I got a question.....

[Beanmachine7000]

Well, I'd check the ECT for the temp problem... You did drain and flush the cooling system when you got it right? That should be one thing you do when you get a new (used) car... As for the oil problem, change the oil, use all Motorcraft parts, and get a real oil pressure gauge, and not the crappy one Ford has (it's not even real, as long as there is 8psi, I believe, of pressure it reads normal)... I'm pretty sure if it was running and not knocking and the oil pressure indicator was on the low line it's probbaly the sender...

 

[Funnyman141]

I haven't changed the coolant at all but I wanted to change the sensors as I change fluids and have any of you had problems with the fuel gauge when mine is empty it reads half full it's a good thing I didn't try and drive it down the highway today and I think I need to rebuild the motor I wouldn't trust the gaskets that much especially with a teen behind the wheel

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I would just drive it (after you change all the fluids and get things working right)... It's pretty hard to kill a Lima 2.3... I'd do a compression test and if everything checks out, just drive it... Actually, driving your truck like an old croney does more damage then wringing it out... The parts I would be worried about after buying a truck from a teen driver would be the suspension and steering components...

 

[redgooch]

The fuel gauge in my 86 is the opposite. It reads empty when it half full. I go by mileage. I know my truck has a 17 gal. Tank. When I fill up I take the number of miles since my last fillup and divide by the gals. I put in and get the average mileage, which is about 25. I multiply 25 by 17 and that gives me a rough estimate of how many miles I can go between fill ups. Its not an exact science but it is pretty close. I haven't ran out of gas yet, knock on wood.

 

[Funnyman141]

Good thing you told me that I checked the springs and there not attached to anything at the frame
That could have been very bad if I was hauling something and one of the springs decided to move far. Something on the passenger side banged every once in a while. We've found out it was the spring returning to the position
Man I need a camera to show you guys....

 

[ShortyzKustomz]

Seriously when it comes to the motor driving is the best cure, do your flushes and change all fluids and drive it till you notice things, My Camaro sat for 5 years and after fluid changes I drove it for over a year with little to no probs, Just fixing little things as they popped up, Till I swapped it out for bigger and better

 

[Funnyman141]

Sorry about the spring thing the ones I was talking about were overload springs that sit on the axle not the leaf springs

Are their any ways to get the fuel pickup at the center of the tank?
On mine it's at the front and that leads to some fun times on hilly highways I kinda don't want to fabricate or extensively modify the original fuel sending unit or tank because the tank is almost done for and the sending unit is almost brand new

Thanks for all of the comments
and now it's a Daily Driver!
Cheers!