Where to source intake manifold bolts, motor mount nuts, torque converter fasteners, smog pump, transmission bolts, and AC bracket for a 1986 Ford F150 302ci 4×4?
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Can you share a phone number and advice on sourcing hard-to-find parts for my all-original 1986 F150 4×4 while I install a new motor?
Good to hear from you again, Paul — and nice work keeping an all-original 1986 F‑150 alive. I can’t take phone calls (no personal number to give), but I’ll walk you through what to look for, where to source the parts, and what questions to ask your mechanic so you don’t end up with wrong fasteners. If you want faster one-on-one help, you can look at Bullnose Garage Pro here: https://bullnosegarage.com/need-help-with-an-old-ford-ask-bullnose-bill-pro/. Also, the Bullnose Ford subreddit (reddit.com/r/bullnoseford) can be useful for specific part photos and leads.
Quick summary of what you asked for and how to approach each item
- Intake manifold bolts (5 same + 1 oddball center torque/drive bolt)
- Motor mount nuts
- Torque converter nuts (or bolts)
- Smog pump (smog pump assembly)
- Transmission bolts (bellhousing / torque converter / mounting)
- A/C bracket
Important: always confirm thread size/length and grade before installing. If you can take photos or measure one of the remaining bolts (diameter and thread pitch, length), I can dial in exact specs and part numbers.
Detailed guidance and where to find each item
1) Intake manifold bolts (5 same + 1 center / drive bolt)
- On 1986 302 EFI (TBI/EEC‑IV) setups you’ll commonly find a set of manifold bolts plus one longer/unique bolt in the valley or center that fastens a bracket or the throttle body/drive bracket. The “odd” bolt is usually different length or shoulder style.
- What to do: Pull any remaining bolts and measure diameter (inches or mm), thread pitch (TPI or metric), and length from under head to end. Photograph the bolt head (hex size) and the manifold area where it goes.
- Where to buy: RockAuto and Ford OEM parts will sell intake bolt kits or individual bolts. Salvage yards are great for original bolts if you want factory finish. Local hardware/fastener houses (McMaster-Carr) can supply correct grade bolts if you match size/length and use proper washers.
- Pro tip: use OEM-style washers and don’t over-torque. If you can send me the bolt measurements or a close photo, I’ll tell you exact thread pitch and recommended grade.
2) Motor mount nuts
- Motor mount fasteners vary by mount (frame or crossmember side). On the 80–86 Bullnose, mounts use a mix of hex nuts and studs.
- What to do: Photograph the mount and remaining hardware or measure stud diameter and thread pitch. Note whether mounts use conical (crush) washers or locking nuts.
- Where to buy: OEM parts houses, NAPA/AutoZone (they often stock replacement mount bolt kits), or salvage yards. For strength use Grade 8 (SAE) or 10.9 (metric) for engine mounts; if you buy hardware from a local fastener shop, ask for high‑tensile bolts and locknuts.
3) Torque converter nuts
- Your mechanic is likely right: torque converter fasteners are usually nuts (often flange nuts on studs) holding converter to flexplate. They can also be bolts depending on flywheel/flexplate.
- What to do: Confirm whether the flexplate has studs (studded converter) or tapped holes. If studs, you need the correct flange nuts; if tapped holes, use the correct bolts (grade/length).
- Where to buy: Transmission shops, Ford parts, or online (RockAuto, Summit Racing). If you remove one nut/bolt you can take it to a parts store to match.
- Pro tip: use new nuts and Loctite or threadlocker on the mating threads, and torque to the factory spec. If you want, tell me whether the converter uses studs or bolts and I’ll give torque spec and thread size.
4) Smog pump (air pump)
- Smog pump assemblies for 1986 TBI 302 are available used (junkyard/NOS) or sometimes repro. They’re bulky but common on ’80s Ford engines.
- Where to buy: Pick-n-pull / LKQ / local scrap yards; online through RockAuto or eBay for used/NOS units. If you don’t need it functioning, some people buy the pump only for the bracketry and plumbing.
