Sounds like a plan.

Not sure what I've got planned for it in the future. Have a few things in my head, but I really am just consumed by my engine swap right now.

 

Got my intake gasket and other stuff ordered. Should get to work on it Sunday or Monday.

 

Got the new intake gaskets in on Sunday afternoon. Ended up going with Victor Reinz gaskets. Used studs to line up the gaskets, and used Edelbrock Gasgacinch to help seal the gaskets. I also used Permatex #3 aviation sealer around the water ports and a thick bead of Permatex #2 instead of the cork front and rear gaskets. Torqued the intake bolts down in the correct pattern to 10 lb/feet and let the gaskets/sealers set up until Tuesday morning. Then I torqued all of the intake bolts to 15 pounds then 25 pounds, again in the correct order. Got the distributor back in and fired it up. Adjusted the timing and carb enough that it would idle down okay. Started driving it just to find out that the parts store had given me the wrong size U-joint that I put in. Got the right one in now. Took it to someone with a timing light and got them to set the timing up right. The timing must be a little too far advanced because I was getting some spark knock when I drove it earlier today.

 

well looks like you got a bit of timing to fix and then you owe us some burnout vids lol

 

Yeah, haha. Not sure I'll be burning these new tires yet.

 

Slap on some old rubber and smoke em!!!

 

Some updates:

Got a new fuel pump on the engine because the old one wasn't working well and I was having to run my electric pump.

Got the chrome valve covers on the engine finally. Looks good. I'll try to remember to snap some pics. Had to use a different breather with the new valve covers.

Fuel and voltmeter stopped working on me the other day. Scared me for a minute, but turned out it was just a blown fuse. The PO stuck a wire right into the fuse plug for the dash so that the electric carb choke could have power. I'd seen it before, but didn't know that was to the dash gauges or I would have moved it.

Dealt with spark knock issues with my "new" engine for a few days, but I think I've got it set up pretty decent now. A little bit difficult getting timing just right on this 10.5:1 beast so that it'll run well on 93 octane pump gas. Drove it 160 miles today. About 82°-85° during the drive and the engine water temp stayed between 180°-195° on the highway stretches @55-65 MPH and up and down some hills. Crept as far up as 240° sitting at long stoplights. Need to get the fan shroud on the radiator so it'll draw air through the radiator better while sitting still. I was just running straight water in it today, so temps may be a little lower when I put a coolant mix into it. Overall I'm finally feeling pretty good about how everything's going.

Still have to wire in my new gauge lights and my new voltmeter and tie up the wiring. Hopefully I'll get to that soon, but I'm pretty busy.

 

Well, I just read all 8 pages of the build and it seems like it's coming along nicely, even with the minor speed bumps you've encountered. Great looking truck.

 

Thanks man! Glad it was interesting enough to read through it all! I've definitely run into some issues along the way, but it seems to have finally all paid off.

 

Ok, I've got a couple questions. Is the first picture of the truck at factory ride height? I got a deal on some 36"s, but need to get some clearance before I can roll'em. Second, where did you get the sweet *** lights you put in your grille, and the push bar? Third, a little stalkerish, where do you live in NoVa, I'm in the eastern panhandle, about 30 or so miles from leesburg

 

PM'ed you. Check your inbox

 

Hey Collin how've you been lately? Glad to hear that you got the engine in and seem to have everything good to go for the most part now. It sounds like you've pretty much got it figured out know.

I bet those chrome valve covers look sweet on there. Got any pictures of it? I would love to see those.

So how'd it drive with the new engine in it? Much of a difference from the old one?

 

I'll snap an engine pic tomorrow for you.

The old engine pushed the truck a bit slower when I switched to running 37s with my 4.56 gears. With the new engine it's about as fast as the old one with the 33s and 4.56 gearing. Definitely more powerful. Spins the 37s effortlessly.

 

Ok, can't wait to see it.

Yeah that's what I figured. You said the new engine was a little more built than the old one right? I bet its even more fun to drive now. And I'm sure you've tested out spinning those 37s haven't you?

 

Went to start the truck this morning and the battery was down fairly low. I left the key in it and I'm hoping it was just that I'd left the key turned over a little. Hope I don't have something drawing power that I don't know about. I hate chasing electrical stuff...