1985 4x4 Econoline - Road Trip Prep!

[phishsihp]

Hey gang... I'm new here but have been lurking for awhile. We just got a 1985 1 ton ford exonoline 4x4 van that we plan on turning into a mobile living space. It's got the huge big block engine - 460 7.5l v8 that's carbureted.

So before we get to working on the interior... what are some things mechanically that should be looked at? I would like to do a full tune up in this bad boy but not sure where to start... I come from the jeep community with the straight 6. So, a little different.

I have pictures but not sure how to post while I'm on my phone. Will jump on the computer in a bit and upload some pics. Anyways, where would you recommend starting?

Edit: Picture now!

 

[Pntyrmvr]

How many miles? Oil burning? Major leaks? AC working? Whose 4x4 conversion?


"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."

 

[Wood Kutter]

I love those beasts, but you're going to hate the MPG's ,or lack there of.

 

[phishsihp]

How many miles? Oil burning? Major leaks? AC working? Whose 4x4 conversion?

Well... It's actually got pretty low mileage. 132,000 on a 1985 I believe is not bad... Dosen't seem to burn oil, smelled fine driving it the 8 hours back to our house after we picked it up a few weeks ago. Don't believe there is any major leaks. The AC does not work but the heat will burn you right out! We failed smog the first time because the ignition timing was out of whack by like 14 degrees. Had the mechanic set it back to top dead center and we're good to go. Smog pass and we're ready to register her in our name!

As for the 4x4 conversion, we actually don't know who did the conversion. Is there a label or something somewhere we should be able to find out who did the conversion?

 

[phishsihp]

I love those beasts, but you're going to hate the MPG's ,or lack there of.

I noticed how great of MPG's we were getting on the long ride home... NOT! We plan to drive this thing across the country too. Are we crazy? LOL

 

[Pntyrmvr]

Most conversions have a label in the driver's door jamb.

The timing was likely advanced to aid in gas mileage. Starting the fire early helps it. Hurts emissions though. Old setups were "power timed" by advancing timing until pinging was noticed then backed off slightly. It was worth a few mpg in my old stuff.

How about an engine and trans swap to a modern FI V8 with an overdrive transmission. Most newer setups will put out more power and torque than that old 460. OD will certainly help mileage.


"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."

 

[calicamper]

The ford starter in those is an odd ball design. Ours caught the POS battery cable on fire a couple of times. I just read that a kid discovered the modern Taurus starter is a direct swap and a big upgrade minus the fire and cooked pos cables.

Be sure to drain/fill the AT old fluid led to slipping and failed AT in those beasts.
They were sold stock with a 4x4 option. My dad almost bought the 4x4 diesel E250. But the dealer wouldn't deal on the price. So he got the 351 Windsor 2wd. We beat the hell out of that thing. The front doors bow out after a while due to the huge suction / pressure at highway speeds on the doors.

There is a steering kit that helps with the otherwise lousy loose steering but we never bothered with it. We junked it at 300K mainly due to damage from a theft attempt. The old 351 still ran. 6-8mpg was the norm regardless if we were towing the 4000LB boat or not.

 

[calicamper]

Almost forgot. The only tow we had was due to an odd ball relay in the ignition circuit blew during a road trip. Dead as dead can be. Was a real head scratcher the fix was easy but it took a Ford tech to figure it out.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

...How about an engine and trans swap to a modern FI V8 with an overdrive transmission. Most newer setups will put out more power and torque than that old 460. OD will certainly help mileage...

There's an "optimal US road trip" floating around the Internet that takes you to all 50 states, all the major sights, etc. It's a 13,699 mile loop. It's at http://www.randalolson.com/2015/03/08/computing-the-optimal-road-trip-across-the-u-s/.

Let's say the OP took that trip, as is, getting say...8 mpg and fuel cost...$2. That's just under $3,425 in fuel. Okay let's say the OP swaps engine and transmission and gets his mileage way way unbelievably high up to 16 mpg. That trip'll take just under $1,713. A savings of $1,713. That's not much money compared to the cost of a new drivetrain. That's not even much money compared to a new transmission, or a donor truck on Craigslist, or even an EFI setup for the existing drivetrain. Assuming the OP is capable of swapping drivetrains himself and has the tools, $1,713 isn't much money compared to even the time involved, much less the labor. Better IMO to tune what he's got real well and run with it.

OP, research 460 Ford retarded timing sets. Watch CL for BBF headers, an aluminum intake manifold like an Edelbrock performer, a wide-band O2 monitor, an Edelbrock carb (highly evolved quadrajet) and learn about aero mods for mpg. Ecomodder is a good forum.

 

[calicamper]

He wont get 16mpg in a 85 boxy brick nose van. Even a brand new engine he might see 14mpg with a tail wind at 60mph.

 

[calicamper]

Carry two extra POS cables and a fire extinguisher. Its due to the goofy starter motor design Ford had in that era.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

The ford starter in those is an odd ball design...

Nah, it's just like every other big DC motor driving a gear directly with no mechanical advantage. Inefficient and prone to running hot.

...I just read that a kid discovered the modern Taurus starter is a direct swap and a big upgrade minus the fire and cooked pos cables....

The OE starter from a 1993 or newer 460 application is a big upgrade as they're Permanent Magnet motors with a Gear Reduction. PMGR for short. No idea about something from a v6 fitting a BBF. Good PMGR, good cables, good connections, problem solved.

Be sure to drain/fill the AT old fluid led to slipping and failed AT in those beasts...

If the fluid is dirty or burnt or contaminated, change it. Otherwise, just check it occasionally.

...They were sold stock with a 4x4 option...

No, they weren't.

...My dad almost bought the 4x4 diesel E250....

Must've been a Quigley, Clydesdale, Pathfinder, Sportsmobile, etc, etc, etc conversion.

The front doors bow out after a while due to the huge suction / pressure at highway speeds on the doors...

Never heard of that

There is a steering kit that helps with the otherwise lousy loose steering but we never bothered with it...

Never heard of that either, except a steering dampener? Being 4wd, the OP's van will have entirely different linkage than the 2wd you are familiar with

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Carry two extra POS cables and a fire extinguisher. Its due to the goofy starter motor design Ford had in that era.

Electrical fires are caused by heat or a short. Heat is resistance, get a bigger cable. A short is an unisulated contact between positive and ground. Use good insulation. Starters do not cause fires.

 

[KeyserSoSay]

I've got a similar rig, 1983 E350, but with a 351w carberated. I've only had it a few months now, but vans of that era are infamous for poor airflow due to the confined engine compartment and I've already noticed my temperature will climb when pulling a good uphill. I only mention this because of the spare tire you have mounted in front of the radiator, I'd considered something similar but am leary of it the more I get to know this rig.

Just something to keep an eye on and digest before you head out across America :1888fbbd:

Just an observation on the age of the truck- what these guys are telling you about the cables is good advice, I just went through and replaced all my cables with new 2guage, and insulated them with Kevlar sleeves. I also replaced a bad coil but while I was at it replaced the ignition control box, and starter selenoid and kept the old for spares - I've just dealt with enough 80's model Fords to know that was a good idea and cheap insurance. I haven't done it yet, but the dual tank selection unit (probably not what it's called) is also a good part to replace and keep for spare, unless it's already broke and you're running one tank.

Also, my rig has a metal tag on the doghouse indicating it's a Pathfinder conversion. Can't exactly tell by your pic but your truck seems like it's got leaf spring front suspension- if it's a radius arm suspension it's a good chance it's a Pathfinder if done in the early 1980's just because they did a lot of them in that era.

 

[Corneilius]

Im a sucker for a front mount spare tire:ylsmoke: