1985 F150 Bullnose 4x4 Project

Gary Lewis wrote

I'm trying to see it through the exhausts, mirrors, running boards, air horns, visor, etc.  And somewhere down there I think there's a nice truck.  

Haha it was me that took that picture, and I've seen that truck again since. It is a wild ride for sure.

Gary Lewis wrote

I'm trying to see it through the exhausts, mirrors, running boards, air horns, visor, etc.  And somewhere down there I think there's a nice truck.  

My thoughts exactly Gary... it’s pretty well crusted in chrome garbage like barnacles on a good ship. It does at least provide a gist of the proportions.

The only other one I’ve seen is a fire truck with the bed extended with pump gear. There were no long bed flareside Bullnose, but there were long bed flareside in the late 70’s with the flat type bed rails. With 80-86 flares and tailgate it would look just right... except for the step or the second set of bolt heads inside from the earlier fenders.

Rembrant wrote

...I need to order a code reader as well.

I don't recommend it - they're NOT as reliable as a paperclip, and a lot more expensive.

Ford F834 wrote

The only other one I’ve seen is a fire truck...

I can see it has an 8-lug rear, but I can't see the fender badge, and it looks like the front is 5-lug.  So did it start off as an F150?

Steve83 wrote

I don't recommend it - they're NOT as reliable as a paperclip, and a lot more expensive.

I did actually order one, and it turns out that it is an absolute waste of money because I'm gutting all of the EFI stuff anyway. I'm pulling the body off the frame starting this weekend. Going to try and get the motor, trans, t-case out of it as well.

I have a couple questions though Steve that you might be able to help with:

This thing is an 85 5.0L (EFI). Were the 5.0 blocks in '85 roller cam capable? My 1984 5.0L was definitely not. I know the Mustangs went roller in 1985 (I think), but the trucks still stayed with flat tappet cams into the 1990's, but with roller capable blocks. I just don't know what/when the changeover was. In any case, no big deal, I'll know as soon as I pop the intake off it.

This thing is an auto (AOD). Would the existing starter work on a manual trans? I seem to recall reading somewhere that the auto and manual trans trucks had different starters. Is this the case or am I nuts?

Name's not Steve, but I can answer the starter question: No.  Auto transmissions took a different starter than manual trannies for several of the engines, including the "small blocks".

You can see that in Engines/Starters and in Interchange/Starter Interchange.

Gary Lewis wrote

Name's not Steve, but I can answer the starter question: No.  Auto transmissions took a different starter than manual trannies for several of the engines, including the "small blocks".

Thanks Gary, that's all I needed to know. I'm scrounging and scraping for parts that I'm going to need. I have a sale pending for the 8ft bed on this truck, and the guy is seeing what parts he might have to trade (which I'm OK with).

Rembrant wrote

Were the 5.0 blocks in '85 roller cam capable?

I'm not an authority on that, but I would doubt it.

Rembrant wrote

This thing is an auto (AOD). Would the existing starter work on a manual trans?

No.

Steve83 wrote

Rembrant wrote

Were the 5.0 blocks in '85 roller cam capable?

I'm not an authority on that, but I would doubt it.

Rembrant wrote

This thing is an auto (AOD). Would the existing starter work on a manual trans?

No.

Ok, I must go do some reading on the topic. I know the Mustang 5.0 GT engines got roller cams in 1985, and I thought at the same time the trucks got the roller cam capable block, but still used the flat tappet cam until into the early 1990's. It's not a big deal, I'm just curious. I'll have the intake off it in a week or so and will know for sure.

Understood on the auto to manual starter differences. While on the topic of starters, I'm planning a run to the junkyard to scavenge some parts from a 1996 F150 w/300 L6 and M5OD manual trans. I assume the starter from that truck will work on the 1985 302? I can't remember, was there still a fender mounted starter solenoid in 1996?

My 1992 Bronco has a PMGR starter on it.

Rembrant wrote

...a 1996 F150 w/300 L6 and M5OD manual trans. I assume the starter from that truck will work on the 1985 302?

AFAIK, any smallblock manual-trans starter will bolt up to any smallblock, and work with any stickshift.

Rembrant wrote

I can't remember, was there still a fender mounted starter solenoid in 1996?

There was never a fender-mounted solenoid.   The thing on the fender is a RELAY.  The "solenoid" is integral to the starter - it's the smaller cylinder beside the starter motor.



This shows how easy it is to convert the wiring between solenoid starters & non-solenoids (swinging pole shoe):

I know it's a relay, but aren't they commonly referred to as a "solenoid", even if the term IS incorrect? And doesn't a relay by it's very nature have a solenoid in it to operate it?

Like the 99% of the people that call a Flareside a Stepside?...lol.

