A few questions about my '76 f250 4x4
1. When the engine(390) gets somewhat hot (about half way up the gauge) when I'm idling or going really slow, i get valve ticking. Oil pressure gauge has always read way low except when the truck is cold, and the ticking happens even when the truck doesn't need oil. Since it only seems to happen when the truck gets hot and stops when the truck cools down again, I'm thinking of just replacing the torn up fan shroud or adding some electric fans. It looks like the previous owner put an oversized fan in there, so finding a new shroud might be difficult. or is this an oil pump problem? any idea what the real problem is and shadetree or proper fixes are welcome.

2. the truck has a spotlight on it (much like those on police cars)...I'm curious if this was a factory option.

3. I put a new holly 4bbl on the truck, and I can't seem to get it to idle steady at under 800 or so rpm's...it likes to fluctuate between about 400 and 600. I'm sure it's just a matter of me not knowing what I'm doing, so, any suggestions? or should I take it to a professional?

4. It's about time to replace those worn out springs. the truck is a high-boy, and primarily used off highway. which aftermarket companies make springs for my vehicle, and which do you guys recommend? Does anyone make a coil spring conversion for this truck?

5. I just had a new windshield put in, and the guy told me that the chrome around it was just decorative and wasn't a locking bead (after removing the chrome, it was pretty much un-reusable). My dad thinks the windshield guy was bs'ing me, but the windshield isn't leaking or letting any air through or anything... so is the windshield guy right?

thanks,
tim

 

First the ticking: It doesn't sound to me like you should be running too hot at mid gauge, but it's hard to tell without a true temp gauge. The ticking is probably a lifter not pumping up or a push rod that's loose. The low oil pressure would lead me to believe the lifter but you can pull the valve covers and adjust the rocker arms to eliminate a noisy or loose push rod.

>. I put a new holly 4bbl on the truck, and I can't seem to get it to idle steady at under 800 or so rpm's...it likes to fluctuate between about 400 and 600. I'm sure it's just a matter of me not knowing what I'm doing, so, any suggestions? or should I take it to a professional?<

It sounds like you're not getting enough vacuum at idle. If you're running off the timed port on your carb, try switching to the other vacuum port or a port directly off your manifold.

slik

 

Oh, sorry, I was talking about the vacuum to the distributor.

Slik

 

When I broke the windshield in my '73 ( the chain broke), the glass shop said that the chorme was difficult to remove & they would probably desroy the chrome while removing it. I used a new seal w/o the chrome.

 

Hi fellow ford truck lover- I would suggest you check the thermostat and replace it, the temp gauge isn't telling you cyl head temp, and they could be starved for coolant if thermostat not functioning properly, heads could be frying, and temp gauge telling you mid-range. Been there. Trevor

 

Your oil pressure could ba a big part in the high temp ticking you might try using a single weight oil or a heavy multi grade. And as far as I know the rockers on a 360 are not adjustable. You might also try an engine flush at your next oil change if a lifter is sticking it just might solve the problem.

Good Luck

 

How hot is hot. Do you trust the gauge? How much oil pressure do you actually have? Do you trust the gauge? Don't think your lifters are adjustable on the FE block unless someone has modified. the valve train. How many years of crud accumulation is blocking the oil pickup? Consider all these questions before making modifications to the cooling system. FWIW,
ray