79 F-150 overhaul for dad

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, dad has a 79 F-150 that we are trying to go through. It’s been in storage since 1990 and leaking from every orifice. Plan was to rebuild the brakes and fuel system plus anything else we came across. Well, then we dug into it and now I’m coming up with questions.

It was a custom order, heavy half ton (6250 GVWR) with a 351m that got headers, Holley carb, different intake, recurved distributor and some other tweaks. 62k-ish miles (yes, that’s accurate, it’s a one-owner rig). Appears to be a D-44 HP front and 9” rear. 4-speed manual with manual NP205.

Current issue is with the brake booster. The old one doesn’t seem to be any good, bought a new one and the measurements match up, except the old booster had a hard plastic boot and the new has a rubber boot which doesn’t seem to fit the brackets. I got to looking and that is the only booster I’ve been able to find that matches the dimensions. I did notice that it said “from serial number DJ0,001” but I can’t find any numbers on dad’s truck that make sense with that number string. The other boosters I’ve found are for the trucks with cruise control but dad’s doesn’t have that option and they are a different design. Apparently this booster is only a 79 thing because the 78s used a booster like the cruise optioned one for 79 and the 80s are similar to the 79 but a bigger booster. So I’m not quite sure what to make of it. @rusty ol ranger , @Snoranger , you guys have any suggestions?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Put a couple old tires on the front bumper to minimalize damage when you bump into things.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Put a couple old tires on the front bumper to minimalize damage when you bump into things.

Ah, negative ghostrider, that option will not work with dad

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

Ah, negative ghostrider, that option will not work with dad

Not on your dad, on the truck.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Not on your dad, on the truck.

I don’t think you guys understand. This truck is pristine and dad doesn’t even take to jokes like that about his truck. He custom ordered it and has been fiercely protective of it over the years.

 

[bobbywalter]

look up battle born brakes....

that setup with lugnut 4x4 consumables is slick.


outside of that i never had any problems with the generic 76-79 units with that type of boot....just wiggle it in there.

outside of that. hydroboost.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don’t think you guys understand. This truck is pristine and dad doesn’t even take to jokes like that about his truck. He custom ordered it and has been fiercely protective of it over the years.

I don't think you understand how my sense of humor works, I feed off that.

My brother special ordered a brand new Mustang.

Guess who spilled a little bit of oil on the ground under where the engine is when he parks it so he could chase a phantom oil leak on his brand new car?



He had it up on the lift where he worked and everything...

Dad rebuilt a tractor engine... slight phantom rear main seal leak for that one...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I don't think you understand how my sense of humor works, I feed off that.

My brother special ordered a brand new Mustang.

Guess who spilled a little bit of oil on the ground under where the engine is when he parks it so he could chase a phantom oil leak on his brand new car?



He had it up on the lift where he worked and everything...

Dad rebuilt a tractor engine... slight phantom rear main seal leak for that one...

Oh I have that kind of humor as well, but when it comes to dad and this truck, trying a joke like that would be considered life threatening.