Another "Big Blue" - '86 F350 4x4 7.5L 460

[spike_time]

Hi all ... figured I would start my thread for what I'm trying to do with my "new to me" 1986 F350 4x4 XLT Lariat with a 7.5l 460. California Emissions.

 

My dad had, what we believe, was an 86 F350 that he used to tow a 5th wheel. I have found memories of driving that truck to school when my Chevy Chevette was in the shop, which happened a lot.

 

The truck lived in the desert for most of its life, on or around Edwards Air force Base, with a stint in Kansas. I have identified at lest 4 previous owners, from the included paper, not including the nice German man from which I bought Big Blue. The seller usually exports classic cars to Germany and he picked this up to work on himself, but just didn't have the time.

 

Living in CA, I had to get him smogged, and needless to say, that is a bit of a challenge. The truck went unused starting in 2007, when it couldn't pass multiple smog tests. The German got it running, but didn't spend any effort getting it smogged.

 

The seller ran into some serious problems with the fuel system, specifically the Aux tank valve. He had removed the mid-ship tank trying to figure out what was wrong. He had also dismantled the tank valve. So, when I drove it home it was leaking gas everywhere. Plus, found when I went to fill the rear tank, gas leaked out of a cracked filler hose.

 

I did get him smogged, just waiting on DMV to confirm.

Here is what I've done in the past 3 weeks.

Fuel System

1. Replaced the gas fill hose on the rear tank.
2. Replaced the tank switch valve
3. Replaced the tank switch valve wiring harness
4. Put the mid-tank back in place
5. Put the mid-tank skid plate back in place

Body

1. Replaced hood latch cable
2. Replaced door window felt tracks
3. Replaced outer door window sweep 
4. Replaced inner door window sweep
5. Attached door panels with new clips
6. Replaced lock striker

Engine

1. Had the carburetor rebuilt
2. Replaced plugs
3. Replaced wires
4. Replaced rotter
5. Replaced cap
6. Replaced coil
7. Replaced/fixed vacuum tubs
8. Replaced harmonic balancer
9. Replaced belts
10. Replaced EGR valve
11. Installed an air-filter

Interior

1. Fixed the antenna on the radio
2. Fixed turn signal
3. Replaced steering wheel cap
4. Replaced the ignition key
5. Replaced the wiper & headlight knobs
6. Replaced the flasher
7. Replaced all of the dash lights with LEDs
8. Replaced convents lights
9. Replaced glovebox light
10. Cleaned everything inside, including inside of dash

[ArdWrknTrk]

That's a mighty big list! 👀

Are you enjoying the truck now that you've worked the bugs out?

[Gary Lewis]

That's a mighty big list! 👀

Are you enjoying the truck now that you've worked the bugs out?

Yes, that IS a might big list. You've been busy!

Are you getting to drive it, or do you have to wait for the DMV's letter? And do you have more items on the list to do?

[spike_time]

Yes, that IS a might big list. You've been busy!

Are you getting to drive it, or do you have to wait for the DMV's letter? And do you have more items on the list to do?

I'm having to wait for the registration to go through, as the plates are expired, so I haven't driven him much.

As far as more to do, yes a full list of things.

Depending on weather, this weekend will be changing out the diff oil. And start the process of a radiator flush. If the weather holds, he is getting a polish, going to try and buff out the oxidation.

I do have some other oddities I'm trying to figure out, I'll post those shortly for help.

[spike_time]

Here is my first Question I need a little help with.

I've gone through the Emissions and tried to decode all of the pictographs to get everything correctly connected, but it does get a bit difficult when something has multiple connections and which one goes where.

The one I'm stuck on is on the Carburetor. Below is the Emissions Vacuum hose routing, but I seem to have an "extra" connection on my Carb that I don't know where it goes.

From the Ford Service manual for 1986, I've found this reference, but doesn't tell me where it goes and I don't see a connection between the Carb and the EGR directly on the Emissions diagram.

I saw reference on https://www.ford-trucks.com/ at one point that talked about how to connect a Carb, as someone didn't have any connections. The problem was their statement for the "EGR port"(they didn't call it that) was just cap it. Not sure that's right, but I do not currently have any unused vacuum tubes that I can tell?

[Gary Lewis]

Here is my first Question I need a little help with.

I've gone through the Emissions and tried to decode all of the pictographs to get everything correctly connected, but it does get a bit difficult when something has multiple connections and which one goes where.

