I own a 1981 f-100 302 2x4.
Forgive my english.

1-It is difficult to keep on a straight line. It is always turning on one side. Difficult to recover from a curve. The steering is loose. I have changed the gearbox and greased everything.

2-Engine stalls and smells gas when cold and idles too fast when hot.

3-The alternator light is on. I have to boost it some times. The charging system seems to works but not enough. I have changed the alternator and the voltage regulator (?) (rectangular box on the side). My battery is old but it is the same with a new one.


thanks

 

I have the same truck, but with a 351m.

1 - When I got it 3 months ago, the steering was all messed up. The problem is most likely the tie rods and center link. I changed mine out (about $100 for parts) and the problem was fixed.

2 - I have the same problem with mine. I checked the timing, and its not off. Im suspecting it needs a tune up. A friend of mine thinks it may be the fuel pump.

3 - Not sure. I have a bunch of electronic stuff I have to fix on that truck as it is

 

I have a 1981 F-100 2x4 and that thing would stay in a straight line around the earth. I dont know why it like it.

I had a problem with my battery staying charged also. I changed everything under the hood and then found out it was my battery. I even tried 3 different batteries before I found a good one thats staying charged and everything. You can view pix of my truck in my photo gallery.

I need to know information on how to get my speedometer to work. I have this yellow box with lots of wires that looks like it camr out from the dash, but dont know.

 

1-It is difficult to keep on a straight line. It is always turning on one side. Difficult to recover from a curve. The steering is loose. I have changed the gearbox and greased everything.

>>> I would say your center link or tie rod ends need repalcement.

2-Engine stalls and smells gas when cold and idles too fast when hot.

>>> I have had the same problems on my '83 302. If the stalling problem happens more in damp weather it is probably carburator icing. Make sure that the heat stove on the exhaust maifold is in place and the tube between it and the air breather snorkle is in place. Next make sure thet the vacuum operated flap at the end of the air breather snorkle is working OK. Should be closed when the engine is cold so that hot air is taken from the exhaust manifold to the carb to help cold engine performance and warm-up.

As for idling too fast when warm, I have had that problem too. I suspect your choke is not coming off. There is a metal tube that runs from the exhaust manifold to the choke temp control on the carb. It is supposed to take warm air from the manifold to warm the temperature sensitve coil spring that controls the fast idle and turn off the fast idle as the engine warms.


3-The alternator light is on. I have to boost it some times. The charging system seems to works but not enough. I have changed the alternator and the voltage regulator (?) (rectangular box on the side). My battery is old but it is the same with a new one.

>>> sorry, no ideas on this one.

thanks

 

dont forget to get a front end alignment after you replace all of the loose steering parts. i aligned my 83 f100 at work and now she tracks straight down the road and the steering wheel is level.