I am new to these boards, but not to forums as I get reminded every year on my bday when they all send a happy birthday email. I DD a 2012 F150 screw with the TT3.5L and my project is an 1984 e250 cargo van.


My 84 has the 351w in it. Here's the fun part, I don't know a lot about these vans and have been looking on the board. This is a 1 owner "farm" van I bought, and it runs ok. At first glance its a 351w with a four barrel Holley performance carb. I guess the previous owner ditched the two barrel and switch the intake over to a four, not really sure. The Holley carb is the nice expensive off road version but the current problem is the fuel to air ratio. When at full throttle the engine is lacking fuel because of the larger carb. I'll have to re jet the carb this weekend to work out the kinks but it does run and drive.


To the main issue! My van has a/c controls but no opening for the radio. I'm guessing the radio was an option on the cargo vans. So my question is, can I add the radio without swapping harnesses or running new wires. Also by the look of the fan on the cover, yes the a/c-heat doesn't work either.


See pictures below:

 

Hi Danm7890,
That IS some serious looking fan! :-)
I see dual tanks so check that the tanks will both work. The rest looks well cared for, not trashed.
Dunno about A/C or radio wiring. There are just so many variations of these vans.
jim

 

Both tanks work fine, I have ran a least a tank each through the engine with no issues other then the fuel/air I was talking about but that doesn't happen until after half throttle. I have noticed a lot of options in these vans, almost too many haha!

 

I don't know for sure, but I would think that you would need to run the wiring for the radio. Of course there is the possibility that the harness is the same and there is a plug behind the dash, but I wouldn't count on it. I didn't see a speaker in the door, so I am assuming there aren't any. that would make me think that you would need to run wire for speakers as well. The center panel on the dash comes out seperatly, so you could always find one that has the opening for the radio.

As far as the AC/Heat. Are you saying that the van is equipped with AC, but it doesn't work? When you say no heat, do you mean the blower doesn't turn on when you flip the switch? If so, start checking for voltage at the blower motor plug. If there is nothing there, then work your way back. It could just be a fuse or relay.

So what are your plans for the project?

 

I will have to take out the radio bezel and check the wiring. I would love some sound in this van! And you are correct, there's no indication of speaker holes as the doors are solid with only a hand crank for the window.


For the AC/Heat, I have the controls like shown below but non of the buttons do anything, ill have to investigate that after I get finished with re jetting the carb.

 

If you go for a drive and move the air output selector does it change where the air comes out at. You should be able to get some flow out of the vents while moving even without the fan working, or at least I do on mine. This may help you identify if your switches are working at all.

The way I would diagnose the heat/ac is to check for voltage at the blower motor. You can also check it at the AC compressor when you select AC. Then work backwards through the system to find the faulty component.

 

I'll make sure to test that when I drive it again this weekend. Thanks for the help!

 

I found a 1989 e150 at the junkyard today. The dash has all the upgrades that I don't have. Can I swap my interior harness for the junkyard one?

 

I'm another new forum member, and coincidentally I also have an '84 E250 (that I bought new). Your E250 may have come with the 4V Holley carb - mine did. Run the VIN to see if it was the 5.8L HO option.

VIN Decoder - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

The vin decoder just says it's a 351/5.8L.

It looks like the intake and carb were put on there. There are lines that aren't being used on the engine. Can you take a bunch of pictures for me, I'm still waiting for the Haynes manual to get here. I am finding things not plugged in and vacuum lines not being used but the can still runs and drives ok.

 

'Sorry, but no camera or capable phone (miserable tech-type skills), nor am I where the van is at the moment. I'll check the vacuum lines when I can, but as I recall none were not connected or otherwise not sealed/plugged. If it's an aftermarket intake, things could be different as well. I'm gonna see about asking someone more astute than I about taking some pictures, but it may be a day or so.

If the eighth # in the VIN is an H, it's a 5.8L/351 HO 4V... otherwise it's originally a 2 barrel carb.

 

No worries, I'm going to up load pictures later of what I have not connected. The carb on this engine is an aftermarket one.

My 10th digit is an E

 

Check the 8th digit... (I miscounted - my bad)...

 

8th digit is an H

 

Worth a shot. Not sure if it would include all the speaker wiring though.