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New member with 2 trucks

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Kevins750

New member with 2 trucks

1980 4x4 F350 400m C6

1985 4x4 F250 6.9IDI T19

Both are hopefully short term projects.

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

Gary Lewis

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

Kevin - Welcome to the Bullnose Forum!

Those look like excellent projects, but the '80 looks like a bit more of a project than the '85. However, looks can be deceiving.

I'm tempted to ask what your plans are for each truck, but that could take a while and this is sort of an introduction thread. So, I have a couple of suggestions:

Let's treat this as an intro thread and you tell us more about you, like where you are, what is going on with you, and maybe a little bit about your truck plans. And, with your approval, I suggest I move this thread to the New Members Start Here folder where most of the introductions are.

Then, when it is convenient, you start a thread for each truck here in the main body of the forum, like you've done for this thread. That way you can document your plans, accomplishments, etc for each truck and have a record. Or, if they are short-term projects that you aren't keeping maybe just telling us about them in the What Have You Done To Your Truck Today thread.

Anyway, whatever you decide is fine. There is no set protocol for where things go, and this is your thread. GO FOR IT!

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

NotEnoughTrucks

Re: New member with 2 trucks

In reply to this post by Kevins750

Both are gorgeous, but I particularly like that 85. Welcome to the Garagemahal!

I'm seeing flat land and farm equipment too. Are these working trucks? I can see some paint wear on the rack on that 85, but it looks to be very well preserved.

Kevins750

Re: New member with 2 trucks

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Thanks sir, I don't mind you moving this thread. I am having problems navigating/finding items on the forum though.

Both trucks were one owner vehicles, the 1980 truck's owner passed and the truck sat on his land until it was purchased years later. The new land owners "messed with it" on the property. It has been non-op'd for a decade. The body is pretty beat up but I purchased new panels already.

The 1985 truck I picked up last week, it runs but the 6.9 has some noise in the motor somewhere. The original owner had the motor rebuilt and had a banks sidewinder installed about 4 years ago. I will be removing the headache rack from the truck. the truck is in very good shape.

The blue truck will retain the stock look, the brown truck will get a single color paint job and lift kit.

I live in the Central Valley of California so flat farm land and farm equipment are the norm here.

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

Gary Lewis

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

Please don't "sir" me. I just happen to be crazy enough to have a forum and a website, not to mention a penchant for Bullnose trucks. But I'm just one of the guys.

So, tell me more about the problems finding things? I consider the view below the main page. And you can get to it by clicking the Gary's Garagemahal that pops into view when you scroll up or down.

So, let's assume I put this thread into the New Members Start Here folder shown below. To get to it click that folder's name and you'll see the threads/topics the other new members have started, with the newest at the top. You can click on any of them to read them, and when you want to go back you can go to the top and either click on the New Members Start Here link in the center, or click on the Bullnose Enthusiasts link to the left.

Does that help?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Kevins750

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Yes, that does help now. Thanks

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

85lebaront2

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

But you're only a year younger than I am sir.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Gary Lewis

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

Bill - Just like being home. I get no respect. (Sorry, Rodney.)

Kevin - Glad it helped. It isn't all that difficult, but takes a bit to "click". Let me know if you need more help or have questions.

Oh yes, Kevin. Would you like to be on the Member's Map? Give me a city and I'll put you on. Who knows, maybe you are close to Dyn Blin.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Kevins750

Re: New member with 2 trucks

I am in Lemoore. It's between Fresno and Bakersfield.

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

Gary Lewis

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

You are now literally "on the map". But, you aren't all that close to Mark. At least we know where you are. And, by the way, the guys out west sometimes find really nice trucks for cheap, so let us know what you find. The eBay & Craigslist Finds folder is the place for those things.

Also, this forum is unusual in the way it notifies you of posts. You might want to read the Subscriptions thread on that. But I can send you a link in an email that will subscribe you if you'd like.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

In reply to this post by Kevins750

Welcome to the group! I have a soft spot for the 80/81’s and I am a fan of the 6.9/7.3 IDI’s so naturally I think you have a great pair of trucks 🙂. What kind of noise are you hearing on the 6.9?

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2

Kevins750

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Kinda of a thud, I wouldn't call it a definite knock. And it isn't constant.

Little back story, original owner was going down the freeway, said he heard a loud noise and the motor locked up. He had the truck towed to a yard and tried turning over the motor with a wrench, wouldn't turn over. I buy the truck have it towed to me , walk over to the truck and just for giggles I try to start the truck.

Well to my surprise it fired right up after setting since August . I turned the truck off right away. I started it again and then I could here the thud in the motor. Oil pressure shows 60lbs.

I haven't messed with it since then, I did go buy a "ran good when pulled" 6.9 this morning just in case,

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

Ford F834

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

This post was updated on .

The 6.9’s have a really crappy aluminum rocker arm retainer that bridges the rockers for intake and exhaust. They like to break. My guess is that one let go and jammed a valve into the cylinder. The piston clearance is only like .045”, so it wouldn’t take much to prevent the engine from turning over. That thud is probably a valve that isn’t opening. I’ve heard that when mine oil starved from a broken oil gauge tube and the lifters collapsed. Pull the valve covers and see if anything is amiss. If you have a broken retainer I would recommend replacing all of the rocker arms with the ‘87+ style (7.3’s). It is a significant upgrade, and all replacement parts are of this type anyway. Might not be your problem but it’s a guess. The fact that it started and ran is a good sign that you didn’t drop a valve, but I wouldn’t run it any more until you check that out. You might get lucky and just need valve train parts. Let’s hope... 🤞

Edit: first read through I missed the point that it locked up while running down the freeway... that’s not so good. ☹️. Still might get lucky but there is greatly increases chance of a cracked piston if it was running... at the very least you will want a compression check...

Kevins750

Re: New member with 2 trucks

So I took my 85 F250 to a mechanic to look at the engine issue. He called and left a message for me, telling me there is a large hole in the oil pan and didn't investigate any further.

I picked up another motor for this purpose, so the are going over it, resealing it, and going to transfer my parts, water pump, injection pump, injectors,glow plugs and all the tin wear. I hope this motor is good enough to last a while.

Picture of the vent in the oil pan.

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

Ford F834

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

Ouch! Sorry to hear that. Hopefully your donor engine is in good shape.

Kevins750

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Fingers crossed

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

Gary Lewis

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

That pan looks like a bit of a problem. Hope the new engine is in good shape.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ray Cecil

Re: New member with 2 trucks

JB weld and duct tape oughtta fix that right up...

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Kevins750

Re: New member with 2 trucks

So I got my 85 f250 back from the engine swap. It runs well, seems the swapped motor may hold up. I am having a few issues I need to address, not with the motor though
I took it on a decent shake down run out through the country, shows some decent acceleration in 4th gear. Got it up around 70mph at times, mostly just cruising it around in 4th.

1980 F350 4x4 400/C6
1985 F250 4x4 6.9/T19

Gary Lewis

Re: New member with 2 trucks

Administrator

Yippee! Glad that appears to have worked out well. Gotta be a good feeling. I know how I felt the other day when I got Big Blue's fuel leak fixed and can use him again.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile