Hi all.. Firstly not only am I new to F150's.. I'm new to America.. I moved here a few months ago when I married a girl in Chattanooga..

I bought a 1985 from a gent in Georgia.. In order for me to get a tag in Chattanooga I need to pass emissions..

The truck idles rough.. But drives fine (drove it 100 miles home no issue) also the truck has NO catalytic converter(s)

I used a timing light to try to set the timing.. And couldn't even see the timing mark in the strobe light.. So took it to a local garage where the guy claimed to be an "expert".. He had the truck a month and achieved nothing.. He says it probably needs a new carbourator.. Despite the fact its EFI?!?!

I have basic mechanical skills..but no knowledge of the 302 EFI

So I have a few questions.. If someone would be kind enough to help?

On the passenger side of the exhaust manifold.. At the back is a sensor with a single black wire.. That is connected to nothing.. Where should this be connected?

I watched a youtube video of a guy timing an 85 EFi bronco.. But I can't identify the plug he undid off the distributor to advance the timing.. And I see no vacuum hose

How many CAT(s) should the exhaust have?

I'm taking (from what ive read) that the strobe light for Timing connects to the front spark plug on the passenger side? Could I be wrong?

My plan is to fully restore the truck over the next year.. And eventually fit a brand new 302 engine to it.. But for now I'm just desperate to get it road legal (through emissions) and enjoy it..

Any help/input welcomed

Allan

 

Hello Allan,

Welcome to the United States, marriage, and this forum, in no particular order. Where did you move from? Depending on your native tongue, I may be able to help with any translation issues. I speak fluent Scottish and Irish, and conversational Jamaican, if that helps.

Can't help with your EFI questions, but do know your truck will need a new catalytic converter if originally equipped with one. Even with everything else shipshape, it won't pass smog without the cat.

 

Sorry.. How rude of me.. I came from England.. 70 miles west of London.. A place called Swindon

Ive removed the EGR valve and its blocked up and seized solid.. So a new one on its way..

I'm now scouring the internet to see how the original CAT would of been fitted and what connection it had to the ECU.. Again any help welcomed..

 

Upper pic: Parts catalog exhaust system applications.

Lower pic: Parts catalog pic of exhaust system.

 

Thank you so much.. A picture truly does paint a thousand words

Allan

 

Allen - Welcome to FTE, marriage, the US, and everything else. Swindon, huh. We lived in Moor Park, on the proper side of Watford, for a couple of years, so I can translate the Queen's English. Wing, boot, tyre, etc.

On the wiring, the schematics for the EFI are here: Electronic Engine Control - ???Gary's Garagemahal. You might find the wire you are talking about, but at the bottom of that page it says the O2 Sensor is in the rear RH side of engine in the exhaust manifold.

 

Usually you have markings on the harmonic balancer for the timing, and one pointer mounted to the front of the engine somewhere. The harmonic balancer is the round piece that the lower large pulley mounts to.

I have always found it easiest to lay on my back under the truck, and get a flashlight and something to clean with and clean the balancer so you can see the marks. If you clean and see no marks, turn the engine till they come around to the bottom.

Once you clean it up, find zero, and the find BTDC and ATDC if it's marked. Sometimes you will find a large groove in the damper at certain markings. If you find a large groove near what you figure to be 10 degrees BTDC, then that is the mark you probably want, check the sticker on the radiator support to make sure. Once you verify this, get some whiteout or something bright to mark the correct timing setting.

Then go up to the top with the engine off, and find the pointer. You can paint it too if it will help. Find the wires leaving the distributor. There will be several. As you follow them back from the dist you will find one by itself with it's own jumper connector or some other type of disconnect. This is the spout connector that you need to disconnect when checking the timing, it takes the timing control away from the computer.

You are correct, hook the timing light to the front pass side cylinder sparkplug wire.

 

You also need to learn how to talk to the fuel injection computer to get trouble codes and such from it. It's very easy, here's how to do it.

http://www.thorssell.net/hbook/eectest.html

 

I could be wrong but I dont think an 85 has to pass an emissions inspection in Tennessee I think its 96 or newer like it is here in georgia and if it isnt just get a p.o box in georgia and have your phone bill sent there so you have "proof of residency" for the dmv. Also being as that you are a new resident you may be able to get an exemption emissions for a year so look into that

 

Thank you all for the help and info..

Another Brit here Gary.. Good to know.. I'm learning the lingo fairly quickly.. Literally everything has a different name here

The local TAG office tells me an 85 is not exempt... So will have to get it through emissions..


now to go study the links that have kindly been added to this thread.. Thank you all so much
Allan