Gear vendor overdrive

[r71f250]

This is my fist post... Man I have to tell ya, I have been searching for a long time to find a early ford truck specific web site and finally found it.

I have a 1971 f250 LB, 390 (was 360 now stroked) a/c duel tanks 112,000 original miles, original paint very clean (never wrecked all original), 2 tone green. My father was the original owner and gave it 2 me 12 years ago.

I am now starting to do some extra things I always wanted to do. Going to rebuild motor & bore and stroke to 428 mild performance (block was checked years ago and would accept the bore), go through the C6, the original gear is 4.56 and need to go probably 4.10 (was thinking 3.73 but with 30-31" tall tires maybe too much) and gear vendor over drive. My question is that the aux gas tank is pretty tight and I am concerned that the overdrive unit may not fit and I may have to cut and modify part of the tank. Has anyone done this and or any recommendations or suggestions.

other things I want to do (any additional suggestions would be appreciated)Going to put on a steering stablizer, front and rear sway bars, upgrade drive shaft strength. Should move real well and have lots of pulling torque... Thanks...

Blessings,

[seattle67]

Welcome!

[HOWDY69]

I just had my C6 rebuilt and the mechanic told me I did not have enough room for a gear vendors with the auxiliary tank. I am trying to decide if I can live with the cab tank if I get 12 mpg.

With the 428 crank you may need to add a Truetrac to your wish list. I don't have one yet and my right rear tire is wearing out fast.

[basketcase0302]

r71,

Is this the "midships" auxillary tank you're speaking of?
Have seen a few of the "saddle" tanks on the net, maybe an option.
Please give some feedback about the gear venders, I'm hoping to install one too!

oh yeah...



Basketcase

[r71f250]

Hey thank for all the feedback and replys... I will post some pics... The aux tank is so close to the drive shaft already the dimensions of the GVOD would fit but the resivor seems to be the problem. Looks like I will have to do gears or to cut and mod the fuel tank... The cab fuel tank alone just would not do the trick...

Maybe 3.54's would work but i was aiming for a cruse rpm of say 2500-2600 @ 75mph...

Hey hody69.... Hows that engine combo work for ya? Did you do anything to the C6 for the added power?

The concern I have had is that the drive shaft definitely seems to be the weakest link.

Guys I am so glad to find this sight and forum. I have been able to decode everything on my truck and what was taking so much time and searching was accomplished in 10 minutes compared to the last years of digging here and there...

You guys are the best...

Blessings...

[r71f250]

Well, been checking a few things out. I read the wrong # on the VIN. 4.56 did not seem right. Checked the door and got the axle code and the rear gear is a 3.73

I am going to do the GVOD and modify the tank slightly and put a power-trax in the 3rd member cause I have no posi.. One wheel is not going to do it.

With the motor I am going to do a mild 390 instead of the 428. Got a quote from http://proformanceunlimited.com with a complete iron hearded 390 with adj. rockers, edelbrock performer, edelbrock 750, electronic dist. and would have about 400hp and just under 500lbs torque for just over 7k. a little expensive but from reading and researching they are top notch and it would be turnkey.

Going to go through the C6, it was rebuilt in 87 and only has under 15k on it works and shifts firm and perfect. I don't think I have to do any mods on it. Has a shift kit, upgraded bands and clutches. If you guys have any input of this, it would sure help.

I will post some pics tomorrow. I have US Mags that my father put on the truck back in 74 and I polished them 2 weeks ago myself and they turned out awesome. now getting 9.50X16.5 tires has been a bit tricky, actually I should have 10.50X16.5 but no one makes those anymore. with a 10" rim its tight, but I like the 70's look of the mags.

This weekend doing the heater core and pulling the dealer added A/C to inspect the electrical problem (no power).

Glad I found this board. I learned alot of information that has been very useful... Thanks guys...


Blessings,

[HOWDY69]

Hey hody69.... Hows that engine combo work for ya? Did you do anything to the C6 for the added power?

I love the 410. It has plenty of torque and the CR is only 9.6 to 1. I used a local builder who used my block and ported the heads. I liked the 410 he built so much I had him build a 302 roller cam motor for our 1971 Mach 1. Tom really knows FE engines.

http://www.fespecialties.com/



The fellow that built my C6 included some upgrades similar to the 500hp models on this page.

http://broaderperformance.com/C6%20tran ... arts-A.htm

I have heard good thing about Broader on the FE site.

The fellow that rebuilt my C6 specializes in 1000 hp buicks but is well versed in C6 as well.

http://www.2004rperformancecenter.com/

It is more expensive but I like to use local builders both to support the economy and to simplify any warranty issues. They know if something is not right I will be on there door step.

[r71f250]

Hey hody69.... Hows that engine combo work for ya? Did you do anything to the C6 for the added power?

I love the 410. It has plenty of torque and the CR is only 9.6 to 1. I used a local builder who used my block and ported the heads. I liked the 410 he built so much I had him build a 302 roller cam motor for our 1971 Mach 1. Tom really knows FE engines.

http://www.fespecialties.com/



The fellow that built my C6 included some upgrades similar to the 500hp models on this page.

http://broaderperformance.com/C6%20tran ... arts-A.htm

I have heard good thing about Broader on the FE site.

The fellow that rebuilt my C6 specializes in 1000 hp buicks but is well versed in C6 as well.

http://www.2004rperformancecenter.com/

It is more expensive but I like to use local builders both to support the economy and to simplify any warranty issues. They know if something is not right I will be on there door step.

Hey thanks for that info. Sacramento is 3 hours away, maybe I will do what you did. thats so good info. I will definately take this to heart.. thanks...

Blessings,

[HOWDY69]

They know if something is not right I will be on there door step.

OOPS...grammar or spelling error. I meant either:

I will be on their door step...or

I will be on that there door step.

[r71f250]

They know if something is not right I will be on there door step.

OOPS...grammar or spelling error. I meant either:

I will be on their door step...or

I will be on that there door step.

well there it is.... did not proof read that one....

Blessings,

[averagef250]

Between the gear vendors and the engine you'll have another $10K in your truck.

Not to completely change the subject, but how do you feel about diesel?

You could bolt a 12 or 24 valve cummins in your truck with a bulletproof overdrive auto that'll out perform a 390 and get double the mileage for 1/2 that price if you did the work yourself or about the same price to have it done professionally.

[mljjones67]

Dustin i like the diesel idea!

[averagef250]

I know you do Mike!

I just like to suggest the Cummins stuff because there are a lot of guys that have never owned a diesel or have never had the idea of an old truck with a new diesel cross thier mind.

I either get the "I hate those rattly, stinky diesels" or "Wow, what kind of power we talkin' here and how much?"

300 HP, 700+ TQ, 25 MPG (2wd) and 500,000 mile life expectancy tends to rope the open minded ones in.