Truck Updates

I joined the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum and posted about my stalling issues. It was suggested that I might have a problem with the Fuel Pressure Regulator or ignition coil. The fuel filter fix didn’t stop the problem but the engine definitely runs better. The garage I usually go to told me, “if you don’t have a fault code or a check engine light, I can’t help you.” That’s when I went to the new place and told them to put in a new fuel filter, hoping that would solve the problem. While they were under the car they told me I needed new upper and lower ball joints (true) and a new distributor cap and rotor (not true–these were just replaced.) This didn’t instill trust in me.

So, I went to yet another new place (name withheld) and talked in person to one of the guys there and they agreed to take in the truck for a couple of days and see if they can track down the problem. He didn’t feel that it was fuel related, but rather electrical in nature, which hopefully won’t cost much to fix and will be easy to diagnose.

In the meantime, I did some cosmetic work this weekend, replacing a burned out reverse light, polishing up some chrome and trying a new product called Wipe Clean that restores the look of the interior plastic dash and trim. It worked pretty good, eliminating some discoloration and scratches, as well as some sun fading.

I also melted off the old rearview mirror button and installed a new one to attach the new mirror to. This worked great and now I have a fully functioning rearview mirror. I still need to find out how I can fix the slider window, as it does not seal properly and no longer has the locking mechanism. Might be worth a call to an auto glass place.

This coming Tuesday I’m dropping Old Blue off at the new garage to have them diagnose (hopefully) the stalling issue. Oh yeah, and lastly, I took out the old bed liner that didn’t fit right. After getting it out, I found a tag that said it was for a Ford F250-350 model year 1995 or newer. No wonder it didn’t fit. I hacked it up into little pieces with my new reciprocating saw and will put it out with the trash. Luckily, underneath the liner the truck bed had been coated with bed liner and looks pretty good.

The Project Truck

Bought a 1987 Ford F150 pickup truck with a 5.0 liter fuel injected V-8 302 engine and started to fix it up. So far I’ve:

1. Replaced the broken manual window cranks.
2. Washed the entire thing.
3. Armor All’d the dash and some of the exterior vinyl.
4. Replaced the hazy rearview mirror.
5. Windexed the inside of the windshield.
6. Pulled the old plastic bed liner.
7. Removed the top clamps that were on it for the truck camper.
8. Put in new floor mats and a cup holder/organizer on the floor.
9. Had M&W Tire put a new fuel filter on it for me.

Everything runs great except it was stalling occasionally. I’ve put premium gas in it and also ran STP fuel line cleaner and fuel injector cleaner through it to see if that helps. The new fuel filter should alleviate the stalling issue also. If not, I’ll have to do some more troubleshooting.

While it was at M&W they let me know that it needed new upper and lower ball joints, a distributor cap and rotor, plugs and new plug wires, as well as a new valve cover gasket. I’ll try to tackle the tune-up items myself as I have time and update the progress here.