77 LTD II

[rusty ol ranger]

I dragged the old LTD II out today from its peaceful 15 or 16 year slumber.

Ill be documenting progress in this thread for anyone who might actually care about a smog era somewhat restoration...

Base vehicle...

77 LTD II 351W/FMX/9in rear (2.50 ratio)

Plans....in no order of importance....

1- Go through wiring and make sure its not mouse food
2- Get engine running
3- Touch up rust spots and other paint issues
4- Find decent used bumpers (mostly rear)
5- New headliner
6-New carpet
7- Try to get seat tears fixed
8- Replace the AM radio with a factory AM/FM mono radio
9- New tires/Shine rims
10-Straighten/replace (if i can find any) rocker moldings
11- fuel tank/lines
12- probably brake lines (although at quick glance they seem pretty good yet)
13- Whatever other shit i run across.
14- Seatbelts,

Its going to be a long term project for sure. Goal is not a show car, but a good reliable cruiser.

Any and all comments, input, and criticalness is welcome.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Perfect candidate for a 460 swap...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Perfect candidate for a 460 swap...

Nahhh. Im a purist lol. I did contemplate building a 400...as it was an original option and 400s can be mean when done right...but i think ill stick with the windsor. Even if it needs full rebuild

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Is it a 351W or M?
If M a 460 will bolt to the trans... just being devils advocate...lol.

 

[snoranger]

Is it a 351W or M?
If M a 460 will bolt to the trans... just being devils advocate...lol.

Windsor. One of the quickest ways to tell is to look at the location of the thermostat. If the outlet comes from the block, it’s a 335 series (351m, 400, etc). If the outlet comes off the intake it’s a Windsor.

 

[sgtsandman]

77... Does it have catalytic converters? Somewhere around that time they went to unleaded and started installing them.

 

[Josh B]

Awesome Rusty!
I got a 77 Olds Delta 88 in 89, it had a 350 Chevy, paid just over 500 for it, had to sign a note saying I hadn't paid the full asking price to his wife, haha
After cleaning it up and ripping the ragged vinyl roof off of it that got to be a decent auto.
I hope you have a good time with your LTD

 

[RonD]

The word BOAT comes to mind, and not just the way it drives, more of the "bust out another thousand"


Don't forget shocks and steering wheel

HEY, where's the computer?
There is certainly enough room for it
Forget the laptop there is room for a PC WITH Monitor

I forgot just how BIG the engine bays were on these, "dual batteries, heck I'll put in 4"

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Windsor. One of the quickest ways to tell is to look at the location of the thermostat. If the outlet comes from the block, it’s a 335 series (351m, 400, etc). If the outlet comes off the intake it’s a Windsor.

The W has the same stupid "sandwich the timing cover between the water pump and engine block" water pump setup as a 302 also.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Is it a 351W or M?
If M a 460 will bolt to the trans... just being devils advocate...lol.

Windsor. If it had a M it would make a 400/460 more appealing. Even though the FMX has a removeable bell.

Windsor. One of the quickest ways to tell is to look at the location of the thermostat. If the outlet comes from the block, it’s a 335 series (351m, 400, etc). If the outlet comes off the intake it’s a Windsor.

Valve covers are vastly different to.

77... Does it have catalytic converters? Somewhere around that time they went to unleaded and started installing them.

it did

Awesome Rusty!
I got a 77 Olds Delta 88 in 89, it had a 350 Chevy, paid just over 500 for it, had to sign a note saying I hadn't paid the full asking price to his wife, haha
After cleaning it up and ripping the ragged vinyl roof off of it that got to be a decent auto.
I hope you have a good time with your LTD

Ive always had a soft spot for the late 70s stuff. They make great cheap cruisers and are usually comfortable as hell and pretty easy to wrench on.

The word BOAT comes to mind, and not just the way it drives, more of the "bust out another thousand"


Don't forget shocks and steering wheel

HEY, where's the computer?
There is certainly enough room for it
Forget the laptop there is room for a PC WITH Monitor

I forgot just how BIG the engine bays were on these, "dual batteries, heck I'll put in 4"

I did contemplate an aftermarket EFI for like....5 minutes. But then i came to my senses

 

[racsan]

Most ltd’s of that era Ive seen had 400’s. Id put a lower geared rear end in it, that alone would increase the fun-factor. 3.73’s would really make it feel like a V8.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Most ltd’s of that era Ive seen had 400’s. Id put a lower geared rear end in it, that alone would increase the fun-factor. 3.73’s would really make it feel like a V8.

I *think* i have a 3.25 3rd member laying around. Or i did. If its still around it could very well find its way into it.

If i end up doing a full rebuild its probably going to get atleast a RV cam in it. It needs a timing chain and im using an early pre emission set, so that should wake it up some too.

The 2.50's were nice though in a way....i could get 20-21hwy with it....and about 11 around town lol.

It wouldnt shift into 3rd untill the speedo was buried at WOT

 

[Blmpkn]

Ls swap

 

[Roert42]

300 swap it so it can get out of its own way.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ls swap

No

300 swap it so it can get out of its own way.

I would do this before an LS

Honestly it wasnt *that* slow. From 0-25 or so it was a bit doggy but after that it moved pretty ok.