HELP!

[vonburger]

evan_flatts69 , FLATBEDFORD thanks for the input
Its hard for me to abandon the truck for the next several years, after all the work I put into getting money for it. I hate the idea of having a little crap car. I guess I can't argue with logic. The next topic I start will most likely be "best way to store your ford". Ha...

[evan_flatt69]

Id still put some money into it depending on how much work it needs to be driveable. Assuming you only need some basic things like a carb cleaning, fuel filter replacement, spark plugs... Do you know what it need to run and drive? What kind of shape is it in? Any pics?

[vonburger]

Id still put some money into it depending on how much work it needs to be driveable. Assuming you only need some basic things like a carb cleaning, fuel filter replacement, spark plugs... Do you know what it need to run and drive? What kind of shape is it in? Any pics?

I estimate it needs around 1000 dollars worth of parts. It needs ignition switch/cylinder gasx filler hose and gas cap. It crank needs to be balanced and it needs several interior parts. Headliner armrests steering wheel floor replacements and carpet. Basically that's it. I thought I could raise the money and have it done before my 16th birthday. Plausible? I am fourteen.

[averagef250]

I definitely agree with your mom and most everyone else who's posted.

I know one of the best motivators to do something is other people telling you don't do it so I'll try to put it a different way-

When you're young you can be the smartest kid around, but you lack experience, funding and decision making abilities that get better with age. If you focus on what you need to do to secure a good income for yourself by doing well in school, surrounding yourself with responsible successful people and moving from school to college to a well paying career you will have all the time in the world and the skills and the funding to do whatever you could want with an old Ford truck.

Seriously, play your cards right and you can be 22 years old making $60-70K a year and have the world by the ass. The more you tie yourself down with old truck projects, girlfriends and bad influences you destroy your chances of making a good life for yourself.

[evan_flatt69]

Id still put some money into it depending on how much work it needs to be driveable. Assuming you only need some basic things like a carb cleaning, fuel filter replacement, spark plugs... Do you know what it need to run and drive? What kind of shape is it in? Any pics?

I estimate it needs around 1000 dollars worth of parts. It needs ignition switch/cylinder gasx filler hose and gas cap. It crank needs to be balanced and it needs several interior parts. Headliner armrests steering wheel floor replacements and carpet. Basically that's it. I thought I could raise the money and have it done before my 16th birthday. Plausible? I am fourteen.

Sounds like to me the only thing you NEED to get it running and possibly driving it is the harmonic balancer, filler hose, and gas cap. Your local auto parts store will have the filler hose, hose clamps, and gas cap. I am guessing you're talking about the rubber hose behind the seat not the metal tube the cap goes on to.. I would post a wanted add on the parts wanted section of the forum for the harmonic balancer. And as for the ignition switch goes, if you can't find one here or somewhere else I'd just hot-wire it if you wanna see it run. I bet you could get it running for under 100$ assuming you don't need pulleys, belts, alternator, battery, ignition, or any other engine work.

As far as the interior goes I'm riding around with no horn assembly, a tattered arm rest, no headliner, no trim, and half of a floor mat. all that stuff is quite expensive and I think I can wait to re do that stuff. It's all stored up in my attic.

[jp2005]

I think you need to listen to your mom on this one. Sell your truck and find a reliable f100 that doesn't need alot of work and drive that to work and school. Don't forget to get the money from your mom for the new purchase. Solved!!!

PS. There's tons of trucks out there under $3,000 that are fair. Run it by her seen what she says.

[vonburger]

Id still put some money into it depending on how much work it needs to be driveable. Assuming you only need some basic things like a carb cleaning, fuel filter replacement, spark plugs... Do you know what it need to run and drive? What kind of shape is it in? Any pics?

I estimate it needs around 1000 dollars worth of parts. It needs ignition switch/cylinder gasx filler hose and gas cap. It crank needs to be balanced and it needs several interior parts. Headliner armrests steering wheel floor replacements and carpet. Basically that's it. I thought I could raise the money and have it done before my 16th birthday. Plausible? I am fourteen.

