Gary Lewis

Cory - Is it possible that you were either sent the wrong bushings? Or that you don't have the original springs? It is hard to believe that you took enough material out to substantially change the dimensions of the eye. To get to the bottom of this I've added the rear springs listing to the website here: Suspension & Steering/Rear Suspension/Rear Springs. Note that it includes the shackle and bushing info at the bottom of the page, and it appears that the 1980/81 trucks take bushing E0TZ 5781-E, but the 1982/85 trucks take bushing E2TZ 5781-A. The table shows the size of the first one, but not the second. Can you measure what you have and see what it is? The bushings are available separately. As for the washers, when I've purchased shocks they've come with cupped washers. And the catalog appears to show that the washers aren't truly flat. In fact, the factory shop manual says "NOTE: Install concave surface to nut" - just like Steve said. As for where to get those washers, I don't know. The illustration side of the 1980 - 89 catalog says that the generic part number is 18040, but that number doesn't appear in the parts listing/text section of the catalog. In fact, that doesn't show in Ford's Standard & Utility catalog. However, it does appear in the 1973-79 MPC, and it shows the part # to be 51A-18040. But, I cannot find that on that internet. Anyway, your frame looks good!

Big Blue's 1345 is fixed-yoke front and rear, as is the 1356 I had built for Dad's truck. So, I could slip the 1356 in Big Blue when the ZF5 goes in, and send the 1345 out to be rebuilt - along with the mod to the pump's arm. That way I'd know that we are set for the long haul.

You cant put everything in all at once then you would have nothing to do but work on your trucks When something is not in the "bible" you make short order to get it in there, thanks. Yes 2 for that price I felt it best. I am sure anything I would have got I would have to modify to fit / work so I could not see going for the $30 ones and I would of only got 1. With the 2 I can use both to cut & glue to make one that will work for my setup. I have not measured my 4 blade fan yet but I am thinking if it is too small it is an easy fix as we can get different size fans with more blades and spacers to work. I hope they show up before the holiday as I took some time off from work and hope my brother & I can spend some time in the garage. He was the one who sent me the flare side tail gate, tail lights w/brackets, fender fuel door & hose assy. and a few other things all the way from CA. Dave ---- So, your brother is coming for Christmas? Cool! And, I do try to get on what people need. But, that's not really keeping me from working on trucks. My grandtwins being here is more fun that trucks, but at times they are in school or, as now, playing in the yard, so I sneak in a bit of time in the shop. However, getting into powder coating in the few minutes here and there won't work, so I compute.

Thanks, Jim (ArdWrknTrk). That answers a lot of questions. 1985 Bronco - Did it answer all of the questions? I can't tell but, if not, please say it another way.

Yes, I do believe the DRW package was only on the F350. And I see hints of that in the dealer facts book, but haven't found it spelled out explicitly. But, that truck really looks like an F350, so if it is a 250 someone converted it. However, I cannot imagine an aftermarket company doing it as it would seem to be less expensive to just order one that way. So, the owner swapped out everything onto his 250? Or, a 350 owner put 250 badges or fenders on his truck?

Thanks for the feedback. That's a cool memory. Wow, being in the pits at Pomona! I've heard about that place for forever, but have never been there. Lots of people got to read that slogan - if only briefly, before the chute deployed.

Yes, they made sure it was bare bones. No extra weight - including a longer bed. Kinda like there was a competition of some kind and they needed to ensure that all of their Fuel Saver trucks got a certain MPG. Here's the secondary seal:

I think you are making a wise choice to go with new components. And, that was what I was wishing you were doing instead of cleaning as the prices are so close. Plus, when they clean a tank and find out it is shot then you may have to pay them and buy a new one. And, since today is yesterday's tomorrow, I hope you are having a safe trip. Let us know how it went, please, and post some pics.

Bill - I have illustrations on the Cooling Lines tab here: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/c6.html. But, it doesn't show which line is supply and which is return.

I can't answer your question. I'm not able to find a description of the side marker lights in the two dealer facts books I have on-line, although I have discovered that the 1983 version thereof appears to be missing 24 pages - right in the section I wanted to study - Options and Accessories. Maybe someone else can answer the question of "Can stylesides also have RH and LH side lights and rear lights as a factory option (like a camper special setup)?"

I was perusing the 1982 Dealer Facts Book looking for info about lighting, stylesides, DRW's, etc. And, while doing so I came across this on Page 9 of the Options And Accessories tab and thought y'all might like to see it:

Glad you saw it when you refreshed. I was so sure that I had the info in there that I kept searching for it, only to come to the conclusion it really wasn't there. But, you ordered two fan shrouds? And they were $15.50 each? CHEAP!

