1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

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1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

84flareside
Purchased October 2019, truck was advertised on Craigslist, it had sat in a warehouse in Mckeesport, PA for about 20 years, last passed state inspection in 2000.

All the windows were busted out and truck had been treated to a decent amount of graffiti.

Previous owner had done some engine work, small suspension lift, aftermarket grill, and removed smog air pump.

Rust on driverside floor panels, sill, cab corner and quarter panel. Seems like roof of warehouse had a leak directly above driverside.

Seat was covered with saddle blanket, original fabric is great shape.



Rob- Pittsburgh, PA

1984 F150 XL 4x4 302 4spd
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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

Rembrant
Great project Rob! Looks like it is all intact and mostly original under the hood?

If you haven't replaced the windshield yet, heads up that most shops will use the glass for the newer 1987-1996 trucks, and they have a black strip that will hide the VIN on a 1980-1986 truck. It may not matter where you are, but if it does, ask the question about the glass when you buy/order it.

Can't wait to see the progress on this.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

84flareside
In reply to this post by 84flareside
Started with basic maintenance efforts to try and get the truck running. That wasn't succesful, ended up replacing most of the ignition circuit to get it running.

Phase One
Oil/Filter change
Replaced Plugs/wires/dist cap/rotor
Rebuilt Carb/Replaced carb gaskets
Replaced Air Filter
Drained/Refilled coolant
Replaced Rad Hoses/Heater Hoses
Replaced Belts
New Battery

Phase Two
Replaced Starter Relay
Replaced Coil
Replaced Timing Chain/Gasket
Replaced Water pump/Gasket
Replaced Alternator (1G wish I had found this forum first and might have converted to 3G)
Replaced Fuel Pump and added pressure regulator (tried cheap NAPA fuel pump that literally fell apart during install, bought Holley pump and basic Mr Gasket regulator to keep it in recommended pressure range)

Truck ran for about 30 seconds and then I lost the spark.

Phase Three
Replaced EEC
Replaced Distributor
Replaced Voltage Regulator (Should have done at the same time as the alternator)

Now it starts when using starter fluid, idles at about 1100 rpm according to factory tach. It will restart within a few seconds of shutting it off without starter fluid but in the current 35 degree temps it's been requiring starter to get it going, it hesitates and requires a little nudge on the throttle, this is my first carburetor car and I'm not sure exactly what temperatures to expect reliable behavior.


Rob- Pittsburgh, PA

1984 F150 XL 4x4 302 4spd
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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

Rembrant
84flareside wrote
Now it starts when using starter fluid, idles at about 1100 rpm according to factory tach. It will restart within a few seconds of shutting it off without starter fluid but in the current 35 degree temps it's been requiring starter to get it going, it hesitates and requires a little nudge on the throttle, this is my first carburetor car and I'm not sure exactly what temperatures to expect reliable behavior.
Rob,

It took me quite a while to get my '84 302 running decent, but then I pulled it out and did it all over anyway. Mine was idling high also and it ended up being a vacuum leak causing it.

If you need the 1984 Factory Service Manuals I can send them to you via email. I usually use the EVTM right here in Gary's documentation, but for deeper dives I do have the full manuals.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

Gary Lewis
Administrator
In reply to this post by 84flareside
Rob - You've done a huge amount of work.  

On the issues with starting and running, is the choke closing?  Without the it closing you aren't likely to get it started w/o ether.

Next, do you know if the accelerator pump is working?  If so, you should see two streams of gas shoot into the carb when you briskly open the throttle.  (But do this with the engine off.)
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

84flareside
Yes, I do see fuel spray into the barrels of the carburetor when I hit the throttle. It doesn't seem like the choke closes, I've played around the adjustments for the choke but I wouldn't be surprised if I made a mistake in my carb rebuild with the choke linkage or have made a mistake in my adjustments. I've been debating on just ordering a rebuilt carb and starting over at that end.
Rob- Pittsburgh, PA

1984 F150 XL 4x4 302 4spd
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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
Rob, are you sure you got the pin of the choke linkage into the loop in the end of the coil spring?.

Does the choke plate return to position from both directions?
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Jim is onto something there.  That could easily do it.  And w/o the choke closing you won't get it to start w/o ether.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

84flareside
Thanks for the guidance, got it started today without ether after some choke adjustments and creative throttle solenoid adjustment. The throttle solenoid isn't doing anything so I had to adjust the it to just keep a little pressure on the throttle, not sure if this is problematic? Can't seem to find a place to buy a solenoid. After letting it warm up completely for the first time in 20 years, the exhaust started out a little smoky but it cleared out after about 30 minutes. Found out after it warmed up that I've got an issue with the heater core,  so that's the next project.
Rob- Pittsburgh, PA

1984 F150 XL 4x4 302 4spd
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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

Rembrant
84flareside wrote
Found out after it warmed up that I've got an issue with the heater core,  so that's the next project.
That was one of the first things that popped up on my 1984 when I brought it home as well. It's not a bad job.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: 1984 F150 Flareside Codename:Buck

Frank Wyatt
From the pictures I looked at, it has the "heat only" box. It's not as easy as the other style but still not too bad once you find all the fasteners holding the engine bay side of the HVAC box under the hood, and yes, that style has to be taken out from under the hood. You can see an illustration of that system and the other ones here: http://http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/hvac-systems.html I have the same style heater and recently changed mine out. When you do yours I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
1981 F 150 Custom 300 ci with a fully rebuilt 1968 240 head Carter YFA T-18 3.25 9" rear 2WD
dual gas tanks
1990 Lincoln Town Car 5.0 AOD
Home town Mc Kenzie, TN