need insight from the '79 and older f-series gang.

[towcat]

I've stepped into it deep this time.
I got me a '73 F350 RC dually commercial chassis. 60"ca. It even has disc brake front too!
Here are my powerplant choices.... carb'd 460 or IDI. I have motors and trans for both. If I see it right, the biggest issues with the older trucks is the behind the axle line steering box and the respective steering linkage. Those of you with IDI's in the older chassis, how much grief did you go through cramming one in? I do have some pieces of a van if that helps the install too. I could cheat and find a set of 460 exhaust manifolds and frame brackets and make it a slam-dunk install, but I sure like the adventure of cramming in a IDI. Currently, the truck has a gardener's flatbed on the back, I will eventually be mounting a Vulcan "super cradle" tow unit on the back.
thoughts anyone? Or even a suggestion to a forum really friendly to the pre-'79 trucks?
thanks.

 

[Agnem]

Paging Tim Leonard.... Dr. TIM Leonard.....

 

[94f450sd]

either one is gonna be a PITA to get into that truck.is it an auto or 4 speed?

i did a 460 swap in a 79 F350.there wasnt a 460 option for these trucks.i had to use the car exhaust manifolds.couldnt find truck manifolds anywhere to fit the 79 chassis.had to notch one side of the frame for the manifold to go by it.IIRC it was the passengers side that had to be notched.i believe we used mounts for a 360.had to use the drivers side ont he passengers side and the passengers side on the drivers side,and had to drill a new bolt hole in them.we also had to use a 360 flywheel and bell housing.

ill have to ask a friend of mine what is needed for it as he may remember better than i do.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

This forum is pretty good for the older trucks: http://www.ford-trucks.com/

I gotta ask, why such an old chassis for a commercial truck? You have to deal with the funky piston-assisted steerign, and an engine bay that was set up for an FE block... Plus a body style that will always look old.

I went through the same thing, I bought a 74 F350 with a steel rollback bed, I was going to swap on a newer cab but because of frame width differences up front it really doesn't come out well. I finally bought a 85 C/C to remount the bed on. In the end it's cheaper and easier.

 

[94f450sd]

i myself like the look of the older fords.especially the 79 when you stuff a tube grill in it!! they have something that all these newer trucks are lacking.........CHARACTER!!

 

[towcat]

This forum is pretty good for the older trucks: http://www.ford-trucks.com/

I gotta ask, why such an old chassis for a commercial truck? You have to deal with the funky piston-assisted steerign, and an engine bay that was set up for an FE block... Plus a body style that will always look old.

I went through the same thing, I bought a 74 F350 with a steel rollback bed, I was going to swap on a newer cab but because of frame width differences up front it really doesn't come out well. I finally bought a 85 C/C to remount the bed on. In the end it's cheaper and easier.

mr roboto-
thanks for the linky!
It doesn't have the piston assist steering, its a power gear. Yes, there is a 390 currently residing in the engine bay. It's making chocolate milkshakes too, so it has to go. No, I won't be using it commercially, I've been out of towing commercially for myself for a few years already. This is more of a personal toy, not to mention you should see the strange looks when I show up with the Vulcan tow unit. Which also brings to the point, the hydraulic winches on the "super cradle" are pretty stout and definitely over-engineered. Unlike my Century 442XL bed, there is no deflection or distortion in the metal where the winches are mounted. The boom assy is also great for doing motor pulls, cab swaps, bed swaps....etc
I've retired out my F450's due to the fact Kali has strangled private ownership of 10,001 GVW commercial chassis into oblivion by raising the reg fees to the moon. I still own my carrier and conventionals, but will prolly take them out to TX to sell since Kali has killed the market for the mini-brutes.
Besides, if you are into punishment, I have a '54 chev dualie with a genuine Holmes 30H....yup hand cranker that you can play with too!
So...to answer your question, I got the chassis to be a little different and have some fun. Some guys build model cars and trucks, I like building the real thing;p

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

So...to answer your question, I got the chassis to be a little different and have some fun. Some guys build model cars and trucks, I like building the real thing;p

I'd say go for the IDI Calvin, that would really throw em for a loop.

