1965 F250’s Rejuvenation

Hey All. If you have been following the thread I started when I was looking to buy this rocket you will be familiar with it. If not, it’s a 1963 F250 and a vehicle I looked at 18 months ago but passed up. Anyway, life changed and here we are, it’s now in my stable sharing space with
an old 2 door Holden.

The plan is to get it back on the road with more of a rejuvenation of its current state then a hardcore restoration. I’ll be tidying the body as best I can, polishing the paint and blacking out what doesn’t get polished.

It’s powered by a ‘Canadian’ 300 inline 6 and has had a 350 axle changeover, running duals on the rear. I think the gearbox is a NP435 from what I have looked into. I suspect it was installed at the same time as the rear axle. Its been parked up for over 10 years and the lack of things working shows it. It won’t start, the clutch and brakes have nothing and the electrics have seen better days, but, it has minimal rust which is a win.

The interior won’t see much change other than having the seat reupholstered, new sun visors, extra relevant gauges and modern stereo installed. Other than that I’ll just clean it up and let it be.

I went with this unit as I felt it will be just enough to test my skills but be enjoyable at completion. I’ll be asking for much advice as I go through all of the non functional components. Cheers All, wish me luck.

It will be fun to go through this project and get it back on the road. As to what level you wish to build your project is totally up to you.
I guess an old sugar bag is not up to regulations for on road use.

The 300/6, NP435/ Dana70 (if thats what it is) were quite a reliable combo in their day. Parts ARE procurable, even if you have to get them in from the States. Keep the 300 tuned, wont rev like a V8, long stroking engine. Gearbox almost bulletproof unless your doing something ridiculous, rear end just about everybody used them at one stage or another, many consider them as good as the legendary 9" Ford. Had one here myself, body rotted off it but running gear went under a postal Jeep and to best of my knowledge, still going. Keep her alive! Dave

Dave64 said "keep the 300 tuned" Years ago I had one in a motorhome and people who should have known better told me they have hydraulic tappets that don't require any adjustment. I was not happy with it's performance and eventually I poured some money into it with a reconditioned carbie and distributor (could not keep points setting right. Turned out distributor shaft was worn out-of-round) and had the tappets set to what the manual said.
The difference was amazing.It went up the Pentland hills (between Melbourne and Ballarat) one gear higher than before and felt and sounded much better on the road. So as Dave said keep the 300 tuned.
Next step was to convert it to gas but sold it instead.

Cheers guys and right now, it certainly needs a tune. Managed to get it to run but it has a significant miss and it has no chance of idling at this point. Pulled the plugs, 3 were wet and pretty well gunked up. Spoke to the previous owner and they mentioned thinking it had a stuck valve. I’ll try to get some plugs and leads tomorrow to see if that helps, if not I’ll start the journey of timing, stuck valves etc. Carby seems ok but requires a tune, seems heavy on the fuel supply.

Checked the clutch master and slave cylinders, they are shot. Both are jammed and requiring a rebuild, great.

Hope to delve into the miss fire and glance at the brakes tomorrow.

Chasing suppliers for early 60’s F250 parts if you know of any, parts on the shelf preferably or I will just make a bulk list and order it all in from the states.

Have sent you a PM, have bought a fair bit from the States for my F350.
Cheers Steve

Sounds like progress. Just go steady on the revs untill you know it is not a stuck valve and hopefully a crook plug or lead. Not sure if tyou have amultimeter but check the HT leads from the plug end to inside the dizzy cap. I got caught out once with a bad connection inside the cap at the lead on the coil lead.
Hopefully it will be something simple like that then start sorting the brakes and clutch. Instal sugar bag upholstery until rego time, it will be more authentic.

Pull the rocker cover off and check that the valves are going up and down; also check the pushrods aren't bent!?

Thanks blackduck59, I’ll have a read and be in touch.

cobbadog, I’ll start the hunt for a sugar bag. I do have a multimeter and will check the connections. Thanks.

PDU, pulling the cover off is what I was thinking of doing first, thanks for the direction. I’ll put up some photos of what I find in there.

Urchy87,
For kits to overhaul your brake and clutch master cylinders and of course wheel cylinders as well as brake hoses etc. I highly recommend Murray at Victorian Brake Company in Pakenham Victoria (03) 5940 1127. They make up brake hoses while you wait (although that may not work for you) Their hoses cost just over half what I was quoted at a nearby hydraulic hose specialist. They bond new linings to your shoes and if you supply a brake drum or give them the diameter will grind the new linings to suit.

Your F350 axle possibly has twin-leading-shoes as did my motorhome, that even a rank amateur like me had no trouble rebuilding.