1985 f350 problem

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Jan 4, 2019 | 06:32 AM

Michael Waid

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1985 f350 problem

So my truck had been running fine, 120,000 miles on it now and I know its an old truck so I'm going to ask if anyone would have any ideas or know what to do about this. I drove it quite a way and it ate some oil, but no other problems. We park it for two weeks and try to drive it again and went up a steep hill. The truck just stopped driving in the middle of the hill and we had to hit the brakes to avoid rolling backward. I had the truck towed to a yard where I can work on it. It didn't make any grinding or anything and the engine didn't cut either. I think its a C6 but Im not 100% sure. The fluid is full and still just as pink as it was when I got the truck. What should I check first? It won't go into any gear now. Could it be just something that rattled loose?

Jan 4, 2019 | 08:09 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Check the linkage on the side of the trans. Get someone to move it around while you look underneath. Be careful and chock the wheels before you get under there. If it's 4x4, also play around with the transfer case lever. Put it in 4x4 and see if it will move.

Jan 4, 2019 | 10:40 AM

Michael Waid

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I am on my way to check on that right now. Why would it suddenly cut out though with the engine still running? I don't see any leaks either. I didn't notice any slipping or anything before that .its almost as if the torque converter failed but I don't know

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklin2

Jan 4, 2019 | 12:12 PM

Franklin2

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If it's a diesel, I have had the torque convertor fail on my truck. Seems like the hammering from the diesel all those years strips out the splines in the convertor.

Jan 4, 2019 | 02:05 PM

Michael Waid

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I just figured out that I am low on trannie fluid. I got it all warmed up and shifted through park, drive, neutral...etc a few times over and checked the fluid again, it wasn't showing on the dip stick anymore, so I definitely need to refill that. I think its leaking somewhere on the pipes to the trannie cooler. This truck has been weird, really weird. I dug it out of a grave and got it for 1250$ with not much rust and super low milage so I can't complain. How hard are trannie mounts and engine mounts to replace? don't I just have to jack the engine up a little to get the old ones off and new ones on? I know mine are shot. As far as the oil consumption, I think its because the valve seals wore out because the pcv intake gromet was rotten and I had to replace it.

Jan 4, 2019 | 03:06 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Just cut a piece of 3/4 plywood that is cut just right so that it over hangs the oil pan lower sump just a little bit. You can then put a jack under that and lift the engine a little bit to change the motor mounts. Most of these year Ford pickups do not have chronic engine mount problems, so I would not change them out unless they are falling apart. I have had to change the rear mount out a few times, and beware the rear mount cane be hard to find new for certain applications. Once you are done with the front mounts you can just jack the transfer case up and replace the rear mount.

Glad you found out what the trans problem was. If you have low mileage on this truck, your main problems are going to be seal/leak related as all the rubber has gotten old and hard.

P.S. Get ready to have some brake problems also. Same thing, rusty brake fluid and hard seals, cracked rubber brake lines.