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Fordguy77
01-08-2013, 10:43 PM
In 2008 i purchased a 77' F150 with my graduation money. When i originally obtained it, it was in great shape, and i should have given it the proper attention and restored it right then and there. However my 18 your old eyes only saw a 400 cubic inch V8 4x4 and 33" muds, needless to say the truck has been up and running and back down again several times over the course of its life with me. Not to long after i first started driving it i lost the seal on the transmission pump, and all the fluid there was to be had. So it sat parked for a year while i was saving up the funds to replace it. And as soon as it was ready to go, she was back out on the trails, were i had my first and only miss installed torque converter, and lost it mid trail. So then i ponied up the money and had my friends dad's shop rebuild my transmission, and while it was there they manged to destroy my driver side door, and replaced it with a miss-matched black door, which i still need to re key, and order the proper vin plate from Marti Auto (http://www.martiauto.com/). Not too long after this, discount tire had inproperly torqued one of my wheels, causing the studs to snap, and for me to loose a tire at speed. Did decent damage to the driver side rear quarter.Some time after that i was cruising up the hill(read mountain pass) and i start getting a loud engine knock. It was quickly decided that it was from a rod bearing, or less likely a main bearing, towed the truck home, and there she has sat for the last 2 years. Well today i finally got the itch, and having some spare time, tore back into the 77. My plans are for a mildly built 400 with a NP435 4 spd to be swapped in the place of my current "BulletProof" C6. As well as clean the truck up as a whole from the cab forward. The bed is so damaged at the moment i currently plan to run a flat bed, until i can find either a good donor, or make another one from reproduction parts.

As far as the transmission swap goes, i am going to be using all of the guts out of my 1979 Bronco. While it has been an excellent $500 bronco, the time has come to use it for what i bought it for. A donor rig. So i already have all the parts i need including a manual steering column so my swap wont look so half assed like many of the others out there. Ill throw up the few pics i have taken of the truck since i have owned, as well as pics of what i have managed to get done so far.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxIhIhDx9Vo/UOzyCdyBdBI/AAAAAAAAAjs/__6f7Rpf2Oo/s600/229782_107238306045024_5416223_n.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-63Qen4lv_e0/UOzyCR4p1AI/AAAAAAAAAjw/2cav_YB5ZCI/s600/223002_107238322711689_6888719_n.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p_9-j6ANB_I/UOzyCJD6jDI/AAAAAAAAAjo/gPgF1ti4Hv8/s480/216635_107238269378361_2925355_n.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lC6p_i2U-ws/UOzyDeqxfXI/AAAAAAAAAj0/Zm8nPF5TTUo/s480/284609_107238246045030_5124982_n.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZZFPhRK_mMM/UOzyDW2F0mI/AAAAAAAAAj4/8ZY3DUZbhaY/s600/284319_107238222711699_7302321_n.jpg

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Todays Progress
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f8rFRvUy7yM/UOxvtgopPFI/AAAAAAAAAfA/yh52y-5UO4I/s912/IMAG0084.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M-p0I_264Rk/UOxwBEUk-UI/AAAAAAAAAfY/T5RrC7reFv0/s912/IMAG0087.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VaNeps2YXPs/UOxwFx_ZRFI/AAAAAAAAAfg/4X4tY0C8uuQ/s912/IMAG0088.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tYSW9Jj5Vx4/UOxwMBPs-kI/AAAAAAAAAfo/V3a48VVt4eA/s912/IMAG0089.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-40pHngmovdY/UOx3ciV-HtI/AAAAAAAAAgc/G7LE3XrhFhI/s912/IMAG0094.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qObEe0hsIVI/UOzLlxmg0aI/AAAAAAAAAik/pCGpB_jmfqM/s640/DSC00026.JPG

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Messed with the engine bay a tad
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hcd-TTwe3gU/UOzLmlc_EXI/AAAAAAAAAis/sEnz8APInKs/s640/DSC00025.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HtoqTEgeqEA/UOzLk8FbjrI/AAAAAAAAAig/4zcHZWqFcFo/s640/DSC00027.JPG

RhinoZ24
01-08-2013, 10:45 PM
Very nice truck. She'll look even better when done too. Great you're doing it yourself as a project too, always better than having someone else do it.

