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  •  » F100 Build

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    12/26/2019 6:49 AM  #1

    kardad
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Lexington Ky
    Registered: 12/03/2019
    Posts: 305

    F100 Build

    I hope everyone had a great Christmas,
    It has been several years since I was actively posting, but I have been around. My new project is a 1978 F100. I had started on a 1979 a few years back but let someone talk me out it. I had completed the crown vic swap on the last one and have done two others for others, so that will be part of the build.

    I want to build this for how I will actually drive it, which is cruise-ins, weekend errands, the occasional burn-out or spirited run through the gears. I want all the low to mid rpm torque I can get with great throttle response from a carburetor. I want each decision to be made based on the best bang for the $$

    I want to stick with as much factory parts as much as possible to not be married to some aftermarket company.

    So my plans are as follows:

    Front suspension - Crown vic, 
    Rear suspension - explorer rear end with trac-loc and 3.73 gear, flip it on top of the springs and notch the frame
    Transmission - TKO-500 5-speed (convert to cable clutch)
    Motor - 351w - Need suggestions, I have considered stroking to a 393 due to the bang for the buck. I have had great luck with AFR heads (should I go small for low RPM torque)

    The truck is a factory AC truck but against my own advise I may switch to a aftermarket system just to clean the engine compartment up.

    The orange one is the new project


    The blue one was the one I got talked out of

     

     

    12/26/2019 10:14 AM  #2

    MS
    Forum Originator

    Online!

    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,285

    Re: F100 Build

    I have an extra tko600 with under15,000 miles on it. Makes a little noise but is dependable.
    Cubic inches is key. Why not a big block?$$$

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    12/27/2019 6:59 AM  #3

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,518

    Re: F100 Build

    My guess is that the truck is not as heavy as one might suspect.  Torque is important, but in a pickup traction is always going to be the problem.  Having driven a first gen Lightning extensively I will say that a 351 in a light truck makes for a ride that is fast and fun.

    My thoughts would be, if you're rebuilding the engine anyway, might as well stroke it.  I would go with at least the 185 AFRs, though with a stroked 351 I think I'd step up to the 195s.  Carb wise I don't see how you go wrong with something in the 750 range. 

    I would plan on some traction bars from the onset. 

    Last edited by TKOPerformance (12/28/2019 7:26 AM)

     

    12/27/2019 11:41 PM  #4

    Ozblitz
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Richmond, TX
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 413

    Re: F100 Build

    Really nice orange truck,

     

    12/30/2019 2:50 PM  #5

    kardad
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Lexington Ky
    Registered: 12/03/2019
    Posts: 305

    Re: F100 Build

    TKO, My plans are to stroke the 351 to a 393 due to the bang for your buck. A $400 crank and all other parts are just part of a standard rebuild, granted this is for a cast crank not forged. But at the RPM level I plan to operate at the cast crank will be fine.

    My question or your thoughts - I don't plan to realistically see north of 5000 RPM's. I thought a 750 carb would be the largest and may back down to a 650 for better throttle response at low speeds. All the sizing formulas say a 600 cfm would be fine. Do you think I will be operating at a RPM level where I wont see any real benefit to the AFR heads? I would assume that even on a 393 CI that the 185's would be fine for a motor in this RPM range.

    I think about the trucks growing up with 390's and 2 barrel carbs, granted they ran out of steam quick but would pull hard and burn the tires off the rim.

    I'm looking for fun and reliable, not necessarily fast

       •Thread Starter
     

    12/30/2019 2:51 PM  #6

    kardad
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Lexington Ky
    Registered: 12/03/2019
    Posts: 305

    Re: F100 Build

    Ozblitz - Thanks for the complement, I didn't think much of the orange when I got it, but I must say it's growing on me.

       •Thread Starter
     

    12/30/2019 3:35 PM  #7

    rpm
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,668

    Re: F100 Build

    I've got a 393w,10.2 cr,AFR 185,Comp Cams XE268, Weiand Stealth intake, and a Quick Fuel 650 which replaced a 750 cfm. It runs better all around with the 650 carb. Whether you get AFRs or another head, you need bigger heads than stock for it to breathe.

    I went with the 393 crank ~20 years ago because that's the longest stroke Scat made at the time. Are not 408 cranks the same price as the 393? If the cost is the same, I'd go as big as possible.

    I rarely take it 4,500 rpm, and it's got more power than I need. That's something you don't hear too often

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    12/30/2019 4:02 PM  #8

    kardad
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Lexington Ky
    Registered: 12/03/2019
    Posts: 305

    Re: F100 Build

    Bob, I typically like the throttle response I get from a smaller carburetor, even if it does run out of air on the top end. I'm sure I could tune a larger carb but haven't had the need for street driving. Don't everyone laugh at me but I have had two of the Summit Carburetors, a 600 and 750. Both were great and resemble the Autolite 4100's

    I have had two sets of AFR heads, 165's on a 5.0, and 185's on a 351, both were cammed for the light Mustangs they were in and I shifted at 6000-6500 quite often. I have always been impressed with the AFR's.

    The 393 is the economical way to go as the only non FORD part is the crank. I can use the stock truck rods and 302(5.0) pistons. I need to do the math but I think flat top pistons and the 58cc heads will get me in the 10.5-1 range, may be a bit much.

    It sounds like the motor you have is exactly what I am shooting for.

    I will have a 5 speed and a 3.73 rear gear with a 26.5-27" tire

       •Thread Starter
     

     

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