There have been a lot of posts in here lately with new members joining up that have a 1984 - 1986 F150, often hacked up by the previous owner. As most of us in here already know, these models possessed the infamous EEC-IV engine computer/TFI ignition/feedback carburetor combo. These models are very unique with these systems, and I think a lot of new members may benefit from a sticky at the top of the forums to help explain what it is they are working with.

I was thinking maybe something like this:

Read First: 1984 - 1986 Model Years

To meet tightening emissions standards, the 1984 - 1986 models equipped with the 300/4.9, carbureted 302/5.0 2V (later models were EFI), or 351/5.8 2V (excluding 4V "H.O." models), and some 1981 - 1983 California models came with an EEC-IV engine computer, TFI ignition, and an electronic "feedback" carburetor. Think of this system as a "bridge" between standard mechanical carburetion and electronic fuel injection: the feedback carburetor system.

These models can be readily identified by the distributor. The ignition module will be bolted to the side of the distributor along with a plug wire harness. The EEC engine computer controls all the timing functions, so unlike the older models, it will not have a vacuum advance. These models also will have an O2 sensor in the exhaust manifold, a MAP sensor on the passenger's side inner fender, EGR and EVAP system solenoids, and a unique computer-controlled "feedback" carburetor, identified by a feedback solenoid and wire harness plugged into the front of the carburetor. Depending on the model, the EEC engine computer itself can be found under the dash or under the seat.

Using an O2 sensor and various other engine sensors and solenoids, the EEC engine computer controls the air/fuel mixture at the carburetor, engine timing, and all emissions. It works just like modern electronic fuel injection does except it utilizes a carburetor. And, like any other EFI system, if any of these sensors or emissions components are missing or removed, the system will not work correctly. For example, if the stock "feedback" carburetor was replaced with an earlier, all-mechanical model or an aftermarket carburetor, the vehicle will still run, but the engine computer will not know what to do with it because it can't "read" what the carburetor is doing and adjust the air/fuel mixture. As a result, the EEC computer will revert to a fail-safe "limp home" mode and lock the ignition timing, which will in turn hurt emissions, economy, and performance.

If you have emissions testing in your area, ALL of the stock emissions and engine components - including the TFI ignition and "feedback" carburetor - must be in place and working correctly or it will not pass!

This is just an idea. This thread could also include links to posts explaining the Duraspark II swap or how to get the engine running if some of these components are missing using aftermarket parts for the lucky ones who do not have emissions testing.

What do you think?

 

Duraspark II conversion links:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-how-to.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-86-i-6-a.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...g-harness.html

 

I think its a great idea. But it won't stop the majority of people who don't like taking the time to read before asking questions.

I am a little biased too, I won't consider anything but 80-81 trucks on craigslist. I'm not too sure why, I just prefer these two years.

 

I am sure this won't answer every question, but at least this way we can keep all the information for these years organized and then we can refer the person to the post so they can find out what they are initially working with.

Since I have a 1985 model 302 myself, I sort of have a soft spot for people who come in here asking for help when half of their components are missing and the vehicle doesn't run right because of some hack job the previous owner did. I was in the same boat myself a few years ago with my own truck. With the help of some good people here, I have learned enough about these years on my own truck that I actually enjoy answering questions about these models.

 

This is a great idea! The more we can give people so they can help themselves the better
IMHO.

But, how can we incorporate it into the existing tech sticky? I think 3 stickies are enough, it
turns into 4 when IB adds one and that takes up a lot of screen real estate.

Another thing that might help people to look (and read) more is pictures, especially of those
items that are easily seen (under-hood components).

 

I agree on the pictures. I spent some time searching here before I joined up, so I suppose that people usually ask questions when they have an urgent need and also they don't recognize the search feature. I reckon its also partly do the specialized/variably nature of all the Ford trucks in various years and configurations.

