Hi Gang
I am a frequent lurker and periodic poster of this board. I recently purchased a 1989 F250 2WD extended cab, 5.8L efi, ZF 5-speed, utility bed pickup. I got it cheap because it was not running. With a new battery and starter, I was able to crank, run a compression test and then get it to run by spraying carb cleaner into the throttle body. Unfortunately, this exposed fuel delivery issues.

I will be replacing/repairing the supply fuel line from the selecter valve to the high pressure pump. Ford no longer makes or stocks this fuel line by the way. Napa part #730-4913 is a replacement line with one Ford style nipple (with clip) and a male/male connecter on the other end.

Rigging 5/16 fuel line between the selecter valve and the high pressure pump, I was able to get the truck to fire, Hahoo!! and drove it around the block. It runs rough with poor power. The results of the compression test were, in order of cylinders: 140, 140, 140, 145, 145, 140, 150, & 150psi. Not bad in my book.

Given the poor power but decent compression and how long the truck sat, ~2yrs, I wish to begin diagnosis of poor power with a code test and an examination of the fuel system components. I have spent some time with the seach function on the board, as I know that some boards get flaming mad when questions have been previously asked and answered, to some partial effect. As such, I will risk asking/reasking a few questions that I did not find anwers to:

1. Where is the Data Link Connector on my truck? Does anyone have a picture? Many times on past threads, the photos have expired. I wish to ground pin #6 and alternately direct fuel from the two tanks into a bucket to judge fuel pump function and whether the tanks should be dumped and cleaned out.

2. Are the in tank fuel sox available anywhere?

3. I wish to purchase a simple and inexpensive code reader and a fuel pressure guage to further my diagnosis. Any recommendations?

4. Besides scrounging from the wrecking yards, what are you folks doing for replacement fuel line pieces for this application.

Your words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Tom

 

Tom I can't answer any of your questions but that old fuel in the tanks will make any rig gutless.. Todays fuels lose their octane value pretty darn fast when they sit. You may try an octane booster to run the fuel out in both tanks then change the fuel filter and see how she runs...

 

Just an update. I found this in my info in my "Ford Fuel Injection" book listed as the "Star Connecter." It is indeed next to the air filter box on the drivers side of the engine bay. By grounding the Fuel Pump Test socket and disconnecting the high pressure pump, I was able to determine that the front tank pumps clean, though orangish, fuel but the rear fuel pump is not pumping for reasons undiagnosed. I did not have the confidence to put this fuel into my lawn mower thereby compounding my problems. I'll deal with the rear tank later and focus on fuel pressure and what the computer says.

The local Kragen has an Equus brand code reader and fuel injection pressure guage for $30 and $40 respectively. Any comments? Thanks

Tom

 

You may already know this and wish to purchase a code reader anyway, but you can count blinks on the check engine light using nothing more than a paperclip:
EEC IV Self Test hookup

 

And Ford Fuel Injection has loads of info on the sensors and testing them, the EFI system and pulling codes, code definitions, wiring diagrams, and more..

 

Rats! The Napa part is for 5/16" hose end with 5/16" line. I need 3/8" hose end and 5/16" line. After some research, Dorman and Balkamp are two suppliers of parts for this application. Dorman has individual parts, hose ends, viton o-rings, bulk hose, etc. It appears that Napa stocks Balkamp and Kragen and Auto Zone stocks the Dorman. I will attempt to get the proper parts tomorrow at lunch and see what can be done tomorrow eve. I want to run the truck to proper operating temperature prior to pulling the codes. More later.