So, I finally picked up this gem! This old econoline was left to me in my grandpa's will when I was 12 yrs old (34 now)...I then traded it to my uncle when I was 18 for a dirt track car. My uncle passed away about 1.5 yrs ago , and my aunt told me to come get the pickup. All these years I've been told it was a '66 and I was a bit bummed to find out it is a '61, but, it's still going to be an awesome project for my son and I!!! It has the little 144 in it, 90 horses of pure muscle. But, I may eventually do a swap for a 170, 200, or possibly even a 302 if I can muster up the courage to cut it a bit...just going to try to get it running as is for now though. Just gotta find a carburetor. Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
These pics are before (and during) we sanded all the oxidation off of it today...first ones are after we cleaned it up. Had the boy helping me today!!! He is even more excited about this than I am! It's great to know that he has excitement about this with all the video games and everything else he's into these days. Really looking forward to the memories we will make with this project!!! Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I've heard around 30ish mpg??? Surely that's a fresh build and everything new Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
But I've also heard they can barely pull themselves up any substantial hill... Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I LIKE it though!!!! Slam it all the way around with big fat tarz. Better seats(are those wooden seats???) maybe hi back seats to help in a rear end lick....V-8 with some slick paint....He'll be a hit when he starts cruis'in. 6sally6
Some will say dangerous, but I think they are an absolute blast to drive! I would love another Econoline, and you have the 3 window version which is my favorite.
Anyone know if I can put a 2bbl carb on this 144 with an adapter? Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Is the carb missing, or are parts of the carb missing? You can put a 2V on it but you will likely have to hand build the adaptor. It should not be too difficult. You could even use a piece(s )of plywood, but it would take a bit of work. Would need longer studs and some kind of rig up for accelerator linkage. I could dig up a proper carb for you, but with all the physical stuff I am dealing with now it would likely be quite a while before I could do it. I just looked on ebay and there are several there now. Any of them through the 200 can be used. Don;t give over 50 bucks for one, unless it is a known good one. By the way, this one of the greatest things you can do for your son. My son and I built up a 69 Mach 1 starting when he was around 14. I truly believe it helped mold him into the man he is today. Good luck on the project.
Thank you Reman...my son and I will get to spend some great time together on this! The carb is gone...everything used to be there, but my uncle took the carb off for some reason at some point over the past few years. I've seen some on Ebay, and it's good to know what I can use. Thank you for your input! I'll try to just go back with a carb that fits rather than adapt a 2bbl I think. Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
While I wait on a carb, I'm going to try to pull the oil pan and check the bottom end. I know there's gotta be a ton of sludge in there from years of sitting and I definitely don't want to even turn the motor over till I see what's in there. Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The carb is probably gone because 144 collectors paying more for the carb than the truck have driven 144 carb prices to the ridiculous. Your uncle may have sold it, or someone may have taken advantage of a "five-finger discount"! In mid-1963, Ford started using the 170 carb on the 144. They are somewhat easier to find, and a lot less expensive if you do find one. Those for automatic transmission, and those for standard transmission are different. And this post is NOT an ad; I have been sold out of these, thanks to the 144 dudes, for decades. A two-barrel will not work as well as a single barrel. Patience is your friend, but if you are unable to acquire an original, perhaps a single barrel from an import. Jon.
how about a 250. it's the upsize version of the 144-170-200. real long stroke for lots of grunt. i ran one in my '67 and surprised a lot of people with it. should be a bolt-in.
The '61 has a much smaller "doghouse" for the motor. I've read that a 250 would require substantial cutting and fab work, which isn't totally out of the question down the road. But if I do that, I may just do a 302 swap... Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Remember , "six in a row can go". Stick a nice 300 inliner in it. You can build them stock to wild. They are plentiful and you should be able to find a good running one cheap.
A couple suggestions for making it really drivable. For a carb, go with a 32/36 Weber and a Stovebolt adapter. When you do that you're forced to get rid of the (tip#2) Load-o-matic distributor. Get a Mallory Unilite (I know, some have issues but I never have) with the 1/4" shaft to match the early oil pump. It'll be a completely different ride from stock and get better mileage with the increased power.
Thank you Mr. T Body! I will look into this as well! Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
So, what are my carb options to bolt up as is? The Holley 1904, the Autolite 1100, and what else??? Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Before you consider the Weber and adapter; measure your clearance and ASK! If it will fit, download as much information as you can find on the Weber, and digest it all before thinking about a purchase. Jon.
My '67 Supervan had a 240 and an 8 inch rear. If you could score a rusty one of those, it would make an excellent parts pile for a swap.
I have access to plenty of 9" rear ends...(I'll just have to narrow them). Woukd love to find an old parts vehicle though! I even like the idea of a van build... Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I never knew the dog houses changed between the years - learn something new every day. For what it's worth (not much) I'd like to see it stick with a six, and a hot one with that. Have fun!
Oh it'll have a 6 in it for quite awhile I'm sure... Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Kinda like a model A or a deuce, you can make it have more HP but unless its a dual turbo LS1. Someone will have a better motor. I’m not a pure stock guy, but it’s an old truck, let it be an old truck. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Great project not to mention the memories you will make with your son. Those memories will be what your son will eventually pass down from generation to generation. Some day he will be talking about the late nights and weekends spent in the garage working on that old Econoline with his dad. Any time in the garage with family is a great time no matter what year make or model car you may be working on. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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