My 1971 highboy build, the sequel!

[69Highboy]

Well, not much has happened since the last time I posted. I've fixed the front brakes (again), plugged a few leaks, and hunted through the wiring a few times. I discovered that my "dead" fuel gauge was alive and the sending unit was missing the float. One new sending unit later and my gas gauge works! I'm also starting to fear crawling under my truck, every time I'm under there I find new stuff to fix! After I broke a hub "core" with a set of Channellocks and learned that you don't try to force 50 year old plastic when your front end locks up ($105 mistake) I decided to replace the leaky pinion seal and change the diff oil while I was poking at the front end. Once I got under there I discovered what may be the cause of my mysterious water leak, a few more oil leaks, and a hick fix. At least two if not more freeze plugs are leaking so I'm hoping that's the only reason the truck loses coolant. On a lighter note, I used it to haul a load of oak logs home and it did a pretty good job of it. Unfortunately a log put a pretty decent wowie in the inside of my tailgate. I may try to fix it or I may leave it, we'll see.

[jzjames]

Good picture of the truck! Keep fixin it up.
The painted bed looks great, was it off the shelf paint?

[Fordkid68]

The truck looks great!

[hfdco4]

Very nice truck.

[69Highboy]

Good picture of the truck! Keep fixin it up.
The painted bed looks great, was it off the shelf paint?

No, I had it made up by a local paint shop. I have enough to do the whole truck but I'm holding off on painting the rest of it for now.

[jzjames]

So did you make 2 gallons or one?

[69Highboy]

So did you make 2 gallons or one?

Good question, I think it was just 1 gallon. The counter guy said that should be enough to do just the exterior of the truck and so far I think he's right. If I end up needing more I can always go back.

[69Highboy]

Boy, it's been a minute. Since my last posting I took the truck over to a neighbor's for a tune job which turned into a carb rebuild, resetting the timing, setting the timing, setting the points, and then tuning the carb. I made it most of the way home before the truck hit a bump and started running like garbage. Long story short, when the p.o. replaced the rusted out fuel tank he didn't replace the plugged fuel filters. A new fuel pump and a new inline filter later and it was ready to rock!

Fast forward to it's maiden voyage after that work, it started giving me starting issues where it acted like it had a weak battery. But, if I left it in gear it would fire up as soon as I turned the key. I had a surgery coming up so I decided to leave the issues until I came home. My brother wanted to see what driving his 69 would be like so I told him to drive my truck. When I came home I saw my brother under the hood of my truck, turns out he replaced the starter solenoid, the negative battery cable, and the starter. One of those three fixed the starting issue and it was back to being the easiest starting vehicle on the property!

My brother ran the new tires from his truck on mine for a few months, and I ran them for a little bit while I tooled around in the truck as well but eventually they were swapped back. The bug had already bitten by then and $2100 later I had a new set of slicks for my truck! Also, I'm working at Napa so as soon as my employee discount kicks in I'll be picking up more parts.

[Fordkid68]

Awesome! Glad to hear you got it running good.
The tires look great!

[69Highboy]

Thanks! Now I just need to fix the parking brake, it was working fine until I rebuilt the rear brakes but now it doesn't do anything. It seems like every time I check something off the list I find another thing I need to fix. I'd like to start daily driving it, but 100+ degree temps during the day and my semi-reasonable wariness of the truck's reliability have been giving me pause. But, more importantly, the radio doesn't work either!

[Fordkid68]

It's always something.
Defenitely gotta fix the radio though!

[69Highboy]

Quick question for the carb guys, I'm halfway trying to find a more reliable carb for my 71 and the Carter in the 69 has been dead reliable, so a Carter ABD seems like the way to go for a 2bbl option. Am I right? Is the Motorcraft 2100/2150 better? The Holley 4412 that's on it hasn't done me wrong yet, but I've consistently heard that Holley's are high-maintenance and sensitive, and if that's true I'd want to find something a little more reliable.

[DuckRyder]

I'd stick with the Holley is EFI isn't in the cards.

[69Highboy]

So you don't think the Holley will be finicky if I decide to take the truck off-roading? I have no experience with truck carbs but from what I was told Holleys will require more fine tuning and semi-regular adjusting, am I incorrect in that assumption?

[jzjames]

Don’t see how you can go wrong with a Motorcraft 2bbl. They are considered simple and reliable.
Don’t have any experience with Hollys but Ive heard the same as you. “Newer ones aren't as good”. “Are some Hollys now made overseas?” Just more comments about guys having trouble with them.