Hey guys, I'm a little new here, but after much searching, I found me a 1991 F-350 with the 7.3 idi and the 5 sp manual. The engine itself seems to be in good working order (except the glow plugs, but I think that is just the controller since I do not hear them try to kick in at all.) The first problem that I have with it is the speedometer, it works, but it doesn't show the right speed (always shows higher than what I am actually going.) Are there any known problems to look after that would cause it to be off on the speed?

The other problems, I will have to tear into the truck a little to see what is going on, like the brakes not working right (only the back driver engages, I know the back passenger is clogged because it wouldn't bleed, and not sure about the front yet.) Other than that, I just need to chase and hook back up some electrical wires for little things like the running lights, or some off road lights that aren't hooked up right this second, re-pad the seat and a few small things. I will try to get a picture of it later though as I know how much everyone likes to see new toys. Thanks guys!

 

The gear on the end of the speedometer cable that goes into the transmission is not the right one, I'm assuming that you are not longer running stock tire size aswell

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The connector for running lights on the light switch is on the driver kickpanel, it's a 2 connector with a brown I believe and black wire. Didn't really pay attention to when I installed mine haha I was in a rush

There should be a proportioning valve on the inner rail of the frame on the driver side right under the seat. It will have the break likes connected on it. Willing to bet if you take it off, and clean the **** out of it, your front breaks will work. And for the backs, are you sure the wheel cylinder hasn't gone out on you?

I'm looking to get new seats for my truck, I hear the nice leather POWER seats from the earlier jeep Cherokees will work for our trucks, with some miner modification to the driver seat Would be worth looking into

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I threw out my old GPR about 2 weeks ago, and had a solenoid/relay that could be used to replace the top unit. Had I saved it, I would have shipped it to you

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16 teeth - Wine- C0DZ-17271-A
17 teeth - White- C3DZ-17271-C
18 teeth - Yellow - C0DD-17271-B
19 teeth - Pink - C0DZ-17271-B
20 teeth - Black - C1DZ-17271-A
21 teeth - Red - C4OZ-17271-A
aprox $3 each at your local Ford dealer

First you need to search for a couple of numbers:
A) What is the axle gear ratio?
B) How many tire revolutions per mile? (Look on your tire manufacturers web site)

The formula for finding the correct speedo gear is:
drive gear x axle ratio x tire rev/mile ÷ 1000

Now since you say your truck is roughly mph off, lets say you have a 21 tooth in there right now but your truck calls for the 20 tooth, it would read 25 instead of the 20. Every gear size smaller is 6mph slower than the previous.

IE 21 tooth = 25 mph; 20 tooth = 20 mph

 

Thanks for that bit on the portioning valve I will check that out in a little bit. I am going to replace the master cylinder though first as I know it is going bad (it has a leak in it) so it may just be the front part of the master cylinder going out. I am going to pull both of the drums off on the rear tires soon, they may very well be worn out. I do now that i removed the bleeder valve completely on the back passenger tire, and couldn't get a drop to come out of it.

On the running lights meant to say the stock ones work good, but there are some on the running boards that didn't get connected, probably just have to splice them in.

For the tires, they are larger, but not a ton larger (235's instead of the 215's it calls for, would make the speedo show i was going slower if it was working right anyways.) I will probably wait on changing the speedo gear though, because I'm thinking about putting the 3.55 gear ratio in the back to give it a little better speed at the sacrifice of towing power, wont be too bad though as it has the granny gear.

Also, this may be normal for a large truck that old, but should there be slack in the steering wheel? It has about 5 degrees of turning that it can drift in without making the wheels turn. Already checked the U-joints, but haven't checked anything else yet. I can live with it, I'm just not used to it. Just sold my '03 wrangler and it was much much tighter, of course it was half the size too as my new to me dually (length and almost width :P.)

One last question (sorry for having so many.) My engine is naturally aspirated but I was wondering about putting a turbo on it for a little more power (would save me changing out the gear ratio too) I know it is hard on the engine because they weren't quite built the same, but I was thinking about putting a on/off switch in the cab so it wouldn't run all the time, just when I needed a little more power like going down the interstate)

On the seats, I really just need new padding in it, they are in great condition otherwise, but If I had enough money, apparently the king ranch seats from the newer fords aren't terrible to install (a little fab work required, but nothing major.

here are a couple of pictures by the way:

http://s770.photobucket.com/user/zack_thompson1/library/

Thanks again!!

 

3.55 will definately help with fuel mileage as well, would be a great investment. I would put the turbo on, without ever looking back. One of the best things you could ever do with these engines. I wouldn't worry about it hurting you unless you're going to run 20lbs of boost up a 8% grade, at -2000 feet for a LONG TIME. These engines are built to work, they could almost live through a couple marbles down the intake. I would stud the head just for the peace of mine, and so my original headgaskets, stay the original headgaskets.

I would even begin to complain if mine only had 5 DEGREES of play in the steering, I have 5 1/4 INCH of play in my steering wheel lmao, I've replaced everything with the steering components short of the column which I know is good, and the gear box which is supposedly a common problem on these trucks. The replacements that are made are usually long lasting, and don't cost terribly much at $150 from the local Autozone. Will be the next thing on my truck to do once I finish painting it.

Adding a turbo is fairly simple, just need the intake hat, turbo obviously, crossover pipe, exhaust of your choosing (preferably get a 3" down pipe with 3.5 - 4 out, anything bigger is just for sound affects), Oil fittings and lines, valve covers due to CDR valve relocation, homemade ram air intake , and the glowplug harness of a turboed IDI ( don't remember if it's required but would just make things easier)

That's a gorgeous looking truck, Way better than mine! you can look at mine if you click the little photo album box next to my forums statistics on this post.

 

So the steering is just something that comes with those trucks, if i find anything that will help tighten it up, I will let you know. I had actually just watched a video about you repainting your truck before I started this thread, too bad I don't have a paint gun or I would be doing that in the next couple weeks. Not in a big hurry to get it done though since the primer is still sticking good, and there's not any rust on it. The guy I bought it from said there was 270,000 on the clock, but i don't think there are that many miles on it, maybe 170,000.

By the time I end up doing what I want to this truck I will have a like new truck for the 4000-5000 dollar range, only paid $1700 for it yesterday, a steal in my book. Even came with a good tool box, and auxiliary tank with built in pump that goes straight to one of the tanks (not sure which on yet) my plans include, to fix the problems that i have with it: seat, brakes, get two more tires (put 4 in the back for $830 ) get my lights all running right, restuff my drivers seat, make a new door handle on the driver door (the inside one) out of wood and refinish the console, repaint it at some point, should be able to find someone to do it for a decent price if i do the prep, eventually do the gear ratio and turbo (not a big deal though since it drives fine) and put in one of those pop out touch screen radios and a back up camera.

 

Ah now you're going all high tech aha.

 

too bad that high tech stuff is some of the cheaper things to add on...

 

I got my hvlp from harbor freight for $20 and it can easily be painted in a weekend. Sadly my weekends consist of laying 200 sq/ft and building 45 foot retaining wall with a fireplace, building a grill, just got the pool put in, and working on a dog run. House chores come before they toys

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That's true