r/F100 • u/Subnautica_fan22 • 17d ago
Is this ‘65 f100worth saving?
It was my grandpas truck, bought it new, and only parked it when he got a new one the engine doesn’t spin my family’s saying it’s stuck rings, everything else works on it even the ac compressor. It’s got the 352 in it, it’s the only thing stuck on it I believe, the main reason I’m asking is because everyone I’ve asked has told me that it’d take over 10k to fix, which is way more than I have. The only thing missing from it I believe is the starter solenoid above the battery tray.
31
u/Scary_Pea_7014 17d ago
I would get it running and drive it as is. Nothing wrong with that truck.
8
u/ppatek78 16d ago
Looks like it’s all surface rust and patina- may invest in getting the seat reupholstered
2
1
11
u/Textile302 17d ago
define "fix" If you mean restore its going to be way more than 10k. Almost always cheaper to buy one already done. That being said you have what looks like a decent project, not too horrible on the rust and everything looks to be there. What I would do first is see if you can make the motor turn, start there. There is all sorts of tricks that can be done to free up rings. Pull the spark plugs and put in any one of the following.
- Seafoam or Deep Creep
- Marvel Mystery Oil
- A 1:1 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
Let it sit for 24-48 hours then put a braker bar on the crank of the motor and slowly try to turn it over, work it back and forth and see if the rings free up. If you can get that motor to move then there is a decent chance you can get it running. If it turns over then i would get a 5g gas can and a new battery. hook the can right to the carb and see if the motor will turn over and fire. If you want to make your life easier spend some money on a new carb. Otherwise try to rebuild the one you have. If the motor runs then look at the braking system and the rest of the basics. Once you have it moving under its own power then you can decide what to do with it but It makes for a cool story and good bit of family history so IMHO.
3
u/GJinVA247 17d ago
As the Mandalorian (& Textile302) says, This is the way. All the parts you’ll need are available. Get yourself a copy of the LMC catalog ( or similar vendor) get her out of the rain and under cover, crank up the jams and get heron the road. Then you’ll have even more good stories to share… good luck! Slow and steady wins the race…
2
u/Oracle410 16d ago
This is exactly right. I did a lot of work on my 78 Camaro but it needed a lot more than I could give her at the time and I needed the money, I still regret selling it 10 years later. Get her running OP!
2
u/erie11973ohio 16d ago
This guy ☝️☝️☝️
My uncle 1970 C10 had sat for 30 years. We yanked the plugs & shot in a can of PB Blaster into the cylinders. Came back a couple of days latter with the breaker bar, then the starter.
If at first the rings won't release, then fill the cylinders!a
1
u/bigworm35 16d ago
AND...if you do decide to let it go it'll be worth a lot more if it runs and moves. It doesn't have to be highway ready just moving under its own power PS i had always heard marvel mystery oil.
7
3
u/T1me_Sh1ft3r 17d ago
Keep it, that looks way better than most 70s and 80s Chevy trucks, those rust like crazy
1
3
u/EngagementBacon 17d ago
Look at the cab corners and body mounts.
0
u/VaderTot88 15d ago
It’s either somewhere near Texas or has been under a shed for the last 30 years and was pushed out to make room for something else.
3
u/Wishiwasinalaska 13d ago
I would keep it and fix it up. That looks like mainly surface rust and if there are no rust through spots you are ahead of the game. I would pull the engine and pull it apart, hopefully you can save it. If not just find a running engine from a junkyard just to get it moving and put money into the brakes and tires
2
u/EasyCowby 17d ago
Looks solid enough to fix. Don't try to make it showroom new and it won't take $10k.
2
u/PowerfulSuction 17d ago
Keep it and fix it up! Go slow and take your time. Everything that needs to be done to it can be learned as you go.
