Rebody and total rebuild on a 1982 F250 4x4

jonmark1985 · 12-17-2007, 06:35 PM

Okay, First thing first. I have never been big on 4 wheel drives, but lately I've been thinking about how handy a 3/4 ton truck would be. Our family has had a 1982 F250 for about 10 years now. Originally the truck had a 351w when my dad bought it, but the motor was blown. He changed out the motor for the 300 six cylinder and drove it for about 3 years after that. The truck had a moderate suspension lift and a very smoothly running drivetrain. My dad evantually parked the truck and wound up trading it out for $600 labor owed to a fellow employee. Seven years later and the man hasn't picked up the truck. I figured I'd check with the guy that sort of owns the truck (I'm sure he'd be fine with it) and I'm gonna claim it as mine and start working on it.

The body has fallen into great dillapidation will need to be recabbed. Basically I want to change the whole body. While I'm in there I'm gonna redo the brakes completely and do the suspension up with new parts. I don't intend this to be a collasal money pit, skyjacker and energy suspension will not be on the parts list, but rather moog and raybestos will.

So I'm asking for some insight and direction. Heres the first question.

Should I put a newer body on this frame? I was thinking even up to a 95 body would be cool, very modern but still retro underneath. Up to 95 I imagnine the work will be minimal. I have a cousin that does body work and I plan to pull the cab entirely apart, rewire and clean every part I can. I may even put new carpet, bucket seats and dynamat in the cab.

I love the 300 six, its a great motor, lasts forever and tourqe out the wazzoo, I was thinking an offy intake with a 390 cfm 4160, a flowtech header, melling tourqe cam, and re-ring would be awesome but...

I was also considering building a very mild (almost factory) 302", with cast pistons, chrome rings, factory HO roller cam, ported E7TE-PA heads, 87 mustang exhaust manifolds, factory four barrell manifold, and a 600 cfm 4160.

Or even putting a 351w back in the truck. I have two options for this, we have a 95 roller cam motor or an wore 85 351 4V motor. The roller cam motor is really set for more of a race car project. The 85 motor is very wore out and will need a complete rebuild.

I wanna build a nice truck, but not a hill billy mobile. Loud pipes aren't cool to me, neither is being jacked up to the moon. Basically I want a nice rig to pull a trailer, haul a 4000lb water tank on the bed, or pull someone out of a ditch if they need help. I also want to get working on something again, as I'm starting to get the itch for another project.

Im gonna see about getting some pics tommorow and start looking at cabs, what they are worth and what shape I can get em in.

jonmark1985 · 12-20-2007, 07:32 PM

Well no new news on the truck, guess I finally decided on a 302! Thats about it though.

mark v · 12-20-2007, 07:46 PM

I like the 300 L6 a lot but the 302 has way to many options for power adders. I guess the 302 probably would be the best way to go since if it lacks power you can always boost it easy and cheap.

Get a new clean body and start fresh, it will eliminate many headaches.

kdr358 · 12-24-2007, 10:03 PM

Good luck! keep us posted

davetruck · 12-25-2007, 05:05 PM

I'll be following along jonmark1985, as you know I am doing a similar project so I'll glean all the info I can from you and throw in my 2cents worth when I can.
Pics bro?
peace and out
Dave

merry ho ho

jonmark1985 · 12-25-2007, 05:48 PM

Yeah, been sick the past couple of days, and I'm pretty broke too. Like I said the first part for me really is getting some funds together and hunting up a good body.

jonmark1985 · 01-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Okay, had a chance to get a picture of the truck. Also the more time I've had got me to thinking of installing the shot 351 or if i crack it open and its gone using the 351 roller with the old brackets.

Heres the truck!
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This is a picture of how rotted out the cab is.
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Here is the donor motor. VERY high miles and will get a complete overhaul.
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jonmark1985 · 01-03-2008, 07:20 PM

Hey lets start talking about this motor. I was thinking about getting a "master engine kit" through sealed power. These kits come with bearings, rings, gaskets, pistons, camshaft, lifters, timing set, and a oil pump. All parts are OE designed, but that doesn't bother me much. The 80's 351W 4V motors had a failrly agreessive camshaft, and it will suit me for a truck motor. I plan to have the rods and crank reconditioned. Then have the deck milled to zero. For heads I'm thinking about having the heads redone with 1.94" intake valves, 1.6 exhaust valves, converting to an adjustable valve train, removing the thermactor bumps, bowl blending, and gasket matching done. I plan on a full length set of headers. To top of the motor I'm thinking of finding either a factory aluminuim intake or an Edelbrock performer intake that is smog legal and either a 600 cfm 4160 or the factory four barrel.

Any suggestions or brand preferences?

jonmark1985 · 01-11-2008, 07:52 PM

HA, changing my mind again, and leaning back towards the 302!

I've been finding the 302 HO intake on ebay often. They usually run around $50. I'm thinking I ought to get one, have it media blasted and then put a coat of clear on it.

I'm thinking about a set of E7TE heads again. Maybe running a domed hyper piston too. I go back to school on Monday. I'm gonna practice doing more machine work to the E7's I have. I may try doing some minor port work on the Bridgeport.

davetruck · 01-11-2008, 11:13 PM

sounds like you have things well on their way.

I'll be watchin ya

Dave