So a few weeks ago I purchased a 1980 F350 4x4
I had a thread started but this one will be a place for the many questions I will have.
I was not able to bring it home until today and on the drive home I have found these issues so far.
She starts very well when cold and after she was warmed up when I stopped for gas.
After about 10 or 15 miles I accelerated hard from a stop light and she back fired through the tail pipe.
Plenty of power if you accelerated slowly.
The only gauge that works is the gas gauge. Oil gauge stays pegged on the H, the temp gauge stays on C and the voltage stays in the center
She did not get hot so I don't think that was causing the back firing issue.
The motor was replaced with a Napa create motor a few years ago but was only driven a little over 1000 miles on the motor.
The smog pump does not have a belt but it looks like all of the other smog stuff is still connected and it still has the cat.
She drives like a tank. 10 ply mud and snow tires and I think I lost a kidney when I drove over some railroad tracks.
Wanders a little bit and the steering wheel is not centered.

 

I bet she drives like a brick on a roller skate. And yes, I bet it does wander. Read up on the aftermarket steering box options.

Great lookin' Bullnose, I like it. Congrats. I just got mine on the road recently, and I'm really enjoying it. The guys on here are a great help.

 

Too little positive caster will manifest itself as loose steering and wandering at highway speeds.

POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:

 

A 1980 F350 shouldn't have a catalytic converter. Look at the VECI label on the radiator support under the hood, it should say NON CATALYST in caps like that.

Like this one:

 

What is this?
Oh I just looked you are correct thanks

 

That is a killer truck man. Awesome. I would prefer a standard transmission but I still would buy that truck on the spot.

 

Thanks
I wanted to get pre 1979 but I saw this in a yard with a for sale and I had to have it

 

Can you help me out I can't see the transfer case lever in the pic...?

 

Oh wait nevermind I see the **** to the left of the ash tray....sorry LMAO

 

Yea in the picture the steering wheel is hiding the ****

 

So any ideals why she would back fire?
I thought I smelled gas when I opened the hood when I got home, maybe something is making her run rich?

 

Next question is should I eliminate the smog stuff the smog pump does not have a belt on it?

 

Lots of issues there but it's all good. Just the typical rat killin one at a time ironing things out, finding lots of dumb previous owner stuff.

Backfiring could be the timing all jacked up and or the centrifugal advance not working. Hard to tell until you dive in and spend time exploring.

 

About the backfire, first thing I'd look at is the accelerator pump on the carburetor. Remove the air cleaner (at least the lid) and look down the throat as you operate the throttle with your hand... do you see 2 strong streams of gasoline being squirted into there?

 

What is this?
At first I thought it was a very old catalytic converter but I was wrong.
Maybe it looks an old rusted qlasspack but there is also a muffler?