Fordguy77
01-09-2013, 09:02 PM
Well today, i was lucky enough to resume progress and get after the motor finally. I ended up pulling the motor alone so it took about a 30 hour once everything was set up, but overall it didn't go to bad. i had to remove both tires, and drop the front of the truck until the rotors were less than a 1/2 of an inch from hitting the ground. To do this i simply used two floor jacks, one under each radius arm. Unbolted the motor-mounts, and pulled her out, the crazy part is even with the front end dropped that low, the motor only cleared the radiator support by about 1/2"! And as you can tell from the pictures space is something im lacking and that doesn't seem to help my cause any. Once i finally got the engine put on a stand i began dismantling it. Found a large amount of metal shavings in the oil pan, and then some more in the oil pump pick up. The culprit turned out to be the #1 rod bearing, its so bad that 99% of the bearing is in the pan, and the other 1% is in the pickup. The #1 journal has some gouging, hopefully the crank is still salvageable. Well im not feeling too well, so ill get the pictures.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RX84EOQZLxA/UO4qqiNA4dI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Kp6FFm6wKJ0/s640/DSC00028.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nIqyt7-MhtE/UO4qrfOet-I/AAAAAAAAAms/0tKSaoh-rKU/s640/DSC00029.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L8D_su8e8xc/UO4qrw-51jI/AAAAAAAAAmw/imEpWzc1CGw/s640/DSC00030.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f2Y81x3Uv3g/UO4qxe7KtHI/AAAAAAAAAnA/ukP0nOTktf0/s640/DSC00031.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sflx6EZcKs0/UO4qzDpBkwI/AAAAAAAAAnM/G6T9ongawiM/s640/DSC00032.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Jo0XP8ozNV0/UO4q0bLqfxI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/xLD3lEDQa0c/s640/DSC00033.JPG

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More Pics
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5MPlBlU6DX8/UO4q5QEi3zI/AAAAAAAAAng/_XbFkUM77Kk/s640/DSC00034.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VT5kx5u8LsM/UO4q6g1f_KI/AAAAAAAAAnk/AVTpzgwPUew/s640/DSC00035.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Y2UWfcROXw/UO4q7CCwKgI/AAAAAAAAAns/H_p_aEmR728/s640/DSC00036.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-awgw4RLhNaA/UO4rAbIjZeI/AAAAAAAAAn8/8b9AGzmnpro/s640/DSC00037.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BfI89iKYO7Q/UO4rCGzVO_I/AAAAAAAAAoI/vqeX_h8eq1U/s640/DSC00038.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QNwLZZP8L5Y/UO4rBzW6RGI/AAAAAAAAAoA/OO_5-3mZMiI/s640/DSC00039.JPG

RhinoZ24
01-09-2013, 09:03 PM
Sounds like you have alotta work cut out for yourself here. Keep at it though, she has potential that's for sure.

Fordguy77
01-09-2013, 09:16 PM
More Pics
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OE5knwvMf4s/UO4rHio_AOI/AAAAAAAAAoU/uhJBmvcMIDo/s512/DSC00040.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DSkGeq6xOK4/UO4rjryMPVI/AAAAAAAAAog/Q9HkUrPWZfY/s912/IMAG0096.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v9Rb1FvJsAc/UO4rl2-aoqI/AAAAAAAAAow/xlKAg278GF4/s912/IMAG0097.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coc5SuVWl9M/UO4qXpA2_kI/AAAAAAAAAmc/f5KW1qwnNBg/s512/20130109_170302.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--6YmAevQx0c/UO4qXvBSVjI/AAAAAAAAAmY/WP6BDUKAW8o/s640/20130109_170329.jpg

And the last pic, is of the 400 short block, haning out next to a complete 460.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2BGyG2L_rtw/UO4rnKiNr8I/AAAAAAAAAo4/oy-8DHdAzkU/s912/IMAG0099.jpg

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Sounds like you have alotta work cut out for yourself here. Keep at it though, she has potential that's for sure.

Thanks for the encouragement! Its needed, Ive been to hell and back with this truck,a and have come so close to getting rid of it so many times, but never have. Hopefully once this mechanical rebuild is done, she'll start playing nice, and i may actually get to drive her around for a bit.

RhinoZ24
01-09-2013, 09:18 PM
Oh she will, you don't need a nice appearance, just a nice beast under the hood haha. And holy shredded metal in that picture, you weren't kidding!

