I'm looking at a 92 F150, 2wd 5 speed. It has the 4.9 motor, and the truck looks like it was well maintained. It has 208,000 on the clock, but appears sound. I did notice some white goop and condensation in the oil cap and on the dipstick, but I think it may just be from sitting and not being run up to operating temperature. Any input or advice? No funny noises and oil pressure appeared good on the factory gauge. Thanks in advance!

 

White sludge is semi normal on a oil cap, I would stay far away if you find any type of milkshake sludge on a dipstick though. Is this for sale from a dealer or private owner? I'm a huge straight six fan but they can break down too if its been running hot. If you find bubbles in the coolant while running or smell gas in the coolant or you have milkshake oil, pass it up unless your getting it for a steal.

 

It's a dealer sale. I am going to give it a good examination when I go back to test drive Friday. The price is good, and the overall truck is in great shape. Anything else I need to look out for, even beyond the engine?

 

I would give the clutch a good workout at idle. It is very expensive to replace the hydraulic system, I here on the f series you have to drop the trans to replace the clutch actuator. If this was the case on my old jeep Comanche I would have dropped the trans every other year.

 

Definitely check out the motor well, it may have a blown head gasket or cracked head. If you want to check the clutch hydraulic system then start the truck, hold the clutch pedal about one inch from the floor and shift from first to reverse repeatedly and quickly. There should be no grinding.

 

Explain what you mean by "good deal"
I thought that and "dealer" were mutually exclusive terms

 

yeah, don't let them tell you its a good deal!