Advice Needed!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14
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From: SE Nebraska
Well if anyone is interested, I made it to the Uhaul place yesterday and guess what. The guy selling the trucks decided to take the day off. 125 miles for nothin. Well, not quite nothin'. Because after treating myself to nice lunch at the Red Lobster I decided to take the "back roads" home. On the way thru a small town I noticed a couple of Ford cube vans sitting in a local lot and decided to check them out. To make a long story short, today I am now the proud owner of a 14ft. '89 Ford Truck!
It was basically the same thing I was looking at in the Uhaul lot but a bit shorter and in alot better condition. It had a local owner that I got to talk to and whom I feel was an honest Joe. Oh, and to top it off it was $1200. cheaper than the Uhauls!
It runs like a top and "feels" alot tighter than those damn uhauls if you know what I mean. The only things I found on the down side is that it floods REAL easily. Don't even look at the foot pedal. That and it was filthy inside and out. We're talking MUD here, from top to bottom. It was used as a hauling truck for a new home contractor. Actually I think the mud was part of the reason it went so cheaply. It has had regular maintenance shown in a log book, and for the last 6-7 years only had about 40k put on it. It's just starting to pinhole rust in a few spots but even I can fix those. I think the fan clutch maybe out cause it sounds real noisy at low RPMS, like the fan is running all the time, but that shouldn't be too bad too fix. All-in-all not bad buy I hope.
One thing that has me a little worried is the guy who owned said that once in a while whenever it got above 95 in the summer it had probs starting. He thought it was vapor locking maybe because it didn't get drove all that much. I don't know. Anybody have an opinion on that? AND one other thing. I found out the hard way tonite that there isn't a door lock key. Does a guy go to the Ford dealer to get a copy or what? I've no experience in this dept. I got the doors back open with a few bends of a coat hanger and alot of cussin' but I need to keep it locked up.
later,
IG-88
It was basically the same thing I was looking at in the Uhaul lot but a bit shorter and in alot better condition. It had a local owner that I got to talk to and whom I feel was an honest Joe. Oh, and to top it off it was $1200. cheaper than the Uhauls!
It runs like a top and "feels" alot tighter than those damn uhauls if you know what I mean. The only things I found on the down side is that it floods REAL easily. Don't even look at the foot pedal. That and it was filthy inside and out. We're talking MUD here, from top to bottom. It was used as a hauling truck for a new home contractor. Actually I think the mud was part of the reason it went so cheaply. It has had regular maintenance shown in a log book, and for the last 6-7 years only had about 40k put on it. It's just starting to pinhole rust in a few spots but even I can fix those. I think the fan clutch maybe out cause it sounds real noisy at low RPMS, like the fan is running all the time, but that shouldn't be too bad too fix. All-in-all not bad buy I hope.One thing that has me a little worried is the guy who owned said that once in a while whenever it got above 95 in the summer it had probs starting. He thought it was vapor locking maybe because it didn't get drove all that much. I don't know. Anybody have an opinion on that? AND one other thing. I found out the hard way tonite that there isn't a door lock key. Does a guy go to the Ford dealer to get a copy or what? I've no experience in this dept. I got the doors back open with a few bends of a coat hanger and alot of cussin' but I need to keep it locked up.
later,
IG-88
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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In my experience with dealerships, they do not have key codes for trucks this old. Wouldn't hurt to ask though. However, the doorlocks are pretty easy to replace once you get the door panels off. They are usually held on by a clip. Aftermarket door locks at your local parts store are relatively cheap also.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
See how the truck runs over the next few weeks and check the mileage. Take it to a shop that knows carbs and get them to go over it. This and a good tune up will probably solve the vapor lock issue and you will get better gas mileage. You don't want to be standing on the side of the road next summer wishing you had done the work....
Good luck!
Good luck!