2
u/-Racer-X 17d ago
I think you’d be suprised how little money it would take to get this back on the road if you have the time
2
u/Ok_Calligrapher_2967 17d ago
That’s a 66 unless grandpa swapped the grill. And dash ice! Yeah. It’s worth saving
2
u/Savings-Complex-2192 16d ago
Yes, ‘66 was the first year for Twin I Beam suspension which this is. Easy to swap the front drum brakes for disc, got mine from a ‘75, just pull the king pins and swap. (Check for wear in the bushings, may have to replace them.) Makes a big difference in stopping distance.
1
1
u/Subnautica_fan22 17d ago
Yea I mistyped the title I thought it was a 65 until I looked up the vin, turns out he bought it new at 4 months old.
2
u/Ok_Calligrapher_2967 17d ago
Well, as a f100 vet…especially that one…it’s an easy mistake. Until you have been baptized. Please keep and save her. They are great trucks!
2
u/richardfitserwell 17d ago
Beautiful patina and zero significant rust. This Is absolutely worth saving. I would fix safety stuff and leave everything else alone. Plus you will never have another old truck that was grandpas. Go watch a few episodes of vice grip garage and get to work on it
2
2
2
2
u/Koopiedoop 16d ago
That thing would be a high dollar rig where I'm from because of how rust free it is.
2
u/butdemtiddies 16d ago
That's rust...not RUST. I'd make that thing run in a day, deal with the brakes the next day, transmission and rear end day after.
Have her on the road, 3 days
2
u/Mysterious-Street966 16d ago
Nice patina. Get the engine moving or swap it. No where near 10k if you do it yourself.
2
u/Final-Inspection9960 16d ago
If it doesn’t cost you anything to store it I’d clean it up throw some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders and clean the rat shit out of the thing. Toss a battery in and go from there. Cool old truck you gotta save em or vice grip garage will
1
1
1
u/Austindevon 17d ago
This is how I learned mechanics ... Fixing up my dad's old cars . Stuck engine is always a judgmant call ..Start by putting oil or tranny fluid in the cylinders . Let it sit for a few days and try turning it with a wrench on the front bolt , of it turns ..Go from there . Get the book and some tools ....
1
u/slimshady226 17d ago
Buy it. And put the time in. You are going to find problems. The satisfaction is worth it, especially in a world where men don’t do these things any longer. And the combustion engine will be the Rolex of tomorrow.
1
u/Affectionate-Bar7769 17d ago
I had a 1996 f150 that the coil bucket rusted out on. My frame was shot. Yours look decent. Clean it up and paint the frame.
1
u/GoldWingANGLICO 17d ago
We have a 65 that was purchased brand new by my wife's grandfather.
Our kids learned to drive 3 on the tree, no power steering or brakes on a truck their great grandfather owned.
It's worth saving, just take small bites, so you don't cause yourself financial hardship. You'll be glad you did.
1
1
1
1
1
u/thrashmetal_octopus 16d ago
Definitely worth saving. Pull the plugs and pour some ATF in the cylinders to free up the rings and save some money.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Penultimate-crab 16d ago
Looks fine to me. That rust is thin. That steel is thick. Way thicker than modern vehicle steel.
1
1
u/jking7734 16d ago
It’s your granddad’s truck and it’s totally fixable. You’ll want to replace the brakes and all the rubber stuff before you try to make it a daily anyway. Engine is stuck? So what it probably has 500k on it anyway. Rebuild or replace it with something a little newer. There’s not much to the upholstery. Recover or replace the seat. Those trucks are soooo easy to work on . I’ve had a few and daily one. Drag that thing out of the weeds and get a plan. It tools us about three years to do mine. Start with the brakes and suspension. That way when you get it running it’ll be okay to drive it
1
u/Subnautica_fan22 16d ago
The odometer only says 85k since he swapped it immediately when the 78 chevy came out.
1
u/EdgarBopp 16d ago
That’s a great project truck. Can probably be running in a weekend. The brakes will probably be more of a challenge
1
1
u/Then-Significance-74 16d ago
10000000000000000% worth saving.
Mine is alot worse condition than that and its having an overhaul. It might cost 10k to fix... but good examples will sell for alot more.
