Someone had spent a lot of money fixing this 1991 Ford F-250, but its new owner couldn’t figure out why. The truck had a new radiator, water pump, and fan clutch. Yet the engine barely warmed up, and signs of a coolant leak appeared.
At just $2,300, the pickup seemed worth a chance. Pole Barn Garage bought it for its western shop, where the crew needed a truck to haul project cars and junkyard parts. Its big 460-cubic-inch V8 engine seemed up to the job.
Newer brakes, shocks, and a clean interior made the Ford look like a good deal. But it also had a salvage title, meaning it had been declared a total loss at some point. Someone had even left a thermometer on the front seat.
Instead of taking the engine apart, the owner chose to drive the truck and see how it held up. Before he could finish checking it, a woman with an overheated Chrysler needed help getting her car home.
What’s Wrong With It?
A trip to Martin Tire replaced the Ford’s worn tires, but its front wheels still leaned at odd angles. The shop tried to fix the alignment without much success. Since most trips would be within about 50 miles, the owner decided to keep driving it.
Under the hood, a small trail near the back of the driver’s-side cylinder head looked like a coolant leak. The new cooling parts also made him wonder whether someone had been trying to fix an overheating problem.
The loose thermometer added to that mystery. He suspected the engine might not have one installed, which could explain why the temperature gauge barely moved. For now, the truck ran well enough to use.
An Early Test
While working on the Ford, the crew met a woman named Lori whose Chrysler had broken down. Part of its coolant filler neck had failed as she drove down a mountain, causing the engine to overheat badly.
After taking her home, the men returned with a trailer to collect the Chrysler. Unfortunately, the trailer’s winch was broken, so they had to push the disabled car onto it.
Getting the Chrysler loaded took some work, but hauling it home was much easier. The F-250 pulled the trailer without trouble, saving Lori the cost of a tow.
Back to the Shop
The next day, the owner checked the Ford’s fluids. It was about a quart low on oil, and the coolant needed topping off. He also worked on the air conditioning, which wasn’t blowing cold enough.
While testing the AC, refrigerant suddenly began spraying out of the system. Neither man seemed sure what had happened. Even stranger, the air conditioning kept working and started blowing colder air afterward.
Next, they started working on the broken power window, which was easier to fix. After removing the door panel, the mechanic found a broken motor shaft. A $40 replacement got the glass moving again, allowing him to close the window before sanding the truck.
Someone had covered the Ford’s original two-tone paint with a rough coat of white. Deep dents ran along the body, and several panels needed filler.
Using basic tools, the owner worked on the worst damage before bringing back the factory-style white-and-smoke-gray paint scheme. He wasn’t trying to make the truck perfect, especially with a dirt floor and wind blowing through his makeshift paint shop.
The first two coats looked decent, but a third caused paint runs and uneven spots. He fixed what he could before adding stripes, side trim, hubcaps, and bed liner.
One More Haul
With the paint finished, the crew hooked up the trailer to retrieve a 1968 Pontiac. Unlike the Chrysler, this car started right up and drove onto the trailer.
The Pontiac was heavier, giving the Ford another test. The owner said the truck pulled well, although its automatic transmission felt a little soft. He also pointed out that the trailer had no working brakes, even though the Ford had a brake controller.
Then the check-engine light came on.
The mechanic joked that he would treat the warning as a suggestion and kept driving. Moments later, the light went out on its own.