The one I'm stuck on is on the Carburetor. Below is the Emissions Vacuum hose routing, but I seem to have an "extra" connection on my Carb that I don't know where it goes.

From the Ford Service manual for 1986, I've found this reference, but doesn't tell me where it goes and I don't see a connection between the Carb and the EGR directly on the Emissions diagram.

I saw reference on https://www.ford-trucks.com/ at one point that talked about how to connect a Carb, as someone didn't have any connections. The problem was their statement for the "EGR port"(they didn't call it that) was just cap it. Not sure that's right, but I do not currently have any unused vacuum tubes that I can tell?

I don't know what "EGR Tube" means, nor how it is used. I'm wondering if Bill does, so I'm going to tag him for help.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Here is my first Question I need a little help with.

I've gone through the Emissions and tried to decode all of the pictographs to get everything correctly connected, but it does get a bit difficult when something has multiple connections and which one goes where.

The one I'm stuck on is on the Carburetor. Below is the Emissions Vacuum hose routing, but I seem to have an "extra" connection on my Carb that I don't know where it goes.

From the Ford Service manual for 1986, I've found this reference, but doesn't tell me where it goes and I don't see a connection between the Carb and the EGR directly on the Emissions diagram.

I saw reference on https://www.ford-trucks.com/ at one point that talked about how to connect a Carb, as someone didn't have any connections. The problem was their statement for the "EGR port"(they didn't call it that) was just cap it. Not sure that's right, but I do not currently have any unused vacuum tubes that I can tell?

The 'E'missions port, tube or connection of the 4180 is similar to timed vacuum, in that it has no vacuum at idle.

And you can see the thermal vacuum valve won't open until the engine coolant is fully warm.

You also see 'S'park port is not used to control distributor advance from the factory.

Just a choice of restricted or full manifold vacuum.

[85lebaront2]

I don't know what "EGR Tube" means, nor how it is used. I'm wondering if Bill does, so I'm going to tag him for help.

The EGR tube is the signal for the EGR valve from the carburetor, and you definitely have a can of worms with these engines. Be glad you do have the diagram, as the ones I have are simply black and white. The original plastic vacuum lines were color coded as the diagram reflects. I do have the 1986 Engine/Emission diagnosis manual, Volume H, all 1 1/4" thick of it.

One area to watch out for, on the group of vacuum lines running down the inner side of the right (passenger) side valve cover, near the center they run over the exhaust cross over passage and can actually burn through from the heat. I assume yours has the dual air pumps and all the affiliated clutter on top of the engine.

[ArdWrknTrk]

The EGR tube is the signal for the EGR valve from the carburetor, and you definitely have a can of worms with these engines. Be glad you do have the diagram, as the ones I have are simply black and white. The original plastic vacuum lines were color coded as the diagram reflects. I do have the 1986 Engine/Emission diagnosis manual, Volume H, all 1 1/4" thick of it.

One area to watch out for, on the group of vacuum lines running down the inner side of the right (passenger) side valve cover, near the center they run over the exhaust cross over passage and can actually burn through from the heat. I assume yours has the dual air pumps and all the affiliated clutter on top of the engine.

100% will confirm the crossover -or- the EGR plate gasket letting go at the 'ear' will melt through this bundle.

Wrapping the lot in foil faced insulation will prevent issues.

If this is a Cali truck, it definitely had dual smoke grinders in '86.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Here is my first Question I need a little help with.

I've gone through the Emissions and tried to decode all of the pictographs to get everything correctly connected, but it does get a bit difficult when something has multiple connections and which one goes where.

The one I'm stuck on is on the Carburetor. Below is the Emissions Vacuum hose routing, but I seem to have an "extra" connection on my Carb that I don't know where it goes.

From the Ford Service manual for 1986, I've found this reference, but doesn't tell me where it goes and I don't see a connection between the Carb and the EGR directly on the Emissions diagram.

I saw reference on https://www.ford-trucks.com/ at one point that talked about how to connect a Carb, as someone didn't have any connections. The problem was their statement for the "EGR port"(they didn't call it that) was just cap it. Not sure that's right, but I do not currently have any unused vacuum tubes that I can tell?

I notice the hot idle compensator is just above a '+' at the idle kicker solenoid.

Is there anything going on between these two?

Because I've never noticed. But I am about as far from CA as you can get in the contiguous states.