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1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed

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FuzzFace2

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

I would also check out reverse gear as it is also a straight tooth gear and could be like that one.

The T18 I pulled from my 81 F100 was in pretty bad shape and being I was using the truck felt it best to swap in a different transmission, went with a NP435.

The NP435 has its little issue when cold but I can live with them till I figure if I want to deal with it or not.
What has helped with shifting is I drained the fresh W75-90 gear oil and filled it with Red Line MT-90.
Dave ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Dave the reverse idler looks pretty good.
You can just see it by the date stamp in the first picture of the open gearbox.

Yes I have driven T98, T18 and NP435 and getting the right fluid in them to match the environment makes a huge difference.
On my NP435, as I recall, I put in a synthetic GL4 75-90 and that worked really well even at -40.
I remember back with that old T98 at -40, needing both hands on the stick to get it into neutral after parking it in low and when you first let the clutch out in neutral it would stall the engine if you weren't careful.

After reviewing a couple of T18 rebuilds and pictures of worn gears I don't think those gear chips are too serious. I am always careful about engaging low and don't use it that much so I am sure the transmission will outlast me just the way it is.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Administrator

In reply to this post by nic55kel

That's great news!

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.

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Thanks Jim, yes things are going quite well.
I pulled the engine today. It was a tight fit but I had loosened the rad support so I could move it a couple of inches forward at the top and that really helped.
I really don't like ford electrical connectors and when they are 40 years old I REALLY don't like them. I gave up on them and cut the harness.
I love the simplicity of these old engines - two vacuum hoses other than the brake booster - doesn't get much simpler than that.

I see the exhaust bleed line to the choke is broken off but other than that everything looks to be in good shape.
I have a lot of cleaning to do.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

Gary Lewis

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Administrator

Looking good!

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

oldmansimek

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

I have gotten rid of the barrel plugs on most of my trucks, I use the gm weatherpack connectors. I have to say you should keep the sterling and 4.10 gears, it is a better rear and you will be suffering on power with the higher ratio and a very heavy truck.

Ryan, CT

1981 F350 Regular cab shortbed compound turbo 12 valve Cummins 5 spd nv4500, original owner. 1984 f150 regular cab flareside SAS currently 460 zf5. 1986 f150 regular cab shortbed straight 6 zf5 4x4 a/c other then 5spd truck is all original from
California. 1985 F350 6.9 4x4 auto. I have had over 20 of these trucks.

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Hello Oldman - sorry don't see your name.
I really prefer the GM connectors and that is what I was thinking of switching to.

I am keeping the sterling but it has the 3.55 gears in it.
I know it will be underpowered compared to today's vehicles but we are flatlanders here and I am getting older and slower.
The truck isn't going to be a daily driver just for going to the dump, picking things up and Sunday drives.

Speaking of heavy trucks, I scaled my 07 F250 the other day - 7700lbs empty.
It has a tommy gate so that adds but still I was surprised.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

oldmansimek

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Names Ryan, still trying to set up my signature picture and info. Sorry thought I read it was 4.10's, you should be fine. I am of the belief that the ford 300 might be the best motor they ever made. Years ago I had an 85 f150 reg. cab flareside 2wd that I drove for years it had over 400k miles with the straight 6 and a np435 (original owner used to drive from CT-OK once a month for 20 years) I made the mistake of swapping in a 400m and it ruined the truck, about 4 years ago I bought another one with the 300 I love it.

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Hi Ryan,

The donor truck has a Dana 60 rear and it has the 4.10 gears.
The 86 truck that the engine and transmission are going into have the 3.55 Sterling.

I completely agree with you regarding the 300.
If you are happy with an old school truck that isn't going to win any races it is a superb engine.
It is simple, reliable, reasonably economical for the day and just does its' job.
I had an 86 reg cab, long box rwd with a 300 and NP 435 and I loved that truck for what it was.
It was like driving 6 cylinder cars and trucks from the 60's and so easy to work on.

Unfortunately rust killed it and I replaced it with the 86 that is the basis for this project.
At first I was excited about having a diesel, I am a diesel mechanic, but I soon got sick of the noise and smoke.
The diesel always had a bad case of piston slap that never completely went away.
I even took the radio out of the truck because there was no point.

Raining here for the next 2 or 3 days and I am also waiting for a gasket set for the engine so I can reseal it.
So I have time to read some more of the posts here.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Hopefully we are coming to the end of this wet stretch. We really needed the rain and we got it.
Starting to clean things up a bit and working on changing the leaking gaskets.
Very happy to see that the cam gear is cast iron.