Thanks Steve.

Rembrant wrote

...even if the term IS incorrect?

In those cases, you can expect me to point it out now & then.

Rembrant wrote

And doesn't a relay by it's very nature have a solenoid in it to operate it?

Doesn't a pickup truck by its very nature have a lug nut?  Then why not call the whole thing a "lug nut"?  That's why I don't call a relay by any other name.  

I dragged the 85 F150 back in out of the snow yesterday to start dismantling it. This thing is SO ugly and dirty it needs to be disassembled.



A guy is supposed to come pick up the 8 ft bed and rear step bumper this morning. I'll have a few other things to sell to try and recoup some of my initial costs. The EFI fuel tank and related items, the 4x4 AOD trans and starter, etc. The cab is junk, but it will be staying around for a little while simply as a means to "store" the interior components, steering column, etc.



A lot of dirt and grunge on this thing. It's filthy, but not unusual. This is what any old truck is going to look like around here.



There will be lots more recip saw a zipcut wheel action today. I plan to have the cab off and sitting back outdoors, the 302 EFI on the engine stand, and the AOD-tcase-shafts all laying on a pallet sometime between this afternoon and end of tomorrow. Mrs Rembrant has some other activities planned for me in the afternoons, so this f150 disassembly is limited to early mornings.

I picked up an M5OD 5spd from a 1995 4x4 for $100 bucks, so we'll see if I can manage to get that much or more for the old AOD once it is removed.

Going to check out a southern (imported...lol) Bullnose cab on Tuesday. It is supposedly rust free, possibly a 1983. It has apparently been stripped and primed already, and has nothing in it but a windshield. We will see. Seller says original rockers and cab corners are still intact and that the only minor repairs are required for the floor. He said that when they blasted the floor they found some pinholes. We will see.

Still need to scrounge up a small list of junkyard parts: Manual trans bellhousing cover and starter. I'll need a 50oz flywheel, mechanical fuel pump timing cover, throttle cable bracket and coil bracket, etc, etc. Little odds and ends. There is a 1996 F150 at the junkyard with all of the trans/bellhousing items needed, and there's an old van there with a complete carbed 302 for the engine parts. Just need to wait for a little warmer weather for that adventure.

Oh...and my 1985 FSM showed up yesterday.



This thing won't be on the road this year. It's more of a long term project that I can pick at. I wanted a 4x4 Flareside, so this will be a budget build.

Oh, and I still need to finish the Blue Mule before spring...lol.

Wow!  You sure got a lot done in a little time.  

And that doesn't look to have been any dirtier than many around here.  Those bed hoard mud, and it come showering down as you unbolt things.  

But you are off to a good start with what you've sold, so should have a good low-budget project.  Well done.

I'm curious if the FSM is already OCR'd, meaning that you can search for and find things?

Rembrant wrote

I dragged the 85 F150 back in out of the snow yesterday to start dismantling it. This thing is SO ugly and dirty it needs to be disassembled.


Oh, and I still need to finish the Blue Mule before spring...lol.

Cory, You got a lot done in a short time.
Can you tell me how far in from the outside edge that white center goes in on the back panel?
And for anyone, would you know if that same center color goes in the same distance on a flare side or farther as the box goes to that first rib.

My flare was painted a few times and then flat black and could not tell.
Parts truck being a style side and also repainted I don't want to go by it when I lay out that color and tape lines.
Thanks
Dave ----

Gary Lewis wrote

I'm curious if the FSM is already OCR'd, meaning that you can search for and find things?

Gary, yes fully searchable .PDF same as the 1984 ones I already have (purchased from the same seller).

https://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1985-Ford-Truck-CD-Repair-Shop-Manual-F150-350-Pickup-Bronco-Van-P33615.aspx

That's great!  

FuzzFace2 wrote

Can you tell me how far in from the outside edge that white center goes in on the back panel?

Hi Dave,

Sorry I'm already back home now but I'll measure it for you later when I go back to the shop.

Got the front clip off this morning. Just have to figure out where I'm going to disconnect the EFI wiring now so I can lift the cab off the frame. I'm not using the harness so I don't mind cutting it, but I want to make sure I don't cut anything that I'll need later. I'm not sure if the EFI systems in these trucks are totally stand alone from the cab's regular wiring or not...

Rembrant wrote

I'm not sure if the EFI systems in these trucks are totally stand alone from the cab's regular wiring or not.

Not.  Most of the connectors are near the Left hood hinge, but there are a few near the HVAC box, and probably a couple under the brake booster.

I have all of those wires disconnected already. I was more concerned with the main efi harness that goes through the firewall behind the lh valve cover. Not sure if the ecm connector will fit through that hole or not. Will know shortly though lol.