Anyone have a 98 3500 srw 4x4 454??

Yes that's understandable..... Just would think ford would have tried to do something, but we all know that won't happen!!!!

 

Here is a 88 f250 I was goin to look at before the Chevy... A company has owned it since new, and it was there plow truck for their lot..... I have not went to go look at it, so I haven't got to see it up close or drive her yet....guy said it has a 302, which I figured it would have had the 351.... Anyway I don't know if I would want to get one this old, it has 88,000 miles....they have $1900 on it, but obviously with cash in hand who knows what they would take....chances are it would have rusty frame, and leaf springs would inevitably probably need replaced....but like I said I haven't seen it so who knows..... I just think I should maybe try and get something newer, but I guess if price is right maybe she would be an option?????

 

If that 88 has a 302 then it is the light duty 250. Nothing wrong with that...just know it is not gonna be 8600# (or 8800) GVWR with full floater axle like the HD 250/350. It's basically a heavy duty 1/2 ton. They did the same thing with the newer trucks too ('97 and up) but it is easier to tell which is which because the light 250s are the same body style as the 150 and then heavy 250 and up are the "Superduty" body style.
So what is wrong with your existing truck anyways?

That was the earlier mod motors...the threads in the head were too shallow...but the newer ones use a longer plug which can cause another set of problems

Exactly

 

I'm a Ford guy...but I would pass on that one. Sorry you missed out on the 454, but as others have said, another good deal will roll around.

 

Well I can't answer that question yet, I wish I could.... I actually had a guy tell me today he thinks it is the timing chain is broke or jumped time.....
Symptoms are----- kinda like a backfire with gas threw the carb while cranking engine, truck will not start, and when I am cranking the engine over, it just don't sound right.... Just sounds like something isn't connected, if that sounds right....

It has me baffled, the last time I drive the truck I put a brand new power steering pump on it and it drive fine.... Parked it, and a week later when I was goin to go get wood, the damm thing wouldn't start.... And it had the same sound I was discribing, sounds to me like the Pistons ain't moving, so maybe it is the to wing chain.....

All I know is I have got to get it fixed..... I have wood I need to get and this is driving me absolutely nuts.....I called a guy to see if he is interested in fixing it, if not I am goin to have to start takin sh*t apart and try and fix it....

Is there any way I can check to see if it has definitely is the timing chain.... Any ideas very much appriciated

 

Well, right off the bat it sounds like your guy is likely on the right track.
What year truck is this? 351M or W? (W is considered a small block) If it is carburated it probably is a 351M, Ford put a ton of them in those old trucks.
Anyways, take the distributor cap off, put a socket on the big bolt in the center of the harmonic balancer (front of the crank, where the belts drive off of) with a short extension and a breaker bar turn the engine clockwise (IIRC) to see if the distributor rotor turns, if it does then the chain is not broke. As far as if it jumped time, find the 0 mark on the balancer, line it up with the TDC (top dead center) timing indicator tab, then turn the crank with your breaker bar until the distributor starts to move, stop. Look at the degree marks on the balancer...if it has moved more than, oh, I dunno, say 10*, then you likely have enough slop in the chain to have jumped a tooth. Also, IIRC, those older Fords used a nylon timing gear that was famous for breaking when they get older. The good news is that those older Ford V8s won't bend any valves when the timing chain goes...that and a timing chain set isn't terribly expensive...but it isn't the easiest job in the world to replace...not terrible, but not exactly easy if you aren't mechanically inclined/experienced. If you take it to somebody the majority of the bill will be for labor. I'm sure there are Utube vids on doing it if your are so inclined.
EDIT: You could also put a timing light on it to see if it is close or not...

 

Just as an example that these trucks do turn up...I seen this 2000 GMC 3500 4x4 with 107k miles locally on CL tonight...says gas engine...dunno which one...they're asking $3000 obo.

 

Well I start this truck by jumping the solinoid, so I have tried cranking the engine with the distributor cap off, and the rotor does spin....however with the carberator kind of back firing, and with the engine having the strange sound while cranking something ain't right....

The motor in this truck is a 78 351M.....what is strange is the fact that the truck ran fine, and one day I went to start it and it does what it does now....

 

and another one...2000 Chevy 3500 4x4 91k miles gas engine (a lil more crusty) $1550

 

damm man for 1500 if that truck has good tranny and motor I would be lookin at her hard....

 

comengiter...
2000 CHEVROLT 3500 4X4 NORTHEAST MOTORS

 

Hey thanks for link... I will call them and see what the business is.... However I still have to fix this truck I have wether I buy one or not...

But for that price something got to be wrong..... Or bed rusted to pieces.... I will call them tomorro anyway to see what's up with it...

 

If the drivetrain is sound, that thing has awesome flatbed, w/ side rails allll over it!
$1550 asking, ?? $1250 cash. D.U.N.- but only if the drivetrain checks out..
No one wants the single cabs anymore. The drivetrain is your focus.