I posted on this forum two weeks ago about looking at a few F250s and I decided on a 1997 F250 5.8L ZF5 4x4. What are some things like noises to look out for on a 5.8LV8 when I go to test drive it indicate that something is wrong ? I am not mechanically inclined so I just wanted to know so I dont buy a hunk of junk... lol.

 

I would take some coveralls or a large piece of cardboard to lay on, a flashlight and a pair of safety glasses.
Lay under the truck and look up at the cab mounts, the floor boards, the door sills, cab corners and the individual leafs in the leaf springs.
Under the hood, look to make sure the SPOUT jumper is plugged in.
Take a magnet wrapped in a tissue and check places like the rear lower quarter panels and the wheel arches and cab corners. I had lots of fiberglass in mine.
Look to see if the O2 sensors are plugged in.
Check the bottom of the doors and the tailgate with the magnet too.
I found issues with all of the above on mine.

 

Any strange engine noises to look out for ?

 

It's always worth your money to outsource things you aren't confident doing. I suggest having a mechanic look over any pickup you are considering.

 

The clutch throwout bearings don't last forever- make sure it shifts 'cleanly'- which isn't to say smoothly.
If the clutch pedal takes a lot more force to push down than it kicks back coming up, it's binding.
The ZF5 they stuck behind the 351 has the granny first that's too low for lights, but (with the 3.55) 2nd is just a bit too high.
Listen to the difference between 3rd gear and 4th, from the transmission. It should be quieter in 4th, but not
TOO loud in 3rd.
And it's a 351w- don't be afraid to wind it out to 4500 or so, and make sure it pulls to about there.

Mine rusted in the front cab support long before it got much visible rust anywhere else.

Also pull up the carpet, if you can, as the windows all leak, and that makes a mess of the cab floor.

and all the other car stuff you forget to look for until you get it home.

But no, there's no major weak points with this particular driveline- the engine was too underpowered to
hurt anything, so if it was even casually maintained, it should be really solid.

I have one of these trucks, with that engine and transmission.
I would like about 200 ft- lbs more torque, but otherwise, few complaints. Oh, yeah-
exhaust pipe rust in the exhaust recirculation system can be a stinker.
And the front suspension is about the dumbest thing I've ever seen- and I've got a Saab 900 in the barn.

So a few complaints...

t