Slick 60's

Went to move the truck the other day and it was knocking Didn't notice it the last time I drove it, but that's probably because I had the music turned up. The knock sounds like it's coming from the top end, almost like something is rolling around in the valve cover. I guess I should pop the cover off and inspect the rockers and pushrods and go from there?

Not sure what engine you have, but sounds like a collapsed lifter. Should be easy to find by running with the valve cover off.

Well the old truck sickness has struck again. I just sold my 67 F250 camper special, and then the next day I dragged home a non running 87 F-150 300 4spd w/OD - because that's exactly what I need. So much for thinning the herd

It'll be good to learn about EFI and get better at electrical diagnosis. The 87 should be up and running shortly. With another usable truck I'll be able to park the 63 and really focus on straightening out the engine and doing some much needed floorpan repair. At least these are the reasons I'm going with to justify the buy

Well a lot has changed since my last post...moving back to NY so I need to get everything in running order.

Popped the valve cover on my 63 and started with my very first valve adjustment. Went by the manual and it wasn't too bad. My idle smoothed out but I still had the weird knocking though. Believe it or not I dumped half a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in it and ran down the road and back - knocking gone!

I had swiped my wagon wheels and new tires off the '63 to put on my newly acquired '87. This of course meant the '63 needed a newer set of tires, but on stock rims with stock size tires. I love the stance of a stock truck




As a side note I'm a mpg tracking junky. My '87 with an EFI 300 and overdrive averages only 1 mpg better than my '63 doing the same drive to work and back daily

Only 1 mpg... That's crazy. Do you think that's just because the 300 makes more power? With overdrive and fuel injection I would have guessed a much more significant difference. What are the numbers?

Nic

MPG depends on a lot of factors. I'd expect the O/D to make the most difference on the highway. If your commute is mostly city, you're on the low end for any vehicle.

My drive to work was about 30 miles 55mph two lane back roads with 3 stop signs. My '63 averaged 13.5-14Mpg on 87 octane consistently, and the '87 averaged 14.8-15 on the same octane. I thought it would be a little better than that, but the 300 definitely makes way more power.

The '63 has about 15k miles on a rebuilt 223 whereas the '87 has 204k miles on it, burns a little oil, and has power steering. I'm thinking the 300 is just a little worn out.

I replaced the gas tank in the '87 with a brand new one and a brand new sending unit. The old one was filled with crud and nastiness. Hopefully that makes a difference...

my 91 f150 with 300 and 5 spd o/d only gets about 12mpg driving to work back and forth.my older 86 f150 with 300 and 4 spd got better mpg and had more power with less rear gear.the 91 has 3.55s and the 86 only had 3.08s.

It seems like the carbs were better off. My old 66 F-250 had a 300 with a Carter YF, DSII ignition, T-18 4 spd, and 4.56 gears in the Dana 60. It got 14mpg driving 55mph. I'd imagine with better gearing the MPG's would've easily been 16-17.

I've owned a lot of ford pickups over the years. From my '74 3/4 ton high boy on forward, they have all been able to get 16-17 MPG on the highway. Engine varied from 360/4spd/4wd, 300/4spd/2wd, 352/4spd/2wd... That is measured on long trips with just stops for gas, food, or lodging. The most important factor was my overall highway speed, and how clean my air cleaner was. I check mileage on each tank and saw it go from 17 to 6, changed the air filter and back to 17. Mileage would also drop as the speed was increased above 55, especially after 65. Towing another vehicle did not impact it much. The best truck I had for mileage was my 2000 F350 4wd. It had the 5.4 triton, a 5 speed auto, and weighed in at 7000 lbs empty. It would range from 16-19 city to highway and did not suffer as much over 65. My ideal slick would have that engine and tranny combo.

Well I flew down to SC to get my truck ready for the drive to NY. I’ll be leaving in the AM.
I bought a brand new autolite 1101, and it made a world of difference! All my other autolites had loose throttle shafts causing vacuum leaks. Now the 223 purrs right along with no rough idles or hesitations.



Put some new mirrors on...and got a passenger mirror! I think these were off a bumpside. They took some bending.



Got it all loaded up, tuned in, and took it for a test drive.






And the finishing touch...”guess who just got back today.” Honk if you see me on the interstate!

Safe travels.

Thanks, Trip went well for the most part. My phone met an untimely end after I closed it in the hood

My gas mileage was pretty unbelievable. My fill ups were 15.8, 17.3, 17.1, and my last one was 18! That’s a huge jump up from my usual 13.5-14.5, and with a load.

“Just a little off the back....”



Took the ‘63 to pick up a truck cap for my ‘87. ‘87 blew a head gasket and is getting a cap so it can be used for storage. The ‘ol 63 seems to be the only reliable vehicle I have! Cap cleaned up nice...

Glad you made the trip OK, you will find that a better ignition and keeping the valves adjusted will in fact get you way better mileage if you do not hot rod it.
what did that carb run?

About $200 with shipping. Would’ve been $140 if I returned a core, but I typically hold onto my extras.

Had another hauling job for the ‘ol green toad. Moved a pair of Suzukis for my buddy...one of them just might follow me home

No more progress on the truck, although I did manage to rack up another 150 miles before snow hit us
The 'ol green toad misses having a garage...


I'm hoping to pick up a TIG welder soon, then the real work will begin

Fired up the ‘ol 63 in 5 degree weather. Three pumps of the gas, no choke, and she fired right up. Idled like it was 65 out lol. Still working on the welder. One I get a TIG and some argon this truck will be prepped for paint....

The cold is no excuse for not working on the slick. well,,,, yes it is. My garage is so cold I barely can stand it. Sure hope mine fires up.