infantfinite86

1972 Ranchero 500 w/ a 351C 2bbl.
It was a steal for $700, it runs good after a mild tune up (replaced dist. points & rotor, new spark plugs & wires, adjusted the timing), it's body is nearly rust free, only thing is I need to replace the front right fender because it's got a hole in it, but I already found a replacement at the Pick'n'Pull, and I go to get it on Wednesday with my Father. The interior is fairly okay...dash pad is cracked, roof liner needs fixing, and theres like two tears in the bench seat...already found the replacements at Dearborn Classics...friggin dashpad is expensive @ $250.00, I'll just get a cheap cover for now and replace it later. I have pictures of all this, I just need to get them developed and into a scanner.
The old carb on it is waaaaaay screwed, the tuning screws don't even do anything anymore...which is fine since I already have a new edelbrock carb, and intake, and a new distributor to put in. And after that, I need to switch it to dual exhaust.
Once all that is done, and most of the bodywork is done (won't take long, me and my Father returned a mustang from being a total heap into a very nice looking car already, and the Ranchero is already in far better condition), and I get all the low grade performance for the engine (just Edelbrock Performer series intake. carb, cam, and hydrolic roller lifters, probably Hooker Headers), then I start on building an extreme engine to swap in. Already have most of the parts picked out, but I'll be needing to consult people in here and at Automotiveforums.com, but I already have most of it decided, just a matter of money and time...and I'll be more than happy to throw all of my money at it.

Wow, that was like waaaaaaay longer than I originally intended to put, but hey, I'm very excited about this (and my Father too, for that matter, he used to have a 71 Ranchero GT with the same engine, but he never got to upgrade it).
I'll have the pictures up as soon as I can, but that'll be a few days.

So, if anyone has any experience with old Rancheros, or just with the 351C, I'd be more than grateful for advice and such.

(whew...I need to end this)

MagicRat

Nice project!
I would love to see the pics!
The 351C was one of the best pushrod type v8's Ford ever made, and have an excellent cylinder head design.
Does yours have the stock 2 barrel or 4 barrel carb?
The valves and ports in the heads are a bit larger in the 4 barrel version and respond better with high lift, long duration camshafts.
The 2 barrel heads are actually better for building a milder engine that favours more low end and mid-range torque.

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infantfinite86

It's the 2 barrel heads.
Anwho, an update, and yes, pics too.
The Edelbrock carb is no more, I gave it to my father so he could use it on his '67 Mustang, since his Holley carb went out. So now I'm running the stock 2 barrel carb mounted with an adapter plate...which sucks, cuz it now needs to warm up for a few minutes before it'll drive without stalling...damn 30 year old carb. But once warmed up, it runs really healthy.
Anywho, the Edelbrock intake is on, new distributor is in, I put in new lifters too, since the old ones were making noise, I refinished the valve covers, new wires and plugs. I completely rebuilt the brakes. Everything from a new aluminum master cylinder, new hoses, and new (remanufactured stock style) calipers. The brakes work like a charm now. Oh, and new front tires, since the old ones were waaaaaaay worn out...the steel braiding was showing through.
I've sanded and primed the front of the car so far, but it's gonna be a few weeks before I can finish of the rest of the body, because I've gotta buy christmas presents and stuff with my next paycheck.
For christmas (I found this out from my father), I'm getting a new Edelbrock 750cfm manual choke carb, and new gas shocks (the old front shocks are all wobbly, so it's annoying to drive on the highway, since it randomly tilts. Awesome!!! And, I know I'm getting about $200 for christmas from my Father's side of the family, since it's what they've always given for the last 5 years, and they never change things up, plus my $100-200 christmas bonus from work, and I get payed again less than a week after christmas, I'll have more than enough money for my new headers and dual exhaust, plus however much leftover for more primer and sandpaper. I can't wait!!! This January is when my car is really gonna start improving, since I've also freed up over half of my income, so I actually start spending some real cash on my car!!!
Alrighty, I'll start posting the pics in my next post.

infantfinite86

The pics. Linked for space saving, and to not kill 56Kers

The exterior when I bought it.
These pics are from when I was redoing the brakes, so thats why it's up on jacks.
Left Side
Right Side
Front

The two spots of serious body damage.
Oh, and the interior.
Gas cap (which was pryed off previously)
Right Front Fender (note large dent behind wheel, and busted out reflector)
The Interior

The engine as it was upon purchase (newly rebuilt my ass...)
And the crappy single exhaust.
Old engine
The puny single exhaust

After the rebuild of the top of the engine.
Note the purdy new master cylinder.
Oh, and the thing wrapped in blue wrags is the kickgown linkage...I don't have it attached right now.
And the old guy is my father, he was giving me a hand since I was polite enough to hand over my carb.
Fresh top
The 4-barrel...which I no longer have
My pretty master cylinder

And here's the old stock 2 barrel back on my engine...
Friggin 2bbl...