Hey hey! I'm brand new to this forum.
I found my way here by searching for keywords like "vacuum", "1981 F-250", "400 CUI" and similar terms. I live in northern Germany and had no idea where else to turn for help other than a forum like this.
A while back, I pulled the engine out of my 1981 Ford F-250 — it's the 6.6L V8. I had a major issue with one of the head gaskets, so my plan was to rebuild it as far as necessary.
To my surprise, there wasn't much more to replace beyond the head gasket itself and the other gaskets that came with the kit I ordered.

The engine was mounted on a stand in a workshop where I was employed full-time at the time.
Unfortunately, a coworker came along one day and ripped all my vacuum hoses off — and to this day I have no idea why.
Whether he was angry at me, just didn't like me, or something else entirely — I honestly don't know. I think he knew exactly what he was doing

That was roughly two years ago now, and the engine is still sitting in the truck without the vacuum system reconnected,
because I haven't been able to find any clear pictures or documentation online that would have helped me sort it out.

The reason I really need to get this truck running again soon is that my girlfriend and I are planning to get married next year and use it as our wedding car.
There's still quite a bit left to do, but getting the engine back up and running is the first thing on the list.

If needed, I can send pictures of anything that might help — the engine, the vacuum hoses, whatever you need.
For now, I think it would be a good start if someone could explain what each part looks like and what it's called.
The original vacuum schematic sticker is still on the valve cover, so at least that's something to work with — but I still don't know what each component in the vacuum system actually looks like in real life.




Thank you all very much! I hope there's someone out there who can help me get my truck back on the road!

 

One thing to know straight off is that a 1981 Ford with a 400 had a ton of emissions related components that probably do not work even if you have it all hooked up correctly
So,
Need to know whether you need to jump through any I/M hoops to register the truck?
You know what a VECI is?
That is the under hood vacuum and emissions control info sticker that is probably long gone off your 1981 truck
However, you can order one that "might be close" (they made bunches of different calibrations and Californy ones that had different I/M stuff on them) High altitude etc., all different configurations
I have some I/M books from that era that show some of those TVS valves and such
You do need some of it like a delay valve in the vacuum advance circuit and maybe a EFE heat riser to make the cold weather drivability work out
Post back whether you need to be pristine correct to get it past emissions for registration

 

A shop manual usually has diagrams of the vacuum system if you get one on a thumb drive or CD you can usually run it thru a translator to read it in your language.
1981 Ford Truck F-150, F-250, F-350 Factory Shop Service Manual CD | eBay

 

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've already received some pictures and will take a look through them.

I don't have any problems with the translation. I was just thinking that maybe someone here owns this car and could send me some photos of their vehicle showing how, where, and what is connected.

I'll see if I can find a manual and hopefully find the information I need in there.

 

I don't think there is anyone over here using their stock 1970's era vacuum system to take photos of
None of that sheet worked for long
Maybe the air cleaner flap EFE and the vacuum advance
I'll see what I can find and post
Your 81 will have sheet on top of sheet, like a vacuum transducer for the EGR and a bunch of other stuff you do not need or want depending on the calibration