Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - 1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks

Oil pan and pick up tube issues

Filsdemorte — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:43:15 GMT

Good afternoon all,

I'm in the middle of my engine swap project, I'm putting a 78 internal balanced 460 into a 1983 F250 that originally did have a 460. I've got the clutch/flywheel assy arriving since it is internal balanced.

Now my problem is with the oil pan and my pickup tube. I have a Melling M84 D Oil pump, M84-DS1 oil screen/pickup tube. Tried the DS2 version and that didn't fit either. The pickup screens hit the bottom of the "stock" oil pan that came with the 83 f250, and the pan has a full inch gap around it and won't seat.
I'm not sure what to do here, if I just look for a oil pickup/pan kit. Or look at a different oil pan?
I'm wondering if this guy would work for my needs? M-6675-A460 https://www.levittownfordparts.com/s...ml#col-fitment

Pic of fuel line for a 300 six

PROSTOCK — Sun, 17 May 2026 14:24:17 GMT

Now that I have the fuel system squared away, I would like to un-do what the PO has done. In this case it is the metal fuel line that runs from the pump to the carb. Right now that is all rubber line and I would like to replace with metal. In order to do that I would like to see how Ford got from A to B(pump to carb) and copy that if it makes sense. Going up and over the valve cover or around the front; around the #2 spark plug/wire; missing the oil fill cap; and finally to the carb.
If someone has pics of this line for my reference, I would appreciate the help.

Chrome roll bar doesn't quite fit..... Ideas?

Raiz — Fri, 15 May 2026 16:36:43 GMT

Finally found a chrome roll bar in good shape. Problem is it's made for a step-side. Any ideas to make it fit? The kickers need to be about 6" wider on each side.

Valve cover gasket material

DSK777 — Fri, 15 May 2026 11:14:50 GMT

Another one for the group: cork or rubber valve cover gaskets?

84 F250 460/7.5 V8

What if anything should be added (sealant, glue etc)?
Seeing a lot of controversy on this one, would like group's opinions.
Thanks

1985 f250 6.9idi

lilbullrider833 — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:46:34 GMT

I just purchased a 1985 F250 6.9idi 4 speed 4x4, it's got 55000 miles. I was wondering what all I should watch out for since this is my first idi. Any wise words would be greatly appreciated

300-> 460 swap details

1994F150351w — Tue, 12 May 2026 23:42:47 GMT

Got a 1980 F250, D60 KP swapped truck with a 300-6 and a T18 that I would like to do a 460 swap to. I can get my hands on a 1989? (Bricknose for sure) 460 complete engine for very cheap, and I�m wondering what all I need to convert it. I know for starters, L&L headers and motor mounts, and a bigger rad, and a 351m/400 bell housing to mate to my 4spd, but what else? Is it worth it?

Help!

82bullnose — Tue, 12 May 2026 02:51:56 GMT

Hello all! I am currently working on an 82 f150 with the 5.8 351 Windsor. The motor itself is good and runs great but all the wiring under the hood has been chewed and torn up. Would love to get it rewired and cleaned up a lot! I�m needing some pictures and diagrams of engine bays and harnesses under the hood so I can get everything as close to factory as possible. Also interested in any suggestions you have! This is my first truck I�m planning on restoring.

How should I fill in this gap?

fatheroftwo — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:55:33 GMT

Our new "Deer Defense" came off of an F250 Bullnose

How can I fill in this gap?

Watch out Zombies

Reverse Lights Not Working

19bulln0se85 — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:35:49 GMT

Hi everyone,

I inherited a 1985 f150 4 speed manual. The reverse lights aren�t working. I believe it has a Borg Warner T18 in it.

i took the shifter boot off and the switch looks like the one found here:

https://www.cjponyparts.com/backup-light-switch-f-100/p/HW1880/?year=1973&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17347840277

I�ll attach a picture. I don�t see any connector plugged in. I am under the impression that I need to buy something like in the link above. I�m unsure what I plug the pigtail connections into. I also found this unplugged underneath the truck.

thank you ford fans! Nice to meet you all

Connector found underneath truck

Reverse switch

84 7.5L High idle trouble

DSK777 — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:31:53 GMT

Forgive me if this has already been answered...took a quick look around but am not seeing this particular one yet.

84 F250 Base, Automatic 7.5L V8 4x4
Holley 4 bbl

-High idle at all times except initial startup. Soon as gas pedal is pressed it never comes back down all the way where it started, no matter how warm engine is. Idle at this point is noticeably higher than reasonable (no tach, just listening).
-Choke butterfly & shaft cleaned and not binding.
-Hot wire connected to auto choke is running about 7V. Tried direct wire from batt, no change.
-Checked for vac leaks, found one but no change after fixed.
-Idle screw backed out completely.

