RocketScott

I'm not sure what to do with my truck and thought I should get some input from the rest of you that know and love the F150 like I do. She's an '87 with the 302 and C6, 2 wheel drive. I'm coming up on 250,000 and a few problems are starting to pile up that are causing my dilemma. I know there's no right answer to what I'm asking. It's kind of a personal decision that I need to make. I just thought I'd like to hear what the rest of you guys would do.

So here's the situation:

I'm loosing about a quart of oil between changes. Most, if not all, is coming out the oil pan gasket. I'm also loosing coolant, I'm guessing head gaskets. I did the lower intake manifold gasket years ago so it might be that too. I need to go pressure wash the engine and see if I can pinpoint some of the leaks, it's really filthy. Besides the engine stuff The truck has pulled to the right ever since I got rear ended about 9 years ago. Not sure if the frame got tweaked but I've had it aligned several times and it never fixes the problem. Most of the rubber weatherstripping is deteriorating, it needs a new windshield... the list goes on.

So I'm starting to go through a train of thought. I could fix all the little problems with the engine in the truck but if I'm really going to tear into both the top and do the oil pan I might as well pull it and go over the whole thing and rebuild the trany. If I'm going to do that it might just be better to upgrade to a newer motor with MAF. Maybe find a doner in the junkyard and rebuild it. I know I'll never get the money back out of it if I do this but I plan on keeping the truck indefinitely. I've had it since early in college and have a lot of sentimental attachment to it.

Right now it's my work truck. I have other vehicles but the truck is the only one I can use for work. The celica doesn't hold many tools. At this point I'm leaning towards buying a work van and storing the truck till I get enough time and money to rebuild it. In the short term I can afford to keep patching it up but I know in the long run that will cost me more and I should put that money into a newer van.

Sorry for the long story. I've found some good advice on here and thought you guys would help.

Any thoughts?

95stepside

if it means alot to you, id say store it until you can afford to restore it to its original glory, i know ill keep mine forever

dewman

I would say that if you can afford to buy a temporary work vehicle while you store and restore your F150, then go for it!

The crooked driving since being rear-ended could be that the rear axle shifted in the spring packs. Have you taken it to a shop that does 4-wheel alignments on 4x4 trucks/vehicles? It will cost more than a regular alignment, but it might solve your problem with driving crooked.

Good luck with your decision.

RocketScott

Thanks for the input. To buy a van right now would stretch me a little thin but in the end it would be for the best. Time seems to be the biggest factor when working on the truck. I have the pan gasket, just need the time to put it on. Most of the other parts I have replaced have a lifetime guarantee so if something goes out I mostly just need the time to take it out and get it replaced.

I hadn't thought about the rear end shifting from the wreck but I can see how that would happen. I would have thought the alignment shop would have said something. I guess not.