Self repair
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Nebraska
1983 was the last year of no computer on a 1/2 ton with a 300. But don't let a computer scare you, once you understand how everything works, it's not any harder to work on something with one IMHO.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Self Repair
Thanks for the reply.
Is it expensive to do computer stuff? What would I need? Where would I go for information?
I wanted to purchase a truck that would be easy and not very expensive to maintain. One my friend and I could maintain and repair ourselves.
Over the years my friend and I have done a head gasket, leaf springs, egr, brakes, brake lines and others. However, these were done on older vehicles.
Fred
Is it expensive to do computer stuff? What would I need? Where would I go for information?
I wanted to purchase a truck that would be easy and not very expensive to maintain. One my friend and I could maintain and repair ourselves.
Over the years my friend and I have done a head gasket, leaf springs, egr, brakes, brake lines and others. However, these were done on older vehicles.
Fred
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 712
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From: C eh? N eh? D eh?
Everything you have done yourself is just the same on a new truck, or most cars for that matter. The computer stuff controls timing, injection (self adjusting) and lots of sensors, like oil life, tire pressure, abs, etc. You can work on new vehicles as long as you have a bit of patience to tear apart stuff that gets in your way (and it does!) (like exhaust to get to tranny)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,358
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From: Nebraska
Originally posted by 86rustbucket
What does the computer control on the carb'd trucks. Example, 86 F150 300, stick?
What does the computer control on the carb'd trucks. Example, 86 F150 300, stick?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
The feedback carb on the '84-86 300ci is a PAIN, and has lots of maintenance problems. The normal 1-bbl carb on the older 300s is not much better because it's only mounted by 2 studs, and... ...it's a 1bbl! :P
For ease of maintenance, go EFI - '87-89 has some problems, but '90-95 is MUCH better. '96 (the last year for the straight 6) is OBD-II, which requires an expensive scantool to get codes. I got a '95 4.9L (300ci EFI) from a junkyard and put it into my truck and it's the best thing that ever happened to it. I've put at least 250,000 miles on it, and I know it had to have ~100K when it was wrecked, and it still runs great. No repairs other than replacing the coil, and just regular maintenance. Plus, I beat the crap out of it by driving 80-100MPH everywhere and I've towed over 10,000 lb with it.
Don't be scared by a computer - they're FAR easier to work on than a carb, and parts are cheaper and easier to find. Plus, they just run better!
For ease of maintenance, go EFI - '87-89 has some problems, but '90-95 is MUCH better. '96 (the last year for the straight 6) is OBD-II, which requires an expensive scantool to get codes. I got a '95 4.9L (300ci EFI) from a junkyard and put it into my truck and it's the best thing that ever happened to it. I've put at least 250,000 miles on it, and I know it had to have ~100K when it was wrecked, and it still runs great. No repairs other than replacing the coil, and just regular maintenance. Plus, I beat the crap out of it by driving 80-100MPH everywhere and I've towed over 10,000 lb with it.
Don't be scared by a computer - they're FAR easier to work on than a carb, and parts are cheaper and easier to find. Plus, they just run better!
