Mwilliamshs
Explorer
Posted in the Central America Trip Planning Subforum
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...erica-1989-Ford-Van-2wd?p=1635145#post1635145
I have a pretty new to me van, with an entirely new to me engine. The motor's not new (guessing about 150k, odometer is only 7 digits) but I've never had a 300 before. It runs very well and quietly. Had a no-start the other day and I've traced it to one or both fuel pumps. I bought the van for local camping/dirt-bike hauling and stuff but now there's a new adventure on my mind...I'm contemplating a road trip through Central America that'll last about 25,000 miles or so. Taking my 1989 E-150 4.9L. I do plan to keep up with routine maintenance on the road, such as oil changes, air filter (especially), etc but really hope to avoid any major repairs while out of the country. Given the 300's storied past of running forever (despite neglect), and the fact that it's used in a lot of agricultural and industrial applications, I like my chances. Parts might even be plentiful down south? I know I've seen lots of F150s of the right years pre-96 in Mexico but maybe the 4.9 isn't popular though I suspect it would be. Same goes for the C6 auto, the kingpin front axle (no balljoints to fail), etc. These old rigs seem very durable!
I would appreciate suggestions on maintenance/repair items, or 300-specific specialty tools from those more familiar with the roads down south or the engine itself, but anybody who's made or is planning a similar trip is more than welcome to chime in!
Here's what I plan to do proactively:
Fresh battery. All cables, connections, etc will be inspected, tuned up, etc.
New/rebuilt fuel injectors. (been sitting, got a leaker)
Fresh injector and fuel line O-rings.
New fuel pump(s) [replace both probably, got at least one dead one at present, due to sitting]
Fresh Fuel Filter (probably change a couple times before leaving, in the first couple tanks, to flush the system out from all the sitting)
Any opinions on adding an extra fuel filter in-line?
I'll also carry a marine-style filtering funnel to fill up with, they separate water too.
http://www.mrfunnel.com/Mr._Funnel/Home.html
Probably just use it to check the first couple gallons at questionable stations, and decide whether to pre-filter everything or not based on that.
Fresh cleaning of EGR, maybe a new diaphragm
Fresh pushrod cover gasket (it's moist but not leaking)
Fresh valve-cover gasket. Gonna pull it anyway for an inspection.
Fresh oil pan gasket. Gonna pull it anyway for an inspection.
New all-metal timing gears. (no failure-prone fiber gears here, noise be damned)
Fresh timing gear cover gasket (obviously).
New serpentine belt (and a spare, maybe 2)
New belt tensioner (keep the existing as a spare, give it new bearings too)
New motor mounts.
New transmission mount.
Maybe a new water pump with old one as a spare too...can't decide.
Fresh vacuum hoses.
Fresh radiator/heater hoses, keep old ones as spares.
See if I can figure out how to lube/inspect the wiper motor and linkage.
Fresh wiper blades and a pair of spares.
Full service of brakes, new pads/shoes, hardware, etc. Spare of set of pads and shoes too probably. Guessing the slow travel/rough roads and environment of dust/dirt wear them faster down south.
Have the starter and alternator both tested by real alternator/starter shop, not a parts-chain. They'll check bearings and brushes and stuff too, not just current. Rebuild/replace as necessary.
Obviously fresh engine oil and filter.
Fresh coolant. Maybe a filter due to van sitting.
Professional radiator flush, followed by pressure test, and possible replacement. I'd rather keep the all metal rad than replace with a plastic tank version.
Flush power steering fluid.
Transmission filter and fluid change. Adding a temp gauge and if it seems even remotely useful, an auxiliary cooler.
Maybe an extra trans filter too, depends on what the pan and filter look like now.
Fresh differential fluid, synthetic probably.
Real close check of u-joints and if they're not name-brand or grease-able, they will be replaced with some that are, to be re-greased maybe 2x on the whole trip, if I remember lol.
Close inspection of driveshaft carrier bearing, replacing if questionable.
Front-end inspection and lube-job, any questionable bushings or tie-rod ends, etc will be replaced.
Might go ahead with a king-pin rebuild, depends on how they look.
Fresh grease in all the wheel-bearings.
Fresh shocks.
Depending on budget/time I might swap axles and springs to those of a E-350, as well as tires and wheels obviously.
Fresh tires, including spare, and will do 5 wheel rotations on the trip.
12V air compressor, not a cheapy. Will be airing tires up and down quite a bit I'm sure.
I'm not making a tool list yet, but are there any specialty tools you'd take for a 300? I'm sure I'll have this pretty much nailed down after all the maintenance.
I've posted engine-specific questions on a very active, 300/4.9L specific forum and expect all the engine specific questions to be answered there shortly.
So, what'd I miss? These are not all of my planned van mods (adding recovery points, etc) this is all just mechanical prep related. Thanks!
