Project 1977 F100 - New radiator + electric fan!

[hotrodfeguy]

Well thats a great time to do mods look at all the money your saving in fuel right now

[HHOTDI]

Originally Posted by hotrodfeguy

4.11's are the killer almost anything is better than that. I swapped from 3.25 to 2.75's in my 77 with a 351M and it was a lot better. I think by looking at your engine there you have a 351C or a 351M either way the MPG is in the rear gears right now. I would even leave the trans alone for now. Go with anything but the 4.11's good GOD mate !!!

Right on Sir...I too have had several of those older F-series pickups and that is definitely "NOT" a Windsor series motor. The first indicator is the placement and position of the Thermostat housing...dead-give-away that it is the 351C/351M/400M series motor. Second look-see is the corner of the head next to the valve cover, if there is an "M" stamped there it is generally a 351M/400M, if there is a "2" or "4" stamped there then it is usually the 351C. There are variants if someone swapped the heads out etc etc. More if needed.

:{)

[HHOTDI]

ooops! The nice part is now you can save all the faster for the required mods you need. May I humbly suggest the rearend gears first, then a nice 5speed trans as the more gears you have available to use will be much easier for you to haul the heavy loads you stated earlier that you haul 1-2 times weekly. I have had the granny low 4-speeds and the C6 3speed automatics. Both worked well and only ever got me 8-10mpg. Then i drove a friends F250 with a 5speed trans, wow that was nice for heavy pulling, way better for pulling/hauling those heavy loads and the 5th gear for the overdrive mileage! Great build and congrats to you and your business. I too had plenty of the 9" third members that you could've had for free, too bad you're down under mate, the shipping would kill'ya even with a free part! :{)

[HHOTDI]

Hey, lets throw you a curve...you could always dump that 351/400M series motor and do a Turbo Diesel swap. The Mercedes OM617 5cyl is an awesome swap as well as the 4BT Cummings. Dunno what you have available down under....but there are a lot of swaps like that here in the states that are netting excellent fuel mileage and great pulling/hauling power! just a thought..... I am looking to stuff one of the OM617T into a willy's jeep for wheelin' in. Our big Powerstroke Excursion has a all-time best of 18.2MPG on a long trip to the beautiful Oregon Coast. We got 750 miles to that tank! Whoo Hooo! Keep up the great work mate! :{)

[ron]

what do your used trucks cost, mabe you could import a cheap calif rust free truck with the bed filled with the upgrade parts you need and sell the truck for all costs. win win

[bobo333]

Hey, lets throw you a curve...you could always dump that 351/400M series motor and do a Turbo Diesel swap. The Mercedes OM617 5cyl is an awesome swap as well as the 4BT Cummings. Dunno what you have available down under....but there are a lot of swaps like that here in the states that are netting excellent fuel mileage and great pulling/hauling power! just a thought..

Thats actually high on my list of possibilities, now that im not driving it anymore i dont have to worry about getting it back together the next day so an engine swap is a possibility, either some kind of diesel (havnt looked what is available yet) or a late model fuel injected V8, with matching 5 or 6 speed gearbox

In other news my mileage has gone wayyyy up... depending how much i pedal i should be getting a minimum of 150mpg :P




still waiting on a few parts to get the motor running (7 speed shift kit ftw!) but im enjoying getting fit again

[ron]

FYI you should seal the tank and add a fuel filter ,my cruiser gave me nothing but trouble until I added a filter and sealed the tank, does about 20mph with the 49cc motor, my friend built his with an 80cc and it is scary fast! with no suspension or good brakes.

[HHOTDI]

That's cool, now you're talking... :{)

[ron]

by the look of your frame /motor set up you might do what I had to do I used a pipe fitted between the seat rail and the bottom rail with the motor mounted to it then bolted that copper pipe to the bike frame with drive/self tapping screws

[bobo333]

Thanks guys,

ive ordered a "sick bike parts" shift kit and some other bits and bobs for it so i have to wait for them to arrive before i can bolt it all in but i think i might have to make a new bottom mount because the bottom tube is much wider than the motor is designed for

i think the exhaust will have to be moved slightly but i might add a custom expansion chamber anyway so that isnt really a problem

I put some light on yesterday so i can ride at night, maybe i should start a new thread just for the bike?


12v Milwaukee tool battery holder and battery and switches to turn the lights on and off: