I agree, you more than likely have a timing cover that has rotted out. Hopefully this truck is not your daily driver? Waterpump bolts bring the suck when they break or rust into position. I say leave it stock, do an EFI/early chain while its all apart. You can buy new timing covers on ebay for $60 I think?

 

ya daily driver i pulled it off the road got my vw on now but im thinking im going to but a rebuild kit or put on together and make sure trans is all good and do my 4 88 gears before i put it back on the road . just got to wait for my work to go back to full time. thx for the input merry christmas