Can you use Halvoline universal antifreeze in a 1986 Ford truck?

it does not use antifreeze. you will need to buy Dexccol premixed 50/50 coolant. There is no universal coolant, use Dexcool only, it is red. you should never ever add water, only premixed coolant.
the premixed is good to -40 degrees F.

Does it smell like antifreeze ?

Few engine sizes there...

1986 Ford Thunderbird 2.3 liter SOHC Turbo L4




1986 Ford Thunderbird 5.0 liter V-8




1986 Ford Thunderbird 3.8 liter V-6 VIN "3" (click over pic for zoom)




Hope this helps (remember to rate and comment this answer).

In the Radiator. Most coolant you mix 50% WATER/ 50% COOLANT. Dont use universal coolant, you want the green coolant.

1986 Ford F 150 2WD/4WD Pickup 4.9 liter L6 VIN "Y"




1986 Ford F 150 2WD/4WD Pickup 5.0 liter V-8 VIN "N"





1986 Ford F 150 2WD/4WD Pickup 5.8 liter V-8 VIN "H"




Hope help with this, and, remember comment and rated this post. Good luck.

On a 1986 it's very unlikely that you'd have an O2 sensor there - that port is for a secondary O2 sensor that would be found on a 96 or newer car, where the efficiency of the cat has to be monitored. You can plug the hole for use of the cat on your vehicle.

Not good news. Sounds like a blow head gasket.

Are you losing coolant?

as long as the steering lock no longer works you can leave the original switch where it is and mount your new switch in a convenient place. unplug the cables from under the steering column and extend them to your new switch. you should only have 4 cables there to go on your new switch. the battery cable is the one that is live all the time, a thick cable, the ignition is the one that makes the ignition lights come on when the key is turned, a thick cable, the accessory cable is the one that becomes live when turned to 1st position on key, a thinner cable, the starter cable is the one that goes to the starter motor when key turned to start a thick cable. hope this helps

sometimes they are on each side of the block and sometimes on each side of the cylinder head you can try www.autozone.com to see if they have your car listed for diagrams pictures and step by step instructions if your car is not listed then try your local library they have all the car manuals and even copy them for you

you will find this site usefull , here is the diagram for 1986 ford ranger 2wd 2.9liter v6 firing order .

http://www.autozone.com/N,26200242/shopping/specsSelect.htm

Fix Ya vote is my Reward , thanks .