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...erica-1989-Ford-Van-2wd?p=1635145#post1635145
I have a pretty new to me van, with an entirely new to me engine. The motor's not new (guessing about 150k, odometer is only 7 digits) but I've never had a 300 before. It runs very well and quietly. Had a no-start the other day and I've traced it to one or both fuel pumps. I bought the van for local camping/dirt-bike hauling and stuff but now there's a new adventure on my mind...I'm contemplating a road trip through Central America that'll last about 25,000 miles or so. Taking my 1989 E-150 4.9L. I do plan to keep up with routine maintenance on the road, such as oil changes, air filter (especially), etc but really hope to avoid any major repairs while out of the country. Given the 300's storied past of running forever (despite neglect), and the fact that it's used in a lot of agricultural and industrial applications, I like my chances. Parts might even be plentiful down south? I know I've seen lots of F150s of the right years pre-96 in Mexico but maybe the 4.9 isn't popular though I suspect it would be. Same goes for the C6 auto, the kingpin front axle (no balljoints to fail), etc. These old rigs seem very durable!
I would appreciate suggestions on maintenance/repair items, or 300-specific specialty tools from those more familiar with the roads down south or the engine itself, but anybody who's made or is planning a similar trip is more than welcome to chime in!
Here's what I plan to do proactively:
Fresh battery. All cables, connections, etc will be inspected, tuned up, etc.
New/rebuilt fuel injectors. (been sitting, got a leaker)
Fresh injector and fuel line O-rings.
New fuel pump(s) [replace both probably, got at least one dead one at present, due to sitting]
Fresh Fuel Filter (probably change a couple times before leaving, in the first couple tanks, to flush the system out from all the sitting)
Any opinions on adding an extra fuel filter in-line?
I'll also carry a marine-style filtering funnel to fill up with, they separate water too.
http://www.mrfunnel.com/Mr._Funnel/Home.html
Probably just use it to check the first couple gallons at questionable stations, and decide whether to pre-filter everything or not based on that.
Fresh cleaning of EGR, maybe a new diaphragm
Fresh pushrod cover gasket (it's moist but not leaking)
Fresh valve-cover gasket. Gonna pull it anyway for an inspection.
Fresh oil pan gasket. Gonna pull it anyway for an inspection.
New all-metal timing gears. (no failure-prone fiber gears here, noise be damned)
Fresh timing gear cover gasket (obviously).
New serpentine belt (and a spare, maybe 2)
New belt tensioner (keep the existing as a spare, give it new bearings too)
New motor mounts.
New transmission mount.
Maybe a new water pump with old one as a spare too...can't decide.
Fresh vacuum hoses.
Fresh radiator/heater hoses, keep old ones as spares.
See if I can figure out how to lube/inspect the wiper motor and linkage.
Fresh wiper blades and a pair of spares.
Full service of brakes, new pads/shoes, hardware, etc. Spare of set of pads and shoes too probably. Guessing the slow travel/rough roads and environment of dust/dirt wear them faster down south.
Have the starter and alternator both tested by real alternator/starter shop, not a parts-chain. They'll check bearings and brushes and stuff too, not just current. Rebuild/replace as necessary.
Obviously fresh engine oil and filter.
Fresh coolant. Maybe a filter due to van sitting.
Professional radiator flush, followed by pressure test, and possible replacement. I'd rather keep the all metal rad than replace with a plastic tank version.
Flush power steering fluid.
Transmission filter and fluid change. Adding a temp gauge and if it seems even remotely useful, an auxiliary cooler.
Maybe an extra trans filter too, depends on what the pan and filter look like now.
Fresh differential fluid, synthetic probably.
Real close check of u-joints and if they're not name-brand or grease-able, they will be replaced with some that are, to be re-greased maybe 2x on the whole trip, if I remember lol.
Close inspection of driveshaft carrier bearing, replacing if questionable.
Front-end inspection and lube-job, any questionable bushings or tie-rod ends, etc will be replaced.
Might go ahead with a king-pin rebuild, depends on how they look.
Fresh grease in all the wheel-bearings.
Fresh shocks.
Depending on budget/time I might swap axles and springs to those of a E-350, as well as tires and wheels obviously.
Fresh tires, including spare, and will do 5 wheel rotations on the trip.
12V air compressor, not a cheapy. Will be airing tires up and down quite a bit I'm sure.
I'm not making a tool list yet, but are there any specialty tools you'd take for a 300? I'm sure I'll have this pretty much nailed down after all the maintenance.
I've posted engine-specific questions on a very active, 300/4.9L specific forum and expect all the engine specific questions to be answered there shortly.
So, what'd I miss? These are not all of my planned van mods (adding recovery points, etc) this is all just mechanical prep related. Thanks!
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