Here is choke butterfly position whilst running:

Could choke be bad? Can I test it somehow?
What else is common for this?

Hopefully this isn't too ignorant of a question, thought I'd try folks who are around these more than I.
Grateful for any help.

Old Ford in a news story

Soup bean — Mon, 11 May 2026 15:00:02 GMT

I noticed this in a news story today. They're still using old Fords at this airport in Nebraska.

Barn Find Need help identifying parts and such.

JoshBrown — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:27:11 GMT

Hey everyone, I recently picked up a 1985 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat for $250 that had been sitting in an old barn for who knows how long, and I�m trying to learn more about it and hopefully get it running again. Figured this would be the place to ask because I�m still pretty new to these older Ford trucks.

The truck shows 26,992 miles on the odometer, but obviously with the old 5-digit odometers there�s no way for me to know if that�s actually 26k, 126k, or 226k miles. I honestly doubt they�re original miles� but the condition of the interior is what makes me question it. The upholstery is in great shape, the dash buttons/switches look almost untouched, and even the pedals barely show wear. It almost looks like a low-mile truck that just sat forever.

Right now my main issue seems to be fuel delivery. It looks like somebody may have kinked/bent the fuel inlet line going from the fuel pump to the carburetor, so I�m wondering if it�s not getting fuel because of that. I also can�t seem to find an inline fuel filter anywhere on the truck, unless Ford hid it somewhere weird from the factory or somebody removed it at some point.

A few questions for you guys:

Where was the factory fuel filter located on these trucks?
Were inline filters standard on the carbureted engines?
Does a kinked fuel line sound like enough to completely stop fuel flow?
Are the mechanical fuel pumps on these mid-80s F-150s known for failing after sitting a long time?
Any good ways to tell whether the mileage could actually be original?
Anything specific I should check first on a barn-find truck before trying to fully fire it up?

I�ll post engine bay/interior pictures soon because I�d also love help identifying what parts are original. Thanks in advance.

Bullnose 408 Stroker MPFI intake recommendations

Douglas Mason — Fri, 08 May 2026 20:40:32 GMT

I have a 1985 short-bed single-cab F150 that originally came with a 351W, but had no motor when I bought it. I bought a 351 bare block and had it bored and stroked to 408.

My plan:

AFR Enforcer 185cc heads
Holley Terminator X Max
DBW GM TB
Replacing the entire fuel system to complement the Terminator.

I'm having a hard time figuring out an intake.

At first, I looked at the Holley Hi Ram, but I don't think there's any way that'll fit without adding a hood scoop (which I don't want to do)

Then I was looking at the Edelbrock Super Victor, but comparing it to the Air Gap RPM, it seems the Air Gap would be better for the low end (I'm not racing).

But I'm concerned about hood clearance even with the Air Gap. Would a drop filter be low enough to clear since it would be sitting on a Holley 4150 adapter rather than on top of a carb?

Am I going to have to do a body lift no matter what to make anything I add fit?

The engine is not in the truck, so I can't measure clearance. Should I just wait until I get to that point and measure clearance before I settling on an intake?

Truck died out while driving, timing chain??

Chach3015 — Fri, 08 May 2026 19:37:17 GMT

Hey guys,
other morning i was heading to work in my f150 351w v8, the truck ran fine until I got it down the road, then it's seemed to "die out" for a sec, came back to normal, and then the next second did the same thing, but wouldnt start after that. Cranks fine, just when it is about to start you can hear a (firing?) Or banging noise from engine bay. Bought this truck about a month ago and For last 2.5 weeks has been my daily and aside from a carb adjustment at the start, has been running well. The distributor (Top Street Performance JM6510CL HEI Distributor) looks relatively new. Is there anyway to troubleshoot timing chain, distributor? Pretty new to these older trucks I got this as a project truck to learn way around them just a little stuck and know you guys on this site are good at diagnosis. Much appreciated guys!

Sniper 4150 on a 300, too much?

piumpman — Fri, 08 May 2026 05:06:11 GMT

I have a 82 carbed 300 in my truck, just about completely bone stock say for a Saginaw steering pump. after a couple months I have everything to swap to a sniper 2 efi. headers, 4bbl intake offy intake, and the 4bbl Holley sniper�
well as it turns out it seems the general consensus is NOT to use the 4 bbl version for a 300. But at the time of buying it I had plans to go to a 351 and honestly did most the research on them planning to put it into a 351, how much did I mess up and is there anything you guys recommend to make it a little more feasible? I�m as stubborn as I am scatter brained so I�m pushing to get it put in anyway and we�re just gonna see how it goes