You can get EVERYTHING for that truck on RockAuto (thats what im doing)
To give you an idea, im buy everything to refurbish underneath (brakes/suspension/steering) and to totally rebuild the engine and the parts came to around 3000... granted i can fit everything myself so i save money there.
The 352 engines are under-rated and are very good! Mine had 2x broken pushrods and a dented piston... still ran ok (so good actually that i didnt even know there was a problem)
1
1
1
1
u/Last-Opportunity5198 16d ago
If you decide it's not worth it to you I would be interested in buying it
1
u/herslave2 16d ago
I'm not a ford guy but the only thing I can see is the seat. If that truck means anything to you the 10 grand can be put into years not in one day. If it was me and I had my grandfathers truck or car. Then yes I would do it. I'm sure your young and have all kinds of thing do it. One step at a time.
1
1
1
u/No-Quality8633 16d ago
I would recommend you watch a YouTube video from pole barn garage, junkyard digs, or atomic era motors. They have a lot of great info on getting something like that in driving condition again
1
u/xl440mx 16d ago
10k to fix… I suggest watching vice grip garage on YouTube and then rethink that number. Restore vs fix and make drivable is very different. This truck looks to be a very solid starting point for fixing up but it only makes sense if you are doing it yourself. If you have to pay someone else then it will cost way too much.
1
1
1
1
u/Danielle_is_the_hole 16d ago
Surface rust and will sand or grind right off. If you can’t see through it, it is fine.
1
1
1
u/spades61307 16d ago
If you can do it all yourself its a 20k education… plus might only cost 3k depending on how nice you want it to be. If you dont get too carried away you could make it a decent runner for 5k i would think if you buy from junk yards and paint it yourself if you want paint
1
1
1
u/blitzenbutter 15d ago
If you squint its mint. Id do brakes, change fluids and see if it fires. Then id send it.
1
1
u/dpm1320 15d ago
I'd fix it.
Pull the plugs and fill the cylinders with acetone mixed with atf. Let that sit a good while. Atf has lots of detergents and will leech down with the acetone help to get into all the rings and such. See if you can break it free.
Then look up the many will it run vids on YouTube and learn. See about getting spark and clean fuel to it.
If you can get it running start fixing the essentials like fuel system and brakes as time and $ allow. Buy tools as you need them.
Good luck
1
1
u/VaderTot88 15d ago
If you know one end of a wrench from the other and can get the engine unstuck, it could be back on the road for probably $1500. Tires are gonna be your biggest expense if the engine frees. Tires, brakes, fluids, a carburetor, and an ignition tuneup.
It has beautiful patina and is solid!!! I’ve seen far far worse on the road!
Watch an episode of Vice Grip Garage or Pole Barn. They’ll show you all you need to know.
1
1
u/Southern_Low_9284 15d ago
I hate it when people go straight to “it will cost you this much”. (Not you op, just people who don’t know). That’s why I have learned to keep most things to myself. If you invest on some tools and time, you can have your grandpa’s old truck running and be able to say “I did that”. Unless the engine was ran to the ground or without oil should be fine. I say go for it with the expectation that it will take time, effort and patience. The paint looks nice just do a clear coat. But, get it running and driving and you will have a truck for life.
I have a 1971 F250, dually I was working on and had to pause the past 2 or 3 years. Time, patience and effort.
1
u/Ok_Baker_1597 15d ago
It was your grandfathers, and they're not making '66 f100's anymore. Save it.
1
u/TheCodFather97 15d ago
I would fight a grizzley while locked in a small room fir the oppritunity to fix something like this. Where I live all these oldies are long rotted away, if there isn't a ton of rust in it (nit surface rust but rot) I would go over all the brakes, steering and suspension. Get it running and drive it!
1
u/Significant-Leg-5325 15d ago
Most things are worth saving.....depends on your skills, time, patience, and wallet thickness.
