Finally Building The 67 F100

Quick update here. The Effie is a runner and a driver. I got her all back together and fluids in just as my father in law showed up for the first start. Once I figured out the distributor was 180 out (I’m the king of that by the way) she fired right up. Warmed it up, set the timing and idle, threw the hood on and took it for a test drive. Mission success. So far no leaks, and outside of one very slightly loose rocker arm she runs great. I still need to put the vacuum modulator tube on and hook it up, hook up and adjust the lockdown lever, pull the gauge cluster and install the new Speedo cable and pull the valve cover and tighten that valve and check the rest. Basically an evening of work. I’m ready to start putting some miles on it though and am incredibly excited to have her up and running again. The new bed will go on shortly as well I think.
Here’s the only picture I thought to take. That new tube crossmember worked out super well! I had to dent the pipe in about 1/4” just to ensure it downs knock on it, but otherwise it works super well and looks 1,000,000 times better than the old trans crossmember.

 

Today after jeepers breakfast club get together and the boys soccer game this morning, I got home and decided to do a dump run in the Effie before dropping the boy off with his mom. Got the valve tightened up, got the vacuum modulator tube on and the hoses hooked up, loaded up and went to town. The truck is running great. I need to pull a plug and see where the tune is at. I’ll probably do that tomorrow. I don’t want a repeat of that excessive carbon buildup the engine had before.
When I peaked under her there was a small puddle of motor oil. After investigating I realized I must have finger tightened the oil Pan plug when I swapped pans the last time. I tightened that up and hopefully no more spotting. The trans had one drip on the case but nothing on the floor. I may need to replace the speedometer gear o ring, which I have.
Lastly this afternoon was putting away the mountain of tools and parts on the bench, and hook up the dash end of the new Speedo cable. The last one melted to the header and the cable broke and I was too lazy to replace it for the two years it was on the road with this engine combo. The new cable is routed much better though, so hopefully it lasts.

 

I’ve been trying to get test/break in miles on but the dink and dunk little trips to town make it slow going so the youngest and I drove to Astoria, then backroads all the way around back to rainier then home. The trip went excellent. No new noises, and the only issue was the crap Napa wiper blades that won’t stay installed, I’d I’m put on this morning in Clatskanie anticipating rain. Luckily the real rain only kicked up the final ten minutes or so. We were on the road for 4 hour's and got almost 200 easy carrying rpm miles. The backroads from Austria were really good because there are next to no people on highway 202 so I could run rpm’s between 2000-3000 which I like in break in. I may even run her down to Portland tomorrow for the boys soccer game. But she’s very close. 330 miles on her now. After tomorrow and a few trips to town I’ll change the oil and beat on her a bit and see how it feels.

 

The bed swap went great. The taillights are functional and she’s all bolted down save the far two that I need longer carriage bolts for. Then brought it up above to hit it with the purple power and a pressure washer.
I should mention the other night all of the aftermarket bed hook holes and trim holes got welded up.
I really love the look. But I’m still waffling on the finish. Primer it all gray or spot prime. The metal work is roughed in but it still needs all of the bodywork. Or wd40 the bare metal and enjoy it for awhile.

 

Looking good!

 

You don't still have the doors off the parts truck do you? Looks like the same color or close enough to my 69 highboy that could desperately use a pair of less rusty doors.

 

The doors were not in great shape. I sold them for super cheap to a buddy, but I’ll ask him tomorrow If he still has them. They’re not right for his 67 and not on his 69 so they may just be hanging around.