Hi all,

F250 Custom 2WD
351M
Symptoms:
failed smog
idles a little high
low mpg (7-8)
diesels occasionally


I am a newbie to this forum and to Ford trucks in general. Please bear with me if I ask some stupid questions. I recently bought a '77 F250 Custom with a utility body for $500. Other than some minor issues it ran fine . I was thinking that I got a pretty good deal until I went to have it smogged (California). Needless to say it failed both the visual and the emissions test. The shop I went to wanted $700 to fix the problems. Even then they would not guarantee that it would pass. I need to get it smogged, and tuned.

It failed the following in the smog test:

Visual:

a) PCV - disconnected
b) Spark Controls - Failed
c) Thermostatic air cleaner - missing
d) Carburetor - disconnect
e) Fuel cap integrity test - fail
f) EGR (visual) - modified
g)Vaccum lines sensors / switches - disconnected
h) Fuel cap visual - fail

Emmissions:

Passed everything except CO (Carbon Monoxide)

Notes: Veh failed for tampered issues, visual and emmission. Oil filler cap seal missing, air cleaner assembly missing, hot air tube and vaccum line missing, EGR system needs line repairs and proper routing, choke heater tube connection.

I have the following questions, some are related to the smog test some are not:
1) What does the "Custom" in F250 custom indicate?

2) Regarding a) and c), I bought an air cleaner from a junkyard. I assume that the hose from the left valve cover goes to the back of the air cleaner. There is a hole there. Does this connection get a filter of some sort? There is a right angle tube fitting on the front right of the air cleaner. Where does this go?

3) There is a flap in the air inlet of the air cleaner. I know that on other vehicles that I have worked on this is vaccum assisted. However, on this air cleaner there is no vaccum port? I see no hole in the air cleaner body for the bi-metal sensor that my Haynes manual refers to. What triggers the flap?. I am doubly curious as there is a vaccum port on the top front of the carb that would appear to go to the air cleaner. Do I have the wrong air cleaner? If not, what am I missing? Does anyone have an idea where I can get a hose that goes from the air cleaner (rectangular fitting) to the snorkel next to the radiator (circular fitting)? I have checked all local junkyards in San Diego to no avail.

4) Regarding b), is this reffering to the electric choke heater? There is a spring loaded assembly on the right side of the carb that has a single electrical lead coming from it (disconnected). If functioning, it would appear to push back on an arm connected to the throttle linkage. Is this the electric choke heater? If so, am I correct (from reading other posts) in that this would connect to the stator on the alteranator? If so, is there any other electrical connections in this circuit. There are two vaccuum ports coming off of the intake manifold, one goes to the carb proper and the other goes to the choke (I think... right side of the carb) both are pretty rusted, though not broken. Should I replace these?

5) Regarding d) They only connections not hooked up on the carb, are the vaccum port on the top front and the spring assmbly on the right hand side. I am not sure what to ask here. I plan on rebuilding the carb as part of tune-up. please see the next question.

6) How do I identify what version of carburetor that I have? Specifically, when I went to buy a carb rebuild kit, I was asked whether it is a California version or other. I would assume California, but I seem to recall that the guy I bought the truck from said he bought it in Arizona. There is no ID tag on my carburateur as suggested by books and other posts; though it is stamped "Motorcraft". Additionally, there is a remanufactured sticker on the back of the carb. So I'm not sure what I have. From reading my Haynes and other posts on this forum, I am pretty sure that I have a Motorcraft 2150 2-V but that is about it. The emmissions tag on the right valve cover states "NON-CATALYST" and has a number on the bottom (D7TE-9(C or G)48E-D(B or ?)????? the tag is worn after the -D). Does this help?

7) Regarding e) and h). I have been unable to find a gas cap that fits (utility body has aftermarket gas filler neck), so I am going to replace the whole gas filler neck with something from the junkyard.

8) Regarding f and g). Are there diagrams on-line that would show the proper layout for the vacuum lines for my particular vehicle? I checked Autozones website as reffered to by another post, but the image was extremely blurry and I'm sure which to refer to. There are several for a '77 351.

