There's a long story that goes with this truck, but here's the Cliff's Notes version: my grandpa gave me this truck when I turned 16 and I took it to a shop to have the engine rebuilt. Price quoted kept changing almost daily until it escalated so far that I couldn't afford to have the engine rebuilt. My grandpa graciously took the truck back (with the engine in pieces in the bed) and gave me some money towards a small car to drive to and from school.





16 years later my grandpa passed away and I ended up with the truck again. It sat with the engine in pieces in the bed the whole time. I decided it was best just to start over with a "new" rebuilt engine from S&J engines in Spokane. I went with the 352 since that's what was in the truck originally.



I took the transmission out of the truck and had it rebuilt at a shop locally.



TONS of work cleaning the years of grime and crud out of the engine compartment, but eventually it started to look pretty good!







Found a "donor" engine on craigslist to steal parts from to use on the new engine.



Decided to save some weight and purchased an Edelbrock intake manifold for the new engine.



And that leads us to the last picture for now.....



Yes, I painted the manifold black. Decided I didn't want something big and flashy under the hood. My grandpa wasn't like that and this project didn't seem right with that type of flash.

Tomorrow the hood comes off and the engine goes in! Of course I'll have more pics. This is a brief overview of the few hundred pictures I have of the progress being made on the truck. Close to $5k invested in the truck and the engine is still outside of the truck! I knew going into this that I'd never get my money back out of it, but that wasn't the point of the venture in the first place. Having a great time learning all about this truck and spending time with a good friend during "therapy" sessions :-)

 

Very nice background on your truck and great progress. I have to disagree with one statement though...I believe you have already gotten way more that $5k back and it's not even done!

 

Nice truck I think your grandfather would be proud of you. Keep up the good work.

 

I agree with everyones comments; also your engine should be black and with gold valve covers to see what right looks like.Keep up the good work and your Grandpa is smiling from ear to ear.

 

Good one! Currently working on a 66 short for my grandson. Nice story.

 

i like the story...and progress...that was one filthy puppy...lotsa scraping and pounds lightened off of it...just an FYI..FWIW...the steering box and E brake cable are natural in color..a good clearcoat will do the trick...Is the donor engine from a car or truck ?? I noticed the smog stuff is why I ask...tough stuff to find in my experience.
A good thing to use to spruce up the red after desliming it with something along the lines of comet is a decent paint cleaner/scratch remover...it will make it look loads better...not perfect which would be a bear to do..but make it look alot presentable with the fresh black paint and engine. Also, with the engine out would be a good time to flush the heater core...put a couple lengths of hoses on it to keep water and muck off of the clean parts.
Take a good look at the steering column to steering box coupler as well...this is a prime time to change it if needed...its commonly called a rag joint...and lube those hood hinges with a good lubricant(NOT WD40)...there are many pivot/friction points in each hinge that when all lubed up make all the difference in hood closing ability/effort required...note also if before removal the gaps and how much and where...pics are good for that...also note if either rear edge pops up...which is a common thing with worn or damaged hinges.
All in all...I like what you got going and definately agree your grandpa is grinning from ear to ear and looking right over your shoulder as you work through the project.


- cs65