I bought this truck about a month ago, knowing it had a few issues. Just lookin for a little insight/tricks and advice.
I know i need to do the oil pan gasket, which seems to be a pain. Some guys say you gotta jack the motor up a bit, some say the y-pipe needs to be moved and others say you can stretch the fel-pro gasket around the pan. The fel-pro is about the easiest option for me because i dont have access to a shop and the tools to do it any other way right now. Anyone done it before?

The truck's oil pressure is perfect until it warms up, then at idle the gauge says it has no pressure but it runs alright without any lifter noise. i heard these trucks had crappy oil pressure and some places/people installed high volume pumps. Also when the pressure goes way down, i have 0 power. The truck hesitates like crazy and doesnt like to kickdown unless i put my foot down.

Front gas tank leaks at the seam so im stuck using the rear for now. It used to chug going up hills on the highway but seems to be a bit better after i ran seafoam through it. Never fixed the problem though. So maybe fuel pump/filter? The truck doesnt seem to have the power it should.

Was also told it needed an 02 sensor but i dont have a clue which one. Pre-cat, post-cat, i dont know. Would that hinder performance a great deal? Havent tried runnin the truck with the 02 unplugged.

Details on the truck: 1994 302 efi reg cab long box 2wd. Pretty sure its the xl model. All stock, no mods... but there will be down the road lol

 

As you might know the oil gauge is just an oil light dressed up. It does not take much oil pressure to make it go to haft way up the scale. It only has two positions, half way and zero.
So my guess is you need to pull it out and redo the bottom side, all new bearing, crank and connecting rods. I had to do that to mine when I got it. Then I did the oil pressure mod.

Next you need to buy a code reader and see what codes you have, KOEO, CM & KOER.

Here is a good one to get, the Equus 3145:


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Im guessing doing the self test for the codes is just as efficient as a code reader?

Anyone know if these trucks came with aluminum or copper rads?

 

The code reader will save time.
Without one, you'll have to sit there and count flashes.

Try installing a mechanical oil gauge first to see what kinda pressure your really getting.

 

Thanks guys. Guess i'll have to figure it out. Mechanical guage for the oil pressure sounds like a good start

 

Aluminum with plastic tanks.....