my '71 lwb

[dolinick]

I decided to try to get my '71 lwb running. I am going to seek some professional help this time. I pulled the carburetor off and took it to Lone Star Carburetors and dropped it off. I am going to let them check it out and rebuild it if necessary. I just want to make sure it isn't screwed up with all the backfiring and catching fire and shenanigans I went through messing with it before. If I get the truck running or take it over to the shop they will adjust it for me.

I am going to remove and check and clean the fuel tank. I think that was one of my major mistakes when I first tried to get the thing running. Then I need to take the intake manifold back off and get the broken bolt out of the head somehow. Then I can reinstall it hopefully the gasket won't leak this time.

I need to learn more patience and get things fixed right this time. I got side tracked with these two SWB trucks when all I wanted to do was get my original truck running again. I need to sell both the '68 and '67 but I keep changing my mind.

Let me ask you some questions about the longbed. It currently has a 3 speed transmission but the column shift linkage is gone and a floor shifter has been installed. It is really worn out. Since there is already a hole in the floor I thought about trying to find an inexpensive 4 speed or other transmission. at the same time I can get the clutch replaced. the other option would be to steal all the hardware from my '68 which has an intact three speed and column shift.

I was looking at the fuel pumps at AutoZone. A mechanical fuel pump is about $30.00 and it says it pumps up to 40 gallons per hour and like 6-9 psi. They have a performance version which states up to 80 gallons per hour but it's $90.00. Are there any advantages to keep using an electric fuel pump.

I might take this truck to the dragstrip once or twice just for fun but i'm not serious about racing. Mostly I'll just cruise around the neighborhood to pick up groceries or occasionally haul stuff out to my place which is about 50 miles away.

[dolinick]

My carburetor back from the shop:



Dan

[papabug71]

That carb looks good. How is this lone start carbs outfit?? Are they reasonable on prices?

I need my motocraft 2bbl rebuilt & all the old geezers around town dont seem to want to mess with it. Fuel injection has spoilt them.

I might give them a call.

[dolinick]

Well, I used to live close to this place. I don't know a lot about them from experience. I went over there on friday and dropped off the carb. He said he could have it ready the next day but I told him I could wait till monday because I wasn't ready for it anyway. They had a universal type holley carb (maybe 600 cfm) for about $150 but I decided I wanted to keep my carb which has the dual feed and a little more cfm. They charged $150 and said I can some back and they will adjust it for me. It also has a six month warranty. He said he sandblasted it and sealed it. I'm not sure what they put on it but it looks really good. I believe it was a pretty new carburetor when I got it. I wasn't sure if I had screwed it up after installing the engine so I decided to take it to a carburetor shop.

I went ahead and installed the carb last night. I finished hooking everything up about 1:30 a.m. I had the in and out lines reversed on the fuel pump at first but then the truck started right up and is running great. I went down to the car wash and put some air in the tires. I couldn't resist going for a little joy ride so I hopped on the freeway and off again at the next exit.

I got a small plastic fuel tank I found from a motorcycle of some kind and used it as a temporary tank until I get my in-cab cleaned out or replaced. I think it probably only holds a couple of gallons. I also installed a fuel pressure gauge before the filter and it was reading about 6 psi. I have an electric fuel pump installed.

Dan

[bumpside]

Dan,

Where did you get the needle and seat assy. they don't look like Holly. The nut looks thicker and the screw is different.

As far as the fuel pump goes, if it is a daily driver, the stock pump should be fine. If you are not turning above 5500 RPM I still think stock will work.

I think the shifter is a peraonal issue. I like floor shifts. I also like more than three gears. You don't any more than three, but four or five is a lot more fun. It's up to you, and your wallet.

Just my

Terry

[bumpside]

Dan,
You posted while I was typing. an electric fuel pump is good also.

Terry

[dolinick]

Dan,

Where did you get the needle and seat assy. they don't look like Holly. The nut looks thicker and the screw is different.

As far as the fuel pump goes, if it is a daily driver, the stock pump should be fine. If you are not turning above 5500 RPM I still think stock will work.

I think the shifter is a peraonal issue. I like floor shifts. I also like more than three gears. You don't any more than three, but four or five is a lot more fun. It's up to you, and your wallet.

Just my

Terry

those float screws and nuts were on there after they were finished with it. They are completely different than the ones on there when I dropped it off. I had the screws a little mangled from the screwdriver I was using messing with it before. I am not going to touch any of the settings on the carb this time. I'll leave it to someone who knows what they are doing.

you posted while i was typing also I wasn't sure about the electric fuel pump so I got that gauge. apparently it's working.

Dan

[dolinick]

I couldn't resist cruising around in my '71 today. Here's a video clip:

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 62&t=38316

Dan

[dolinick]

I have the '71 in the shop to remove the broken bolt in the head from the intake manifold. He removed the entire head and i believe he took it to a machine shop. Originally he said he was going to drill it out and put a heli-coil in it. I was suprised when I stopped by the shop yesterday to see the passenger side head removed off the 360! They put it all back together today.

I noticed the gasked maker they used on the aluminum intake was kind of a bluish clear like silicone. The one I had used was black. I almost had them install my headers because they had the exhaust manifold off anyway but I didn't bring them over in time so I might just keep them off for now.

Dan