 

I am a very new user to the forum so my thoughts and $0.50 will get you a small cup of coffee. I think it is a good idea to somehow get this information out there. I recently bought an '85 F150 with the 300-6 and the infamous feedback carb. The P.O. explained how he had switched the carb out because in his own words "no shop would touch it". The truck runs, though not as well as it should which is partially why I got it for the price I did. I was simply searching the forum for some general information on what could be going on with my truck when I came across a few posts regarding '85 trucks with the feedback carb. After some quick searching I was able to find links from both Lariat 85 and dyingtolive that answered every question that I could think to ask (and some that I did not). What I quickly discovered was that the carb had been switched but the disty and the balance of the system had not been. So I am now gathering all the pieces and parts to make the swap. Being an engineer I try to do a bit of research before I ask a question and I quickly found the links (threads) I needed, but again most of us are somewhat impatient and want answers now. So after my long winded diatribe I agree that a more "direct" way of getting to this information would be great.

 

Stickies are a little primitive which was mentioned by ctubutis. I go to another forum that uses this same software, and they have a "subforum" at the top of the forum. They call it a "tech" subforum and it's a whole area where threads, assembled threads, links, tech articles in the form of threads are located. Only the powers that be can modify anything in it, but it's very handy if you are looking for common info, and the neat thing is you can go into the tech subforum and do a search in there only.

 

A "Tech Archive" subforum would be a fantastic idea, in my opinion. One of the other forums (RX7) I am on (also owned by IB) has this, and it makes finding stuff relatively easy, as long as the proper search terms are used.......

 

I haven't been on here very long, however the information I've found has proven to be invaluable. I'm no mechanical genius however I can read and follow directions, and usually figure things out. So, for the information that keeps me away from the mechanic I can't afford, thanks to all who post. As for the topic of this thread, maybe there should be a "sticky" to understand the stickies. I'll admit, when I see " Read First" in bright red letters, I assume it's something about usage terms, no profane language, etc... and my eyes skip right over it. I always try to run a search to find previous threads to answer my questions, however when the system cuts some of my search terms out for whatever reason and won't let me search again for 60 seconds, I lose patience. I know it's only 60 seconds, but for a mind that runs 9500 rpms, that can be an eternity to wait just to see if you can even find a thread that contains the info you're looking for. and to top that off, chances are the last post on the thread if you find it was more than likely from a couple years ago, so any extra questions a novice like myself could ask would fall on deaf ears. Now I know it may sound like I'm complaining about the way the forums operate however, to the contrary, I feel they are about as efficient as they could be. I'm only posting this lengthy reply to explain that it is much easier and more likely to answer questions to just start another thread.

 

I know this sounds crazy, but it seems to work for me. A google search can sometimes actually work better and pick up more relevant things on this board than this boards actual search feature. The people that run this board must have a deal will google, and this board seems to be really exposed when it comes to a google search. Almost every "ford truck" search on google will bring up posts from the FTE board

 

Speaking of google searches, this works well (put it in the google box):

search terms you are looking for site:ford-trucks.com/forums

This searches ONLY on the FTE forums, but there is no way of specifying WHICH forum(s)
is/are included or excluded, it's all or none.

 

Google's search bots do a pretty good job of finding things. I bet at any given time there's at least 20-30 of them trolling these forums. The larger, more heavily visited the forum, the more search-bots google sends to it.

 

my pre-thread search is done using this site's search engine, skipping the middle man (google), and i get threads from all the forums. information from discussions of late model trucks doesn't help me a bit, so I go right to the forum that matches my model year, and start my thread. the sticky thread thing for a specific/ common issue would be a good idea, it would be even better if there was a faq section that provided links to threads of the past. People like me come to sites like this because we don't know a whole lot and are trying to learn, I've seen in several threads senior members telling folks that there are people here to help and answer questions if you ask, well how else do you ask without posting a thread on the subject and making contact with someone.

 

I'm talking with some people about the possible ways of doing this, not ignoring ya....