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New member from South Carolina

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Jamie80

New member from South Carolina

Thanks for the add guys. Recently purchased a 1983 F150 XL. Looking for ideas and any help that can be offered. I will have to do some engine work to it (it runs and drives) but there is one cylinder that is not firing. Also need to replace the instrument cluster since only the speedometer works. I look forward to seeing everyone's trucks and ideas.

Dee1986

Re: New member from South Carolina

Welcome aboard

Brian,
1986 f250 xlt lariat 4x4/ 460 4 speed
2016 super duty lifted
1949 Ford custom sedan, orig flathead eight

ArdWrknTrk

Re: New member from South Carolina

Administrator

In reply to this post by Jamie80

Welcome Jamie!

Your speedometer is mechanical, the other instruments are electrical.
Do the instrument lights work?

I'm suspecting a bad ground, as not everything is driven by the instrument cluster voltage regulator.
But the ICVR can be problematic, and we have a solid state solution for that.

You might check out the documentation for an Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual applicable to your truck.
It's a great way to better understand what's going on, or has gone wrong, with your truck.

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.

grumpin

Re: New member from South Carolina

Welcome!

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

Gary Lewis

Re: New member from South Carolina

Administrator

In reply to this post by Jamie80

Yes, welcome! Glad you joined.

What part of SC? I ask because we have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and I'd add you if I had a city.

Jim is right, the gauges are electrical. But there are two versions - those with idiot lights for the oil pressure and ammeter, and those with true gauges. Which do you have?

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

1986F150Six

Re: New member from South Carolina

Administrator

Welcome, Jamie80!

Jamie80

Re: New member from South Carolina

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I'm from Surfside Beach. Not sure which set of gauges I have. I will dig deeper into it.

Jamie80

Re: New member from South Carolina

In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk

The dash lights up but the fuel, oil, temp, and voltage gauges don't work.

Gary Lewis

Re: New member from South Carolina

Administrator

You now on the map.

On the gauges you might read this: Documentation/Electrical/ICVR. If that thing fails none of those three gauges work. But the page here gives some troubleshooting tips: Documentation/Electrical/Gauges.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Jamie80

Re: New member from South Carolina

*Update*
So i went to my local pick n pull and found a 1982 F 150. I was able to pull the instrument cluster from it and install it in my 83 150. Gas gauge and oil temp needles actually moved, although I'm not sure how accurate the gas gauge is, but nothing lights up on the cluster now. I'm assuming this dash cluster was semi bad as well.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: New member from South Carolina

Administrator

Did you check the lights before you installed it?
It may be the rehostat on the back of the light switch, but then you said the old one lit up.

We, here on the forum, really like the omnidirectional LED's sold by HiPo parts.
Never change a bulb again..

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.