47-55.1 55 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100

[mongocanfly]

Looks like a pretty solid body..unless it s still on the stock frame your going to need a complete donor chassis...if you want to make it dependable your best bet will be the s10 frame swap..unless your looking for v8 power you can even use the 4.3 engine and trans from the s10..joedoh has done several of these..check out his builds.. and thank you sir for your service..

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Looks like a pretty solid body..unless it s still on the stock frame your going to need a complete donor chassis...if you want to make it dependable your best bet will be the s10 frame swap..unless your looking for v8 power you can even use the 4.3 engine and trans from the s10..joedoh has done several of these..check out his builds.. and thank you sir for your service..

It was in the dry desert in Las Vegas for many years then in the dry foothills near Placerville till 4 months ago. Now in OR the rust potential scares me

Sadly Its on a 84 gmc k10 frame 4x4 with a worn out 350. I needed a 4x4 for the ranch and the 84 frame was basically a gift. The old frame/engine/trans are long gone. Looking at a GM 350/290hp crate but need to pick a good carb. The 4175 holley has been a problem from day one. The Offy intake and M/t covers are neat but very old.

[mongocanfly]

Are you wanting to keep it 4x4? Thats no problem...I thought you were looking to do a frame swap..my bad..my ad body is sitting on a 69 4x4 chassis now for the past 35yrs..but will be coming off to go on my custom built tube chassis.. I've got 4x4s running out my ears around here and want to take mine back a 2wd hotrod cruiser

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Are you wanting to keep it 4x4? Thats no problem...I thought you were looking to do a frame swap..my bad..my ad body is sitting on a 69 4x4 chassis now for the past 35yrs..but will be coming off to go on my custom built tube chassis.. I've got 4x4s running out my ears around here and want to take mine back a 2wd hotrod cruiser

Yep sticking with 4x4. We retired to a beach community and the weather/terrain here are unfriendly to non 4x4s/awd. Just the wet winter leaves and unpaved roads will stop a 2 wheeler. Its gone to restorer (yesterday) and need to pick a replacement 350 and running gear asap. Think I lost all my mechanic smarts when 65 blew past.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Think I lost all my mechanic smarts when 65 blew past.

Me too. Projects that used to seem simple are now overwhelming.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

Me too. Projects that used to seem simple are now overwhelming.

It would be easier if my eyes could see what my hands are doing.

[mongocanfly]

Have you given any thought to a LS swap? For about the same money as a crate you can do a swap..of course the 350 is simpler.but the ls has fuel injection ..ill never go back to carbs..I've got a 6.0 in my 81 and am doing the same for my 55.1 ad..on your running gear since you already have it setup for the solid axles just go back with the same setup..is something wrong with your running gear? How much stuff are you looking at replacing..we know your doing the engine so what else do you need to replace

[mongocanfly]

Pretty cool that your doing a memorial truck..

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Have you given any thought to a LS swap? For about the same money as a crate you can do a swap..of course the 350 is simpler.but the ls has fuel injection ..ill never go back to carbs..I've got a 6.0 in my 81 and am doing the same for my 55.1 ad..on your running gear since you already have it setup for the solid axles just go back with the same setup..is something wrong with your running gear? How much stuff are you looking at replacing..we know your doing the engine so what else do you need to replace

Curious about this LS you speak of. The running gear is fine. The 700-r4 was rebuilt to heavy duty standards and has less than 1000 miles on it (if that).
My engine tech is limited to old school due to lack of use. Heck i don't even know what "ad" means.

Thanks to all for the kind words and the links. Rather partial to the old Army Air corp symbol for the doors

https://www.google.com/search?q=army...ksovEQSuG0M%3A

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Think I lost all my mechanic smarts when 65 blew past.

We did lose the smarts we just realized we can hang a $50 bill in front of a 20 year old and get him to do a $200 job.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

We did lose the smarts we just realized we can hang a $50 bill in front of a 20 year old and get him to do a $200 job.

should have said we didn't lose the smarts

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

should have said we didn't lose the smarts

How about hanging $15K in front of them? Still say i lost my smarts but can make up for it in $.