sup guys,

so i just bought my first truck. a 1988 f150. xlt lariat. the thing is badass, it’s got the straight 6 in it, 5 speed manual transmission. more or less i just wanna ask what i should be aware of. all the sensors are new and the engine is a rebuild with 21k on it. everything is pretty prime as of now but what should i aim to update? i just put a new serpentine belt in for kicks, but she’s kinda squeaky, im hoping that is just new belt noise lol. any tips?

 

Looks sweet! They are good trucks. The 4.9 is bulletproof. A new belt shouldn't be making noise. Something isnt right or something else is wrong

 

Nice looking truck. Welcome to the forum.

Jonathan

 

there is no "new belt squeak"
check your crank pulley..if the rubber has started deteriorating and everything else checks out ok, replace it..thats the true culprit of the 4.9 belt noise very often

 

I had more belt squeeks with my 87 (4.9) after installing certain brand belts. These trucks from the late 80's were notorous for belt noise and belts flopping off the pulleys. There was a TSB on this too.. In my experiences, the Motorcraft and Gates brands would squeek the most.Often would start making noise a short time after installation. I did all the cleaning of pulleys too which didn't help. They basically were the same design. The Dayco poly cog and Goodyear gatorback worked best for me. I use only Dayco since Goodyear isn't in the belt business anymore.A Dayco has been on my truck for atleast six years now without a chirp.

 

Welcome and nice truck

 

You should be aware of everything on the maintenance schedule, and whether the truck's maintenance is up-to-date. If you're not sure, do it, following the published procedures in the Haynes manual, using only the BEST parts you can buy (not the cheapest or most-convenient). Click these & read their captions:

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Eventually, you should read the Haynes cover-to-cover at least once.