Well, I've been lurking for a few weeks because I just bought an old F250 to rebuild. I've read the various posts about how forum members ought to search before asking questions. I'll do my best to follow along. I've also read where it's best if you include the details of your vehicle when you ask a question so I'll try to toe the line on that as well. I have a mess of photos (mainly to serve as documentation of the before and after) but I'm not too savvy on how to post photos yet. I'll save that bit of learning for later. Plus, I don't have anything specific to ask that requires a photo right now. For now, I just wanted to introduce myself.

I'm from Texas and if you are likewise then you understand why that's listed first, if not, then well, my apologies.

I've heard that there are no such things as stupid questions, just inquisitive idiots. I'm definitely an inquisitive idiot.

I bought the truck to rebuild the engine. I recently paid a guy to help my 15 yr old son and I rebuild a little toyota 4x4 pickup engine (2.2). It was a project for us and it'll be his first car. I ended up enjoying it so much that I decided to try it on my own. So, just to answer one question in advance, no, it probably doesn't need rebuilding per say but I want to do it anyway. Yes, I know that I'll burn money but I can afford this as a hobby. I guess it's my Everest, why am I doing this? Because it is there!

I've already bought the service manuals for the truck plus the Chilton's and the Haynes. I'm open to other recommendations if you have any.

So about the truck, it's a 1988 F250 XLT Lariat with a 460 EFI, RWD, extended cab with a 4 speed manual transmission with overdrive. The body is fairly clean (a few dents) with no rust. The frame and suspension have surface rust like what I think is typical in this age of truck but hey, I'm no expert.

So what's the known wrong?

Like lots of other posts on this forum, the ignition accutator probably went south on one of the previous owners because the steering column cover isn't assembled correctly, the ignition switch won't turn completely off, the ignition turns without a key and they installed a starter button under the dash that is wired directly to the starter solenoid (using an orange extension cord wire!). If it weren't so old and plain looking it'd be the perfect truck to steal since it is already hot wired! The previous posts on this subject are quite good so I won't bore you in asking about that. Besides, I haven't decided if I care to fix this yet.

It has another problem that is another oldie but goodie. The dual gas tank switch doesn't work along with the fuel gauge not registering. Only the rear tank feeds the engine. I've seen the posts on this topic as well and when I get to the point of fixing this then I'll search on those again.

It originally had AC but someone removed the compressor and put in an AC compressor bypass pulley. I will probably correct that but the AC part of the equation, handling the freon and stuff, is probably an area where I might get some help.

Based upon what I've read and checked out, I'm pretty sure that the engine doesn't have a cracked block or blown head gaskets but I guess I'll find out more when I take it out and tear it down.

I don't intend to machine it or rebuild the heads. I'll pull it and have it machined and have the heads rebuilt then assemble the lower end, small block and big block and put it back in. I searched on recommendations on a good machine shop in San Antonio. The recommendation was Mission. That's who we used for the Toyota but I'm not sure if they are Ford guys and the posts here seem to indicate that I should look for a Ford specific machine shop.

My head is swimming with questions and problems to solve at this point. I've started taking it apart so that I can remove the engine. I like the challenge, gives me something to solve each day/week. The radiator is out, the fan is off and the cooling system hoses are removed.

But I've got no questions for you guys now, just setting the table so to speak.

So Hola! I'm looking forward to the conversation!

 

Sounds like a monumental undertaking, but just take one bite at a time and it will come along before you knbow it. Good luck

matt

 

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. Inch by inch...