Sounds like to me the only thing you NEED to get it running and possibly driving it is the harmonic balancer, filler hose, and gas cap. Your local auto parts store will have the filler hose, hose clamps, and gas cap. I am guessing you're talking about the rubber hose behind the seat not the metal tube the cap goes on to.. I would post a wanted add on the parts wanted section of the forum for the harmonic balancer. And as for the ignition switch goes, if you can't find one here or somewhere else I'd just hot-wire it if you wanna see it run. I bet you could get it running for under 100$ assuming you don't need pulleys, belts, alternator, battery, ignition, or any other engine work.

As far as the interior goes I'm riding around with no horn assembly, a tattered arm rest, no headliner, no trim, and half of a floor mat. all that stuff is quite expensive and I think I can wait to re do that stuff. It's all stored up in my attic.

If I get the chance I want to get some of th interior done. As for the crankshaft I really have no idea what I am doing. I know the harmonic balancer and the flywheel have something to do with it, but that is the extent of my knowledge. I am pretty sure it is illegal in nebraska to not have a horn.

[elgemcdlf]

Id still put some money into it depending on how much work it needs to be driveable. Assuming you only need some basic things like a carb cleaning, fuel filter replacement, spark plugs... Do you know what it need to run and drive? What kind of shape is it in? Any pics?

... I thought I could raise the money and have it done before my 16th birthday. Plausible? I am fourteen.

It is very feasible BUT you need family support to do it. I knew a young man who bought a '34 PE sedan with a Volare IFS. He was around 14 when he started. He worked his tail off saving his money to buy what he needed to build the car. His mom & dad supported him & would buy things for him but only on his birthday & Christmas. The rest he earned. His dad would buy tools such as welder & the like so Pat did not have that expense. When Pat was 15 he entered his car in The Cavalcade of Wheels that is held at Notre Dame every spring. His dad drove the car there for him & he took best in class. You do not have that support. A small mig welder will eat up what you have saved & you haven't bought any wire, argon, sheet metal, etc. Tools will eat you alive. Next time you have some spare time hit your local Walmart and check prices on basic hand tools. I say Walmart because they are probably 1 of the cheapest places to get tools. Some things will require air tools which means buying a compressor, hoses, the tools, separator, etc.

I did a quick search for timing lights (yes you need 1) & came up with $39.95 for the cheapest plus tax & shipping. That takes you down to $150 or so & you haven't bought a single part. Mom is not saying sell the truck, she is saying buy a gas sipper car first. If you listen to her she most likely will show you more support in your endeavors. The more you fight her the bigger fight you will get & she ultimately has final say no matter what you desire. She could just as easily sell your truck (if the state you live in is like IN you are not allowed to legally own a motor vehicle until you are 21) which means regardless of how you got the truck she can sell it if she desired. She is trying to work with you.

I have a feeling if you listen to mom at this point she will be far more supportive in the future & may even help you with money for the truck. She just wants you reasonably stable as possible for someone your age before you embark on a large project & yes playing with 40 yr old trucks is a large project unless you buy what someone else has finished.

I did a search & you must be at least 19 yrs old to own a motor vehicle in Nebraska.

[vonburger]

Id still put some money into it depending on how much work it needs to be driveable. Assuming you only need some basic things like a carb cleaning, fuel filter replacement, spark plugs... Do you know what it need to run and drive? What kind of shape is it in? Any pics?

... I thought I could raise the money and have it done before my 16th birthday. Plausible? I am fourteen.

It is very plausible BUT you need family support to do it. I knew a young man who bought a '34 PE sedan with a Volare IFS. He was around 14 when he started. He worked his tail off saving his money to buy what he needed to build the car. His mom & dad supported him & would buy things for him but only on his birthday & Christmas. The rest he earned. His dad would buy tools such as welder & the like so Pat did not have that expense. When Pat was 15 he entered his car in The Cavalcade of Wheels that is held at Notre Dame every spring. His dad drove the car there for him & he took best in class. You do not have that support. A small mig welder will eat up what you have saved & you haven't bought any wire, argon, sheet metal, etc. Tools will eat you alive. Next time you have some spare time hit your local Walmart and check prices on basic hand tools. I say Walmart because they are probably 1 of the cheapest places to get tools. Some things will require air tools which means buying a compressor, hoses, the tools, separator, etc.

