Ford F250 with 460 V8... I must resist!

[RobertB]

     My brother-in-law has had a for-sale sign on it for the last several weeks -- a 1979 (nearly a 1980 according to when it was manufactured) Ford F250 two-door, long-bed truck... with a 4-barrel carb on a big-block 460 V8 engine!  If I have it correct, that translates to 7.5 L of trailer-towing torque and horsepower.  What a monster!  It's in very good condition with 129,000 miles and well-taken care-of with all the receipts.  His father used to haul a fifth-wheel trailer with it.  Think of all the C= gear I could haul under its tonneau-covered bed.
     Alas, it has no air-conditioning nor an overdrive transmission (gas mileage is a dismal 10 mpg under the best conditions).  Retro-fitting an air-conditioner onto it would be two grand as would be an OD tranny from Gear Vendors.  Add my brother-in-law's asking price of $2,500, and it's not worth it.
     But it's nice to think of the massive 460 V8, and the truck with such a heavy front end and a light rear end.  Think of all the semi-out-of-control peeling out that combination would make!  What a project truck it would make!

             Resist... resist... must think Ford Ranchero... Ford Ranchero,
             Robert Bernardo
             Fresno Commodore User Group
             http://videocam.net.au/fcug
             The Other Group of Amigoids
             http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
             Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
             http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

...must think Ford Ranchero... Ford Ranchero,

    This is the Ford Ranchero that I think of...



            1972 model year,
            Robert Bernardo
            Fresno Commodore User Group
            http://videocam.net.au/fcug
            The Other Group of Amigoids
            http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
            Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
            http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

     After staring at eBay Motors for several days (and seriously considering a "fixer-upper" in Fresno), I have successfully combated this recent longing for a classic Ford Ranchero.  My focus has returned to paying down bills.  However, to satisfy my need to restore/mod cars, I picked up a copy of the magazine, "Mustangs & Fords".  Mmm, HEI distributors... brake retrofits... suspension tweaks.

             I'm better now,
             Robert Bernardo
             Fresno Commodore User Group
             http://videocam.net.au/fcug
             The Other Group of Amigoids
             http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
             Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
             http://www.sccaners.org           

[Paul]

You're definitely a Ford man, aren't you?  One Ford that always stood out for me as representing Ford of the 1980's was the Ford EXP:



The lines, the front wheel drivetrain and four cylinder engine, the spoiler...everything about it embodies the car designs of the 80's.   The sleek, futuristic wedge look with angular lines, with emphasis on fuel economy.

[RobertB]

     Heh, being a warmed-over Escort, the Ford EXP is/was not my style.  Now a Lincoln Mark VII would be better --


               Truly,
               Robert Bernardo
               Fresno Commodore User Group
               http://videocam.net.au/fcug
               The Other Group of Amigoids
               http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
               Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
               http://www.sccaners.org

[Paul]

The Mark VII would have been a lot more fun, but remember the 80's was the decade of 4 cylinder engines, sleek designs, and boxy hatchbacks.  Even the "Muscle" cars Mustang and Camaro were offered with a 4 banger.  Everyone was still feeling the burn from the oil crisis of the 70's, so we wanted 40MPG even in our sports cars.  The streets were ruled by the likes of the Dodge Daytona (a warmed-over Shadow):



The Nissan Pulsar NX:



Pontiac's Fiero:



With a few exceptions, all style with little substance.  We were all hoping that the sleek style would stay, but that technology would give us more powerful engines with better fuel economy.  I have a feeling that the sleek, slippery designs might make a come-back as oil prices continue to rise.  Pop-up headlights, anyone?

[RobertB]

...I have successfully combated this recent longing for a classic Ford Ranchero.

     Oops, not successful enough.  I go to pick it up this weekend!

                Truly,
                Robert Bernardo
                Fresno Commodore User Group
                http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                The Other Group of Amigoids
                http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
                Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
                http://www.sccaners.org

[Paul]

...I have successfully combated this recent longing for a classic Ford Ranchero.

     Oops, not successful enough.  I go to pick it up this weekend!

I must admit, I do not believe a more masculine car exists than the classic Ford Ranchero.  It'll be great for hauling Commodore stuff around!

As I live in a region that gets quite a bit snow in the winter, the Ranchero/El Camino never really took off.  They'd just fill up with snow!  That's probably why hatchbacks are so popular.

[RobertB]

As I live in a region that gets quite a bit snow in the winter, the Ranchero/El Camino never really took off.  They'd just fill up with snow!

     Ah, I never thought of that.  Anyways, I am looking into purchasing a custom-made tonneau cover for the bed of the Ranchero.

That's probably why hatchbacks are so popular.

     Or a Ranchero/El Camino with a camper shell. 

                Ow, there goes the shapeliness of the vehicle,
                Robert Bernardo
                Fresno Commodore User Group
                http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                The Other Group of Amigoids
                http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
                Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
                http://www.sccaners.org

[Rorshach]

I prefer most things 1980's with the exception of cars.  There I go late 60's very early 70's for north american cars.  European sports cars from the 80's were my style the 308GTb being one good example (aka the magnum mobile).

[Weitrersime]

Is it really necessary to bleed air out of water/cooling system on a ford ka after draining and replacing coolant,is there a procedure for this? is there a way of checking if there is air in the system?