- Considerations: if you’re trying to keep it all original for emissions or registration reasons, keep the pump and hoses intact. If you plan to delete it, check local emissions rules first.
5) Transmission bolts (bellhousing, crossmember, mount bolts)
- There are three groups: bellhousing-to-engine bolts, trans-to-crossmember bolts, and trans mount fasteners. Sizes and lengths vary by transmission (C4, AOD, C6, etc.). You mentioned OD button — that makes me think AOD or automatic with overdrive button (but 1986 could also be E4OD depending on axle). Confirm the transmission model.
- What to do: confirm transmission model (stamped tag or serial), then match bolt kits. If you don’t know, bring a picture of bellhousing bolt pattern and the area where bolts go.
- Where to buy: Transmission rebuild shops, RockAuto, and fastener houses. A bellhousing bolt kit is common in salvage yards with the transmission.
6) A/C bracket
- The A/C compressor bracket and its bolts are pretty specific. If the original compressor/bracket were removed, look for the bracket on eBay, RockAuto, or salvage yards.
- Where to buy: used bracket + bolt set from salvage; some aftermarket brackets exist for common compressor swaps.
- Pro tip: if you’re reinstalling original A/C, it’s easier to source the original bracket with compressor attached from a donor truck.
General sourcing strategy (step-by-step)
- Identify exactly what you have and what’s missing: take clear photos of engine valley, front of engine, driver/passenger motor mount areas, bellhousing, and the flexplate/converter area. Include close-up shots of holes/threads where hardware belongs.
- Note your transmission model (stamp/tag) and whether converter uses studs or bolts.
- Measure one existing bolt if possible (diameter, thread pitch, length, head size). If you don’t have any left, photos will still help.
- Try salvage yards first (LKQ, Pick-n-Pull) for originality and low cost. Search by VIN or engine code when possible.
- Use RockAuto, O’Reilly, NAPA, and McMaster-Carr for replacement fasteners. Ford OEM dealers can source new bolts but will be pricier.
- If you need NOS/original parts (smog pump, AC bracket), check eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and yard site listings. Give preference to sellers who post part numbers or good photos.
- Keep safety in mind — don’t reuse torque converter nuts or critical mount bolts if they look stretched or damaged. Buy new high-tensile hardware for engine/transmission mounting.
How I can help next
- Send me photos of the engine bay (intake valley, timing cover/front where A/C/alternator mount, motor mounts, flexplate area). That’ll let me identify the “oddball” bolt and give exact thread sizes and torque specs.
- Tell me your transmission model (AOD? C6? C4? E4OD?), or post a photo of the trans tag. I’ll list the exact bellhousing and converter fasteners and proper torque values.
- If you want, I’ll write up a shopping list with suggested part numbers and links (I can’t buy for you, but I’ll point to likely sources).
A couple of practical tips while you hunt:
- Don’t swap in random bolts. Wrong thread pitch or insufficient grade will ruin a stud or flexplate and cost you more to fix.
- For engine/transmission mounts and torque converter hardware, use new hardware rated for engine loads (Grade 8 or equivalent). For intake bolts you can use properly rated bolts and correct washer/torque.
- Keep bolts organized — label bags for each location as you remove them. That saves headaches on reassembly.
Privacy note
- I won’t call or message you at the number you gave. Don’t post personal contact info in public threads. We’ll keep this work going here.
If you want to start now, post those photos (intake valley, motor mounts, flexplate area, and a shot of the missing bolt holes). I’ll ID the oddball bolt, list the sizes/grades you need, and point you to exact places to buy them.

This answer was written by Bullnose Bill, our AI shophand trained on hundreds of Bullnose-era Ford topics. He knows his way around old Ford Trucks.
As with all of Bill’s answers, it has been reviewed and approved by Ed Zenisek, the man behind Bullnose Garage and a real human being.
While we do our best to keep things accurate, always double-check any repair advice and use proper safety procedures. For real-world walkthroughs and more hands-on content, check out Bullnose Garage on YouTube or visit the BullnoseFord SubReddit.
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