20 years later

[dgodecke]

I got her up on the lift today and got a good look at her underside. Found a TH350 and a NP205 transfer case. Not sure that TH350 is strong enough to hold this motor. Any tips on how to beef it up are sure welcome.

A lot of funky wiring from end to end. I think a new wire harness is in order.

Also found the dash and instruments are toast. All cracked and broken plastic for the most part. It was hacked up to add a gauge at one time also.

[russgt]

Ah, I see now that its 6 lug and not 8. Please dont put the newer stepside bed on it, they just dont look right on an older truck.

[dgodecke]

Originally Posted by russgt

Ah, I see now that its 6 lug and not 8. Please dont put the newer stepside bed on it, they just dont look right on an older truck.

I thought it would look nice with the smoother lines. I will have to morph some photos in photoshop and see what it looks like before I buy one. If not I will still go stepside. the fleetside is just boring to me.

[70k52wd]

What a great score. The price is unbeatable. I do agree a newer style bed wouldn't be my choice. However, it's your truck, do what you like. My thoughts are that the center piece will be under the hood. Who cares what bed you have when you have that 427. incredible!!

[dgodecke]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

What a great score. The price is unbeatable. I do agree a newer style bed wouldn't be my choice. However, it's your truck, do what you like. My thoughts are that the center piece will be under the hood. Who cares what bed you have when you have that 427. incredible!!

You are correct it is all about the motor.

When it comes time to find a bed the determining factor will be what I can find for a good price and how much work it will need.

[dgodecke]

Well Project Ranch Hand hit its first major snag today.

The plan was to pressurize the oil system and while the drill was turning the oil pump I was going to turn the motor over by hand so I could get to all the bolt on the flex plate prior to pulling the motor out.

I took all the rockers off so no pressure on the camshaft first. Then took out the spark plugs....First bad sign....Rust on the end of two of the plugs. Squirted a bunch of penetrating oil in all the plug holes to give some protection to the cylinders.

Now the moment of truth. Pumping the oil I had 50 pound of good pressure. When I tried to turn the crank is when I found the big problem...it won't tun over!

Well I support the transmission and very carefully slid the motor out with the torque converter still attached to the flex plate since I could not get to 2/3 of the bolts. Okay it came out smooth and clean so I don't think I did any damage. A new torque Converter is on the play anyway and I will check out the flex plate or replace it also so no harm no foul I guess.

Now it is time to get it on a motor stand and tare down the motor. I suspect it is rust in the block is the problem and that will require a line bore to clean it up and a new set of pistons A guess. Planed on a valve job also so when I get done I will have a good fresh motor. It will just take longer and co$t a bit more.

[dgodecke]

More bad news:

The heads came off tonight and the #8 hole was not only sezed up tight but even had dirt on top of the piston. The inside of the head on that hole had rust scale that had fallen down on top of the piston. The ex valve had been ope all those years and the heat and cooling cycles had moved air in and out. The block will need to be bored out to clean it up but shold not be a problem.

The other bad thing was one of the heads is not from this motor. It has a different casting number and when looked up it has a bigger combustion chamber by 2.1cc. That is if it was not properly matched when it was put on and I won't know that until I get the heads reworked.

The motor was also to have a solid lifter cam in it, but nope a hyd cam was in it instead. I don't know the specs on that cam yet.

In the end I will have a fine running 427 that is for sure but not an all original motor as I had hoped it would be.