Im thinking about buying a '96 F150 w the straight six $500. The guy says it started acting funny a while back (missing from what I can tell) and now it will still run but has a lot of white smoke and no power.
Any ideas on the issue? Valves?

 

Repair shop says head gasket. I enjoy tinkering and that doesn't seem to costly of a fix... Unless there's something I don't know (very possible)

 

Could be a head gasket issue, cracked head, or block. I know the EFI trucks have been known for cracked heads but I don't know exactly where, between valves, into a water jacket etc.

If it is smoking white, check the oil, if there is antifreeze in there it may need bearings as well. I know there will be people on here who will say the bearings will be 100% fine, but personal experiance says to check everytime, especially on a truck you weren't driving at the time.

 

Right, well I may pass because while it was missing he took it on a 1,200 mile trip. And it's been run w the water in it a little longer than I'm comfortable with. I've got a 300 but it's in an old '83 econoline, and may have the same issues after sitting 10 years.

 

It sounds to me like you're buying an expensive project for just a little more than the scrap value of the truck. Can you afford a new engine if the block is cracked?

Jason

 

No, like I said if I knew for sure what the deal was I might go for it, but I don't so I won't. Got two others at the house that could use the attention