What will leave me stranded?
 

I have a 1990 Ford E-350 1-ton 460FI/E40D with 159k miles. I tow a 26' trailer and I have no intention of ever getting rid of my van. That said, I would like to know what people's thoughts are on parts that can break and leave you stranded? What should I replace? What parts should I keep a spare of on the road? I have a spare batteries, serpentine belts and tools.

In the last 2 years/7500 miles I have replaced the following:
brake master cylinder, starter/starter solenoid, alternator, rebuilt trans. w/new torque converter, f/r shocks, water pump, thermostat, belts, hoses, flushed radiator and new front in-tank fuel pump.

I will be replacing the following:
replace rear in-tank fuel pump, high pressure fuel pump and fuel tank selector valve (keep old parts as spares), replace front tie rods and check wear on timing chain.

What else should I do? Any other ideas?

I know this is a tall order, but, I really appreciate all your help in advance!!!!

Eric

Don't forget to put gas in it.

Brake wheel cylinder. I had the front one lock up, the rear only leaked.

In my E150 I had the rear axle bearing fail. Unfortunately Ford did not make it so the bearing can be replaced because it has no inner race and rolls directly on the axle shaft. The shaft was worn down and both axles had to be replaced along with the bearings.

We did try the "bearing saver" things that sit further in on the axle and thus bypass the worn area. For reasons which are unclear- someone suggested perhaps I didn't get all the metal particles out of there- it destructed about 1000 miles later, when I was in the middle of the West Texas desert hundreds of miles from home.

I'm betting the E350 has a different rear end and brake cylinders. Who knows.

Keep your ignition system healthy. Without it you're going nowhere. Use only dealer or napa premium parts (I think they are made by the same company), and only motorcraft plugs.

You've covered most of the basics already, so I came up with a few not so common problems, but none the less, problems you hear about in the posts.

1) Fuel Pressure Regulator 2) 02 sensors are a couple devices that won't last forever and can really raise hell. I am not sure how likely this may be a problem on your vehicle, just something to look into.

I agree with pfogle, keep the ignition system healthy! I suggest a Spare TFI Module to add to your spare parts lot or maybe change it out if you haven`t done so already. A faulty TFI Module can leave you stranded very quickly. Mine went bad while I was doing 75 mph passing another vehicle on the thruway and needless to say, all I could do was put it in neutral and luckily coast to the nearest off ramp. All the van would do was crank but the engine wouldn`t start. Until a few hours later (when it cooled down) the van started right up again as if nothing was wrong with it. Installing a New TFI solved the problem.

> I'm betting the E350 has a different rear end and brake cylinders. Who knows.

Full float Sterling or Dana 60.


I agree with everyone, a spare TFI module and the tools to change it.

Another good thing to keep on hand is a set of wheel bearings and grease seals and maybe the other hardware that is needed to reinstall the bearings and don't forget the wheel bearing grease.

Thank You for all the great replies!!! FTE comes through again!!!
Eric

carry an extra distributor,incase the pickup coil halleffect sensor goes out,they do!!,know where your hot wire to the fuel pump is,incase you have to bypass for a reason,,,extra fuel pump, ignmodule,alternator. waterpump,bunch of tools and a rabbits foot

What style of alternator does that have? One that the positive cable bolts onto a stud, or the one with the plug on the side?