Hey, this is my first post here. I finally found a forum that is actually about the 80-86 Ford trucks.

I have a 1986 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat 302 EFI short bed. 4x4 and 4-speed with bulldog. Or some people call it a granny gear... or low gear. Whatever, where I'm from, it's bulldog, lol. I don't really plan on building the engine on it... because it's still going to be a truck geared for pulling.. but I do have plans for a true dual exhaust. Gotta love the sound of a 302... I need to let it roar. It has a glasspack on it... but true duals would really open this engine up and let it breathe.

I really love this truck. I get lots of compliments on it. Has a fairly new paintjob... dark blue metallic. I think it matches the stock color that came on it. I have more people say 'That's a nice truck' than I've had people say it about my twin turbo stealths and 3000GT I've had, or my 2002 Honda Shadow. Everyone loves a Ford!

This post is mainly my introduction, but now that I think about it... I only have ONE problem with my truck. If I'm sitting still and put my truck in neutral and let off the clutch, I hear an almost knocking noise. If I push the clutch in, it completely goes away. No, I am 100% sure it's not in the engine. I'm thinking input shaft or throwout bearing. Just wondering if this is common or anyone else has experienced it. Thanks.

 

The knocking noise is not there if the tranny is in gear, and you are putt-putting down the road?

 

I think it may be. You can even kind of feel it when sitting still (clutch out in neutral). It's kind of hard to tell, but it seems like I can still kind of feel it sometimes. But, I'm 90% sure it still does it while in gear. Would this make a difference in what the problem could be?

 

O yea it could make a difference of what it could be. It might be a pilot bushing that could cause the "knock knock" sounds because the input shaft is hitting the flywheel and back of the crank. With it under load the shaft might not move as much. just my 2cents. Have you checked the oil for particles or the tranny fluid? if any shavings are in it, youve got bigger problems.

 

Yay, that's all I need. At least this truck is easy to work on... Pretty much, am I gonna have to pull the transmission and see what's going on in there?

Also, I noticed when I checked the transmission fluid when I first got it that it was filled right to the top and was perfectly red. Kind of made me wonder if they were trying to cover something up. I'll have to check it again tomorrow and check for metal in it. Thanks for the tips.

 

Welcome to the forum! There are plenty of people here that are willing to help. I have a 85 F250 that had a similar problem. Block your wheel and start your truck and look at the cluth fork, see if you see anything unusual, mine was moving up and down. I replaced the clutch and throw out bearing, it's fine now. Good Luck!

 

As soon as you engage that clutch you are turning everything inside that transmission. One gear defect or failed bearing can make the sound you describe.

Pull the drain plug and see what kind of particles come out. If none, it's probably not that bad.

Whatever the problem may be, yes, the trans has to come out.

Welcome to the site!