9) As far as the oil filler cap seal, I did not care for the cheap chrome after-market fill caps available at the Autozone. Shouldn't I be able to make the seal out of rubber mat/sheet. If so, does anyone know how thick itis supposed to be?

10) My temperature guage does not work. Additionally, there is sensor screwed into the top left of the water pump. The lead coming off it is broken (corroded or cut) and I have no idea where it goes to. Is this sensor for the dash guage or is related to the carb and/or emmisions?

11) One last question..... for now...I bought a remanufactured power steering pump from NAPA. The brand was ARI (American Remanufacturing Inc.). Does anyone have any feedback on this brand.

Sorry about so many questions, but I figure this is the place to ask. Thanks in advance for any help that you can give!!!

 

I wasn't aware that the 77 had a thermactor system. If fact I would put money on it.

The Carb you have is a 2150 and is one of the ewasiest to rebuild and fromt he way it sounds it really needs it. I think that you bad idle and low mileage might be from incorrect timing.

The temperature guage is just that a sensor, not really a gauge, I would get a mechanical one and rely on that.

You will probably have to find a oil filler cap out of a junkyard.

My brain is blank for the rest of your questions right now.

PS welcome to FTE, stick around and you will learn a lot.

 

Don't pee your pants when you see this

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...mDiagrams.html


I'm sure this will help considerably.

If not,Please ask more specific questions.


The emmissions tag on the right valve cover states "NON-CATALYST" and has a number on the bottom (D7TE-9(C or G)48E-D(B or ?)????? the tag is worn after the -D). Does this help?



This sounds like a NON-California engine.

Does it say *49 states* anywhere or *National.........?*

I have more coming

 

A few more answers:

1- "Custom" is a trim level, you know, amounts of chrome, accessories, etc etc.

2- The right angle tube fitting gets a spring clip and a filter that sits inside the air cleaner box.

3- There are two types of air flap actuators, one is a vacuum motor the other is a rod with a wax pellet in it that works just like the thermostat in your cooling system. You can get the rectangular to round hose at auto supply stores.

4-Regarding "b" the spark controls failure probably means your vacuum hoses are not hooked to the distributor properly.

5-Probably the vapor recovery and charcoal cannister connections.

6- see Dennis above.

7-Good idea, but you should be able to find a gas cap. Does yours have any brand names or numbers on it?

-Others are covering the rest...

 

Mattsbox99,

I appreciate the feedback. I'm not sure what I described that is part of a thermactor system...er actually, I am not sure what a thermactor system is. However, if a '77 does not have a thermactor system then I am mis-describing something. Sorry about any confusion.

Do you recommend any brand of mechanical guage?

Thanks

 

Mil1ion,

Thanks for the diagrams! Do you know of any differences between the '77 and '78-'79, or are they basically the same. I' ll let you know if I have any more questions.

As far as the emmissions tag. The only reference to a locality/agency is the statement on the bottom.
"This engine conforms to U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency regulations applicable to 1977 model year gasoline-fueled heavy duty engines."

I appreicate the help

 

The bottom diagram on that page is the 77.

 

Torque1st,

Thanks for the response!

a few more questions

2- So does the right angle fitting connect to anything outside of the air cleaner?

4- I will check versus the diagrams on Mil 1ion's website. Do I at least the right part described for the electric choke heater?

7- I hate to admit it but I have a Nissan gas cap jammed in there right now. The gas fill neck has no visible names or numbers on it.

Thanks again.

 

Mil1ion,

Got it.

Thanks.

 

You are welcome, Thank YOU for taking the time to look around and doing some reading

 

Cablesplicer, welcome to the forum.

If you bought the truck in Ca. and it was missing the required smog equipment at the time of sale, you might have some legal recourse in your favor. In Ca. the seller must provide the buyer proof of a current smog certificate as required by law which means all smog equipment must be on the vehicle to pass.

Check out this site. Lots of information. Type in "missing smog equipment" in the query then click submit. Then click on no. 1 near the top of the page for information on buying and selling. Surf the site for more information. Good luck!

www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdQuery.asp