I have a 1980 F100 with a 4.9 300.Today I went out and took off the exhaust from the Manifold back,because it was completely rigged and held in by coat hangers.I want to put a properly held in temporary exhaust on it until I can replace the 300.I looked at the exhaust manifold opening,and at the rest of the piping,and noticed that it is all a flat black charcoal color.I was wondering,what does this say about the condition of my engine?Does this mean that it's on it's last legs?I'm already replacing it,but I just want to know.Thanks.

 

It means the engine is running rich. That would be normal if all you do is short trips. Longer trips will burn that off unless you have carb problems. Your sparkplugs probably look the same way.

 

Well when I bought it in March,it had been sitting for three years.And It's only been around the block once.All I do is use it around the yard for yardwork.And yep,plugs look the same.But Thanks alot man.Now I know.