My rescue and recesitation of a 71 spring green 40.

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Mark of Mark's Off Road did a conversion of '3 on the Tree' to '4 on the Tree'. I'd go that route to keep the stock look while upgrading to a 4 speed.

The F motor isn't a bad motor if it is workable it has comparable to a 2F in Power but can get slightly better fuel economy.
 
Thanks for the input folks. I need to drag it out of that hole to look underneath and take a look at what else he has for it. Make sure he “has everything” like he says. He did say something about the hydraulic clutch needing rebuilt.
 
That said, I bought one in similar condition and put it back with an FJ60
Drivetrain and OEM parts for days.

I have around $25,000 in it spending nothing on labor and nothing on paint and body.

Be prepared. You have a shell. You can do it cheaper than I did but not much.
 
How much it is worth depends on what your level of pain is and what the seller believes it is worth. I know a fellow, age 40 or so, who bought a 40 years ago with the intention to get it road ready. Paid $3500 for it and started to work but he hasn't touched it, hasn't run in 5 or more years and he has it in parts and pieces. Here is another one who "knows what it is worth" and when I offered $4500 he countered with $10k.

Make a silly offer and see what happens. Maybe a $2k offer will be enough. You will never know until you try.
 
wngrog said:
That said, I bought one in similar condition and put it back with an FJ60
Drivetrain and OEM parts for days.

I have around $25,000 in it spending nothing on labor and nothing on paint and body.

Be prepared. You have a shell. You can do it cheaper than I did but not much.
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Agreed. Gets expensive fast if you go nuts with new oem parts. I've got over 8k in accumulated parts ready for my '67 and still need tires, blah, etc.

I'd buy the truck you posted for a reasonable price in a heartbeat. Reasonable depends on what you find after giving it a good once over.
 
2F runners can be found for $300 bucks or so. F pistons are NLA in most cases. If the F needs a major overhaul I'd put it aside and get it 2F.

As for price start as low as you can... I'd consider offering 500-1000 and see where that leads. The rusty 45 I bought was $100... and that's what the seller asked for :eek:
 
Double post
 
Double
 
I am fairly certain that F motor will need an overhaul. Its been out of the 40 for a very long time. I guess it depends on the condition in which the engine was stored. But I do not yet know that. Could be that it is okay, I guess, but I kind of doubt that.
 
VTX78FJ40 said:
I am fairly certain that F motor will need an overhaul. Its been out of the 40 for a very long time. I guess it depends on the condition in which the engine was stored. But I do not yet know that. Could be that it is okay, I guess, but I kind of doubt that.
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Either buy it or tell me where it’s at and I’ll make him an offer :). I’m in TX (big state I know) and have several 2F’s and 4-speeds needing a good home.

Seriously...you do need to evaluate how much you will have to spend to get it where you want it (varies on needs,supplies & who’s doing the work) and then decide if it’s right for you. And if you then pass on it I’m serious about making an offer. Thanks and good luck.
 
You seem to be on the fence with engine, transmission, shifting, and drivetrain rust concerns. All of them are valid points and should not be considered lightly as they all have a financial impact.

Share the address and I'll take the worries off your mind!

All kidding aside, if the body is clean of rust; the rest is serviceable. There is a flood of old transmissions, axles and parts to make a nice driver - all in due time. What you can't easily fix is a cut up dash, rusty floor boards and diamond plate hidden rust - none of which this appears to have.

Lake
 
I got lucky on my 71 40. It had been parked for 20 years so I knew the engine possibly had a major problem. As I tinkered with the rig I discovered signs the PO just overlooked things and gave up. Knock on wood, the mighty little F in my 71 runs like a champ:D

Another example of a perfectly good engine->
65swb45 said:
It's amazing what a valve adjustment can do.

True story. I bought a 40 for parts the year after I opened my shop. Customer said it had a seized motor. Sent the pink and the plates to the DMV (I am a licensed dismantler) and took deposits on the top, doors and windshield.

My buddy Marty Weatherwax came by, and we threw a battery in it to test all the electricals. I told him to turn the key to the ON position so I could check turn signals.
He accidentally turned it to START and it turned over, to both our surprise.

I pulled the oil filler cap off and saw the rockers swinging wildly. So pulled the VC and did a valve adjustment. Motor purred. SOB. I called the PO and said WTF?

He'd changed the HG but didn't know the truck had solid lifters.

It was the only time I ever parted out a good rig.
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Look at them thar rockers, no bulging rust:cheers: I’ll be curious to see the driver/passenger floor boards and tops of rear fender wells. I bet they will be rock solid.
This is a diamond in the rough!
 
Pull the trigger, you'll regret it if you don't buy it. Like selling your 78.
 
rrv333 said:
Pull the trigger, you'll regret it if you don't buy it. Like selling your 78.
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You, sir, just kicked me in the nuts.
 
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