Hoopty Jr

[87squarebody]

Looking at the motor from the front the # is on the left rear corner on the block.
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[Palf70Step]

EdB came by and gave me a hand getting the hood off and to finish yanking out Jr's heart. Once I got it out, I confirmed what I had thought since I got it, that the block was a 305, not a 350. Oh well, no biggie, a 350 is going back in.

Got the engine bay cleaned up [pretty good. I am glad no huggers saw all the grease and oil floating down the driveway to the grass.

Hopefully I'll be able to get the rest of the stuff I need off the 305, and get the 350 ready to drop in next weekend.

For now, Jr sleeps with his Duck Dynasty blanket until the new heart is transplanted.

[Palf70Step]

Well the old is out and as I thought, she was a 305 not a 350. Overall she was clean, but pretty much 7 of the 8 cylinders were using lots of oil (only #6 was oil free on the plug). 2 had some oil guards on the plu and those were really wet. There is a defined ridge on the cylinders, but not too bad.

Not sure what I'll do with it. Since I don't have a boat, and anchor is out of the question.

[Palf70Step]

Cleaning up the old parts and adding on accessories. Got the new harmonic dampener, water pump, fuel pump, throttle brackets and a few other things. Turns out the 83 mater temp sensor doesn't fit the crate head, so I went and found one with the bigger size that hopefully it will run the stock gauge. If not I'll steal some other stuff from the 70

Cleaned up and shot some paint on the cross member. I'll touch it up some more during the week and hopefully drop the new crate 350 in by next weekend.

[Palf70Step]

Finally got things squared away. New engine is in. I had to change the headers, cause I couldn't find a way to make those old Dynamax's work without burning up plug wires (pic 1). Put on a set of Hedman 3/4 length headers.pIC 2 Much nice and lots of room to take care of the plugs.

She runs good and left a peg leg mark on the driveway. This baby is way stronger than the ole 305 was. I took it for a short ride around the neighbor hood with the open headers and it seems to be doing OK, except the air filter is hitting the HEI. Not sure why it hits now and didn't on the old engine, but I ordered a smaller diameter cleaner today. Should get the pipes welded up to the headers later this week.

Jr Alive Video

[Palf70Step]

Got a smaller air cleaner as the other one was just barely resting on the HEI. Ran new HEI power and tach wires as the old ones had no clips and would vibrate loose. I also hooked up my new gauges. I think I need to get a better ground as when I put on the turn signal, both the oil and the volt gauge starts bliping with the turn signals.

Took her out cruising and man does this thing pull. The old 305 wasn't a slouch, but WOW what a difference. Even with 2.76 rear gears, it is hard not to light up the tires.

On the highway it cruises real good. Doing 75ish it runs around 2800 RPM and at 65 it seems to be around 2300-2400 range.

Now to polish Jr up for Cruising the Coast

Here is what she sounds like with the pipes hooked up.
JR with Borla's

[Mike327]

Nice looking truck! I especially like that tag on the front.

[namkyoo98]

Awesome truck! I especially like the cup holder idea and that seat! I am tired of sitting a cup between my legs.

[aggie91]

I like this build, a daily driver that you worked on as you drove it. What are your plans for now?

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I like this build, a daily driver that you worked on as you drove it. What are your plans for now?

At the moment, mostly just drive it. I plan on fixing some minor issues slowly. I have a leaky transmission pan gasket I want to replace. I also need to replace the thermostat housing as it has yet to decide whether it will seep out fluid or be a good seal.

I did find some wheels I liked on Craig's list. I was only going to go with 17" wheels, but something else came up that I really liked and the price was right. 20" Boss 312 wheels. They are 20 x 8.5 in Black Chrome. My plan for tires is to use 275/55 (or 50) on the rear and 245/50 front
It'll be awhile before they actual go on cuz I have no cash for tires yet.

As I find things that fit the budget, I am slowly gathering parts and stuff to tweak Jr.out.

Long term plans are a complete rewire, new gauges. Possibly some dropped spindles (2.5/3) and 4" rear lowering. AC eventually will find its way onto the truck....but that is WAY down the line.

Funds are short for the truck at the moment, so driving is the main thing...and the FUN thing.

Oh yeah pics...

Here is the wheels.

[aggie91]

That's cool! Those wheels look pretty good. That 275/55 tire is tall at almost 32", the front 245/50 is about 29.5" tall. Those would have enough sidewall to have a good ride. I had 275/45 (29.7") on the rear and 245/45 (28.6") on the front of my old '98 and I was very happy with the ride.

Just enjoy the drive for now, I understand about the budget!

[made2drag]

Very nice!

[LT7A]

10 years later. Bring back some memories Bill? I never saw this truck, it was before I joined. I had the 6 spoke version of those boss wheels on an OBS until somebody decided to stay them.