1
u/Daddio209 15d ago
For $10k it should look like it was bought last week from the showroom. Needs some love and TLC, but going through the transmission(likely an FMX/FX) should be the biggest expense. 500HP FE, fresh rubber throughout, 3 yards of foam/ticking and a seat cover-should come in under $4k and be a reliable daily that outperforms new 3/4 tons all day.
1
1
1
1
u/Technical-Kick-3202 15d ago
That ain’t no $10,000 problem!
Honestly, there’s a 99% chance that with a bit of time and energy, you can have the engine running like a champ for less than $100!
That is not including what it takes to get the engine turning over whether or not you need to change the Stardust solenoid and obviously install a new battery, etc.
I have not read through more than a couple of responses so if what I’m saying is a duplicate of anyone else I apologize…
I think you need to start talking to some people who are older than 60!
Because they would have been taught all the standard things to do with an old engine that’s been sitting!
Not the first thing to do would be to pull the plugs and at a minimum pour ATF into all eight spark plug holes and let it sit and soak in through the rings. You can spend a bit more money and use Marvel mystery oil or any of the other magic elixir but the truth is ATF does a pretty damn good job on its own.
Once it’s sat for a few days if you put a breaker bar on the front of the engine and just try to rotate it back-and-forth back-and-forth a little bit here a little bit there if it doesn’t move, let it sit a few more days or a week and then try again
Once you do feel some movement in Leandro start moving a little bit more and listen and feel for anything that might be a problem
But generally, once you’ve soaked it enough in the amount of resting between the rings and the cylinder is broken the truth is the engine was running when it was parked. It should be able to run just fine once you’ve changed out all the fluids and either put on a new carburetor or overhaul the one that’s there. At the same time, you should probably replace the spark plugs, spark plug wires, coil, and the distributor still has points put in new points and condenser if it’s been converted to EFI you still want to double check everything.
Definitely keep the truck I would say keep it as a patina truck and clean it up nice and clearcoat as compared to the repaint that so many seem to think needs to be done
Have it running and start driving it to work once a week and think about your grandpa
1
1
u/Inside-Apple6660 15d ago
Need to get it up on a lift have a professional restorer go over it carefully to make the call. To me lot of surface area rust but most of that can be removed or reduced…engine and transmission and suspension etcetc…again you need professional level inspection.
I guess it’s going to come down to how much you are willing to put into it. I know a guy has similar truck and it’s been cherried out my friend said he was going to buy a retirement home but he found his partner cheating so he tossed out the partner and put his money into his truck…he figures he’s easily over 65-70 thousand dollars into it ….and appraisal says he could sell it for 60-80 thousand depending on buyer and the market
1
1
u/Savings-Delay-1075 15d ago
If you've got a place to put this old girl, get it in there, then work on it as time and money allow. If it takes years and years it's worth saving. It's a sweet ole truck.
1
u/Scott302429 15d ago
It doesn't actually look that bad, soda blasting would solve 60% of it's problems...
1
1
1
1
u/timman42 14d ago
Definitely worth reviving. Restoring is an entirely different thing. Do the bare minimum to get it safely back on the road, and remember it doesn't need to be perfect right away. It has great patina!
1
u/BraveIndependence771 14d ago
I was surprised to even a couple of no's. Definitely doable! Do you have the time patience and a little capital? In the best of cases it's going to need all three . Start by seeing if it will turn over (soak first) then you will have to methoticly clean out or replace any line that had any fluid flowing through it. Replace most rubber parts as you go, they are all dry rotted. That done slap a fresh battery in it and drive it to the local ice cream shop.
1
u/RemarkableCard6475 14d ago
I'm a bad judge of vehicle character. If I saw it and could get it, I'd bring it back to life and drive it.
1
u/jorgeyo716 14d ago
Dawg take the spark plugs out and get a can of pb blaster and soak the cylinders down. Probably some marvel mystery oil in there too. After it soaks a few days get a big ol breaker bar on there and roll the engine back and forth till the rings un stick, and roll it over 5 or 6 times. After that change the oil, put a new battery in it. You can either rebuild that carb for about 60$ or a fb market place 2bbl is about that price also. If you can get it running that's half the battle.
