Johannes250

[Johan Janse]

Hello all,
For a year I have a 1985 F Ford 250 with a 460 engine.
I like big cars because everything is very small in the Netherlands.
My truck was still in California last year and I think it is still completely original.
I would like to learn from experienced FTE members how best to maintain the truck.
I'm also curious what your advice would be with regard to my truck: keep it as original as possible or modernize it.
Modern carburetor, air filter, ignition and so on.
Now and then I drive on dirt roads but I also just like to tour with it.
The most important thing for me is that my Ford always works and continues to do.
I am also curious where I can find the parts.
At the moment I am still looking for suitable Bold Fender Flares and I wonder if these might also be standard so that those of a Dodge Ram also fit? (you see that a lot here)
I'm curious about your reactions.

Regards and greetings,

From The Netherlands

[Gary Lewis]

Welcome!  Glad you joined!  

I’ll reply more later as I can’t now, but would you like to be on our map?  You can see it at Bullnose Forum/Member’s Map in the menu and you’ll see there are others in your area.

As for FTE members, you want help from Bullnose Forum members. Right?  

[grumpin]

Welcome!

[Gary Lewis]

Ok, now I can comment further.

First, what part of the Netherlands are you in?  We spent several days there many years ago and loved it.  And I traveled there several times on business from the UK when we lived there, so have some familiarity with your country.

Speaking of living in the UK, I saw several full-sized American trucks on the B roads there and the trucks looked enormous!  And in the car parks they usually took up two stalls.  So your Supercab w/a bed cap has to look like a monster to them.  

As for what to do to your truck, I vote for keeping it mainly stock.  However, what does the law there allow with regard to the emissions system?  I ask, because if you have a stock California truck it should have the max amount of emissions stuff Ford put on one.  It is a complex setup with a myriad of vacuum lines, thermal switches, relays, and even two smog pumps.  When it works correctly it'll work great, but it'll take some effort to keep it working correctly.

If the law requires you to keep all the stuff on it and pass inspections then you don't have much choice but to keep it stock.  However, if not then you could consider making it a bit more simple.  Still, if it is working correctly now I'd keep it stock as you aren't going to get much, if any, better MPG by making changes to the engine.

On the other hand, if you drive it long distances you could consider going with a ZF5 if you have a manual transmission as that would give you overdrive.  Or installing a Gear Vendors or somesuch behind the transmission if you have an auto.  Either way it'll slow the engine down and improve your MPG a bit.