I always wondered why Chevy and Dodge didn't make as many big block half tons as Ford did. Ford made a PILE of big block half ton trucks.
My search for a shorty D100 is over
- Thread starter TT5.9mag
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junkyardhero
Well-Known Member
i'd hazard a guess that it was because the 440 wasn't available with a 2bbl option like a lot of the ferd and chebby stuff was.
even if the fuel mileage was the same, the perception of big carb on a big motor was immediately: gas guzzler; at basically, the worst possible time.
there also exists the probability that with encroaching emissions they weren't able to meet standards and instead of flat out castrating the chonk block and turn it into the a mediocre offering they just decided to phase it out.
lemondana
BlackDart
I don't know about them not being able to meet emissions. But trucks up until the later part of the 70's didn't have any emissions crap on them. Any of the truck Thermoquads didn't have any crap on them. They are really good carbs to use. And I don't think they used LeanBurn until later possibly..
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
I built the drivetrain for a sandrail for a good friend of mine and we used an earlier version of the Honda J35 mated to a mendeola transaxle. That car was light, handled awesome, used almost no fuel in a full day in the dunes, and was reliable as hell. The car is still together and running today 12 years after we built it. We’ve never touched the drivetrain. When it came time to build my falcon i wanted an all aluminum very light and small engine package that I could almost mid mount. I wanted the car to handle well and have excellent street manners. I also met and became friends with a world renowned import racer/tuner and he was very much a J35 fan. He has one in a minivan that makes over 1000hp to the front tires.it seemed like a perfect solution and It made sense in my dumb head.
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
This truck is a 73 and the slant has the California emissions package on it, including a smog pump.
Maybe so, but to counter that point, there were LOTS of big slide in bed campers out at that time. They were the rage through the 1970s. Ford kinda cornered that market, too. Although the other two made Camper Specials, nobody made as many as Ford and nobody made anything that could compete towing and hauling wise. You ever heard of a Ford "Super Camper Special"? They were F350s whose rear axles were moved back 7" to increase weight capacity. No other auto maker offered such that I've ever seen. I love those trucks. Always wanted one. They look like a big bulldog. Here's a really RARE 4WD. Look how far back the rear axle is.
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junkyardhero
Well-Known Member
i love how ford was just like: what if we just made it bigger?
junkyardhero
Well-Known Member
not in california amigo. we started getting the restrictions hard in 73 and emissions controls had been in place since 67
but yeah, lean burn didn't kick until 76
lemondana
BlackDart
I've taken apart alot of Thermoquads. It was always the California carbs that had the biggest jets and the thinnest metering rods compared to the same application, year Federal carb. Explain that-I'm a dumb ***, so maybe I'm missing something. I gave away several California Thermoquads before I figured this out.
junkyardhero
Well-Known Member
i'm not entirely sure the point you're trying to make or the position that you're attempting to take or what context this is in.
yes thermoquads are good carbs. yes they had different jetting. but other than that i don't see what the relevance is to this discussion.
lemondana
BlackDart
OK
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Also, for my buddy Chris @Turbo440Dart I had to get rid of the stupid billet window cranks and put the originals back on. He hated them with a passion. Can’t say he was wrong about that one.
Edited to add;
Can’t believe i forgot to add a pic of the cranks that came off. I meant to.
Can’t believe i forgot to add a pic of the cranks that came off. I meant to.
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mopar56
Well-Known Member
- WOW! that grill looks amazing great work, what a transformation!
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
I was impressed also with how well the paint stripper worked, and how nice the grille was under the black. It’s not perfect, it will need some hammer dolly work and another round of stripper but I couldn’t stand to look at the black any more.
Turbo440Dart
crank runner over-er
I give it another week before I convince you to fix the oil leak/shifter bushings and you’ll keep the slant.
Yeah cause sometimes that's the answer. lol
Yeah if I had that thing, It'd get a full mechanical restoration and I'd drive the wheels off it. Ain't many left around.
You got all that stuff with it and you wanna rip it apart and make it somethin else. For shame. I got all that stuff and more on Gladys. IF she had a 300 I6, it'd stay right there.
That door panel looks fantastic! how bout some shots of the interior?
Nevermind. I scrolled more. lol That steerin wheel ain't makin it. lol
Turbo440Dart
crank runner over-er
I try not to leave ANYTHING alone but I was even second guessing it being lowered on the trip home. It rides nice, it’s quiet and just pleasant to be in.
The thing about the lowering is, it's just low enough to look better, it's not so low that it's useless as a truck.
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