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81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

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rcarlisle

81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

So I got it this morning. It's rough, but solid. I have receipts for engine, trans swap, new everything drivetrain really. Or replaced - not sure how new any of it is. New fuel tank & sender, water pump, alternator, radiator, belts, plugs, wires. New master cylinder. Instrument cluster replaced or repaired? Everything appears to work. Not sure speedo is correct yet. Will check to see what 5 spd, but I think it's the Mazda, from what Gary told me.

Brakes have a little resistance at pedal to begin, then go on down and work fair enough to feel confident. No following close at this point. Might need bleeding, but I want to take wheels off and check pads, shoes, etc this weekend anyway. See if any parts are rattling loose.

Needs new turn signal switch gear.

Dude got the running part done, but that's about where he ran out of money?

Time to get out the pressure washer...

Randy

Mt. Airy, NC 81 F-150 STYLESIDE regular cab 2wd. 302 Auto Zone crate. 5 spd M5od-R2

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

Administrator

Nice truck, Randy. Is it an Explorer? Most with that hood ornament are Explorers, although the ornament was available from the parts department.

As others will tell you, a 302 w/a 5-speed can make a very nice combo.

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

Rembrant

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

In reply to this post by rcarlisle

rcarlisle wrote

Not sure speedo is correct yet. Will check to see what 5 spd, but I think it's the Mazda, from what Gary told me.

I have the Mazda M5OD-R2 trans behind a 302 in my '84, and also behind a 300/6 in my 1980 4x4. If it is the Mazda trans that you have, there will be a white tag on the LH side (driver's side) with the Ford part number, and that will tell you what differential gear ratio the trans was set-up for originally. See picture below...the data tag is almost in the middle of the transmission.

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

rcarlisle

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

Can you tell me where in that photo the seals/plugs are that leak? I read that that can be a serious issue if trans leaks itself dry. Or low.

Hope to get UNDER it soon and see what all is there. Or not there.

Randy

Mt. Airy, NC 81 F-150 STYLESIDE regular cab 2wd. 302 Auto Zone crate. 5 spd M5od-R2

rcarlisle

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Yes, apparently an Explorer - has bedside emblems as well. Not sure original color yet - haven't been able to confrim. Looks like maybe a light metallic blue? Blue interior. Ranger on dash center with woodgrain. Around instruments is black, but PO said they replaced the instrument cluster. So those are mismatched for now. HAven't looked under seat cover yet to see what is under there.

Haven't look for a build sheet. Do these trucks have a trim tag like Mopars? Stamped plate under hood or somewhere?

Randy

Mt. Airy, NC 81 F-150 STYLESIDE regular cab 2wd. 302 Auto Zone crate. 5 spd M5od-R2

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

Administrator

The certification label on the driver's door post has a lot of info. Decode it here: Documentation/Specifications/Certification Label.

There probably is a "buck tag" on the firewall as well as one on the front of the bed which allowed the factory to marry the two pieces on the assembly line. There was just a thread about that called Bed Tag Info. But it doesn't have as much info as the certification label.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

rcarlisle

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

I'll look this evening. Hopefully still there and hasn't been painted over or peeled off. Getting ready to looking for brake system diagrams - got an issue that I'm investigating. May post up for help later. This site is pure gold.

Randy

Mt. Airy, NC 81 F-150 STYLESIDE regular cab 2wd. 302 Auto Zone crate. 5 spd M5od-R2

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

Administrator

Glad it is helping. Brakes are at Documentation/Driveline/Brakes.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: 81 F 150 2wd short bed 302, 5 spd.

In reply to this post by rcarlisle

rcarlisle wrote

Can you tell me where in that photo the seals/plugs are that leak? I read that that can be a serious issue if trans leaks itself dry. Or low.

Yes, there are three rubber plugs at the back of the top cover...see red arrow below. They sometimes leak quite badly. You can buy metal plug kits that press in like frost plugs in an engine. If you can't find the kits let me know and I'll check my receipts to see where I got mine.