lookin to buy a old ford truck

[ranger_mclaren]

theres a '79 f-150 that i've pass everyday on the way to work thats for sale its blue with a flat bed looks like its got 33"s or 35"s under it and my friend says he stoped to look at it because he has a '78 that he loves witha 300 striaght six and he was woundering what it had. he said its got a Ford 360 and it s 4x4 and there asking $700 for it and they would might take $500 cash does anyone know anything about the 360. i've never heard of it except as a Mopar motor and how are the 4 wheel systems on these. please let me know. i'll post some pics when i go to test drive hopfully this weekend!!

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

The 360 is an FE series engine. They came in 352, 360, and 390 cubic inch displacements among others.

I know they're generally well regarded and pretty stout. You'd have to check with someone else as to spefic issues they might have. I've also heard they can get really thirsty.

 

[86ford]

TRANNY= c-6,np435,?
tcase= np205 (shitty gearing, less than 2to1 but nearly indestructable)
front STOCK axle=d44 high pinion reverse cut i THINK
rear stock=ford 9inch low pinion


watch the frames on these, many of them are very rotted. the floor 95% of the time has been repaired or is just about gone. these trucks rust and rot significantly so just look it over.

86

 

[almostclueless]

If it doesnt have rust and runs good then sure.


BTW, all too often yokels can't identify what engine is in their truck. The 360 will have a short piece of heater hose between the water pump and the intake manifold (so does a 390, or other FE engines). The valve covers also bolt to the intake manifold and heads. It's even possible they don't know they have a 390 swapped into it (i'd use a piece of coat hanger wire to get a basic idea of the stroke). The 360 apparently has hideously low compression and retarded timing.

 

[CapK2]

I did'nt think the 360/352/390/427/428/462 FE engines were still being produced in '79. My father had a '79 Bronco with a 351M, and I'm pretty sure that is what was going in the pickups also. Now the 351M was a pretty low power engine, but rugged and simple.

John

 

[mhughes165]

its a modified motor....most likely a 351m or a 400

 

[turtle3.0]

Granted your looking at a 29 year old truck . . .

The drivelines on these are pretty solid, however, being a 29 year old truck, you will at least will have to drain the oil, coolant, tranny, diffs, tc, etc. before you know anything conclusive. For a couple hundred bucks, it could be a fun project truck. Typically those 78-79 ford broncos and f-series are pretty solid. Rust is your biggest enemy but again, on a 29 yo truck there will be some rust. What are you wanting to do with it? DD, mud, trail, tough truck? The aftermarket is LOADED with stuff for these year Ford trucks depending on what you want to do. But remember, buyer beware.

 

[albertaranger]

Had a '79 with a 400. It was extremely reliable, but I think we lucked out because in general I don't think 400's are really that highly regarded.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

thanks for the info i've been christmas shopping and haven't had the time to get on to see what everyone said. i didn't go test drive the truck because one i've been busey an two its been -20 windchill and it feels it too, and my ranger has enough trouble starting even after driving it the night before let alone a 29 yr old carbed motor but ill still post pics when i can. Thanks again!

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

I did'nt think the 360/352/390/427/428/462 FE engines were still being produced in '79. My father had a '79 Bronco with a 351M, and I'm pretty sure that is what was going in the pickups also. Now the 351M was a pretty low power engine, but rugged and simple.

John

The FE line of motors was introduced in 1958 along with the MEL and Ford Super Duty truck engines. The FE line of motors was discontinued in 1976 in favor of Cleveland, Windsor, and 385-series engines.

 

[superdave1984]

If it is really a 360, those things will run forever, but are stupidly low power engines. I had one in a 75 full size truck. Parts are expensive too. Most likely it's a 351M or 400 however.

 

[fordwheelinman]

Dont rule out a 460......Might be it has the 460, but someone mistook or misinterpreted the first numeral. More than likely however it is either a windsor or the modified. Never driven a 351M so i cant say anything on those. The 400m however i love dearly, at least mine. Im getting ready to swap on a edelbrock 4bbl intake and motorcraft carb and we will see how that does. In its current form, it will pass almost anything. If you need to pull with it, hook it to a house and go. Its not a speed demon starting off, but it will tug like no other gas motor ive driven of its size. I had a 2wd with a 460, and i think my 400 4x4 will pull just about as much, not nearly as quickly mind you, but still. I towed a 16ft trailer, with a 4 door 4x4 explorer with my truck, while it was equipped with the 33's and the stock 3.50ish ratio. Pulled some steep hills and stayed at 50 mph, which happened to be the speed limit on the road. For $700, i know id buy it reguardless of body condition, but then again i have an extra good cab......

 

[ZMan]

The biggest issue with the 400m is its oiling system. As long as you keep them stock they'll hold together. But once you start trying to modify them and spin them higher in the RPM range, they'll start spinning bearings like its their job.

 

[rangerbum]

The C-6 tranny is a biatch btw. Slip like hell in every C6 equipped rig Ive ever driven.

 

[fordwheelinman]

guess thats because they've been treated like crap before you got to them