I can still see some of the cross hatch on the travelled sections of cylinder wall that I can see from the crankcase so very happy about the condition of this engine.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

Gary Lewis

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Administrator

Are you planning to rebuild the engine or run it with new gaskets?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Gary, I am fighting the temptation to make this an expanding project.

The engine ran and checks out so nicely that I think I will concentrate on the wiring and clutch changes that are required and just change the leaking gaskets.
The mechanical clutch linkage is in pretty good shape so I think I will go with that. I have to drill the two holes in the frame for the z bar pivot mount - that looks to be the most awkward part of the conversion - no room above the frame to drill. I have nothing against a hydraulic clutch but I don't have the parts so going to use what I have.

Then I have to decide what to do with the steering column - the auto column has cruise control and the manual column doesn't - not sure what would be involved in switching those over and keeping the cruise steering wheel.

Lots of details to keep the mind active.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Well a little more progress.
I pulled the pedal assembly from the donor truck, all in all it looks to be in good shape.
The weather for the last week has been mostly cold and damp but it is looking a lot better for the next week.

Does anyone know a source for the bellows for the clutch rod that goes through the firewall to the z bar?
The one I have is useable but definitely past its prime.
Coming to the end of stripping parts and starting to give serious thought to how it is all going to go back together.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

Gary Lewis

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Administrator

Progress!

As for the clutch rod bellows, you can now find the part number on the page at Documentation/Driveline/Clutches & Linkage. Then the Clutch Linkage tab, then the Part Numbers tab. However, to make it easy the number is E0TZ 7A533-A. (The numbers weren't there but they are now.)

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Gary, thank you so much.
Having the part number really helps but I doubt any ford dealers still have stock.
Will have to keep working on this - I haven't made the hole in the firewall yet so may be able to adapt something that is more readily available I will have to ponder on this.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

Gary Lewis

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Administrator

Welcome. Google that part number, but try it both as EzeroTZ and EohTz. Some people don't know it should be zero.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Thanks Gary, will keep looking - one may show up at a reasonable price.

Well I got the frame drilled for the z-bar pivot.
I drilled it upwards from inside the frame rail.
I made a template from the donor frame - double checked some dimensions and then used that to drill the frame in my 86.
I had been putting this off a bit as I expected it would be troublesome - actually went really smoothly.
Had to cut some drill bits down to get my angle drill in the limited space.
I extended a centre punch so it was well clear of the frame at the hammer end.
I was able to use a screw driver between the lower frame rail and the drill head to apply cutting pressure.
True test will be when the engine is in and I install the z-bar but I am very pleased with it so far.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

I have done all the resealing I am going to on the engine and it is ready for install:

Well one problem I had not anticipated is that the front main crossmembers are different between the diesel and gas trucks.

Diesel

Gas

It looks like the perch mounting holes may be correct for the top two on the passenger side and possibly the rear two on the drivers side. I decided to make up a jig to hold the perches in the correct relative position.

I then took lots of measurements to verify correct location.

Checking the dimension to the transmission crossmember.

It looks good and so now have to drill holes to install the other two fasteners on each perch.
I am confident that everything is to within an 1/8" and that my die grinder can fix any fitment issues.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Administrator

That seems to have worked out fine!

I think the gas 460 shares the engine crossmember with the IDI.
At least that is what mine says on its back side. (Diesel/460 only)
Also the divot in the front is to clear the 460 oil filter adapter.

Hope you are enjoying some great weather up there, Bob!

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.

nic55kel

Re: 1986 F-250 XLT 6.9 idi C6 switch to 300 4 speed (formerly 4.9 E4OD)

Ah that make sense Jim. Luckily I have two good reference holes on each side and on the passenger side it is just a matter of drilling a couple of holes. I think I will have to do a bit of fabrication on the drivers side but not a lot.

We only have about 4 phrases to describe the weather here:

"I will be happy when it is warmer".
"I will be happy when it is cooler".
"I will be happy when it dries up".
"I will be happy when the snow has gone".
We are currently on the second phrase.
We are generally optimistic always looking to the future.

Bob near Winnipeg

1986 F250 Lariat extended cab 300 T18 2WD
1979 Honda CX500
1992 Oldsmobile 98 touring sedan
2007 F250 6.0 4wd

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