Jersey_Joe
01-10-2013, 06:18 AM
Your as nuts as me. That's awesome. Give er hell bud. Great job

Fordguy77
01-15-2013, 04:22 PM
Just ran into a huge wall with this build. Due to the availability of my desired pistons, I cant build the motor the way I have intended until march. And due to time restrictions with the up coming work season, compromises may have to be made somewhere, and i'll have to wait to have my high performance build completed.
Current Options Include

1. Stock Compression Rebuild, almost 100HP difference

2. Re-Ring my running 351M from the donor truck

3. Re-ring the 351m, and wait for the parts for the 400 to come in, so i can build the 400 the way i want.

The downfall to this is i am working with an unknown amount of time, due to my career. In all reality I could be called tonight to go to work in California tomorrow, with no notice.

Any thoughts?

RhinoZ24
01-15-2013, 04:31 PM
I'd wait till you have the guaranteed time to get it done the way you want. But that's just me.

Jersey_Joe
01-15-2013, 08:26 PM
Agreed^

Fordguy77
01-16-2013, 01:41 AM
So after some intensive googling, and speaking to some of the gurus i know, a decision has been reached.

I was informed by a few guys far older than i of how motor builds for the Ford 400 were done back in the 80s, before there was really any aftermarket support for the 400.

A quick history lesson on the 351m/400 for those of you who don't know, it is essentially a 351C with a 1" larger deck height. However it uses the same size main bearings as a 351w, even thous it uses the same size rod bearings as the 351c. Also The 400 and 351C use pistons of similar compression heights, so when you properly select a set of 351C it can be used to bump the compression ratio in the 400. However there is a wrist pin clearance difference. Most 351C have a wrist pin diamiter of .912" where as the 400 is .975". There 2 ways to fix it are to either bore out the 351C pistons, or use a bushing in the connecting rod of the 400.

So i have decided to go with 351C pistons, and bore out the pin hole, and move forward with this project.

A good link for ford 400 info
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/5/104/article/High_Performance_Options_for_the_351M400_Engine.ht ml

RhinoZ24
01-16-2013, 01:55 AM
Very good, the Internet is your friend. Glad you found some really helpful advice and have it all planned out now. I'm excited for you, this truck is going to be awesome.

Fordguy77
01-23-2013, 10:48 PM
The block is at the machine shop, getting reconditioned finally :D Still waiting to hear how the block cleans up and such so i can get the pistons ordered.

On a side note there also building me a new bottom end for my ranger(again :( ) as of today. One day I'll learn not to drive the ranger like i do the 77.

RhinoZ24
01-23-2013, 11:01 PM
Haha, get a little to crazy with the Ranger? Lol and that's awesome man, post some pics up when you get it back.

Fordguy77
01-24-2013, 12:01 AM
Haha, get a little to crazy with the Ranger? Lol and that's awesome man, post some pics up when you get it back.

Yeah, sadly i hydro locked it, for a second time in 3 years for a lack of common sense. However this time it wasnt as much my fault as the first lol.
My ranger, most current pic, but i do have different rubber now days. Its a 91 with a 4.0L bored .020 over, the more aggressive comp cam, headers, 2.5" exhaust header back, ported and polished heads, ported the intakes to match, 56mm throttle body. Its a fun little work truck, just a little to low to the ground. The last motor prior to install.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/281655_107271969374991_4227206_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/284375_107272042708317_961040_n.jpg

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Bent Rod and Smashed Piston
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zqcRWGqVS9I/UQDNzX0LHJI/AAAAAAAAApY/i0cEBRtFGwA/s800/download.jpg

RhinoZ24
01-24-2013, 01:13 AM
Damn, you like to play a lot haha. Love that 4.0 too. I think you should change your name to truck destroyer though haha, you just tear em up.

Fordguy77
03-11-2013, 04:35 PM
Damn, you like to play a lot haha. Love that 4.0 too. I think you should change your name to truck destroyer though haha, you just tear em up.

Well its more of a build them up, tear um up, start over with lessons learned haha.

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Finally got the part fiasco situated and will be receiving an engine kit from Tim Meyer, here shortly. The kit i ordered comes out to roughly 325hp and 445ftlbs, so it should be a nice increase over the original numbers. Cant wait for this build to be done.

RhinoZ24
03-11-2013, 04:50 PM
Awesome, keep us informed.

lesliehughes
03-11-2013, 06:10 PM
Awesome, keep us informed.

Dude your truck is awesome. Love it.

Sent from my iPhone using F150 App

Fordguy77
11-09-2013, 05:52 PM
Motor finally came in last week.
5375

lee reece
11-09-2013, 07:36 PM
Looks sweet!!

2007 F150 XLT FX2 SPORT - 5.4l 3V 3.73 LIMITED SLIP EDGE/EVOLUTION PROGRAMMER

RhinoZ24
11-09-2013, 10:16 PM
Great color too lol. Looks sweet

Fordguy77
11-10-2013, 10:19 AM
Looks sweet!!

