Got 'er done - sealed up nice, no problems, no leaks anywhere with a solid 20 lbs of vacuum. BUT (there always is), I hooked up some Summit mechanical gauges while I was at and as fate would have it, all is not well. Truck fired right off, solid 65 lbs of oil pressure, hit 190 degrees no sweat and then the good stuff, after about an hour or so while screwing with the timing, I watched in horror as the oil gauge fell little by little until it hit ZERO/ZIP/ZILCH - nada. Couldn't believe it. Had I not had mechanical gauges, I never would have believed the idiot lights. I guess these things are a little finicky and since it sat for 15+ years before I stumbled upon it, well, what can I expect I guess.

It's not the end of the world and is a fairly straight forward job to do the oil pump but the sands of time have just about dropped out of the glass for me - my wife is 8 mos, 31 days, 23 hours and 59 minutes pregnant and having massive contractions as I write this. She would kill me if she knew I were down here typing this out. But I had to say thanks to everyone for the help and pointers that you all gave me to get the intake on. Sucks though, didn't even get to do a test run Don't know when I'll get to it or if I ever will. If I take 'er somewhere they will surely mug me on the cost (especially in the northeast) and I know that with kiddy #2 here within the next 24 hours I won't be "allowed" to play in the garage either.

Again, thanks to you all for the help and support - I'll be M.I.A for a few days tending to the family but rest assured I'll check in. Especially once I figure out what I'm gonna do with the truck - Peace

 

Mazal Tov!