Yes it may be $20 but you already know there is a issues with the motor, oil & water mix.
Then add all the little things needed to get it running like oil, filters etc. You cant reuse the oil and filters.
He can still pull the motor apart to see what makes it tick.

Also if he has a bad motor he just put together how much could he drive it to see what shape the rust of the truck is in?
Either way he will need to check the brake system and he dose not need a running motor for that.
Same for the steering system not need to be running.
So other than the rear end & transmission what else is there?


This other motor dose it run or is it in boxes and need a rebuild?
I was thinking a junk yard motor that runs would be a drop in using some of your parts like carb and maybe dist. if it is a 84+ motor.

For intake / exhaust for you and what you know I would use K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) not that you are stupid you just dont know as no one showed you.
I would keep the factory carb and intake and if you have the factory exhaust manifold still bolted to it then I would start with that.
If you wanted to get a little crazy but still KISS you could do the stock intake & carb but use EFI exhaust manifolds & Y pipe as they flow better for a little more power.
Then as you learn more then you can upgrade things, be it motor or suspension, or what ever.
Also as someone pointed out you dont know what shape the rest of the truck is in so the less add on's to the motor I think the better.
Just my .02
Dave ----

 

_______________________
I can't speak for other's... I can tell you for sure I remember exactly where I came from in the old equipment arena.
I also remember a guy working for $4 / hour being able to buy a new 1966 GTO and pay cash for it.
Things have changed. This young man has a money pit.

 

I thought they were all money pits
He can still recover by dropping a running motor in it and by doing so can learn something.
Dave ----

 

If you have the money, you need to find you a good local engine builder/machinest and let him guide you and do the work on the engine. Then you need to read, read, read and learn about engines and engine building. If you can't find a book on the 300 six, then get a book on a v8 like "How to Rebuild your Small Block Chevy" or "how to Rebuild your Small block Ford. They are different engines but most all the important principles you do not know are in those books, like checking clearances, re-ringing the engine, etc. You just have 2 less cylinders.

Your guy at the shop will get everything ready with the engine, and then you can put it together with one of those books.

 

I thought they were all money pits too Dave...
But you gonna spend it somewhere, boat, plane, train, car ......bullnose
I would rather diagnose my engine than buy one and have to diagnose that one.

I remember cutting gaskets out of cereal boxes and coating them with Indian Head......
We were so poor I couldn't even pay attention.

 

I know my 83 F100 is. So far, I'm nearing $13,000 and a new (was new in 2020) Ranger for the wife. It all started with a leaking radiator and water pump! We all know that the only proper way to replace a leaking radiator and water pump on a 1972 Cleveland in a 1983 F100 Flareside is a complete performance build and a frame off restoration.

 

I'd like to say thanks to everyone how messaged with help I got it together the right way and have been driving it daily for almost 3 weeks now

Thank you

 

Your cereal came in boxes? Pure luxury! Growing up, we never had cereal boxes. We had to make our own cereal, and were glad to have it.

 

Yea, and I bet, you had to walk to school, up hill both ways...in a snow storm. That's what my mom told us kids when we complained about something...LOL

 

Thank you so much Kr9644. That is a great sketch, Funny I remember a couple people I have worked with in the past that were "similar "
I always described them as " if you know someone who is dead they know somebody deader"
after all I had to get up before the garbage .en came along , so that I could go through the neighbors rubbish in HOPES to find a cereal box that I could use to make gaskets......
Thanks again, for the laughs 😅

 

I was giving the spiel to my grandkids recently.

"Lunch was a dry lump of poison, and we were glad to have it..."

My grandson then explained they still serve dry poison for lunch, but nowadays they do get ranch dipping sauce with it.