Well, time has come to consider a 2nd more fuel minded small truck. And considering the fact I'll be loosing the company van in a few weeks? Need to locate something other then the 1975 F250 we have been working with. (need more then 10-12 MPG)

I did manage to locate a 1989 bronco II in fair shape. Price is not bad and the body looks pretty decent. However the current owner states he did some work to it, however it blows some white smoke out the tail pipe once warmed up. Yeah it's got the 2.9 V6. Along with A/C--so that should make things interesting to work on.

Just wondering how dependable things are, known quarks or issues and the like? We are in the middle of downsizing with the company I work for, and I'm on the job reduction short list. So if I remain on the job--no company van-- If I get the layoff? I'll still need decent transport to locate a new job.

Any feedback is quite welcome. Some here probably know me from the 75' area. I'm not to bad with repairs and maintenance, and while the idea of doing a head-job in a restrictive area is a bit off the beaten path? (it's been a few years LOL) It's not beyond my abilities. Plus I'll have about a month before the crap hits the fan, so that should be enough to get things road-worthy.


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> however it blows some white smoke out the tail pipe once warmed up

Not normal, needs a compression test.

 

In this case a compression test may or may not point towards something.

White smoke coming out the tail pipe after it is warmed up normally points in the direction of a blown head gasket. Although after checking into some information it would also seem to point towards a cracked head. The current owner has it seems an extra head or two floating around his shop (he teaches mechanics at a vocational center) He's willing to thrown them in if I purchase the truck.

What I'm planning on doing at this stage, if I purchase? Have the truck moved to my "shade tree shop" (aka step fathers place, same city--but he has a garage we can work in) Once done I'll see how bad the white smoke problem is. The photos online show pretty clear what to look for with cracks in the heads. Checking the plugs to see which ones have spent gunk on them. Hopefully when we start it up before we shell out the $$? We won't see any black or blue smoke peeking out the tail pipe. Along with checking the oil for signs of water/anti freeze.

If the engine starts up, no knocks/pings/dings/crings/smoke signals/etc.. I'll probably purchase it, and go ahead with basic tests, and visual checks for the cracks in the head.

At this point, more looking for other clues and hints for other known problem areas with these small trucks. ie: steering/brake issues/quarks. Key areas to inspect for early wear out items, etc.. I'm already planning on re-gasket of the upper half (intake/valve/head) to correct the white smoke problem, but I'll know more once I tear into it.

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We have a 90 Bronco II, and like the mileage.... 24 mpg. We use it to run errands on the back roads and to town. Not much for power. Has a fuel gauge problem.(replaced float still doesn't work) Rear drive shafts go bad (has cv shaft) replaced with new that has u-joints. Does not like 100 degree days....But I don't work to well in the heat either...When you take off the front tire the hub comes off too (4x4) missing retaining washers. It would be OK as a daily driver but its too slow for my lead foot.....Over all we like it and will keep it till it is to expensive to fix or I get to old to fix it.

 

We picked it up last Sunday. You can, if you wish? Watch the continuing 'story' behind this box of tricks on my other thread. Quite a bit more wrong then right, and a lot of 'sins' not disclosed that the PO must have known about.

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