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 26
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From: Central MN
89 is still carb? It should be fuel injected. I could be wrong tho'. I would take a dirty well maintained vehicle over a polished turd any day! Yep, best advise is to take it to a compitant, well trusted shop and have them give it the once over money spent now will be money saved in the future. Way to be persistant!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: SE Nebraska
Originally Posted by papadace
89 is still carb? It should be fuel injected. I could be wrong tho'. I would take a dirty well maintained vehicle over a polished turd any day! Yep, best advise is to take it to a compitant, well trusted shop and have them give it the once over money spent now will be money saved in the future. Way to be persistant!
Friggin' air cleaner is right in front of all of it. Would that be a 351 Winsor? Thats what the father-in-law says it should be.?.?I have the dealer and the previous owner hunting down the door keys, hopefully they'll find something.
I squrimed my arm down under the hood earlier today to see if the fan spins. If the clutch was locked up I wouldn't be able to turn it when the motor was off would I??
Tore all the interior out of it today. Took the floor mat(s) and the seats over to the car wash and power washed them up. I filled a 50 gal. trash can half way up with nothing but mud and debri. Poor trash guys, I barely got it dragged out to the curb. It'll take 3 of them to toss it in the back of the trash truck.
A bad thing I found was the floor had some pretty good rust spots on it. I sanded them down as best I could but I don't know what I should stop the rust with. Some nooks and crannys I just couldn't get too. Any ideas on what to use?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
5.8 is the 351, and in '89 is should have been EFI, or maybe the HO motor. Does it have one or two tailpipes? If two, does it "lope" (it should), also the aircleaner for the thing will be about 2 feet in diameter (no joke).
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Vapor Lock
I stand corrected. Vapor lock on EFI engines, things to look for:
Ignition module or main EFI relay may be overheating: Replace affected parts.
Vapor lock: Open hood and allow the engine to cool for about 30 minutes. Insure heat shields and/or supplemental cooling fan is working properly.
There is a fuel injection problem: EFI system needs to be scanned to find problem. Possibly a bad ECM or Coolant Temp Sensor.
Have them check codes when you get the tune up....
Good luck!
Ignition module or main EFI relay may be overheating: Replace affected parts.
Vapor lock: Open hood and allow the engine to cool for about 30 minutes. Insure heat shields and/or supplemental cooling fan is working properly.
There is a fuel injection problem: EFI system needs to be scanned to find problem. Possibly a bad ECM or Coolant Temp Sensor.
Have them check codes when you get the tune up....
Good luck!
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 26
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From: Central MN
Oh, you settled for a 5.8L, Huh? I thought you wanted a 460! There's nothing wrong with the 5.8L better on gas too. Yep, if you grab ahold of the fan and it doesn't turn or turns really stiff then you need a new fan clutch. My van used to vapor lock that way too, come to find out the intake was full of mouse nest! Damn rodents! The air filter box and hoses come out pretty easy. I think two screws on the front and two in back, 8mm hex if memory serves, then hose clamps on each end of the two big hoses. Once all that is out of the way it is allot easier to see the engine and all the accessories on the front of the engine. Pulling the dog house out gives you a real good view of the top of the motor and access to the sparkplugs.
As long as your floorboards are still solid I would just get some undercoating and paint on a good layer to help slow the cancer down a little. Sounds like you're on the right track!
As long as your floorboards are still solid I would just get some undercoating and paint on a good layer to help slow the cancer down a little. Sounds like you're on the right track!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14
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From: SE Nebraska
Great!
Man, I like this forum! All excellent pointers!
Tomorrow I'm going to set up an appointment for a tune-up/look-see and have everything checked out that you guys have mentioned. As for the doorlocks, the only door panel on the door is way down at the bottom. It's only about 8" wide and 24" long. There aint no way I can get to the lock that way. I'm not sure what to do about that. My gramps had a regular barn door clasp welded on his old '48 grain truck. Locked it tight with a padlock, maybe thats the route....
So, do any of you recommend a good parts catalog that I could use too maybe start replacing some of the smaller things? ie: floormat, arm rest, steering wheel ect. Everything is there and useable, new would just look better
All this help and I haven't contributed anything, wish I had something to give.
