*DING* *DING* *DING* *DING*

*bwoooooooOOOOOOOPPP* *bwoooooooOOOOOOOPPP* *bwoooooooOOOOOOOPPP*

*BZZZZZT* BZZZZZZZT* BZZZZZZZT*

I sometimes wish i could inject sounds into these things.

First registered in California means it's going to have California Emissions on it.

Well, it had 'em from the factory if it was first sold in California, no telling what's there
now.

No timing marks, I suspect this is because you have one of the first variants of
computer-controlled engines.

Oy.....

But, you're in maybe somewhat lucky here, 81-F-150-Explorer also has a 1981
six-banger (with something like half a million miles) and he also lives in California,
which means he knows more about these things than pretty much anybody else here.



OK, I'm now gonna ask for pictures.... pictures of the carburetor (all angles) and
distributor areas, close-ups.

Also of the driver's side wheel cover area under the hood, close-ups.

Do you know when this engine was rebuilt and exactly what was done?

Another thing - we have state emissions testing here; is your truck licensed to operate
on the road? If so, how did it pass?

This might help you for posting pictures here:
User Gallery & Picture Display Help - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

California Computer Controls for the 300-6 were only used on the 1981 F-100 and F-150. The F-250 and F-350 did not have computer controls yet, this year model.


On the Emissions lable on the radiator support, marked on the lower left, should tell what area the emissions are meant for. "This vehicle conforms to EPA or California Regulations" etc...

If you post the 11th digit on the vin number, I can tell you where the truck was manufactured. Most all 1980-1982 trucks, (with a few exceptions) for california sale were built at the San Jose Ca, assymbly plant.

The San Jose truck plant was closed soon after the Western Pacific, and Union Pacific Merger in 1983. Western Pacific was the Train Company that hauled most of the parts to the San Jose assymbly plant. The Assymbly plant was built on an old Western Pacific freight yard, and is now the location of the Milpitas Mall.

I suspect that this truck could have been bought out of area, to get around California's strict smog laws. People around here used to drive to Reno, NV. and buy the vehicles new, and import them over before this was made ilegal circa 1984/1985 etc...

The timing marks on this engine should be stamped into the timing gear cover itself. If there is a lot of grime on it, it might hide the marks.


Not exactly. He said it was first Registered in California, not sold. It could have been bought, then imported from another area. This was still alowed in the early 80's. Military people can still do this today...

Nope, he's lucky to have a F-350. He shouldn't even have Catalytic converters or evaporative emissions, depending on where it was built.

This would definately help. One of the emissions lable as well if he can manage it.

 

Ah, yes, you are correct, thank you for that!

Yeah, I thought about that as a possibility, too; this is one of the reasons why it can
take a long time to figure out something like this on the Internet... when one thing is (or
is not) directly stated, does that automatically lead to another inference by implication?
Hard to know sometimes...

 

Do you mean the crankshaft? Almost makes me think the keeper key broke holding the pulley in place. The 300 is famous for this. I've had 2 do it to me.

 

Thanks for all the responses. The 11th vin # is c, ontario canada. Find nothing on underhood labels indicating it was mfgt to meet CA codes. Timing marks: Old posting on this forum (2003) "Ford put two sets of timing marks on the Ford 300. One set on right side stamped, cast into the timing cover, which are the wrong ones. On the left side where you can't see them are the right marks. They are on a metal plate bolted to the cover using the cover bolts. The vibration damper also has two sets of marks. One is a square notch, not the right one (Ford smart!!). There is a very thin scribed line on the damper, that's the right one." Checked a 83 F-150 300 6 my neighbor has and the bolt on notched plate is right there, none on my engine. No cat on my truck. Damper/pulley has only one way to bolt on, slot in pulley that must align with the spline on the end of crank. This is a Marshal rebuilt long block, everything but the tin. Will shoot some pic today and post unless this clarifies some of the questions brought up.

 

I might have an extra timing mark that bolts to the timing cover for you. Let me check and see.

 

Thanks billt28 I appreciate that. One ? I missed was "street vehicle?" and yes it is. Failed emission test. Passed at 2,500 rpm, failed at idle, high HC, unburned fuel.

 

probably cuz your timing is not set right. Do you own a vacuum gauge? You could set the timing that way.

 

Tried that and only getting 13 inch reading and small range of adjustment before engine stumbles.

 

Did you adjust your carb using the vacuum gauge first? that way you get maximum vacuum for adjusting the timing.

 

Not exactly. Both can be used. However....

That's why there are two marks. One is for the metal plate and the other is for the stamped one on the timing gear cover.

My truck has both sets of marks, and using a timing light, both are aligned for top dead center, if the correct timing marks on the pully are used.

The problem can be is if you alighn the wrong damper pully mark to the wrong timing mark while trying to find TDC. I've seen them 180 degrees out by this mistake and not start.

My suggestion would be to find top dead center of the number 1 cylinder and see if one of the damper pully marks lines up with the TDC stamped mark on the timing gear cover. It should. The other mark should be on the passenger side where the other damper pully mark would line up with the other timing mark if it was bolted on.

 

I was thinking the woodruff key broke, if they don't line up.

 

Sounds like it's running rich at idle.

The carb might need to be adjusted. If the truck was from/used in California most of it's life, it was probably set to their altitude. Colorado is higher.

I'd try and adjust the idle fuel mixture.

 

It's a possibility yes if it doesnt line up.

Even if it's worn, it would cause the timing marks to fuctuate when running.

 

yes it would