alright guys... i just tried sending this but it said i too many smilies.. i didnt know 3 was too many .. oh well, ill try again

Thanks in advance for all the help youve already given me... heres a list of whats wrong with my truck... any and all help is much appreciated.

88 f-150 xlt 5spd 5.0/302 single cab 4x4 ~150k miles= this is by no means prestine. It is a beater... and my main objective is to get it up to par to make a 1500 mile trip towing a trailer.

heres a list of whats wrong with it... these are the major things that i need to get done - if you need more infromation just let me know. happy to provide . THX

1. has a loud knockin sound coming from the engine. As well as a psht psht sound ... seems like its a valve.. not sure if a valve is stuck and making the piston slap, or missfire? Im afraid of taking it on the trip like this and having the motor sieze

2. there is a loss of power and some stuttering from anything below about 40 mph.. once im on the gas a healthy amount, it takes off no problem ..

3. anytime i go to switch gears, the rpm's rev up to about 2-3 grand. this seems to happen more on cold mornings - ive checked the IAC and EGR

4. The speedometer doesnt give an accurate reading (didnt work at all before) . i changed the speedo gear at the end of the cable since it was worn, but now, anytime im NOT on the gas or the clutch it seems to be accurate. But if im cruising with the gas down, it ranges from 1-10mph below the actual speed limit?

5. My oil gauge doesnt work. previous owner seemed to put an aftermarket gauge in. it has the feeder tube, but no elec. hookup ... the one on the instrument panel doesnt work either. the feeder tube has many air pockets and seems to not have any flow through it, ill prob change the oil pump this weekend cause that scares me

6. My temp gauge does not work as well? i tried takin the inst cluster off to test the wires but there was no way to get the harness unhooked without possible damage. therefore i didnt touch it.

7. for thought - the red engine light (not check engine) is on ... as well as the rear abs light. the previous owners blacked these out with perm marker (grrrr) . so i have no idea how long theyve been on . ill take it to schucks to get the codes read.

what ive done so far

oil change / filter too
air filter
new pcv / breather in air box
tranny fluid
new battery + connectors
new spark plugs

i tried lucas fuel sys cleaner to try and unclog the injectors and help the knockin and sputtering .. no luck

the IAC and EGR are both clean and seem to get correct voltage. next thought is the IPS* , but dont know how to go about it. i would replace them all but they are around 40+ each.. and lets say im kinda of struggling at the moment

i think thats about it.. i know ive done more since ive been workin on it every day for 12 days after work.haha

sorry this is so long , but im in need, and you guys have been just awesome so far... any and all help is needed..

thanks guys

 

Sounds like a new timing chain might fix #2. When you're in there doing the oil pump, throw a chain in it. It's been my experience that at about 100K miles, the chain in a 5.0 is shot. #1 could be a bad exhaust manifold gasket...if you're lucky. Can't help you with the gauges.
Good luck.

MR

 

for someone thats never done one how hard would it be...

ive always worked on my own cars... so i imagine i can do it.. just how long do you think it will take, and what other parts will have to come off to put the chain on

thanks for the help

the gauges i think im going to trace the wires back, im getting voltage at the fuse block, so ill go from there.

 

Remove the radiator, fan and water pump. Move the power steering pump aside. Remove the timing cover, and bump the engine over until the timing marks on the gears line-up. Remove the chain and cam gear. You might need a puller to get the crank gear off. Reverse the order to put it back together.
Notes;
*Don't bump the engine over once the chain's off.
*Remember which bolts go into which holes.
*Clean the threads on the bolts.
*Seal any bolts that go into a water jacket.
*Scrape off all of the old gaskets.
*Use sealer on the new gaskets.
*The crank bolt might be hard to break-free.
*Don't over-tighten the small bolts.
*Now's the time to check/change the belts, hoses, water pump and coolant.

MR

 

anybody know what these are.. im going to browse the haynes and see if i can find something.. but help me out here.. i just got the codes read

results


Engine computer codes

trouble codes :

KOEO codes

Memory codes

KOER codes

44 Thermactor Air System failure

25 Knock Sensor not detected during dynamic response KOER




thats what i got... not sure what it means.. thinking the 44 TAS failure might help with #2.. although i dont know what to do

and the knock sensor might help with #1... but its just a sensor, could that cure the knock ?




thanks you guys

 

I just solved your #3 by replacing the Throttle Position Sensor on my 2000.