Bought an '89 Bronco XLT w/5.8L EFI last weekend. 133,000 mi. Super clean, no rust. Paid $3200.

I bought it for light plowing/light towing, but it's so clean I'll feel guilty putting a plow on it. It should make an outstanding weekend cruising vehicle.

Is the engine considered a 351w? If not, what is it (other than a "Ford 5.8 EFI" as it says on the intake manifold)?

I would appreciate any help you folks can give me to keep this vehicle running strong and looking good.

I've already bought a Motorcraft oil filter and will do an oil change this weekend (although the window sticker indicates it's not yet due).

I've checked the air filter and cleaned out the gunk from the crank case vent that accumulated in the air filter box. The air filter was relatively clean but I bought a new one anyway. Thankfully, the filter box was spotless above the air filter.

Is the oil in the bottom of the filter box a sign that the PCV valve is sticking, causing vapors and residue to vent up through the crank case vent? Should I replace the tube to the air box with a breather cap?

Spark plug wires and distributor cap look recent. Will further inspect this weekend.

Exterior of spark plugs look rusted. May pull this weekend to check condition. Any tricks for pulling? Best accessed from under vehicle?

Tranny fluid looks OK, will change sometime this spring/summer.

Will change diff fluid sometime soon. There is indication of some leakage onto rear axle. Will replace rear diff gasket.

Tires look excellent. Will dismount wheels and check brakes (although they're quiet and feel fine).

There is some leakage around hoses going into the power steering pump. Is this common? Any easy fixes?

Coolant looks good, but will change sometime this spring/summer.

Will also probably pull valve covers and replace gaskets at some point, but that looks like an involved project.

Am I missing anything? Any tricks to keeping this engine alive and purring? Anything else I should pull apart and clean out at this mileage?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

 

Yes the 5.8 is the 351W

I would change out the PVC Valve, there should be a filter for it under the airfilter.

Plugs are not too bad to change, the back plug on the passenger side is the only plug I crawl underneath to change.

Never had a problem with my power stearing pump hoses... can't comment.

As for other things, give the front end a good look. I think the TTB setup is marginal at best. Check out the wheel bearings, ball joints, etc

 

Congrats on buying a Bronco, I think you'll enjoy it! If you like doing the maintenance and light repairs yourself, you can get a Haynes or Chilton repair manual for 1980-1996 Ford F-150/Bronco at your local auto parts store for under $20. It will help with most of your questions, and you can also do a search for a topic here on things like tune-ups, engine problems, etc. You can even learn how to pull trouble codes from the engine's computer. Other than what you said you've done, check the fuel filter, serpentine belt, hoses, and battery cables. Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the info. I will check the front end very carefully when I remove the wheels to check the brakes. I've heard about TTB cracking problems.

Yes, I need to add the fuel filter to my replace list. The battery is relatively new, but needs the water checked and a scrubbing w/baking soda. Serpetine belt is fine.

I didn't know about the filter for the crackcase vent. There was none in the air filter box. Just the tube for the crankcase went. Someone must have removed the filter w/o replacing it. I hope NAPA stocks that part.

Oh, yeah, good advice about the Haynes manual. I bought one the day after buying the Bronco. I can't live w/o them.