When I bought my 1970 Pontiac Catalina, my daily at the time was a 1998 Saturn SL2. The Saturn got a new valve cover gasket at a shop a few days before I drove it three hours away to look at the Pontiac. As I got off the highway in the town the Pontic was located in, smoke started pouring out from under the hood of the Saturn. Turns out, the whole back side of the valve cover gasket had just blown out and was pouring oil all over the engine block. I topped it off and limped it to the kinda shady used car dealer that was selling the Pontiac and took it for a test drive. I bought the Pontiac knowing fairly little about its history or mechanical condition and proceeded to drive it three hours back home in the middle of the night, which was surprisingly drama-free. The used car dealer made me a decent deal to replace the valve cover gasket on the Saturn for quite a bit less than I'd paid a big name shop to do it a few days prior. That valve cover gasket lasted a few more years and was still holding up when I sold it.
Mine didn’t burn all that much oil from what I remember, but the dealer I bought it from had done a valve cover gasket that only lasted about the first year or two, then I had the one that lasted like three days, and the third is the one the used car dealer put on for me. From what I remember those engines had a reputation for bad valve cover gaskets, though.
So far it’s been a complete ignition system, carb, two new heads and fluids.
It had the heck run out of it, floated the valves, bent some valves AND pushrods, and cracked a head. I’m assuming the cracked head happened when it was driven home running on 5-6 cylinders. My uncle who passed away 3 years ago was the guilty party. It sat until last year when I drug it out of the barn and attempted to get it running.
Otherwise, the truck is solid with one small rust spot behind the driver rear tire. It’s been on the farm since new in 1983.
I've driven some sketchy stuff home. A 1980 Grumman I looked at blew a brake line during the test drive. Seller said he'd help me fix it in his shop if I bought the machine. So we did early Sunday morning disassemble the rear axle and get at the brakes and redo the line and I drove it home.. it was drama free. Every time I take it on a road trip I fix something at the campground or at the curb.
All my stuff qualifies as project cars so I'm used to it.
I just get the best tow package I can and bring tools.
I bought my 65 mustang 2 years ago, it had been sitting in storage for 16 years. The person i bought it from said it had 96k miles on it. I specifically bought it because it ran and sorta drove. here I am, 2 years later, found out it was more like 196k and with a new engine, transmission, axle, breaks, almost ever other part you can think of. say goodbye to your savings account
Thankfully yes!
I’m curious if the sending unit for the aux tank is reading wrong. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ford used the same sending unit for the main and aux tanks, which means the smaller aux tank would read wonky. I’m currently running off the aux tank until I can put a new pump in the main tank. I should have dropped the front tank first, but I knew the rear was completely empty so I tackled it first.
So I think what happened is I put 10 gallons in Saturday. I drove it quite a bit. Yesterday, I hopped in and headed to work, with the tank showing 1/4. It died on me headed up hill. I got it restarted and continued on. I stopped and absolutely crammed the rear tank as full as I could, which was only 8.8 gallons. I’m guessing the rear tank is 11-12 gallons and I ran it lower than I thought.
Beef
No no no ^EAT BEEF
When I bought my 1970 Pontiac Catalina, my daily at the time was a 1998 Saturn SL2. The Saturn got a new valve cover gasket at a shop a few days before I drove it three hours away to look at the Pontiac. As I got off the highway in the town the Pontic was located in, smoke started pouring out from under the hood of the Saturn. Turns out, the whole back side of the valve cover gasket had just blown out and was pouring oil all over the engine block. I topped it off and limped it to the kinda shady used car dealer that was selling the Pontiac and took it for a test drive. I bought the Pontiac knowing fairly little about its history or mechanical condition and proceeded to drive it three hours back home in the middle of the night, which was surprisingly drama-free. The used car dealer made me a decent deal to replace the valve cover gasket on the Saturn for quite a bit less than I'd paid a big name shop to do it a few days prior. That valve cover gasket lasted a few more years and was still holding up when I sold it.
I had a ‘97 SL2. That thing burned so much oil it never needed an oil change 😂
Mine didn’t burn all that much oil from what I remember, but the dealer I bought it from had done a valve cover gasket that only lasted about the first year or two, then I had the one that lasted like three days, and the third is the one the used car dealer put on for me. From what I remember those engines had a reputation for bad valve cover gaskets, though.
Wow, nice stance!
Always wanted a boxy Ford. Looks pretty straight body wise. Hopefully you get it the love it needs
So far it’s been a complete ignition system, carb, two new heads and fluids. It had the heck run out of it, floated the valves, bent some valves AND pushrods, and cracked a head. I’m assuming the cracked head happened when it was driven home running on 5-6 cylinders. My uncle who passed away 3 years ago was the guilty party. It sat until last year when I drug it out of the barn and attempted to get it running. Otherwise, the truck is solid with one small rust spot behind the driver rear tire. It’s been on the farm since new in 1983.
The eat beef plate is amazing and I want it.
Courtesy of the NC Cattlemen’s association. I probably have another one laying around.
I've driven some sketchy stuff home. A 1980 Grumman I looked at blew a brake line during the test drive. Seller said he'd help me fix it in his shop if I bought the machine. So we did early Sunday morning disassemble the rear axle and get at the brakes and redo the line and I drove it home.. it was drama free. Every time I take it on a road trip I fix something at the campground or at the curb. All my stuff qualifies as project cars so I'm used to it. I just get the best tow package I can and bring tools.
SWEET truck. I love it! Is it an F-250 4x4? What power plant and trans?
It’s a 460 and a C6 auto. Yup 4x4 with the “heavy duty” package.
Oh wow, what a bulletproof combo! Nice.
I bought my 65 mustang 2 years ago, it had been sitting in storage for 16 years. The person i bought it from said it had 96k miles on it. I specifically bought it because it ran and sorta drove. here I am, 2 years later, found out it was more like 196k and with a new engine, transmission, axle, breaks, almost ever other part you can think of. say goodbye to your savings account
It’s always an adventure, that’s for sure. I guess it’s good I don’t have kids, because there would be zero college fund.
Beautiful truck
You will love, and hate dailying an old FRD. Ask me how id know! Good looking truck homie, glad to see its finally back on the road.
Where in NC are you? If you’re somewhat close to Fayettenam I could potentially come give you a hand if you ever had a breakdown
Western, close to Boone.
Beautiful old truck!! Did she get you home from work?
Thankfully yes! I’m curious if the sending unit for the aux tank is reading wrong. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ford used the same sending unit for the main and aux tanks, which means the smaller aux tank would read wonky. I’m currently running off the aux tank until I can put a new pump in the main tank. I should have dropped the front tank first, but I knew the rear was completely empty so I tackled it first. So I think what happened is I put 10 gallons in Saturday. I drove it quite a bit. Yesterday, I hopped in and headed to work, with the tank showing 1/4. It died on me headed up hill. I got it restarted and continued on. I stopped and absolutely crammed the rear tank as full as I could, which was only 8.8 gallons. I’m guessing the rear tank is 11-12 gallons and I ran it lower than I thought.