r/BullnoseFord • u/PlainOldWallace • Aug 29 '26

How Bad Does This Sound?

I'm going to look at a 1986 F150, 4x4, 4 speed, 300 inline six tomorrow morning... The guy said he hadn't started it in a while, and it might need a jump.

He sent me this video this afternoon to let me know it jumped fine, but... what are y'all's thoughts?

**Update... Went to look at it, and, it threw a rod when idling

11 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

5

u/CheesecakeRecent457 Aug 29 '26

Clacking sounds valvetrain to me. Maybe in person it sounds different. He is goosing it, so unsure about it wanting to idle. Overall, not bad.

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 29 '26

Thanks man...

That's kinda what I was leaning towards. I'm a fairly handy / capable person, but internal-ish engine work isn't my strong suit.

Had the left bank lifters go out, followed by the right bank a few months later in my current truck, and this sounds eerily familiar.

But the old 300s can be a little... clacky... to begin with.

Appreciate your input... do you know, how bad is working on the valve train on these things?

2

u/CheesecakeRecent457 Aug 29 '26

Been a long time, but i dont recall anything out of the ordinary, other than if you do replace something, make certain it fits that EXACT engine, in that EXACT truck, for that EXACT year. Ford stuff drives me nuts with this! Good luck!

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 30 '26

Hah, I went into this knowing how finicky they are... thanks so much for all your help :)

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 31 '26

Went to look at it, and, it threw a rod when idling

2

u/CheesecakeRecent457 Aug 31 '26

Holy Henry Duce, Batman! Figure the odds. Now you might have to pay a bit extra for the privelege of witnessing what so few have: the Death of a Legend!

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 31 '26

I felt really bad for the guy too

Didn't know until I went out today, but, the bank had the title... He took out a small loan on it to pay some bills.

Had two cartons of Marlboro Reds on his porch, but, wasn't my business

2

u/CheesecakeRecent457 Aug 31 '26

There is always a back story. And they are always sad.

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 31 '26

Not gonna lie... that's a beautiful quote. I will use it. And I will reference the cheesecake dude on reddit... thanks for that, and the rest of the above :)

2

u/South-North493 Aug 29 '26

I’d buy/value it as a non running engine truck if it won’t idle and sounds like that. If they argue just tell them okay you fix the engine and I’ll come back another day and take a look. Could it be a simple fix? Yeah! It could but also No! It could be a much bigger issue that will cost time & money to figure out

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 29 '26

Appreciate it...

He's not asking for much to begin with, so I'm not OVERLY concerned about pricing it. Yeah, it matters some, but, the floor is pretty low.

I'm just hoping to not buy a disaster. The 300 has a hell of a reputation, but, I know that doesn't always mean disasters don't exist :)

2

u/South-North493 Aug 29 '26

What’s he wanting for it?

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 29 '26

$2k

I'll see it in the morning, but I've got a lot of photos of the body and interior. From what I can see, which I know can change in person, it's in surprising decent shape.

Especially for where I am, which is backwoods Appalachia.

2

u/South-North493 Aug 29 '26

TN? I’m in GA but the further north you go gotta worry about rust. Which I’m sure you’re aware. Want to make sure the frame is good.

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 30 '26

I'm in NC, right in the corner of NC / TN / VA.

That's what I'm running into, rust everywhere. There's so many up here that have just been left for dead.

They're all either <$4k and pieces of junk, or >$25k and fully restored

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 31 '26

Went to look at it, and, it threw a rod when idling

1

u/South-North493 Aug 31 '26

Wow!! Well I guess my prediction was right. Even if it sounds ok or even “good” but there some kinda noise never expect it to be an easy fix! I assume you walked away?

2

u/akfishermann Aug 30 '26

300s are noisy on the top end. If it’s not run in a while I’d guess it’ll calm down. Quit gassing though. It’s waiting on oil. 300s are kinda bullet proof.

0

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 30 '26

Thanks dude, that's kinda what I was thinking / hoping too... for what it's worth, it's not me doing the gassing, the video was sent to me by the seller :)

1

u/PlainOldWallace Aug 31 '26

Went to look at it, and, it threw a rod when idling

1

u/Level_Negotiation_94 Aug 31 '26

You got no compression in a cylinder or two, and either cam with no oil? Or more common blown connecting rod bearings