So here i go..

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Wed May 25, 2011 6:18 pm

About two weeks ago i picked up a 1971 F100 from a man here locally in Louisiana, all it cost me was a shotgun, not a bad deal. Now before i get started with the build i am going to let you all know up front that i have never have done a project like this before in my life. My son's call him fireball so i guess thats what we call him. So ole' fireball showed up at the house looking pretty ruff......

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Wed May 25, 2011 6:38 pm

but thats ok, got big plans for him. First i started by taking the chrome panels off of the side, not putting them back on either so if any of you want them, let me know. Then i removed the front grill to do a little polishing on it. While i was at it i i removed ole' fireballs tired 390 for a rebuild, now he looks a little like this......

I will be putting all new bearings on the mains and rods along with a 280 cam and upgrading to a four barrell carb and aluminum intake....any suggestions? Please feel free to tell me if i am screwing up...i have been in the ARMY for 16 years so i take criticism good

It has the factory three on the tree with the pull type overdrive...never have seen or heard of this before this truck, so any info would be appreciated. i would like to just swap the shifter off of the column and come out of the floor with it. By the way, the interior is perfect on this truck and everything works, i will post some pics later. to just give you a quick rundown of my plans for ole' fireball, i want bags in the back and low as i can go in the front, thinking maybe dropped i-beams and bags in front???? and putting bags in rear, notching frame but keepings leafs?? possible?? Well i will be posting pics as i go, i plan on finishing motor up next week and hitting it with a fresh coat of ford blue. Any recommendations will be much appreciated if you see where i am going wrong. Later

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Wed May 25, 2011 6:43 pm

A few more pics

forrestbump · Post by **forrestbump** » Wed May 25, 2011 7:11 pm

I think he looks pretty darn good in my book, considering his age.

Thanks for sharing!

Godspeed in your project...

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Wed May 25, 2011 10:33 pm

forrestbump wrote:I think he looks pretty darn good in my book, considering his age.

Thanks for sharing!

Godspeed in your project...

Thanks brother, got big plans for him...i will post some pics of the interior tomorrow. i cant wait til tomorrow evening, four day weekend for us in the military, hopefully get a lot done

STROKER69 · Post by **STROKER69** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:22 am

SFCmize the 3speed over drive is explained in the site index also wiring diagrams for the wiring of it in the same section. These trans. are loved by some and hated by others. I have one I am using in my build and I am using a 3:89 rear gear but in o.d. with about a 29 inch tire I will act as a 2:70 gear. Great for highway and better milage and easy on the motor rpm. Research and I think you will like it.

STROKER69 · Post by **STROKER69** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:27 am

Okay forgot to mention it will help with your rebuild if you match up the ports of intake to heads and clean up the the intake and exhaust ports of the heads. Are the heads in good shape ie no burnt valves or weak springs and such?

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Thu May 26, 2011 7:34 am

Morning Stroker69, the heads are in great shape, just a good cleaning. I did buy more springs though, the double springs forth 280 cam. Will the aftermarket intake matchup better? And does anyone know where I can find the best price intake for a four barrel? While I am at it how bout a four barrel carb? I am gonna have a lot of factory stuff open for trades, I am all about saving money!! With four kids I don't have any....never...

..oh one more thing, what would be the best headers? I want red light to red-light fast

forrestbump · Post by **forrestbump** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:49 am

SFCmize wrote:And does anyone know where I can find the best price intake for a four barrel?

Right HERE!! Post your request in the Classified Section, Parts Wanted, Auto Swap meets and Keep your eye out for one on Craigslist too. Don't know if you're looking for an opinion, but mine is a dual plane Edelbrock. Yup, you can use an O.E.M. 4 barrel intake manifold, but damn they're heavy!!!

Carb too? If so, Holley (if that's your preference) does sell re-manufactured ones that are as good as new for a lot less. Buying a used carb is a crap shoot...you may get lucky, but more often than not, you'll just end up with junk.

SFCmize wrote:oh one more thing, what would be the best headers? I want red light to red-light fast

No experience myself, but if I recall, others here have had good luck with Hedman. You're better off buying those new as they are application specific for clearing cross members, transmissions and such. Again, you might get lucky and find a used pair, just be careful...

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:00 am

Thanks forrestbump, and yes opinions are great i take them and use them. Like i said before, this is my first build on four wheels, plenty of motorcycles, never a truck, especially one as great as the F100. Thanks again, and will be looking into your suggestions. The headers are my main concern, because i will be slamming him to the ground and i have read of clearance problems.

Post by **Ranchero50** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:24 pm

Tim, welcome to the site, if you could take the time, put your location in your profile, might have another member cloe by with some of the parts you need. Intake looks like a 390 so if it is they are available with a Holley 4bbl usually for around $300. For the headers I don't think you'll run into clearance problems unless you get really goofy. Perhaps a shorty setup would work? One thing, get the exhaust ports machined flat before putting the engine back together. makes a huge difference with exhaust leaks...

Jamie

Judgement699 · Post by **Judgement699** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:09 pm

Wow, Sir that is a nice looking project truck. I can definatly tell your from the south by the trade... one of my buddies got a 1967 ford mustang I6 for a 2 kids hunting rifles. Plus the truck is awsome, gotta love these little trucks.

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:55 pm

Thanks for all the replys, any information is very much appreciated for a slow old redneck like myself. Well today I got off a little early and soon as I got home I started taking the headers off of the heads. I am gonna post a couple of pics, but not gonna bore y'all to much with it...by the way, I only broke two studs off in heads...ha ha

Now ready for some steamer action and some machine work on the exhaust ports...

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:02 pm

Next I started some work on the block. First I removed the freeze plugs, check out what was behiind the plugs once I removed them...hard to believe

And just one more

So next came a good old country flushing

All clean now, tomorrow is steam cleaning time

SFCmize · Post by **SFCmize** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:10 pm

Ok now I am just gonna post a few pics of the 390 block. I know this is nothing for some of you but may help a newbie like myself...ya never know

It looks rusty, but that is the cleaner I am using, no big deal though, gonna be clean as all get out by Sunday.

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