Gary Lewis

MERRY CHRISTMAS, David! Hope you are having all of the family in, and that you have a very special Christmas. You can bet I'll re-read Luke 2.

Well, right about here the plot thickens. We now know that the blocks and heads didn't really change, so the difference in CR is in the piston. Heretofore I've looked at the 1994 version of the MPC and then corrected it with info from the 1990 version which I have on microfiche. Now I've looked at the Feb '82 version on microfiche and have found completely different #'s than before. In fact, the information is so different that I'm not quite sure how to process it. So I'll post it here and then puzzle with how to incorporate the info into the spreadsheet: 1980 on: D3TZ 6108-A for HD US trucks (E-F 250/350 over 8500) and all E-F100/350 Canada w/leaded fuel 1980/81 before 12/8/80: D7TZ 6108-A for LD trucks (E-F100/250 & U150 under 8500 w/unleaded fuel) 1981 from 12/8/80: E1TZ 6108-A for LD trucks (E-F100/250 & U150 under 8500 w/unleaded fuel)

Adam - Again, welcome! (Do you want me to move your other thread about the fuel fillers into the main section? More people may see it there.) You've come to the right place as we love to help people, and we have a lot of experience with these trucks. (As well as more documentation than anywhere else. ) So, as you learn your way around here you'll probably want to start a thread, again in main section, that documents what you do to and with your truck. And, feel free to chime in on the What Have You Done To Your Truck Today thread, where we just chit chat. (Wait! We chit chat in most threads. )

Adam - Welcome! A couple of things. First, not everyone watches this New Members Start Here folder, so you may get more response by posting your request for help in the main section. This folder/section is really just for introductions and doesn't get as much traffic as the main section. Second, posting pics here is a bit different than some places. I've posted your pic, below, but will tell you how you should do it: Last, where's home? We have a member's map (Bullnose Forum/Members Map) and I can add you to it.

That's a big help. Now we know that the CR change was all due to pistons, not blocks nor heads. However, that begs several questions. For instance, where are the pistons used in the fuel saver package? Looks like I'd better fire up the Microfiche Tower and check out the Feb 1982 version of the MPC I have............................................................

That is a nice one!

You are on the map.

That's a really good looking truck. But, it looks like Cousin Eddie is dumping the holding tank! Are you going to give him some money so he can buy you a Christmas present? Maybe something for the truck?

Michael/broboyle - You are now on the map per your request. And you aren't far from ScubaSteve.

Welcome! Glad you did find us. By the way, we have a member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map) and I'd be happy to add you to it. As for the truck, that's a lot like my Big Blue. Borrowing from Crocodile Dundee, that's a TRUCK. And, on the personal side, I'm 71, married and retired. Welcome aboard!

Ha, I know, right? As Gary said above, I'd LOVE to have one. I've asked around if anybody had one around here, and I've been watching for one locally...and by "locally", I mean a fairly large area since I travel for my work. If you follow Tim Meyer's Track Boss products page on Facebook, he was doing a bunch of videos there for a while showing his SUN Distributor Tester.... https://www.facebook.com/TMeyerInc/videos/253492255358863/ The SUN brand seems to be the most well know of these machines...and they're quite collectible (and expensive). It seems that anybody still setting up distributors professionally is using a SUN machine. They're show up on Ebay of course...here's one that looks like it's done a Duraspark or two... https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUN-Model-SDT-Antique-Distributor-Tester-W-Monometer-all-adapters-Flat-Head/323566781404?hash=item4b561543dc:g:J9sAAOSwE~lasCn6 And this one below cost more than my truck, so needless to say it is out of the question: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUN-504-Distributor-Tester-Ignition-Simulator-/201849804047 Overall, I'm just curious about the Allen machine I linked to originally. I'm assuming it can be used to set-up your ignition curve? I know I can do it in my engine, but at the angle I need to hold my timing light, I can't reach/operate my distributor at the same time. I consider Tim a personal friend and do follow him on FB so did see his Sun. But Rotunda is Ford's brand, and the FSM's are full of references to use XYZ Rotunda for that step. So that machine was sold by Ford, although it appears to have just had a Rotunda label slapped on it. The fact that the unit you found is an '86 means it should work on the distributors in these trucks. Anyway, here are some links I found: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/distributor-machine-rotunda.620622/ This one looks to be model E1415HD where the one you found may be E1415RD. Might the "R" be Rotunda? https://www.ebay.com/i/201682706869 Here's a video of one being used to test a tach: And here's a manual for the HD: https://www.ebay.com/itm/362012622922 Man, if that thing were local to me I'd have it.

You are on the map. And, I note that you across town from member 500$F-150. You can email him by clicking on his flag on the map and then clicking on the email link. Perhaps you two can meet.

