Hello! I'm new to the forum and hope that this question is being posted in the right place.
About a year and a half ago, I sold my Mazda B2000. I had $1000 to replace it with in March of this year. Living in South Dakota, I was not expecting to find much more than an old rust bucket for the money I had to spend.
Fortunately, I was able to find a 1983 F150 right here in town for exactly $1000. It has a 300 in-line 6 cylinder, a solid body and good interior and only 83000 actual miles. The gentleman I purchased it from had just put a new muffler and tail pipe on it. He only had the vehicle for about a year. He had done a valve job on the motor just because the valves were sticking a little from sitting. It had around 60,000 miles on it when he purchased it from the original owner.
I like to do all the little things I can to keep my vehicles in good working order and get the most out of them. Especially when I get one that is in great running condition like this one is. I just put in a new clutch and pressure plate kit in it, new plugs, wires, rotor and cap, new master cylinder and shocks. The EGR valve wasn't working so I replaced that.
I know that the tendency with these older vehicles is to plug emissions things off. Where my vehicle is already in really good shape, is there any advantage to keeping these systems working (i.e, better performance, better gas mileage)? If so, where can I get replacement parts? I'm particularly need to know about the "bimetal temp. sensor" and Cold Weather Modulator, both located in the breather. Also, the vac motor on the breather works when I put a vacuum source on it. How cold does it have to be outside before the damper closes on its own?
Anly help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

 

When I lived in Alaska I kept all that emissions stuff working on my 78 and my neighbors 79.
They start and run so much better in the winter.
I'd start in a wrecking yard for the parts, but you'll need a Shop manual for the photo's and diagrams of the actual emissions stuff because they changed it almost every year, until the EFI started.
One place you might go for help, is the Emissions Referee. He has diagrams based on your VIN. Some Public libraries have those same books as well.

 

i have an '84 myself. I recently took all that emissions stuff off too, and it runs great.
The only thing is that if you take some off, you have to take it all off(smog pump, thermactor system, egr, etc...) to prevent a problme accuring in the computer (if you have one).

 

I want one of those EFI six's, but I want it completly stock!
I want the whole Truck to transplant all the stuff to my 77/F-150/Ex cab.

 

Luckily,
I don't have the computer or fuel injection. Just the really simple smog stuff (air pump, egr valve, etc...).
How cold does it have to be outside before the damper on my breather closes?

 

If you have a haynes book, it'll tell you in chapter4 ( i dont have mine right now).
But that damper door should open even in the summertime, the difference is that it'll stay closed longer or shorter depending on the temperature.

But defenitly check the bi-metal valve or just chage it, they're not expensive and they go often. Also, spray the damper door setup with wd-40. That'll get it going good.

 

The damper door seems pretty free. I sprayed it to make sure. I disconnected the vacuum line that goes from the carb. to the bi-metal valve and hooked it directly to the damper motor. Closed right up. I'm guessing that it is the bi-metal valve gone bad. Do parts stores carry these or would it be a dealer item? I called AutoZone and they did not seem to carry them. Thanks for the input!

 

Humm, to be honest, i have to change mine this week as well, and i have no clue where i could find one. I thought Napa or Canadian tire would carry that but i didn't check.

If you do find one, post back where you got it, thanks

 

I think they have them at LMC truck, check out the sponsors too on the left hand-column.

 

try www.rockauto.com they have a very good lay out and a whole section for 1983 f150's. You can also look by part number which helps alot. I have used them and can't say enough about them. They advertise here on FTE

 

One more quick question: Does the TVS (thermal vacuum switch) affect the operation of the damper door? Mine is a four-port TVS. How do I know if it is bad or not?

 

Regarding the bi-metal vacuum valve: I wasn't able to find one at a parts store. I checked with the Ford dealer. The item was discontinued but the price, if it were available, was $127.00! Please let me know if any of you have a source on one. Thanks!

 

It was pretty cold here in the Dakotas today. Lots of snow in the Black Hills. I checked my damper on my breather. It did close most of the way but not completely. I guess it's not supposed to close completely or it just wasn't quite cold enough for it to close completely.
Apparently, the Thermal Vacuum Switch has something to do with wether or not the damper closes. because it is closing now that the temperature has dropped. Any thoughts on this?