My '97 has done that to me a few times too. Although in my family I was more the hero for being able to "hot wire" it so easily (pretty easy to do actually when you have the keys). In my case it sounds like the trans position switch might be the most likely culprit, and the next time it does it I'll try wiggling the shift lever. But somehow I don't think that'll help you with Big Blue. No, since I have a T19 I doubt it's that. Last time I tried to troubleshoot it I moved some wires below the brake booster and it started working. And after that I couldn't make it quit. But since this rascal doesn't have a clutch switch on it there's a possibility that whatever they did to wire around where the switch should be is the culprit. So, when the engine comes out for the refurb and I'm up under the dash installing the hydroboost brake pedal I'll have a good oppo to figure out what's going on and fix it. And I'm for sure going to put a switch on the clutch - that thing scares me as the 460 lights off so easily and stops for nothing.

I can't find anything in the catalog that tells me which way the fluid flows. Maybe Bill knows?

Hstrymkrs - What's the status? Did you buy the new radiator? Did the fuel tank clean up well? Is the engine back? Inquiring minds want to know! So, what did I do to my truck today? Nada. Today Brandon/Bruno2 came by and we cut up 3/4" thick steel and drilled holes in it. Not sure why he came here - surely a hack saw would've eventually gotten that 5" cut done. And a file would have cleaned it nicely. As for his hand drill, I think it would have placed those three holes exactly where they needed to be. As it was, the band saw got used, the mill w/a flycutter cleaned the cut up nicely, and the mill made the holes exactly where they needed to be. But, I will have to admit that the steel was tough. Not sure what it was, but it was quite hard. Having said all that, I did drive Big Blue a couple of days ago and forgot to report the defugelties: The passenger's door didn't want to unlock. David/1986F150Six told me that the problem is usually bent linkage in the door. Great. The HVAC system didn't want to change where the air was being directed. In fact, I'm not sure where it was being directed. The fan was running but there was little air coming out anywhere. The lurking disconnect between the ignition switch and the solenoid showed his ugly head again. Jumping the battery to the solenoid make quick work of starting the engine. (This time I remembered to leave the key ON.) But, it is a pain, and somewhat embarrasing, to have to lift the hood to start the truck.

Kramttocs - Not sure what pics we might need, but I'll get back w/you when we do. All - We have a new brochure, the 1986 Accessories one. And, on Page 10 is the step we discussed recently. The brochure has been scanned at 600 dpi into multiple pdf's, then merged into one pdf, and then the file size reduced from 450 Mb to 10 Mb. It still looks very good to me when I view the file, but not so good off the website. So, I'd appreciate your feedback. It is available via Literature/1986 Literature.

Just the 300's between the years of 80 on up in to the 90's as that is what I may end up with to make fit my truck. I would think any V8 trucks would have a larger fan so a bigger opening. I went back to your part numbers page to see if I could tell fan size but did not see any for fans. I see them for the clutch & spacer but no fans, and I don't know if it will give the size? Dave ---- Dave - Have you had your eyes examined lately? The fan sizes are right there on the Cooling Fan #'s & Illustrations page. Seriously, why didn't you tell me of my omission? There was even a header in there for the part numbers, but I'd left them out. They are there now, but if you need anything else please let me know.

Are you asking for measurements for just any shroud, or specific shrouds, like the ones for a 300?

That's a really good question. I'll see if the shop manual shows. The illustrations don't: Driveline/Transmissions/Automatic/C6.

Welcome!!! If I were to be reincarnated I'd want to go into auto restoration as a career. But, I think I'll just be happy to be retired. Anyway, glad you are here!

Yes, the thing under the dash is the speed control box. As for C915, check Page 72: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/exterior-lamps1.html. It goes to side marker lamps. Maybe you don't have them? On the ground wire, I think that the EFI system used a leg off the engine/firewall ground, but I'm not finding it.

You think I should write a book? ME? That's a huge undertaking, and one I'd never, ever thought of. Hmmm, we'd (get that "we"?) need lots of pics, but they can't be from the brochures w/o Ford's approval. And that would be hard to get I'd imagine. How 'bout we just do a really good job on the Year-To-Year Differences page? I'm not selling anything or charging fees so Ford may not protest over the use of some pics from brochures. And, as we start fleshing out the differences we'll be able to update the page, which is something you can't easily do w/a book.

Ray's a great guy, isn't he?! He's certainly helped me out. As for the coffee, I think it is excellent. Drinking a cup right now - Starbucks Verona from my Keurig. Come on down and I'll buy. Seriously though, you and Ray should come to the 2019 Garagemahal Ford Show & Swap Meet. It looks to be next Sept 14th.

I've looked at a bunch of books on Ford trucks, and even have one or two. But none of them do anything for the Bullnose ones. In fact, some of them leave them out.

The EVTM is the way to go for wiring. And I think you'll find that the connector would have been for the Throttle Kicker Module on Page 52: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/carburetor-circuits.html