chucketn

The Transmission boot on my '83 F-150 is torn. Anybody know a good replacement? All I find on google are for Jeeps.

Ray, I'm in Tennessee, near Jonesborough. Thanks for the input everyone. Chuck

Looking for suggestions for cab entry grab handles and steps, preferably from a donor vehicle. What have you put in your Bullnose? I'm an old dude with bad knees... Chuck

Thanks for that technique, Les. I'm a long while from installing the new distributor. Had to order the Painless DSII harness and it has an 8 week lead time. Lots of other stuff to do...

Thanks for your reply. As I am 73, and my knees aren't what they used to be, I'm trying to find the least physically demanding method to check timing. I'll try the finger and straw method. BTW, what size socket do I need for the crank nut? I also try to save steps back and forth to the tool box. If memory serves, it's 1 1/4". My but feels better already...

Ouch! I probably won't sit comfortable for a week at least. As I mentioned,, I haven't done any vehicle maintenance like this in over 30 years. I don't know what the PO may or may not have done prior to my buying this project. He just threw money and parts at the truck. I am just trying to find a bullit proof starting point for the resurrection of this red mess. I read of the balancer shifting and making the TDC tool here, I have the tools, so what harm would result from making it? The PO had issues with timing. Short of pulling the timing cover and aligning the timing marks, I thought the TDC tool was pretty bullit proof. Pardon me for not having your experience or knowledge on these engines... I guess my best option is to just read the forum and not ask dumb questions.

I'll make a piston stop, just to verify the balancer hasn't slipped. Thanks... Now to find a spark plug... Chuck

Might have gotten the link from another forum, but here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2sA-q7_FtQ. Actually, I haven't even looked at or for timing marks yet. PO had done some changes, carb, manifold, and thrown a bunch of parts at the problem. I decided to start with a new reman distributor and ignition module. As I haven't done much major work on vehicles in 30 years, I read up on the methods and picked a starting point. I want to know everything is right as I go. I'll verify timing marks when I know it is mechanically in time and running. Short of tearing down the engine to expose the timing chain, I thought this method was better. Chuck

I'm gathering tools to assist in replacing the distributor on my 1983 F-150 351W. I watched a video linked from this forum of a guy making a TDC finder from a vacuum/pressure gauge and a compression testing kit. I purchased both and am trying to put together the combination from the video. I took apart the compression tester and found the tire valve, but don't have fittings to adapt the vacuum gauge to the compression tester adapter. I need the thread size of the pressure gauge so I can buy a barbed adaptor for the vacuum gauge hose. Anybody know? Chuck

Thanks Grumpin! CD ordered. Chuck

Gary, what do you think of this manual? https://www.ebay.com/itm/283878509420?hash=item42187a4b6c%3Ag%3ABngAAOSwPFZevdK3&fits=Year%3A1983%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord#vi-desc-maincntr Or, what would you recommend? Chuck

Would any auto parts store have this version? I found a distributor on Autozone that says it's for no smog controls. I that one good? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have little experience with this stuff. Chuck

I have a Haynes #880 manual coming tomorrow. I think I'll wait to mess with it until I have studied the book.

I got the truck home. I'm going to Advance and get the proper distributor and ignition module. You're saying I need DS-II dizzy with a vacuum advance and a DS-II ignition module, right? PO has disconnected most if not all the smog stuff.

Couldn't reply to your e-mail. I'm located between Fall Branch and Jonesborough, near Kingsport and Johnson City. Zip is 37659. I can confirm it has a 351 Windsor, but carb has been changed. I bought the truck from a shade tree mechanic. He said he had intake and carb changed by someone, drove it home and it never started again... He had ordered another distributor, but it hadn't come in yet. I think he told me the installed distributor was from a T-Bird. I was so excited about the condition of the truck and the accepted offer, I don't remember much of what he said. I don't have the truck yet, I have to get it towed/rollbacked/trailered to my house. So, I'm spending my time gathering info, catalogs, joining forums, and refreshing what 30 year old vehicle knowledge I have. So glad I found this forum.