Man, I like this forum! All excellent pointers!
Tomorrow I'm going to set up an appointment for a tune-up/look-see and have everything checked out that you guys have mentioned. As for the doorlocks, the only door panel on the door is way down at the bottom. It's only about 8" wide and 24" long. There aint no way I can get to the lock that way. I'm not sure what to do about that. My gramps had a regular barn door clasp welded on his old '48 grain truck. Locked it tight with a padlock, maybe thats the route....
So, do any of you recommend a good parts catalog that I could use too maybe start replacing some of the smaller things? ie: floormat, arm rest, steering wheel ect. Everything is there and useable, new would just look better
All this help and I haven't contributed anything, wish I had something to give.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Contribution
Once you posted a question to the site, you contributed. By asking questions about problems you encountered or other vehicle issues you needed help with, you helped the next person that reads the post and maybe had the same question or related issue.
Check the sponsors of this web site for lots of options or cruise the web for more options!
Good luck!
Check the sponsors of this web site for lots of options or cruise the web for more options!
Good luck!
Last edited by BroncII; Nov 5, 2004 at 11:35 AM.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Central MN
JCWhitney is an excellent source for stuff like that. They are a mail order company and you can order off the internet too. I'm going to have to look at my door locks tomorrow and see how they come out. I can't remember off hand but I think they come out real easy with just a "C" clip type setup that just slides out and then just unlock the little plastic clip holding the linkage on. If you have a locking glovebox you can pull the lock out of it and take it to a locksmith and they can make a key for you that should be the same as the doors. That is if the locks have never been changed. I had this done once and it only cost me about $20 (that was a few years ago though). I agree that the old barn door lock would be very secure, but not very attractive!
Finally...You are giving something back because some other poor soul out there is hopelessly looking for the same answers but is too afraid to ask so in doing so you're helping him too! It's a great sight and hopefuly some of my advise has been helpful!
Finally...You are giving something back because some other poor soul out there is hopelessly looking for the same answers but is too afraid to ask so in doing so you're helping him too! It's a great sight and hopefuly some of my advise has been helpful!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: SE Nebraska
Well, thanks for that. I'm glad that I'm helping out somewhat.
The truck is going in this Friday. I got all the rust cleaned up and painted the box exterior. Looks pretty spiffy now.
My mechanic said that he could fix the locks for next to nothin' so I'll let him do it. I got alot going on between now and the 22nd (thats when I "offically" start the route) so a little extra on the bill versus my time and fustration is $$ well spent I figure.
I'll post back next week on what they find wrong with it. I'm taking a list with all the suggestions that you guys posted, hopefully that will get it running top-notch. Any other last minute ideas/things I should have them check?
The truck is going in this Friday. I got all the rust cleaned up and painted the box exterior. Looks pretty spiffy now.
My mechanic said that he could fix the locks for next to nothin' so I'll let him do it. I got alot going on between now and the 22nd (thats when I "offically" start the route) so a little extra on the bill versus my time and fustration is $$ well spent I figure.
I'll post back next week on what they find wrong with it. I'm taking a list with all the suggestions that you guys posted, hopefully that will get it running top-notch. Any other last minute ideas/things I should have them check?
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14
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From: SE Nebraska
Well, it's been a month instead of a week and the truck is doing great! Runs like a champ. The mech. really didn't do much to it. Dist. cap & rotor, fuel filter, and tranny flush. Oh, and new door locks which the dealer said he'd reimburse me for. So I'm quite happy. It's getting about 7 mpg. It that good, bad, normal? Could I do something to improve that? Opinions?
Now I just need a new radio and I'll be set!
Now I just need a new radio and I'll be set!
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Central MN
Excellent! Well 7MPG isn't too bad. You probably won't do much better than that. I put a K&N air filter in and got 1 more MPG. Not a big gain but it also seemed to help excelleration. I also dump in a bottle of fuel injector cleaner about every two months or twice an oil change. I don't know if it helps or not but My engine still idles like new and has great power so it must not be hurting it? Keep on truckin'!