I have a Haynes manual on this truck, a 1983 Ford F150 Reg cab 4x. It had some carb problems and ended up with an exhaust backfire that blew out the manifold gasket. I am now getting ready to replace the gasket and wondering if I can get tips on what to do and what not to do.

 

Welcome to the site!

Didn't see which engine you're dealing with. Suggest if there's a procedure in the Haynes manual, follow it step by step, regardless of any short-cuts or other options you may think of. A job you only want to do once.

 

So, I have gotten to the EGR recirculation pipe, and the bushing will not budge! I have tried penetrating oils and hammering, and the last thing is heat, but there is too much old oil for fear of fire!
Any suggestions?? I even tried a pipe wrench with a cheater bar!

 

1983 ford F150 4.9. Angle is difficult to get a wrench on.

 

Torch heat is the key
You do not want to be looking for a used EGR tube for a 4.9
Clean it all off with some brakleen before using the torch of just have a squirt bottle of water for any fire
You need that nut cherry red, and a custom bent wrench sometimes helps
I torch bent an inch and a quarter wrench for use on the turbo 2.3 SVO Mustangs, one like that might be handy for you now
It costs 25 bucks to ruin a wrench like that, so find a cheap one at a pawn shop
Good luck

 

Alright, thanks for the quick reply. I have a 1-inch crescent wrench I do not use much and your suggestion makes sense. I will try to clean up as much oil as possible and try the heat. I will let you know how it turns out.
Thanks again.
Gordon

 

Just a quick question, at what angle did you bend the wrench? 30 degrees, 45, 90? Might save me some time and headaches later.
Thanks

 

I bent the open end of mine 30 degrees
They come 15 degrees, I gave it another 15

 

Great, that will help me.
Thanks, Gordon

 

I tried bending the 1" crescent wrench and had no luck. Did you use a press or something? I used a propane torch to heat it clamped in a vise and used a small sledgehammer to try and bend it!