2007 F150 XLT FX2 SPORT - 5.4l 3V 3.73 LIMITED SLIP EDGE/EVOLUTION PROGRAMMER

Thanks! She should run pretty good too.

Jersey_Joe
11-10-2013, 06:42 PM
Sweet

Fordguy77
03-13-2014, 10:20 PM
Some Minor Updates.

After hanging out with my dad, and much discussion I came to a realization. And no its not that i have to many cars. It is that my 77 F150 is actually the closest thing I have to being done enough to go play again. So I bit the bullet and put my tax refund to work, and ordered the last foreseeable stuff I could think of, as well as a few optional upgrades. Sadly I am not going to be able to run my stock valve covers, as they have almost no clearance on the rockers, and more so because they are warped and look like the ocean.

Fun Stuff

DUI Distributor with internal coil and module wrapped in blue
Taylor Made 8.2mm ThunderVolt spark plug wires
Hi Flow Summit Racing water pump
Tall Ford Racing Valve Covers


Thats about it for the high ticket items.

Other misc stuff-
Spark Plugs- Copper Motorcraft, super cheap and probably one of the best plugs made.
PCV Valve
Upper/lower Radiator hoses
EGR valve
Oil Pressure sender
Water temp sender
180 Degree thermostat
Motor Mounts
Starter Solenoid


I am also converting my truck from a C6 automatic to a 4spd NP435. I have a complete donor rig to pull everything off of so it should go fairly smooth. I am even swapping out steering columns to give my truck the appearance of having always been a 4spd. I also plan on swapping my steering setup from my 79 Donor to my 77 as it has a better steering geometry and is a direct swap.

Outside of all of this I am planning on adding dual battery's and a winch and lights at some point possible. I just plan on using a RuffStuff battery box, and following the DIY battery isolator write up I found over on expedition portal.

Down the road I am planning on 35s and rebuilding my 9" and HP Dana 44, I was thinking about just rebuilding the set under my donor rig, then swapping them out one weekend. Also was going to put a set of sliders on, as this rig will hopefully one day get the cosmetic portion of a restoration rather than just the mechanical.

Today I did manage to complete the rebuild on my carb. Its an Edlebrock 1406 Surprisingly it didn't look to bad on the inside. No varnish and everything was fairly clean. Did have some sand/dirt in the fuel bowls but aside from that she wasn't to bad. I cleaned up my timing chain cover and was able to get it painted. Hopefully I get over to my grandparents sometime soon and can pick up my seal driver set, so i can drive the old seal out, and get the new one in. After that just need to get the oil pump installed and I can throw the pan on. After that I can finish masking off the valves and a few other areas, and paint the block. Once shes painted I can start bolting everything on. I plan to drop the motor in 90% complete to save some time. I thought about trying to put the motor in with the transmission already mated up. However I had such little room pulling the motor, the thought of adding the transmission seemed like a bad idea sadly. As I am not looking forward to trying to pick up the NP435 cast iron beast.

As the last few pieces have started to roll in. I threw on the old valve covers, the oil pan, timing chain cover as well as a spare valley pan to protect the vitals from getting any spray paint in them. I just remembered I have a spare intake for this motor and will probably end up setting it on the valley pan so I can ensure all areas that need paint receive them, And everything else will be protected.

The pulleys and other misc brackets came back from the sand blasters today. Looks like they did a good job and it only cost me $35 at A1 Metal Stripping.

I was also able to get the block painted tonight. I am going with a Ford Dark Blue over Ford Gray theme with satin black accents.


Found all of the stuff I need to switch over to a Ford Taurus 2-speed fan, and get rid of my mechanical fan. I wasn't really planning on doing this mod, but somehow my dad talked me into it. As weird as it is, I really like my power robbing 100% always on mechanical fans. But they do suck in traffic jams.

I also finished gathering all the parts up for my alternator upgrade. Good bye 65 amps and hello 130. Essentially a bolt in swap with some minor wiring, cost? $60 and that's with me buying a pre-made harness. Well worth it.

This weekend I am hoping to finish cleaning up the engine compartment, and get started on my steering column swap, and hopefully even get my pedal assembly swap started. Its a shame ford didn't offer the 400 with the 4spd. Granted the C6 isn't a bad transmission.


