My Grandfather passed away a few years ago and left an 83 F-150 to my dad, brother and me. We have been keeping it going as it runs very strong and has great compression in all cylinders. It's just a real neat old truck with a ton of sentimental value to us.

The problem is that we live in California and have to smog it every two years. Long story short it is not passing smog and multiple mechanics that we have taken it to have said that the Microcomputer Control Unit needs to be replaced.
The big problem being that we have not been able to find a replacement unit.

Does anyone know where to find this part or maybe an aftermarket part that work in its place and still pass CA smog?

Truck Specs:
1983 Ford F-150 4x4 Explorer Package
Engine: 300 Inline 6 Carburated

As always, thanks for the help guys.

 

Autozone lists one for a manual trans truck. Their part number is ECC853M. They list the Ford part numbers E3TF-BA and E3TZ-12A650B. $92.99

I see in your picture yours is one digit off, yours is a 651. That may matter, is yours a automatic? I don't think the letters at the far right matter, that's just revision numbers of the same computer.

 

Thank you for your prompt response! It is a manual transmission. I have sent an email to the manufacturer so I guess now I wait. Sure hope it works!

 

Some guys on here with the parts books may come along and help verify the application and see if it has a chance of working. Check some of the other parts stores in your area also, like Napa (napaonline.com) advance auto, pep boys, etc.

 

That is an identification number, and I believe that is actually E3TF 12A651-B1A not BIA. In fact, it doesn't show a 12A651-BIA. So, the part number you need is E3TZ 12A651-T, and it also has a *DY-432 with it. And, that is also the part number for ID # E3TF 12A561-B2A *DY432.

As a check, look for your calibration info on a tag. Here's one that uses that MCU:
And this one:So, if you have either of those calibration #'s showing on your engine that's the MCU you need.

 

Holy crap. Thanks! So after reading over what you wrote here (multiple times) and the fact that my truck is a a 1983 Calif F-150 4x4 M/T with a 300 CID then the Blue Streak ECC853M should work?

 

I'm not saying that the ECC853M will work. In fact, I do not think it will. That's an E3TF 12A650-B1A and there could be a major difference to a E3TF 12A651-B1A. And, you really need to go look at the truck and see if either of those calibration #'s are on it.

 

The truck is currently 45 mins away at my brothers house so I can't check the calibration #'s. If I were to call my brother to have him check where should I tell him to look for this info?

Shouldn't the specs match the calibration numbers that you provided? I know it is a California truck with the corresponding info I provided above. It was bought new in California and if I remember correctly was built in the San Jose Ford plant.

Is there something I am missing? I appreciate all the info so don't take this as my being rude or anything. I am just trying to figure all this out. From what it sounds though I may soon be relegated to junk yard searches?

 

On my page here (How To Find Carb Parts - ???Gary's Garagemahal) there's a sample label to the right of Finding The Info Without Tag. Click on the sample and it will open up larger and you can see the locations where the label should be.

The only reason I'm suggesting that you confirm the calibration code is that there are usually about 4 to 6 calibration codes for each vehicle. So, there may well be a few other codes for a 1983 Calif F-150 4x4 M/T with a 300 CID. And, it is possible that your truck has had the MCU swapped out at some point and the one in it isn't the right one. So, if you are going to go looking in a salvage or ordering one online you'll want to make sure you are getting the right one.

 

Wow, this is going to some work to figure all of this out. Thanks for the link for your site with all the info. Once I sort through it all I will make sure to let my brother know what to look for as far as the info goes. I think he was told the same thing that there are multiple modules on that truck at the time. Judging by the fact that only one result came up when looking online I am guessing that this is going to be a fun process. Thank you for the info. I will keep digging and let you know what I find.

 

Good luck. But, I don't think it'll be a lot of work to figure out what you need. Just check the calibration code on the truck and I'll bet it is 3-51R-R10. If so, then you know what MCU you need. But I'm just suggesting that you make sure you know what one you need before going to all of the trouble and expense of finding and buying one.

 

I guess figuring it out may the easy part... finding it another adventure. I will keep you in the loop. Thank you.

 

My big question is, how do you know you need a new MCU? Because the guy at some shop tells you so? Be careful here, this could very easily be somebody just trying to shoo you along.

But along these lines, the California configurations with their EEC-III computer systems are really dated at this point, finding both parts and knowledgeable people is becoming difficult.

 

I thought that too, but it sounds like it's a keeper truck for them, so if they end up with a good spare computer it would not be money wasted.

 

OP posted a pic of the part, it is not the on-board computer (basic part number: 12A650), it's this:

E3TZ-12A651-T .. Engine Air Fuel Ratio Control Assy / Marked: E3TF-12A651-B1A (Motorcraft DY-432) / Obsolete

12A650 on-board computer located behind or above the right kick panel.