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I’m new to working on cars so give me a break if this is a dumb post. But I’ve been looking at buying this 1986 F150. The guy says it runs and drives but wanted to get some other opinions on it before making my decision. Here are a few pictures of the engine bay, are there any red flags that immediately jump out to you guys on here that I should be aware of or does it look good to buy? Thanks in advance.
Also note it's a red (positive) terminal on the negative battery post. Also check out the wing nut instead of a proper fastener. Whoever installed that terminal probably didn't know the negative battery post is about 1/16" smaller in diameter than the positive post. Therefore, you have to really crank down and distort the big terminal when installed on the small post. At best, you've got a very marginal connection. And if ever involved with a jump start, even if you know about it, I could easily see somebody else hooking up the cables backwards.
The handle for the jack is also missing. It is stored on the two clips above the radiator, as seen here. I don't know of any reproduction sources, so you'd need to find one at a junkyard or eBay:
The battery is also missing the hold-down. That is a personal pet peeve of mine. Go over a big bump and the positive terminal makes contact with the hood? Expect a pretty light show just before the fire. You can get a universal hold-down at any parts store, or the factory version here:
Individually, none of these issues are a huge deal and are easily corrected. But overall, it does make me wonder about the workmanship of whoever did all that stuff, especially the battery terminal. I've got to wonder about the stuff you can't see. Not saying you shouldn't buy it, but do check it over carefully.
You have come to the right place, Ditto to what Karl said,
I also have ton of pictures of my 86' 302EFI. Mine runs great and has for many years. Granted I don't drive it much, but I make sure it's ready anytime I need it.
If I see a red marked terminal/wire on the ground terminal I walk away right then and there. People who do dangerous things like that should be banned from opening the hood.
Anything you buy used is going to have somethings that are not 100% like factory.
It could the PO also did not know a lot and was in the back woods and the battery cable went belly up.
He thumbed it into town to ask for a part and not knowing what side of the post the clamp was needed for the counter person gave them the red one that was for the wrong side.
So some fixing will be needed on anything he buys.
I also would look into why all the single wires around the engine bay?
Green wires on the left inner fender. Wire wrapped around the hose across the firewall and a red wire to the battery dose it have a fuse?
Dave ----
For reference here's more. The extra wires on my battery terminals are for the trailer brake kit I installed. My air pump was removed by a trusted old mechanic. These pictures were taken years ago.
Just noticed that blue pen markings in the side of the intake manifold. Is that from a junkyard ? Looks like a marking they would put on part.
Ooh, good catch. The presence of junkyard parts isn't necessarily bad. I've installed a few myself over the years. Does make me wonder if the seller is fixing up a beater to flip it, so be careful. Try to get some history from the seller.
One other thing I noticed is the battery is only a few months old. This is another thing that makes me go hmmmm. Was he having electrical problems, and loaded the parts catapult (Pull!) in hopes of a fix? Did he wash his hands of the problem and decided to unload the truck to cut his losses? Anything is possible, but most guys don't sink new parts into a vehicle they are planning to sell soon.
And if the seller's name is Boris or Ivan, run away screaming and don't look back.
Just noticed that blue pen markings in the side of the intake manifold. Is that from a junkyard ? Looks like a marking they would put on part.
I noticed that as well. While you may be right, I've seen vehicles where the owner writes on a convenient part of the engine compartment to remind them of some maintenance they did (or need to do); i.e. oil change, coolant change, etc. However, it's on an odd part of the engine (not easily seen).
I noticed that as well. While you may be right, I've seen vehicles where the owner writes on a convenient part of the engine compartment to remind them of some maintenance they did (or need to do); i.e. oil change, coolant change, etc. However, it's on an odd part of the engine (not easily seen).
Yes, that's kind of what I do on my lawn tractor. I write on a piece of tape when I did the oil/filter change and put it on the inside of the hood.
Yes, that's kind of what I do on my lawn tractor. I write on a piece of tape when I did the oil/filter change and put it on the inside of the hood.
Oh certainly, the markings may be perfectly innocent. No single item on its own is cause for major alarm. But all the little clues in total? That's enough to warrant a little caution. Kinda like your younger self meeting a pretty young woman who hates her father and has already been divorced once. What could possibly go wrong?
Maybe look under and behind the seat in search of a genuine faux bronze belt buckle from the "Rip out all that pollution crap" club. That would be one major clue which would really alarm me.
Anything you buy used is going to have somethings that are not 100% like factory.
It could the PO also did not know a lot and was in the back woods and the battery cable went belly up.
He thumbed it into town to ask for a part and not knowing what side of the post the clamp was needed for the counter person gave them the red one that was for the wrong side.
So some fixing will be needed on anything he buys.
I also would look into why all the single wires around the engine bay?
Green wires on the left inner fender. Wire wrapped around the hose across the firewall and a red wire to the battery dose it have a fuse?
Dave ----
Did not know a lot from the back woods...exactly my point. This truck is going to have several more surprises I suspect. Isn't the part marked up the throttle body? I understand that people replace those when the throttle plate bushings wear out. Ford should have used better bushings because I hear the bushings rarely last more than 150 k miles.
