The "Unpardonable Sin"

[dustman_stx]

Well, after ranting about the Chevy motors in the Fords recently, I can't believe I'm actually considering doing such a thing. Before you heat the tar, hear me out. My original plan was to purchase a used truck, preferably a Ford F150, 98-02, with around 100K miles, for around $5000. My plan was to borrow against my restored 72 F100, which has no liens so that I can have cash in hand for a better deal. Problems with this plan are: 1. Some banks won't lend on the 72, and those that will are offering only 36 months. This will get the payment higher than I want. 2. The banks that have the best interest rates will only loan on 02+ models. I could find an 02 and get 60 month payments and have a nicer truck for the same payment, but I'd have to carry full coverage on it, which would then exceed what I can spend. So, I then considered fixing up my 71. This still doesn't get me a second family vehicle, which was kind of the point because my wife and I have 2 children now. However, the 71 is my daily driver, and I am going to have to invest some into it to get it safer and more dependable. Upgrades that must be done to continue driving it are shoulder belts, relocating gas tank to rear, new kingpins, new PS pump, new front tires, new carb, and fixing an oil leak(no surprise). All of this would run around $1250. Or, instead of replacing the carb, I can put an LT1 in it my buddy has. He has the motor, tranny, and a new wiring harness he will sell me for $1500. Of course, other upgrades would have to be such as fuel pump, but I think it could be done rather easily. My in-laws have a car they are going to loan me, which would allow the 71 to be out of commission for a while. I think the 71 would get close to 20 mpg with an LT1, have good power, and be pretty dependable. Selling the 71 is a last resort. Couldn't get more than a couple thousand for it, and it's worth more than that to me. Basically, I think that I could borrow $4000 to fix up the 71, get my payments where I want, and have the 71 in good daily driver condition with a fuel injected engine getting upper teens in fuel mileage. Let me know what you guys think. Anything I'm missing that I should be considering?

Wow. After reading this, I think I am fully realizing just how broke I am.

[fitzwell]

first... ( hey boys, get the tar ready) If i was going to install a chevy motor in a bump, i damned sure wouldn't use an LT-1. Now a 5.3 vortec is another story. Inexpensive, 300 reliable hp without a whole lot of fuss, and 20 mpg to boot.


IF i was gonna do a gm motor.

Now, who's in charge of the feathers.....

[guerra]

[cdeal28078]

If you are thinking of doing this to have a second family car I would leave the F100 alone. Save up about 2K and start looking for a used Taurus or maybe a T Bird. Look hard enough you might find a used cream puff of an 80-90's LTD which is a great family car. Beats messing up a perfectly good F100.
clint

[dustman_stx]

first... ( hey boys, get the tar ready) If i was going to install a chevy motor in a bump, i damned sure wouldn't use an LT-1. Now a 5.3 vortec is another story. Inexpensive, 300 reliable hp without a whole lot of fuss, and 20 mpg to boot.


IF i was gonna do a gm motor.

Now, who's in charge of the feathers.....

I guarantee you I wouldn't do it if it wasn't for the fact that a friend has it and would help with the install. I can also guarantee you the hood would never come up with anybody around. Trust me, I'd rather have a 4.6 or 5.4, but it's a serious pain to get the electronics setup, and I couldn't do it for the kind of money I'm talking. Getting a 5.3 would cost more time and more money. I'm short on both.

I did consider getting a Professional Products Powerjection III system. But, I have to be more practical in my position than prideful, and I just cant justify spending $2000 on that and still only get 12mpg when I could spend the same and get 20. I am considering just upgrading the carb, as I mentioned. It would take lots of gas to offset the additional $1650 or so to go EFI.

[dustman_stx]

If you are thinking of doing this to have a second family car I would leave the F100 alone. Save up about 2K and start looking for a used Taurus or maybe a T Bird. Look hard enough you might find a used cream puff of an 80-90's LTD which is a great family car. Beats messing up a perfectly good F100.
clint

Well, I have to have a truck for ocassional hauling, etc. . And as I mentioned, the 71 HAS to have some upgrades. I figure about $1250 minimum if I'm gonna keep using it. So, using it as is and saving up isn't really an option.

[BobbyFord]

Dude, get some ice for that bump on your head. Whatever you estimate the cost for a project you must multiply by a certain factor, depending on how exotic the modification. Economically, there must be other options available that will yield more disireable results than bastardizing your Ford, which will also result in considerable speculatory observation from your Fordification peers. With that said, the $4000 prospected to fix the '71 could be much better applied to a used, brand X fuel sipper that will allow you to, over time, save money as well as save face amongst us tru-blu bleeders.
Seriously, not trying to bag. Just trying to offer some levity in a less-than-desireable situation. There must be more economically-friendly options available.

[TX69F100]

I agree with BobbyFord regarding the cost estimate, and I would apply that to time/effort as well. Take whatever you think it will take (time and money) under the worst case scenario, then double it.

Even if you had the entire donor vehicle the LT1 came from, you will still get nickled and dimed to death with all the unforseen items that will be required. This does not mention all the one-off mods you are going to have to make to get everything to fit and play nicely together. Silly things that tend to take longer and cost more than you bargain for include things like custom motor mount perches, exhaust piping, shifter linkage, drive shaft, throttle linkage, radiator hoses, fan shrouding, electric fuel pump + wiring, all fresh fluids, etc., etc., etc. What if the starter or one of the accessories on the LT1 has decided to fail since removed?

Every time you turn around you're needing to run to the parts store to make another $20+ purchase, or you're needing to order something online (uncommon parts, perhaps), and you need it ASAP (extra shipping), or else it drags out the project. You mentioned you are short on time and money...

[j41385]

Why do you want to relocate the gas tank? If its for "saftey" ....I remember the owner of this website saying if you get hit hard enough in a wreck to rupture the in cab gas tank you're probably dead anyway. Which is probably true, so moving it is a waste of time in my opinion.

[1970FordTK]

I have the feathers, dude just buy another car that the family will fit in. Like BobbyFord said, the cost will snowball out of control on that other mess you are planning.

[binder56jd]

you will probably need a new "crank too--cuz you just stepped on your's and broke it

[mlheppl]

Let me see if I'm reading this correctly: You're going to drop in a chevy motor because you've got an oil leak and need a new carb?

[mlheppl]

Friends don't let friends put chevy motors in Fords!

[67mann]

you will probably need a new "crank too--cuz you just stepped on your's and broke it

But seriously---if read that post right(not to even jump on "WTF chevy idea")and I think I did---your looking for 5k on a 60mnth loan---you are behind the 8ball son right from the get-go. So if you think ya can scrape 1500 up to do this swap---forget the ford for now and get a used family car or m van with that money
Hell ya could even use it as a down payment at a used dealer that finances---which ain't a great option,but don't piss away what ya got chasing your tail

[flyboy71]

Id spend the $4000-5000 and buy about 4 used Chevy's. One to drive and the other three for parts.