95 F250 253k, I think it is the original motor
300 inch 6 auto, bought it for 400 bucks.
lot of problems, several are likely related.
crap mileage>10-12mpg
runs rougher than a cob
no power.
Dash doesn't tell me anything, the heat gauge is broken, the gas gauge is well beyond full all the time, I see no 'check engine light'.
started with this.
Drove across town, sounding like 3 cylinders. got home and used temp sensor gun.

before first cat 350. After first cat 430 After second cat 500+.

I am not sure this vehicle is supposed to have 2 cats.hmm.
from what I have read this means the cats are likely bad. Can I remove them?, would it help? I am not even considering legality at this point.


I bought it off a guy who was 'handy', so I have no idea what he actually did. He got the truck from a road contractor, who had pushed it towards the junk pile. He put in a timing chain and tires and drove it for 4 years.
he took out the dash, and 'rewired it' now the duct work does not line up, so little or no defrosting and everything shakes like it has less than the correct number of screws holding it in.

my first desire is to get this to run smoothly and get something better than 10mpg.
so far, I have done what I know.
Plugs, Wires, Rotor and cap, filters.
oil pan was rotted, replaced it
next step, getting the blink codes.

my first ford was a 77 F100 shortbed. Loved that truck. bought it from a racer who used it to tow his racecar.
second ford was an 84 E250 van used for my remodeling business. hauled a lot of stuff and put a lot of miles on it

I am not the smartest guy, this I admit, but what I do is find a manual and read it until I understand it, and try to make things right.
I have found info on these forums before, and so I decided to ask here, not to just give me the answer, but to understand the answer.
Thanks.

btw I am on a next to zero budget, after 20 yrs on the job, the company went out of business, and I have not gotten my unemployment yet.

edit:
update: can't get any blink codes, of any sort. the check engine light won't even come on.
checked with actron scanner. nothing
checked with wire jumper, nothing
checked with multimeter, got 4.8 volts, no other reading.

in the morning I am going to follow the egr system, check the can,and lines, the evp valve.

if I had my way, I woud go back to a 1967-8 offenhouser intake and carb and headers.

 

Try to get some codes. If your wondering about the Cats or exhaust period I would just disconnect the pipe at the header & see how it runs. If nothing changes then you know that isn't an issue & can just bolt it back together.
That is a start.

Craig

 

Definitely get the codes as your next step. Even if the light isn't on, there should be stored codes that will help you greatly.

Fuel Injection Technical Library » How To Run a Self-Test

Fuel Injection Technical Library » 3 Digit Self-test Codes 111-171

 

Sounds like a PO has removed the CEL bulb.

 

you,sir are correct, almost.. the bulb in question was burned out, so I took the bulb from the 4x4 indicator<2wd truck> and put it in the CEL socket.
one problem down, 10,000 to go!
tomorrow drive it around a bit and reset the codes , and then find out what they are.
It may be only a 400$ truck, but it is what I want. Ford, Heavy Duty, Cheap.

 

so far removed the coils. 4 different brands and a box of extras in the bed when I bought it. Had water and silt in 4 plug wells. One at a time, cleaning out and setting new plug and coil.
Some say remove the fuel rails some say not. I'm thinking it is worth the effort.
also replaced marker lights as well, tomorrow redo the inside ceiling stiffner brace. rattle removal.

 

Individual coils and plug wells on a 300? Something isn't right.