New 1980 f250 4x4 owner

[Htex88]

Hey everyone, I've recently picked up a cheap 1980 f250 4x4 as a project in while I'm working/living in New Mexico. This is my first ford vehicle in a long time lol but have multiple chevy trucks and a 1974 Camaro. I plan on using this as a farm truck, hauler, and a lil off-roading on the weekends. It's in bad shape physically and electrically, but mechanically its fine because the previous owner had the motor rebuilt. It's got a cammed 351M with a t-18? manual, and a np205. I am currently working through the electrical gremlins caused by thieves and shotty repair jobs but have solved a few of the mysteries. I've also picked up a 400 motor for a couple hundred bucks, and plan to do some modifications of my own. I will have to upload a picture later

[Gary Lewis]

Welcome, Chris.  Glad you joined.

Would you like to be on our map?  You can see it at Bullnose Forum/Member's Map, and we just need a city or a zip.

The truck sounds like a good project.  And a built 351M can have some power, although the 400 will have more due to the 1/2" longer stroke if it is properly built.

Speaking of that, one problem with a 351M is that you can't find pistons that will give you much compression.  But Tim Meyer carries pistons for the 400 that will give you whatever CR you want.  And since the only difference between a 351M and a 400 is the crank and pistons, you can mix and match.

On the electrical problems, as we've discussed there are more differences between the wiring on an '80 and '81 than I was aware of.  So I've scanned the '80 EVTM and will see if I can get it on the site and let you know.

[Htex88]

Thanks Gary, and yes id like to be added to the map, santa fe, New Mexico.

I've noticed that, but have seen other people use 351C pistons in their 400's and might go that route, because it looks like tmeyer only has oversized pistons.

Thank you so much for your help

[Gary Lewis]

Chris - You are now on the map.

And, we now have the 1980 EVTM on the site at Documentation/Electrical/EVTM/1980 EVTM.  However, this was done in a more quick and dirty fashion than the others as instead of pictures of pages I put on the OCR'd pdf in one go.

Given that, you can search the EVTM.  For instance, you said you have an O/LB wire you can't find.  I just did a search and found several of them.

You can do a search by going to the bottom of the page where I've circled the Full Screen icon in red on the screen grab below and clicking on it.  That will open the document in another page and you can then search it, although where Search is depends on the browser, with some placing it in the three dots...

Also, note that there's a blue rectangle, which is a hot link to whatever is inside of it.  So right now if you want to go to A/C then click that rectangle.  But behind the scenes I'll be adding more links, which will show up whenever you open the page or refresh it.

[grumpin]

Welcome!

[Htex88]

Gary, I can't thank you enough, this has already helped figure out so many of my wiring mysteries!

[Gary Lewis]

Happy to help, and glad you are getting things sorted.