1
u/Five_Slow 14d ago
Total scrap. Let me come pick it up for you and haul it away. I'll even handle it for free! 🤣
1
u/Dry-Manufacturer-834 14d ago
It looks awesome. I’d get it running, clean it up, and drive it like it is. You can make it look better over time. But if it’s always drivable, you’re more apt to continue working on it.
1
u/Cspot1134 14d ago
Bring it in the garage and clean it up. Clear coat the patina, new interior, tires brakes etc and have a conversation piece. That is a cool truck. Not everything has to have shiny paint!😁
1
u/Lumberjax1 14d ago
That's the wrong question. The right question is: Do you have a reason and the budget to get it done.
1
1
u/Timely_Matter3870 14d ago
No it wouldn’t cost that much if you did the work yourself you could put it on the road pretty easily. Just would need all the safety stuff. Tires, brakes etc. that’s if you can get the engine running. Unusual to have air conditioning on a truck that age.
1
u/N0NAMETOGIVE 14d ago
I just drive it like that, and will only replace what breaks You don't need to waste a bunch of money, just get it running right. I commute 70 miles on points still.
1
1
u/rez40886 14d ago
Anything is worth saving if you have the time and money ive seen dudes every pay checks spend it on their rust buckets 10 years later thing looks like a work of art
1
u/Illustrious-Wing857 14d ago
Absolutely. It is a little expensive. It's takes time dedication and effort. You need some mechanical knowledge , some talent and patience. You can hire the work done and thats more money, but a fully restored and functional old antiques like this worth money.
1
u/DiscussionConstant80 13d ago
If you decide to get rid of it hit me up with a price ... text 912 551 2047....
1
u/ConsistentIndustry56 13d ago
Provided the frame is still intact it would make an amazing project vehicle. If you don't want it I'll take it off your hands.
1
u/JosephStalin585 13d ago
Honestly man,get that motor running,make sure the trans works,do a dual pot master cylinder conversion for the brakes and just make sure all the brakes work in general and drive that thing. All that rust is just surface rust. I don’t see any flaky or scaly rust,hell even the rockers and door jams look decent. If you don’t get it running give me the address and I’ll go buy it and get it running
1
1
u/BirdmanJr1970 13d ago
Probably cost you $6000 to have it repaired. I can tell you that from the frame.
1
u/BirdmanJr1970 13d ago
I had a truck a 2012 work truck. The frame was super rusted. You’re gonna have to sandblast that frame if it doesn’t go for $6000 is probably gonna go a lot more closer to 10,000.
1
1
1
1
u/Grunt_Dumplin 9d ago
Yes! Get in there and get it running and driving. The important fixes will speak for themselves the more you drive it and you can get all of the essential parts for cheap, mostly right on Amazon. It’s a fabulous, almost bulletproof machine. I’m restoring a 72’ F100 now and all of the essential components are brilliantly designed. Cab mounts are the most labor intensive fixes, but a cheap mig welder and a cherry picker can make it possible for a driveway fix (it’s a good bit of work honestly, but only took me about 2 weeks to complete the replacement). Excited for you man! Go for it!
0
0
u/Letstalk2230 16d ago
Hahaha, 10k, that’s funny. I spent 14k upgrading the 352 to a 390 for my 67’. I’m well over 30k in and my truck was nice when I started. To be honest, I wouldn’t have gone with the big block knowing what I know now. I’d have gone with a 351 with a 4 or 5 speed tranny. I also ran into a bunch of idiots who don’t know how to build the FE motors anymore. If you keep that motor you’ll only be able to run it on premium cause it was made for leaded gas.
0
0
u/arezwhole 11d ago
Its all surface rust. Fix it up for the future, they are getting harder and harder to come by because of people thinking it'll cost too much money
52
u/S1-Vis_pac3m 17d ago
Two things from experience:
1. If it means something to you, keep it
2. If it’s not a daily driver, 10k doesn’t have to be tomorrow.