1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

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sopikp1
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1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by sopikp1 »

I've enjoyed all your projects so much over the years, I thought I'd better share my project. This is a great site!

What started as a pretty nice 1972 F-250 Highboy from the South, is now a really fun project that is moving along. I am learning at a rapid clip. So far we have stripped the truck down to every last nut and bolt. A few things we have done:
1. Completely rebuilt my 390. Designed for a truck, lots of hp, but a lot more torque! If anyone would like the specs for reference, just let me know. Topped off with a Performer RPM and 670 Street Avenger.
2. Both Dana 44 and 60 re-worked with all new bearings, shims, seals, etc. The Dana 60 required a new ring and pinion and we installed an original Posi-Loc with new clutches.
3. Dana 24 is in the process of getting new bearings and gaskets after the powder coating is complete. Thankfully, the case and internals were in great shape.
3. Everything has been blasted and powder coated, frame semi-gloss black, many other parts are cast color, transmission and transfer case are going to be red oxide.
4. All nuts and bolts have been re-plated in yellow zinc or black oxide.

Any input is appreciated, thank you for all the years of great information.
72.jpg
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Kevyn
1972 F-250 4x4, 390, Dana 44, 24, 60
sopikp1
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by sopikp1 »

More pics:
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Kevyn
1972 F-250 4x4, 390, Dana 44, 24, 60
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by sopikp1 »

And a few more pics for your review:
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Kevyn
1972 F-250 4x4, 390, Dana 44, 24, 60
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by sopikp1 »

Hope you enjoy the pics...
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Kevyn
1972 F-250 4x4, 390, Dana 44, 24, 60
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harrysnyder
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by harrysnyder »

awesome.. look forward to more pics! great work!
I build driveshafts.
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71 F100, 302, C4, 8.8, crown vic swap
68 F250, 360, NP435, Dana 24, Dana 60's f&r
sopikp1
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by sopikp1 »

Thanks Harry, here are a few more some of you may want to see:
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Kevyn
1972 F-250 4x4, 390, Dana 44, 24, 60
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robroy
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by robroy »

Good day Sopikp1,

I'm really enjoying these photos! I was particularly interested to read that you'd had some original fasteners re-plated in zinc yellow.

May I know how this was done? Did you sent them off, or do you have a re-plating setup at home somehow?

There were a good number of original fasteners that I reused when I put #50 back together this last time, and I would have liked to have improved their looks. The only option I was really aware of was paint, and painting bolts seems futile, since it often comes right off.

Thanks for the fantastic photos Sopikp1,
Robroy
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by sopikp1 »

Robroy, I took a bucket of rusty, greasy and dirty hardware to Industrial Plating in Omaha, and here is what they came back looking like. All in zinc yellow. The transfer case, NP435, rear end and some steering hardware will be in black oxide.
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Kevyn
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Bob
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by Bob »

Looking really good...!!
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harrysnyder
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by harrysnyder »

love this build thread. looking forward to more and more! great job with the plating!
I build driveshafts.
www.carolinadriveline.com

71 F100, 302, C4, 8.8, crown vic swap
68 F250, 360, NP435, Dana 24, Dana 60's f&r
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by Manny »

Ah to do the same to mine drool very nice looking build going on. Tell us a little more about the 390 how it is built up if you would. :? Otherwise be sitting here waiting for more.... :2cents:
Just another Ford fool named Dan.
The Junk that hangs around
67' F-250 highboy Camper special cross breed currently under way
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=86706
1974 Bronco 302 3 speed
1984 bronco 302 c6 35's
1994 F350 7.3 5spd dually.
woods wrote: The rust holes in my truck were a factory install (very rare).
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robroy
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by robroy »

Good evening Sopikp1,

Wow that is so impressive! Thanks for the photo of the plated stuff. If I'd known that were an option I probably would have had that done during my build as well, although I suppose it's best done during a 100% frame-up refurbishing like you're doing! It might not be as economical to spread it out over several batches.

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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by Manny »

robroy wrote:Good evening Sopikp1,

Wow that is so impressive! Thanks for the photo of the plated stuff. If I'd known that were an option I probably would have had that done during my build as well, although I suppose it's best done during a 100% frame-up refurbishing like you're doing! It might not be as economical to spread it out over several batches.

Robroy

It wouldn't be that bad i do not think Robroy. After all unless your in salt those bolts stay looking pretty a long time like that. Only time i have ever seen them mess up in my experience is salt rot, and high heat gets them other wise nothing hurts hat stuff. Just what i've seen on equipment and buses :2cents:
Just another Ford fool named Dan.
The Junk that hangs around
67' F-250 highboy Camper special cross breed currently under way
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=86706
1974 Bronco 302 3 speed
1984 bronco 302 c6 35's
1994 F350 7.3 5spd dually.
woods wrote: The rust holes in my truck were a factory install (very rare).
sopikp1
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by sopikp1 »

Thanks for all the posts, I will get more pics up tomorrow. Manny, my 390 was given the full machine shop experience. The heads were re-surfaced and given a valve job. Guides, seats, the whole nine yards.

The block was bored 30 over and resurfaced. The alignment was bored and honed with the intent of eliminating all factory friction. The crank was ground and polished 10. At assembly the new intake was surfaced .022 for fit.

Parts used:
Melling 24205 camshaft 296 intake 311 exhaust
QC valves and stems, phosphate bronze guides
FM pistons, Hastings rings, Speed Pro pins
Clevite bearings, ARP bolts throughout
Melling oil pump, pushrods, Speed Pro timing chain, FelPro gaskets

Overall, I think we did it the right way with quality American parts using a reputable machine shop here in Omaha. The only bad thing is we have to wait to start it! I hope it runs good, it should have plenty of hp and even more torque. I have a Street Avenger for a carb and Hedman Elites for exhaust.

Thanks again,
Kevyn
Kevyn
1972 F-250 4x4, 390, Dana 44, 24, 60
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Manny
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Re: 1972 F-250 Highboy Restoration

Post by Manny »

Sounds nice there Kevyn (that is right isn't it??) The whole thing looks really sharp, and you are taking your time which is good. Simple clean build is what i like. Couple of other questions is what intake looks like a weiand??? Then what leaf springs have you got on that nice looking chassis of yours. Keep it up you and these other guys here are providing me inspiration to get done with my bronco so i can start on my 250 soon :pop:
Just another Ford fool named Dan.
The Junk that hangs around
67' F-250 highboy Camper special cross breed currently under way
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=86706
1974 Bronco 302 3 speed
1984 bronco 302 c6 35's
1994 F350 7.3 5spd dually.
woods wrote: The rust holes in my truck were a factory install (very rare).
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