Issues With Big Blue!?!?!

[Gary Lewis]

Jonathan - I thought the 460 had a different crossmember than the "other" engines.  But, that's just what I've read.  And the reason for that was supposed to be due to the oil filter's location.  So, I really need to understand what crossmembers, meaning what years and engines, are correct for Big Blue as I think I am looking.

Headed out to the shop in a bit and I'll compare Jim's pic, above, to the crossmember on Dad's truck to see what I can figure out.  But, Brandon is coming over for some machine-shop time, so I need to get started...


Jim - I'm in full agreement: replace the material or replace the crossmember.  And in the interim install bolts where they should be.

But, if I can find a crossmember from which to "borrow" the material, then why not borrow the whole crossmember.  It'll be "right" and I will not have to worry about the welds nor whether having welded them in weakened things when I get Big Blue crossed up on a trail 1000 miles from home.

Folks, I hate to say it but I'm BUMMED!  What was to have been a fun project of upgrading the 460 to EFI and adding a ZF5 has become a needed project to replace a major suspension component.

[85lebaront2]

Shame of it is, the one in the "huck" was probably the same piece, or at least close enough. Since it is raining out there, maybe you can go through the parts fiches and see if there is a PN for the cross member, and if the 2WD and 4WD are different. With that information you should be able to find one , maybe from a total hit in the rear so the front isn't damaged.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I feel your pain Gary.

I know for sure that the 460 cross member has a hole in it so you can tighten the right angle filter adapter.

That would be an easy mod to any cross member with a hole saw or plasma cutter.

Again, let me know if there is a angle or dimension that you need.

[ArdWrknTrk]

.... I recall that my cross member was stamped '460' or '460 only' on the rear side.

I do not know if the bolt pattern for the perches is any different

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, I've already realized that Huck probably had the right floor as well as crossmember.  

But, before Brandon/Bruno2 gets here to play "machine shop" I'll do some cataloging to see if I can find part numbers for the crossmembers.

However, if there's a doubt about the Dad's crossmember being different from Big Blue's, see the pics below.  The one on the left is Jim's, which should be identical to Big Blue's.  The one on the right is Dad's.

Note that the 460 has two holes, presumably the one to the front is to tighten the bolts that Bill mentioned.  And, the 460's has a dent in the crossmember just ahead of the front hole.  That's to clear the oil filter.

But Dad's has only one hole and no dent, so it would not allow the oil filter to go on, and maybe not even the adapter that runs engine oil to the cooler.

[Gary Lewis]

Ok, here's the scoop.  And Jonathan was right.  

As you can see on the left, the engine crossmember has basic part # 5C139.  Then on the right a 1980-89, which is as far as the catalog goes, regular cab F250 has Parts List #7.  And on #7 you find that the part for a diesel or 7.5L is E8TZ 5C139-B.

And my next post will be determining which parts lists and, therefore, trucks used that part number......  

[Gary Lewis]

Uses of E8TZ 5C139-B:

#   Years     Mdl          4wd  Diesel/460  Leafs
4   1980-89 F150                      X            X  No F150 got the big engines so this is wrong.
6   1980-89 F250 SC     X          X            X
7   1980-89 F250 RC     X          X            X
8   1980-89 F350 133"  X          X            X  RCLB
9   1980-89 F350 136"  X          X            X  Chassis cab was 136.8"
10 1980-87 F350 160"  X          X            X  Chassis cab was 160.8"
13 1981-89 F150 SP     X          X                SP = Snow Plow.  But no F150 got the big engines so...
14 1983-89 F350 168"  X          X            X  Crew Cab
22 1988-89 F350 160"  X          X            X  Chassis cab was 160.8"
23 1988-89 F350 155"  X          X            X  SCLB

[Ray Cecil]

Wow. Thats a lot of different cross members. Gary, remember how Summit listed that header as 2WD only, but it works in my f150 fwd? Im guessing 4wd's with the larger cross members would NOT fit that header. Im pretty sure my cross member is no where near as beefy as the one for the 460 or IDI. Im guessing its basically the same as a f150 2wd.

[grumpin]

Do you still want me to take some pics Gary!

[Gary Lewis]

Grumpin - No thanks, I have what I need.

[1986F150Six]

Incorrect part [E8TZ-5C139-E], as this is to exclude Diesel and 460, but check the NOS price!!!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-OEM-87-92-F-350-Frame-Crossmember-E8TZ5C139E/323787544377?fits=Year%3A1992%7CModel%3AF-350%7CMake%3AFord&epid=1928428160&hash=item4b633dd739:g:UUIAAOSw8lpZNp4j

[FoxFord33]

I think they began counting and messed up.
I've bought most of my vehicles that I've owned for less than that.

[Gary Lewis]

Yipes!!!  As Steve said, you can get a whole vehicle for that!  

By the way, Steve, have you taken shelter????


All - Brandon is over and we've been instructed to Take Shelter NOW!

[1986F150Six]

You have a safe room in the garage! Prayer being lifted.

[salans7]

Gary Lewis wrote

Shaun - Apparently there are NO honest mechanics in your state.  Certainly Vernon found none.  Everything he had done was done so poorly as to be criminal.

Florida is absolutely terrible when it comes to society. The heavily populated cities are just the worst places to be. Alas, that is why I work on my own stuff.

Judging by the last post, I hope everybody is okay over there in Oz.

[85lebaront2]

You can keep your tornadoes out there with Dorothy

[85lebaront2]

Gary Lewis wrote

Uses of E8TZ 5C139-B:

#   Years     Mdl          4wd  Diesel/460  Leafs
4   1980-89 F150                      X            X  No F150 got the big engines so this is wrong.
6   1980-89 F250 SC     X          X            X
7   1980-89 F250 RC     X          X            X
8   1980-89 F350 133"  X          X            X  RCLB
9   1980-89 F350 136"  X          X            X  Chassis cab was 136.8"
10 1980-87 F350 160"  X          X            X  Chassis cab was 160.8"
13 1981-89 F150 SP     X          X                SP = Snow Plow.  But no F150 got the big engines so...
14 1983-89 F350 168"  X          X            X  Crew Cab
22 1988-89 F350 160"  X          X            X  Chassis cab was 160.8"
23 1988-89 F350 155"  X          X            X  SCLB

Gary, just one more thing (Columbo), does the list show a different one for a 2WD crew cab F350, no 1986 DRW crew cab came 4WD, so no leaf springs in front.

[FoxFord33]

I survived the sirens. I did see the funnel descend from the West doors of the shop! It changed its mind when it almost touched the ground.

Second round right now! (at least I'm at home for this one...)

[Gary Lewis]

Bill - I'll check later today.  Off to a meeting at church this morning (so we can meet with Steve, and other others, tonight), then to Wally World and then to Hitch 'N Post to get the frame liner instructions.  But, I hope to get back out to the shop mid-morning.

Steve - So, you were looking west, roughly toward our house, and saw the funnel???  Wonderful!  Brandon was over and we were machining, more of which later, and it was blowing and raining to beat the band.  Then everything got quiet, the neighbors came over and Janey came out, the sirens blew and we got the safe room ready.  Apparently it was close, but fortunately it decided to leave us alone.

[85lebaront2]

Did you ever check the crossmember information? You guys can keep your storms out there, past two Fridays have had severe storm warnings, this weekend it moved to Saturday.