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JL3wybr2V8U/UwKkKAZOO0I/AAAAAAAABQ4/A0mAP3JrNMo/s640/image.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i3toApj5h5Q/UwKkLIB2YLI/AAAAAAAABRI/P_rbVzypfu8/s640/image-002.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QEew3h9cdNs/UwKkLiiELQI/AAAAAAAABRQ/qXMm78getLk/s640/image-003.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gJ4U-Obo0M4/UwKkNuUhn8I/AAAAAAAABRc/XxluvYTS6to/s640/image-005.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6zqvKKzqnEY/UwKkMrk8bcI/AAAAAAAABRk/0QjqS62X6i0/s800/image-006.jpg

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More Pics
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5s_lF5LzJ_0/Uxe1UQ772WI/AAAAAAAABSs/laGbHVICK1k/s800/photo%25201.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G1uJZBKcbDI/Uxe1Ub5iN3I/AAAAAAAABSw/k4YCfFZkSqY/s800/photo%25202.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h_cfom80nac/Uxe1UY0IkSI/AAAAAAAABS0/2oA_CVzvwLI/s800/photo%25203.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ybOyGnNW35k/UyKC1qJ7agI/AAAAAAAABUA/m5iExmZa9xU/s640/photo%25201%2520%25283%2529.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x34_HPt_oRk/UyKC1kTZqVI/AAAAAAAABUE/19BSKisOZxE/s640/photo%25202%2520%25283%2529.JPG

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More pics
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WwxlaOxL7uI/UyKC2zVVS6I/AAAAAAAABUc/k_r6bp78H2o/s640/photo%25203%2520%25282%2529.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2X1qlBlGn-Y/UyKC1oRTHPI/AAAAAAAABT8/trS2ep3nCS4/s912/photo%25201%2520%25284%2529.JPG

RhinoZ24
03-13-2014, 11:02 PM
Sounds awesome man, you definitely know what you want and how to get there and so far it looks awesome, keep us updated for sure!!

Fordguy77
03-19-2014, 05:48 PM
Because of my decision to run an electric fan, I had to come up with a source for more power. So I ended up doing the common 3G alternator upgrade which makes over 3X what my little 1G made(40amps). The new unit is rated at 130 amps, however many people have tested them and actually claim closer to 150. 3G Picture time. Things a beast compared to my 1G.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7mOdDzwCxfI/Uyoqj3SqGDI/AAAAAAAABV0/x45MTCD1BVY/s640/photo%25204.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b2YZN1gBqqw/UyoqhhanegI/AAAAAAAABVE/lpU4g_qYa7c/s640/photo%25201%2520%25281%2529.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NeLxd3vu89c/UyoqhjvKbxI/AAAAAAAABVI/XzFloCx-_og/s912/photo%25202%2520%25281%2529.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FKNUf390g3k/UyoqjK52BwI/AAAAAAAABVk/_m5VCjZ90N4/s912/photo%25203%2520%25281%2529.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aoAWsal6xk4/Uyoqjqf8KpI/AAAAAAAABVw/CJ2Diz796lQ/s912/photo%25204%2520%25281%2529.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3VuMLh1VpOk/UyoqimJaBjI/AAAAAAAABVc/6OfTsiYnqSg/s912/photo%25202.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KLe3DPsKB9s/UyoqjFNz7xI/AAAAAAAABVo/ns4njiugZW0/s912/photo%25203.JPG

RhinoZ24
03-20-2014, 12:40 AM
Sweet, now it opens up even more aftermarket products you can power too.

Ford Fan#1
03-20-2014, 05:35 AM
Sweet, now it opens up even more aftermarket products you can power too.and that means more fun!

Fordguy77
03-20-2014, 07:17 PM
Sweet, now it opens up even more aftermarket products you can power too.

Thats the plan. However I am also adding a dual battery setup. As far as any accessories go its actually going to pretty simple. I'll be adding a CB, and a winch/winch bumper. Outside of that the only planned mods is a second set of mechanical gauges for oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, volts, and vacuum. However it will be wired in a way that all my factory gauges still work. The extra gauges are going to end up in a custom cluster in my headliner.

RhinoZ24
03-20-2014, 07:41 PM
Thats the plan. However I am also adding a dual battery setup. As far as any accessories go its actually going to pretty simple. I'll be adding a CB, and a winch/winch bumper. Outside of that the only planned mods is a second set of mechanical gauges for oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, volts, and vacuum. However it will be wired in a way that all my factory gauges still work. The extra gauges are going to end up in a custom cluster in my headliner.

That sounds cool, I'm guessing you want actual gauges that move and give readings and not the Ford "dummy" gauges that come stock?