I’ve back after a 5 year break. My rebuild wasn’t going well, I didn’t realize how expensive it all was and then I realized I didn’t have the skill set needed to complete the project. When I hit big rust Holes on the underside of the cab I had to stop And rethink everything.



First this is my fathers truck, he bought it new in a small town in western Colorado. I was driving when it rolled over 100,000 miles and then personally have put 300,000 miles on it driving it for my dads construction company we were putting in power lines and sub stations. He gave the truck to my sister when he retired. She ended up parking it a friends farm in Nebraska where it sat for 12 years and called me up 6 years ago and asked if I wanted it. Easy to say yes. I started to work on it and the realization there was a big difference between the hot rod truck I dreamed about since I was 14 and what I wanted and can afford.



I decided the package still works I’ve got to many miles in it to not understand that, the 292 y block is a torquey motor, I pulled monarch pass in Colorado (11,300 ft) every trip out of my hometown lugging it in 4th gear at 48 mph, some of that pass has 7% grade. I’m giving up on the hot rod and replacing it with reclaiming a good solid truck. Honestly I don’t think people believe me when I tell stories about the things I’ve done in it. They are strong enough to spin on the rear axle, especially when you put 2 tons of logs for firewood in the back, just gotta keep her under 30 to keep the front tires on the ground



some first questions

1. what kind of HP or load is the T98a able to handle, when I rebuild the engine I was hoping to kick it up to about 220hp.

2. can hardened seats be installed for the valves or am I stuck with lead additives

3. I have a shop manual for it, but I don’t think I know as much as the mechanics it was written for, are there better resources?

4. I met and became friends with 2 brothers who change differential gear sets in rear axles for a living and walked me through the process and offered to teach/ help me through a differential gear change on my truck. Any recommendations on a better gear ratio than the 4.56 I currently have? Was thinking along the lines of a 4.11 maybe “taller” if the yblock/tranny can handle it. I’m content with its current speed/ gas milage, my wife however is not. I live in the Midwest now and monarch pass is a dim memory



thanks in advance for any help advice you offer and trust me, as I get into this there will be some stupid questions I will be posting on here.

 

I would go numerically lower than that. I have 4.10’s in mine , and intend to go to 3.56( I think that is what it is) , but I would not consider anything higher than 3.73. With my current set up, my truck really doesn’t like going above 60-65 on the interstate, and I am getting blown away at those low speeds, in the far right lane.

 

The T-98 that's in good shape, will handle the torque. I have a '64 with 4.56 gears that I will probably change out to 3.5 ish. I don't haul supper heavy loads, so it should be a good choice. I replaced the gears in a dana 44 that was in my '66. It's a lot of work and you will need to get some tools. If I were to do it over, I would save up and pay to have it done.

 

I really appreciate the input on the gear ratios. The 4.10 giving you 60 -65mph sounds good ibuzzard. I can’t remember having mine over 55, although i probably did. This is one of the reasons I got “wrapped around the axle” so to speak. I figured smaller gear ratio in the back meant more HP in the front and a transmission in the middle that may not be able to handle the change. Also mixed up in all this is the memory of my dad. It has to stay a work truck no matter what I do. To that end I appreciate your comment on lighter loads John jamieson. It’s still a truck