Can't decide what to do.

[76chevyc20454]

Alright, so my nightmares have come true and my 454 has a knocking/rattling noise that sounds like it's coming from the front of the block. I've been told rod knock, timing chain slapping on the cover or bent push rod. The problem is idk if I can afford to rebuild the motor in it or if it really even worth it. I'm having a little girl in August so funds are already tight and it seems like it's rusting faster every day. The cab support rusted through and the cab fell down on the cab bushing and the bed floor supports are starting to go the frame is fine but the body's rough. I have a passion for this truck, it's my first truck and it's a squarebody lol I drool over these trucks. I'm just wondering if I should sell it and save some money up and start fresh or keep this one. I keep thinking about selling it but I feel like I'm going to kick my self in the rear later for doing it. What I'm asking for is a little advice, I no you guys aren't therapist but I feel like some of you might have been in the same position.

 

[4WDKC]

With a rod knocking and the cab/bed rusted you probably wont get much for it. If the cab is as bad as you say its not safe to drive so no point in fixing the engine right now. It may have to wait till you have more money after the baby is born, if thats not an option because you need the truck I would try to source a replacement cab,bed and engine for cheap maybe do some horse trading to get it safe and back on the road.

 

[HotRodPC]

Make sure it's not a cracked or broken flexplate. Those sorta sound like a rod knock too and it does sound like it's coming from near the front of the block

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I have a Ford F100 that has been sitting in a barn for six year's. I own the barn, doesn't cost me a thing to keep it there. I pick up little part's here and there when I can, always working towards my final goal.

It doesn't cost you a thing to keep it, you already own it. I wouldn't recomend most people DD one of these trucks anyway.

Keep it as a project, they aren't getting easier to find, but forget about it as transportation.

 

[chengny]

What I'm asking for is a little advice,

I'm the last person you should take advice from, but if you are up at 3 AM and stressing out over this truck, you probably already know the answer. I think you realize it's too far gone to justify any more time/money. With all you have on your plate right now, it might be time to give it up. I know it's your first truck and you have your heart and soul in it. But imagine if you were thinking about buying it from a stranger - then would you feel that it was in good enough shape to make the investment. There are times in life when it's over - and you just have to let things go.

 

[r67northern]

Consider this worth what you paid for it

I've found that even when I think I really, really want to hang on to a car and can't let it go because of the time I've spent with it (or on it) or just personal affection for it, once it's gone, it's a little sad but it's also a nice feeling to know I don't have to try and fix it in the midst of life's other challenges. It ends up being a relief with a little sadness now and then when you see one like your old one drive by (I had an Impala SS like that and an old '90 suburban v1500 that was rusting away to the point that working on it was just a lost cause).

One option could be to pull anything you want from the truck and then let it go to a JY. Keep the parts around (maybe even the engine if you feel like you want to rebuild it for fun) and then find a less rusty one that will be good to go for a few years, maybe put your rebuilt 454 back in it if you want.

Just thinking out loud here.

 

[marks86]

I would like to see a picture of how bad the rust really is. Maybe its not as bad as you make it sound. As for the motor my advice would be park the truck is a good spot and drain the oil. That will give you a good sign on whats going on. There could be a lot of things making a tapping noise inside your engine. Sounds like your just getting stressed out maybe its not as bad as it seems. Just need to take some time and figure out the best solution to the problem.