parked truck

[Black_Splash]

I found a late 70s F-150. What kind of issues will I come across with a truck that has been parked for 10 years? What kind of a project am I looking at or is it worth it?

 

[MrE_Powers]

well you need to new tires, check the fuel may have to drain it. you need new oil. you may have problems with all rubber. the valve seals in the engine may be bad. you may have leaky gaskets just, do to no oil in contact with them. just be prepared to replace stuff as problems develop

 

[Nhaz]

Does it turn over? I would be very worried about a seized engine after a decade of not moving.

 

[Black_Splash]

Does it turn over? I would be very worried about a seized engine after a decade of not moving.

I don't know if it does. I haven't contacted the guy yet, I wanted to get input first.

 

[predator]

im to the point where if i find a 70's ford truck 2wd or 4wd that is complete and under 500 running, 300 non running i will buy it for parts no questions asked, if it has a title i have enough parts to get it decent, pretty, roadworthy, sell it just to get these old trucks back on the road working, if you have a frame and axles with a halfway decent body it is worth fixing as you can find running motor/tranny deals for 500 or less...an average buildup will run about 1500-2k starting from a project like you say, not including the cost of the truck, this is just me speaking from expiriance of having a few projects that started out as "lone truck parked under tree in a field"...

if you got the cash (and the mechanical know-how) i'd go for it


*warning* projects like these have a tendency to snowball and all of a sudden you are in over your head with no end in sight, often ending marriages and making sex a distant memory....proceed with caution!!!

 

[snake]

I bought a 1950 F-1 that had been parked (inside) for 33 years... It wasn't locked up and $1600 later it starts, runs, idles, stops, runs down the road. Problem is it was a piece of crap when it was parked, so it is still a piece of crap. Hard to hold in the road, jumps out of 2nd gear, engine smokes, etc. No oil leaks though, which is insane. I thought it would leak like a sieve. Worst was brakes and cooling system, had to replace all hydraulic parts and rubber lines, both water pumps, radiator, hoses, thermostats, etc. Also had two stuck valves so I had to pull the heads and smack them with a hammmer... Big money pit. Be prepared to drop some bucks into this thing...

 

[milje]

often ending marriages and making sex a distant memory....

I thought that happened when you got married?

 

[superdave1984]

I don't know if it does. I haven't contacted the guy yet, I wanted to get input first.

You need to buy it, buy my 429 and C-6, rebuild that sucker and drive the hell out of it.

 

[Black_Splash]

The body looks to be in decent shape. Maybe I'll give the guy a call and see what he says. You never know I might get lucky and he'll sell it real cheap.....LOL.

 

[Black_Splash]

I called the guy. He wants $325 for it. It has a 302 with an automatic tranny. The tranny was redone right before he parked it. The truck does turn over. It doesn't start though. He says it looks to have a weak spark, it sound like it needs a tune up which I would have done anyway. Any other thoughts?

 

[souldoubt88]

Go for it!
I just bought a '81 Ford Econoline 100 with the 300ci 6 in it that had been sittin for a while and it's been really easy to work on compared to my ranger (and cheaper!). I love older vehicles for those reasons.

 

[Nhaz]

for $325 its got a 302 and it turns over. take it. who cares whats wrong with it => it may need a rebuild but its still a good deal if you are doing the work yourself.

 

[plainsranger]

I thought that happened when you got married?

Not right away. Once you get thru the honeymoon phase, (which is 3 months to a year), then it happens. Unless you really piss her off before the phase is complete.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I called the guy. He wants $325 for it. It has a 302 with an automatic tranny. The tranny was redone right before he parked it. The truck does turn over. It doesn't start though. He says it looks to have a weak spark, it sound like it needs a tune up which I would have done anyway. Any other thoughts?

After sitting for even a year or two I can only imagine what the inside of that carb looks like... If it has points they won't be looking all that great by now either...

 

[dennis461]

Parked outdoors, floor boards are rusted through,
all rubber is rotted (fuel lines, seat cusions, brake cylinders, fuel pump diaphragm, etc)
wires will break when touched,

should I go on?