I can't tell for sure, but if that is an NP208 then I suspect that is # 7233 on the Illustration tab here: Driveline/Transfer Cases. It shows on the Parts List tab as the poppet screw, and on the Instructions tab as being torqued to 20 - 25 lb-ft. But don't take my word for it, please check it out to make sure.

A friend of mine was telling me how GM put their computers in the inlet air to the engine - with proper shielding from water. I wonder about doing that with the DS-II module?

Cory - I'll put you on my prayer list.

Man, I'd LOVE to have that! That would be cool to use to set up distributors. But, to answer your question, no I've not used one. But I'll bet Bill/85LebaronT2 has.

Things appear to go off the Watch List on eBay after they sell. Maybe not immediately, but at some point. In fact, my watch list is now empty, although I've put a ton of things on it in the past. But I'm hoping the Research List will be different, that it will keep everything that's been put on it and let you track what things have sold for. Here's what's on mine at present. I guess we'll know what happens in a couple of days. If it works as I think we can keep track of the sale of some of the trucks we find and maybe create a trend. And, there's a way I can make my research list public, although at first blush only via a link rather than embed it. We shall see.

Welcome, Mark! Glad you joined us. And, I like the truck. The paint scheme is very close to that of Big Blue. By the way, we have a member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map) and I can add you to it if you'd like.

Oh my goodness!!!! $28,500!!!! I sure hope they get it. I was going to add this to my watch list, but I see there's a "research list". Not sure what it is, but I added this one to my research list.

I'm curious - what made you realize that the frames are made of different materials?

How about this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Ford-F-150-Reg-Cab-Stepside/163439540195?hash=item260dc177e3:g:3iYAAOSwEKxcGaNF:rk:1:pf:0&vxp=mtr Gary said this: "The best place to find rust-free trucks in good shape appears to be the Pacific North West." Yes, that is a very nice truck! And here are some things I noticed: DSO = 71 from the certification label, which is LA. So that is, as I expected, a CA-spec truck It originally came with an EEC-III system, which is a computer-controlled carb and ignition. But, probably when it was taken to Washington, that system was removed. The carb was replaced with an Edelbrock 4bbl, which was a good choice. And the ignition was replaced with an HEI-based distributor. Plus, it has dual exhaust. It has the rare underhood tool box! It has the rare locking hood release It has the locking glove box, which isn't often seen It has the underhood light It has an odd combo of electric door locks but manual windows It was made in June of '81 at the San Jose plant, which had already converted from slide locks and clear turn signals by April, which explains why this one has pin locks and amber turn signals. It has a 3.25:1 rear axle ratio in the 9". That's a good ratio and should work well with the AOD. Coupled with the Hankook Optimo H724's in P235/75-15, which are 28.9" in diameter, and the AOD's OD ratio of .67, the calculator says the 302 will be turning 1646 RPM in OD at 65 MPH. With the AOD and a nice 302 that thing should scoot as well as return decent MPG on the highway. I LIKE IT!

No one riding in my '97 F-250HD would think they're riding in a Lincoln. But we take it on a lot of long-ish trips (80 - 200 miles) and no one's complained about being beat up. In fact quite a few people express surprise that it rides and drives so well for a big old truck. And I know my wife wouldn't dread riding in it out to Colorado. A year or so ago I rode in an early 2000's F350 diesel and was amazed at how well it rode. Dramatically better than Big Blue. But, it was a crew cab, so did have a longer wheelbase, although you could extend BB's frame a bunch and it'll still be brutal.

Interesting questions. And, we have answers in the dealer facts books, of which I have only 3 on-line - 1981, '82, and '83. For the '83, which may be the most applicable to all the years, go here: Literature/1983 Literature/Dealer Facts Book and then go to the Axles, Frames, & Suspensions tab and scroll down to Page 11. You'll see that the frames varied significantly depending on wheelbase/frame length, and which truck, meaning F150, 250, 250HD/350. (Yes, there are two different F250's, and they have different frames.) One thing to notice is the section modulus, which is the amount of metal in the frame. Another is the lack of F250's with a 116.8" wheelbase, meaning there weren't any F250's or 350's with short beds.

Amen, brother! I've seen too many instances where people, myself included, didn't follow the therapist's guidelines. It didn't go well, and in most cases therapy had to be started all over.

I don't know about the later springs. The ZF will be heavier, but I have a T19 now, so I'm not sure how much heavier. However, with the dual batteries, front receiver, and the winch plus Warn bumper there's lots of weight up front. That's one reason I wasn't too worried about the weight of the rear bumper. Anyway, if I get the rear smoothed out and the front is still stiff then the next step would be to check out the later springs. I think I scrapped the springs off of Huck, but he was just a '90 and I doubt rode any better than BB.