I did a quick search for timing lights (yes you need 1) & came up with $39.95 for the cheapest plus tax & shipping. That takes you down to $150 or so & you haven't bought a single part. Mom is not saying sell the truck, she is saying buy a gas sipper car first. If you listen to her she most likely will show you more support in your endeavors. The more you fight her the bigger fight you will get & she ultimately has final say no matter what you desire. She could just as easily sell your truck (if the state you live in is like IN you are not allowed to legally own a motor vehicle until you are 21) which means regardless of how you got the truck she can sell it if she desired. She is trying to work with you.

I have a feeling if you listen to mom at this point she will be far more supportive in the future & may even help you with money for the truck. She just wants you reasonably stable as possible for someone your age before you embark on a large project & yes playing with 40 yr old trucks is a large project unless you buy what someone else has finished.

I did a search & you must be at least 19 yrs old to own a motor vehicle in Nebraska.

I do not own the truck< my uncle does. I talked to my mom, and after explaining how long and much it would take, she is a bit more willing to give moral support. She just thought it would take to long and be too expensive. I am prioritize and getting it running first and then doing the interior. She and i both worry about fuel economy< is there any simple ways to increase gas mileage?

[evan_flatt69]

If I get the chance I want to get some of th interior done. As for the crankshaft I really have no idea what I am doing. I know the harmonic balancer and the flywheel have something to do with it, but that is the extent of my knowledge. I am pretty sure it is illegal in nebraska to not have a horn.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Ford FE engine's are externally balanced by the harmonic balancer itself and the flywheel. The harmonic balancer is essentially a big weight on a rubber mount and it absorbs any vibrations you may have. The flywheel/flexplate does the same thing except without the rubber?

[AZHobie]

I say put mom on so we can talk to her. It is bs that she will not allow you to buy parts with her credit card and pay her back....

--Just Kidding!

1. The part you need can be obtained locally to get the truck running.
2. You probably need a mentor to learn. This website works good for part of that.
3. If you need to buy parts using a credit card, I will argue that you are already heading down the wrong path and buying bling items. An arm rest is not that important, neither is floor mats, got a piece of old carpet, make one.
4. Mom not giving you her credit card is not support. She would probably drive you to the autozone or salvage yard.
5. You can respect her wishes and achieve your results through hard work.
6. If you are still eager with this project in 4 weeks, reingage with her.
7. Most importantly, honor your mother through hard work.
8 These issues and how you deal with them will define your life starting today.
9. In all cases, assume mom knows best, she has your best interest at heart.

JK

[caseyj10]

There really isn't a easy way to get real good gas mileage out of These bricklike trucks with old school engines. There are vehicles that are reliable and fuel efficient that are cool that you might enjoy as much if not more than your truck. For example 4wd jeep Cherokees are TONS of fun, they get pretty good gas mileage, and their 4.0 are bulletproof. They are cheap to buy and don't take much to maintain them. It's something that you can talk your mon into easily and still be able to play with your truck on the side. These old trucks are cool, but you will have alot more fun with a Cherokee than these truck.

[vonburger]

First let me start off by thanking everyone for their input. My uncle Keith died recently (RIP keith )and my grandma doesn't know what to do with his car, I am hoping she will either give it to me or sell it to me. Once that is done I have reliable and fuel efficent transporation to and from a future job, and a means of funding for the truck. After I have the truck road worthy plus a few interior comforts and a good supply of future gas money built up I can sell the car. On a side note, I have a good selection of tools already at my disposal. Sockets wrenches vise grips pliars. One 6v drill. I recently aquired a 1/2 inch pneumatic impact wrench and impact sockets. Also a pneumatic wire brush. I have yet to buy an air compressor though.

[rltvader]

I don't really know what to say, my mother and father supported me on the truck and put money into it to make the truck safe to drive, everything else including paint , and overall restoration was all on my own buck.

[Whateverman]

I really can't say that i blame mom for not wanting to buy a bunch of stuff for her 14yr olds 40 plus yr old pickup. Sorry to say this but teenagers are prone to having sudden changes in what is the priority in their lives- especially when they are trying to impress the opposite sex,so it is just not a wise decision to invest money in whatever is the cool thing of the day is


...however: if you show that you don't expect a handout (or even assistance)and continue to pay for your truck project with your own $$$$ the absolute worst case scenario is going to be that you have a decent running truck that is completely yours