old school towing
That's a cool old truck! You got my vote if you are ever selected for a TOTM! (Truck of the month)
A buddy of mine a long time ago had a 1976 F150 4x4, but it was an automatic and had the 360 in it... He found a 390 out of a 1969 T-Bird and we swapped it in over a weekend... It really perked that F150 up... Until it chewed up the trans!! He got the trans rebuilt and it was a decent ride.. It only got about 10 mpg, but it would go where ever you pointed it!
How is it set for towing? I like that you still have the OEM wheels/tire size.. That'll keep your effective gear ratio in check and with a 4 speed, first is probably a 'granny low', right?
All you'll have to deal with is the mpgs... But, I'll bet you will still get around 8-10 mpg's even towing... My Dads old 1971 F250 would get 9 mpg running empty or towing a 26' travel trailer!
Mitch
A buddy of mine a long time ago had a 1976 F150 4x4, but it was an automatic and had the 360 in it... He found a 390 out of a 1969 T-Bird and we swapped it in over a weekend... It really perked that F150 up... Until it chewed up the trans!! He got the trans rebuilt and it was a decent ride.. It only got about 10 mpg, but it would go where ever you pointed it!
How is it set for towing? I like that you still have the OEM wheels/tire size.. That'll keep your effective gear ratio in check and with a 4 speed, first is probably a 'granny low', right?
All you'll have to deal with is the mpgs... But, I'll bet you will still get around 8-10 mpg's even towing... My Dads old 1971 F250 would get 9 mpg running empty or towing a 26' travel trailer!
Mitch
Yes, 1st is granny low which I think I might have used once when I was stuck. I forgot to mention it is a 4X4. The block is originally a 360 with a 390 crank, pistons, heads, and a RV cam. Actually, if I use overdrive out on the highway I can squeeze 17 MPG, otherwise it's around 12 MPG whether loaded or unloaded (it actually rides much nicer under load). I've owned it about 6 years, only summer driven (Michigan winters on the west side, along lake Michigan, can be brutal)
The only thing I would do to this rig is aftermarket wheels. I have never been a fan of the steelies with the big hubcap.
390 is a solid motor, stock my brothers 74 f100 managed to exploded the rear yoke. if your frames solid still, just grin and go. nostalgia baby
mitch, if it came with the bigger motors, its rather safe to assume it has a 9". BUT, for hauling the 9" was not the queen.
oh nice, i didnt see the pic until i posted. sharp truck bud, looks like its something you picked up from the dealership and have had ever since, never modified. the frame i see looks remarkable. should roll under there one day and knock that surface rust off and give her a fresh coat.
mitch, if it came with the bigger motors, its rather safe to assume it has a 9". BUT, for hauling the 9" was not the queen.
oh nice, i didnt see the pic until i posted. sharp truck bud, looks like its something you picked up from the dealership and have had ever since, never modified. the frame i see looks remarkable. should roll under there one day and knock that surface rust off and give her a fresh coat.
Last edited by Klitch; Nov 3, 2009 at 05:18 AM.






