Sent from a pay phone!! I literally lol'd. I understand and I want to keep it original but if I can't salvage the engine then I'd consider swapping. I'll add pics but please remember I painted this over 15 years ago and it has sat in a Kansas pasture since then. Unwashed and uncovered. It's actually growing lichens on it.

 

Nice truck, it is cool in itself to bring one of these old horses back to the highway but when it is a family thing, it's a real bonus. 223 is not a hard engine to rebuild. If it will be your first, it will be a good one to learn on. Can't really beat the feeling of having the thing laying in many parts in your garage and then hearing it set there running on it's own. All the other work you mentioned it needed is not really anymore than what many here have done. Once you get the manual, you will have more of the picture.

 

Thanks, I got the manual today. I'm looking forward to getting started.

 

 

Thanks for those nice pics. No matter what you decide, there's some work cutout for you. Just decide if this is what you want to do, what kind of budget you'll be satisfied with.

 

I was talking to my dad today while trying to remove the radiator and he told me that the engine in that truck had 20,000 miles and some change on it. The old man he bought it from had purchased it from Montgomery ward to replace his old one. I think I've got some work ahead of me but I think the end result will be worth it.

 

Curious how your project is going and if you ever got the 6 cyl engine loosened up.. I see on a post where someone mentioned that you can mix acetone 50/50 mix with a penetrating oil and that will also help to get the motor moving. I just finished my 61 Unibody after a year. Did not remove the one piece cab/bed from the frame but every exterior and interior part was removed and refurbished. Did all the work except the paint myself, probably why it took a year....I hope you decide to keep your grandpas truck and bring it back to life. Good luck

 

Curious how your project is going and if you ever got the 6 cyl engine loosened up.. I see on a post where someone mentioned that you can mix acetone 50/50 mix with a penetrating oil and that will also help to get the motor moving. I just finished my 61 Unibody after a year. Did not remove the one piece cab/bed from the frame but every exterior and interior part was removed and refurbished. Did all the work except the paint myself, probably why it took a year....I hope you decide to keep your grandpas truck and bring it back to life. Good luck

 

It is a good idea to make sure you don't have any stuck valves or you may damage the valve train or cam etc. You can tap gently on the valves with a rubber hammer to see if they move. The ones that are open should close when you loosen the rocker arms. Ask some one local to help if you have questions.
Good luck.