Earlier this year I bought a 1981 F100. it is a good truck, but I have some questions I have been trying to answer for several months now. (that is how I found FTE). here are some of my questions.

When I first bought the truck I noticed that the tag said it was a 255ci (4.2l).
The only 4.2l I have heard of was the 256ci v6, but I noticed that this thing had 8 cylinders, so the idea of their being a typo, and the engine realy being a 256was dropped. since then I have determined that the crank was bad; removed the engine and replaced it with a 302fi with rollercams.
If anyone as any info at all I am willing to listen.

My second question that this truck is labeled as a custom f100 explorer, i thought these were known earlier as the rangers, and then as the f100.

 

I bought a parts truck a little over a year ago and it had a 255CI V8. It is a Y block and is most common in the older T-Birds and 60's van's.

The Ranger and Explorer names were a trim level. I have seen many early 80's F100's/F150's with the Explorer labels on them. For example the XLT Ranger trim could be on an F100 or F250 (maybe an F350 but I have not seen any).

 

The 255 was a smog era motor that came in Fairmonts,Granada's but i did not know they came in trucks.It was based on the 302,i believe.

 

So far I have heard that it was made in the early 80's as a more fuel efficient 302. it was the same block just smaller bore, and slightly diffrent valves. It was lacking about 10 hp from the 302, and they droped it becouse t-bird fans were not happy with the loss of power. I did not know it was made in any other years except 1980-83.

 

guess I need to look into this more.

Somone somewhere told be it was a Y block. didn't keep the motor so I didn't look into it more.
sorry for the mis-information

I knew someone on here whould know tho.

Sence I joined here I have gained some knowledge and have seen lots of smart ppl.

 

(from a book)
Specifications are virtually the same as the 302 with exception of the bores. They were reduced to 3.68 (i.e. 3.68 x 3.00) inches and unnecessary cast-iron was removed to make the block even lighter.
Built from 1980 to 1982 MY, cars and trucks.

 

About the only use it has any more is as a boat anchor. It wasn't a bad motor, just lacked power and was a very limited run. I had one in a Capri. Was a reliable motor but it was definately lacking power.

 

That is the reason I heard it was dropped is becouse it lacked the power. But does it have any value to a collector. In other words, if I decide to fix and sell the truck as an antique would it be worth morewith the original carberated 255, or with an after thought fuel injected 302 (with roller cams)

 

I wouldn't think it would have any collector value. I have a 82 F100 with the 300 I6. I believe that you could get the 80-83 F100's with the 3.8 V6, 4.2 V8, 4.9 I6 or the 5.0 V8. The first two engines where horrible attempts at trying to get better gas mileage.