Thread: 66 F250 352 FE Cam/lifter issue?

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First off, I am starting a new project on a '66 F250 with the 352 FE, 63K miles that I just picked up. Trying to find an electrical gremlin next, but that might be another post. My first question for anyone who might know is this: I finally got the old girl running and she would only run with the choke fully closed, even after I rebuilt the carburetor. I figured that it had to be a carburetor adjustment issue. Then I noticed the knocking/tapping sound coupled with a backfire as I decelerated. That made me think stuck intake valve. I put a piece of paper over the exhaust and found that the vacuum was bad as it pushed out and pulled in. I pulled the valve covers and found that the rockers on one side were working just fine, but the ones on the other side were basically immobile. They just kind of tapped along, not fully engaging. Any thoughts on what could be the problem? Maybe the lifters? I don't know, it could be the camshaft. There is a rod that runs the length of the assembly that holds the rocker arms in place. None of the bolts on that were loose as I thought could be the problem. If I assume that it is a lifter issue and put a new cam in there, what would be the recommendation? Thank you.

which side???? the lifters are fed by an oil galley that feeds from the rear of the block forward--

Passenger side. Possibly a camshaft issue? Talked to one guy who said to pull the rocker shaft assembly, pushrods and if all looks good, it could be the cam.

The other gremlin in the F250 is the wiring. The previous owner had a small electrical fire where the positive from the battery links into the rest of the wiring. There used to be an insulator that failed and it shorted. I am looking at tracking all of the wiring issues. Most of the wires are in good shape with the exception of ones under the hood showing obvious signs of wear and tear. Anybody know where I can get wiring diagrams for the '66 F250? I found some for the same year Bronco and Mustang, but some things don't seem to correspond.

Bronco would probably be the closest guide----as to what ford was doing electric wise in there trucks at that time

As for the valve train/camshaft---start it up and look to see if the lifters are rotating as it runs----any tappet not rotating will be worn on the bottom and the cam lobe worn

used to use some kind of cure all type pentrating oil to free up sluggish lifters as back in those days lots of the oil was non-detergent and a lot of sludge would build up causing HYDRAULIC lifters to not work very well

Excellent, thank you Jerry.