentioned that my brother dropped the ball for a year. I did not want to throw him under the bus in church.  

[Gary Lewis]

I don't think I'd worry about it, the church bus won't care.  Throw him under there!  

[mat in tn]

Now thats funny , i dont care who ya are

[Gary Lewis]

[mat in tn]

We got started on the f100 today. Cleared out the backcorner of the shop and tucked it in . Iam taking pics as i go . The seat, floor mat, belts are out and both rockers need work. Small areas so im not doin pans. Cab corners look good. Odometer shows 50k but no telling if its rolled or how many times. Dealer air says ARA on the controll box under the dash pad and has an evap box above the glove box . At this time i may have named the truck “lefty”

[Gary Lewis]

Lefty?  Why?  Is he left-handed?  

[mat in tn]

It just sticks. No real reason other than that.