 

[typ4]

Hey towcat. if you want to put in the 460 let me know I owned 2 of those trucks and can tell you a lot about them. As for the post on no 460 engines in these, as I said I owned 2 factory trucks, they made a lot of 460's
They also dont have piston assist steering they cam with integral boxes since 70 i think. A 360, 390 flywheel will work on the 460 but the bellhousing is 400m 429,460 only. I would find a gasser zf and put it in. Or the IDI ,first choice
pm with any questions
Russ

 

[82F100SWB]

There were lots of 460 powered 73-79 trucks, all 2wd tho, no factory 4x4 460 trucks until it was re-introduced in 83 beside the IDI, same with a manual transmission behind a 460 in a truck.

 

[IDIeselman]

The IDI would make a nice addition, There shouldn't be that much to it being a 2 wheed drive you won't have to fight with the front crossmember, Also the outlet on the manifolds of the diesel are closer together than the 460 so NO NOTCHING of the frame. I would bolt the factory diesel mount plates on the motor mounts and set it in the 73 frame, Bolt it to your tranny and see where it wants to set, It was really close in my truck but I wanted to make my own so everything was bolt in. Also pull the throttle pedal out of the donar truck so you can use the cable. If you need any of the parts or anything else I'll be glad to help.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

I've had 2 70's Ford trucks with the piston assist steering.... A 75 F100 4x4 and a 74 F350 dually. In doing some research, it seems both systems were available, I'm not sure what rhyme or reason there is to it. It does seem the "assist" system would be an easy way to do a dealer installed power steering.

I did some research, I was surprised to see the 460 available in all years 73-79, since in the early 70's the FE block was king in Ford trucks (and IMO more suited for truck use than the 460).

 

[towcat]

I did some research, I was surprised to see the 460 available in all years 73-79, since in the early 70's the FE block was king in Ford trucks (and IMO more suited for truck use than the 460).

very true, but I am also mindful the motors were produced when feul was cheap. I had a '67 f250 very briefly and the FE motor was torquey but was madly in love with gas pumps. Also, it was allergic to exhaust manifold gaskets too.
I'll be the first to admit, Until my first F450 in '93, I was not a fan of ford pickups. I was raised on GM cars and trucks. My first towtruck was a '74 chev 1ton dually with a Holmes 440 sling. Didn't care for the looks of my bricknose F450 when I first bought it, but loved the frame toughness and the factory 4wheel disc brake stopping power.

 

[towcat]

The IDI would make a nice addition, There shouldn't be that much to it being a 2 wheed drive you won't have to fight with the front crossmember, Also the outlet on the manifolds of the diesel are closer together than the 460 so NO NOTCHING of the frame. I would bolt the factory diesel mount plates on the motor mounts and set it in the 73 frame, Bolt it to your tranny and see where it wants to set, It was really close in my truck but I wanted to make my own so everything was bolt in. Also pull the throttle pedal out of the donar truck so you can use the cable. If you need any of the parts or anything else I'll be glad to help.

you don't by any chance have any pics of the driver's side inside the engine compartment? I'd like to see how yours fit in the hole. Knowing the size of the FE that is in it now, dimensionally they are very close.
thanks!

 

[IDIeselman]

I will take some tommorrow night and try to get them posted.

 

[typ4]

Ok ,I stand corrected on the assist steering,I just have never seen one on the 73 to79's in my 25 years of wrenching. Could be production run ending use of parts.
I once had a 67 impala with 300 hp 327 t400 275 posi and 33 gallon towing package fuel tank, the guy that bought it said it was one of the last 25 built for 67 model and they used up what they had, he worked at the factory in the 60's and knew all the option code from memory, wish I could find him now!!!