Okay, this is going to be kinda long...

My dad gave me his tired 85 f150. I wanted it for the testes that it had, but I've found that time has neutered it. I'm looking to get some (okay, tons) work done on it, but I need some basic information before I start accumulating parts and what not.

I can't seem to find out exactly what kind of horsepower it has, and what I can do to boost it. I know that it's got the 4.9 six in it, and that it's an automatic. I don't think that it has overdrive considering the crappy mileage that it gets,and the way it yells when I take it on the highway. Other than that, I know that it runs kinda bad, and that it's got a lot of things that need to be fixed in general...

If someone could give me the specs on this ol' truck, I could at least know what I'm working with.

Thanks.

 

well first of all it isn't that old for a truck. I am guessing that you have the c-4, or maybe the c-6 auto tranny. They are both good. Your motor makes about 150 horsepower, and you truck weighs in at just under 4000 pounds. You motor will accept any small block patterened tranny, 302, 351 (not 351M)
your motor is a long life, industrail motor with heavy components, hence poor mileage. It makes a lot of torque, but as you know it doesn't rev very high., mostly because of its 150 cfm one barrel carb.

 

In 1985 your truck 4.9 liter had 120 Hp @ 3200RPM , 245 Ft lbs of Torque@1600 RPM, Only came with 2 transmissions C5, and C6
If you look at the trans code on the door frame, a code w is a c5, and a K is a c6

 

Okay, now that I know what I'm looking at...

Thanks for the info, however, I need some recommendations as to what to do first. Keep in mind that I want this truck to be/sound/act beautiful/powerful. The concept is to give it back to my father when he turns 50 which coincedentaly is around the same time that the truck turns into an antique I think.

In my situation, should I start getting the mechanical fixed first, and let the body continue to rust, or get the body taken care of and fix only what's necessary mechanicaly.

Also, I have a Joint Vocational School about 20 minutes from where I live. They do mechanical work for the cost of parts (and a box of Crispy Creme donuts) I'm told, but no body work... With all of this in mind, what kind of recommendations do you have?

If you can't tell by now, I'm a mechanical idiot. Pay someone else to do it right, rather than mess it up and pay more.

Thanks very much for all the help thus far.