66 or 65?
 

I need some help. I have a few questions about this new project i got.
First: what year is it? a 66 or 65? How do you tell the difference?
Second: This is a 352, correct?
Third: are there anythings I should look out for on this truck/ any special things? is there anything rare on these that i should look for? I havent seen many stepsides online.

I found this on a farm and was surprised that the majority of the rust is just surface rust.
the motor turns by hand and I could hear the compression.
I am a youngin (19) and I plan on working on this in class. I am going to school for auto body. I would like to keep it stock looking. I appreciate any help and input! :) Thanks!





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Re: 66 or 65?
 

dsauel, I can't see any pictures, just ??? I'm assuming there are three pictures of your truck?

Re: 66 or 65?
 

Sorry!
here is a flickr link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7706260...in/photostream
there are three pictures there
Thanks!

Re: 66 or 65?
 

More than likely a 352". Not sure on the year, '65 and '66 trucks didn't change much. Might ask over on the Ford Truck Enthusiast Forum http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum40/. Bunch of Truck nuts over there.

Some of them even know what they're talking about... :rolleyes:

Get the #'s off of the VIN plate. Maybe we can decipher what it is from that.

Sorry couldn't help more.

Re: 66 or 65?
 

The carb is a nice Holley aftermarket 2V. Hopefully 350 cfm rather than 500 cfm. 350 cfm is a model 7448, 500 cfm is model 4412. The Twin I-Beam suspension on the front debuted in trucks in 1965, and makes for more comfortable driving than the earlier solid front axle. 65-66 came with 352s. Have some fun at learning on the truck, but be careful not to sink too much money into it.

Check the cab corners in front of and behind the doors for rust through. Also the bottom inside of doors, and floor. The front of the hood at the crease is a common point of rust. Oil up the hood hinges, and keep them lubed.

If someone suggests you turn the 352 into a 390, think about the current gas prices first. Welcome to the Barn!

Re: 66 or 65?
 

Thanks! Any information on this truck is greatly appreciated! Im very interested in the options that were available at the time. Any info is great! Thanks again!

Re: 66 or 65?
 

That is definitely a 1966 grille and 1965-66 came with a 352 originally

Re: 66 or 65?
 

What is the difference between the 65 grille and 66? Does 65 have the squares? And 66 have the rectangles?

Re: 66 or 65?
 

That is a 66 grille in the picture and 65 has square openings over the whole grille. Dale.

Re: 66 or 65?
 

Nice find, looks to be in pretty nice shape, that even looks like the original windshield washer bag. Might be a good candidate for a stock resto. My Dad had a couple of those back in the '60s. Good reliable trucks. Good luck with it and welcome!

W.E.

Re: 66 or 65?
 

Looking at the grille shown in your photos, the truck is a '66.. The '65 grille had square opening similar to the earlier '64.
The engine appears to be a stock original 352 FE series engine... This engine can be replaced with any FE series engine, 360, 390, 428.. All of which are big block engines...
The FE engine where generally lumbering giants, slow turning fuel gulping monster... They had very soft valve guides/valves, requiring a valve job at about 60k and a total rebuild at 90k..If the trans is a 4spd it will be a T18 New Process. If you pull the engine keep the front mount, you will need it if you want to put another FE series engine in the truck..
If you intend to repair/rebuild the truck forget the engine.. very costly and not friendly with today's fuels.
A good choice of engines would be a late model 351 Windsor.. The Windsor engine will bolt up to the T18 trans using the bell housing from a 240/300 CID 6 cyln.
A second good idea would be to find a style side bed... Step side beds are only in favor with a small hand full of pickup truck owner's..
Trucks are enjoying a very large following, they are cost effective to build and they can be used for many daily jobs...
I have a '66 F-250 4 x 4 with a '68 390 engine... I am currently parting out a '66 F-250 & a '64 F-250..

Re: 66 or 65?
 

Yeah, unless someone made grille & fender emblem changes to it, it's a '66. See the pics below:

'64: