1967 F100 Ranger LWB

[dolinick]

I've been posting about my new '67 F100 Ranger LWB. I brought it home today. I already put two new tires on the front and put a new battery in it. This morning we transferred the title into my name from the original owner. And just a few minutes ago I got the new inspection sticker!

The brakes are pretty bad I suppose and it pulls but stops ok.

[Fordman5]

Post some pics if you can. I can tell you that it takes FOREVER for getting things done... good luck on your project.

[dolinick]

Not much to report but I have been driving the truck around. I cleaned the gasket and top of the master cylinder. It had a layer of rust on there. Then without removing the wheels or drums or anything I decided to see about adjusting the brakes by turning the little star wheel with a screwdriver. The rubber grommets were still intact on the rear but dry rotted. Then I saw the brake fluid on the front driver's side wheel and tire.

I gotta drive it or the nova which also has brake issues so I'm gonna either try to do the brakes myself or take it to the shop.

[dolinick]

So I keep driving the truck and adding brake fluid. It appears that most of the leaks are in the front wheels. I'd like to fix them myself but haven't gotten up the courage/motivation to do so yet.

Otherwise I changed the oil yesterday myself. I am pretty proud of myself for actually doing it myself. I didn't really want anyone else messing with it though.
So I put Castrol 10w-30 extended mileage oil and a fram filter on it. I was thinking about changing the oil again after about 500 miles just to help clean out the engine some more. I don't know how old the previous oil was or how long the truck had been sitting.

I also got a new air filter and fan belt.

Ok, so I keep hearing this tapping sound under acceleration. It is really noticeable from a stop. So I don't know if changing the oil will actually help or what is making the noise. I am hoping maybe that it is simply an exhaust leak. Well today I was looking at the motor and listening to it run. I think there is air escaping from one of the big round holes under the exhaust manifold. Is this a "freeze plug" Is it expensive to fix?

Here is a not very good photo:



I am also planning on puttin this old CB radio in the truck. The truck had a PA speaker under the hood as well but it's no good. I plan on hooking up a new PA speaker. Should be fun.

[BlueOvalDave]

Howdy! When the motors cold, give her a start and feel around (carefully) with your fingers for an exhaust leak. Dont actually touch the manifold but you should be able to pinpoint the source of the leak. Cant really tell from the pic but it appears that the freeze plug has been getting blasted by exhaust so your probably right. (Actually they're casting plugs from the sand casting at the factory) when the pour the iron for the block and if they were leaking you'll see coolant. An exhaust gasket repair is'nt that hard, depending on your level of experience. Everyone here will be willing to walk you thru it. In some cases an exhaust leak can sound like a lifter or other internal engine noise.
And do yourself a favor, fix your brakes so you can be around to post some more updates
They're not that hard, and when I was a kid I'd do one wheel at a time and use the other as a reference point. Chances are, depending on the maintanance the truck has seen you'll probably end up replacing wheel cylinders, hoses and steel lines spring kit etc. And then you get to bleed them!

keep us posted

[dolinick]

I had to go to Uvalde today for a job fair. I turned in an application. I wanted to check my miles per gallon so I filled up the truck before I left and filled her up when I got home. I put in almost 11 gallons and drove 181 miles so I think that's about 16.5 miles per gallon. I didn't go over 60 miles per hour. I was hoping for better gas mileage but I guess that's not bad at all for a 44 year old truck. I don't know the gear ratio but it's got a 240 CID 6 cylinder engine, 3 speed transmission and 235 75 r15 tires on it.

[dolinick]

oh, I forgot. I have 40 psi in the tires. Maybe I shouldn't go over 35.

[killakobra]

Must be a pretty low ratio. I know i took a 3.73 out of my green truck that had a 240 3 speed. I'm getting around 20 mpg with a 3.00:1 gear.