New guy, goin' in dry

[YankeeHauler]

OK, new owner of '97 C2500, and once I got the truck home, I see it's lost some coolant. This was something I'd checked on the truck when I initially went to look about purchase it (it was a little low, PO topped it off). I questioned him about it, and I did notice it had a new water pump on it, which he referred back to as "probably just didn't get it filled back up".

Really doesn't matter at this point, I like the truck, it's exactly what I was looking for, "low miles" at 145K. Seriously, EVERYTHING I looked at from '99 up was either right at, or well in excess of 200K miles. On top of that, vehicles in Central Indiana look like they get parked in a salt pile

Back to matters at hand, it didn't take much time (internet) to figure-out what was going-on, since there's no visible leak, and oil level remains stable and viscosity clear, that led me to the intake gaskets.

Truck runs/shifts great, just a bit loud from the bad exhaust gasket. I think it'll make me a pretty decent truck. It will also need a set of outer rocker panels, but that'll have to be after warmer weather returns. Bottom of doors and cab corners still fine, uncommon around here for a truck that age. It's my belief it was a farm truck, which would explain the somewhat lower mileage, and can't help but wonder if it didn't set in a barn for the winter?

I mentioned in my introduction post (new member area) I'm not unfamiliar with mechanical work, just not on newer vehicles, so before this is all over, I may be asking for support here, or at least providing entertainment for others

Spent the past 2 days gathering parts, after reading several posts on which were the best.

So far:
The good FelPro Intake Gasket set
2 additional valve cover gaskets (they needed replaced anyway, and only 1 comes in the Intake Set)
The Upgrade SCFI to MPFI set (BWD) and Bracket
Replacement fitting for heater hose on intake
New AC plugs
NoFail Thermostat and new Coolant
Filter and oil

Both headlights need replacing (one chipped, other cloudy/sweating inside), and have a exhaust flange gasket leaking under the cab, which threw the only code the guy at the Parts Store found, 02 sensor, same side behind converter.

So tomorrow afternoon, I'm pulling it in to start taking things apart. I made it a point to read over and over the importance of paying special attention to the distributor location, and will mark accordingly. I'll also take lots of reference pics, and tag/label/bag things so there's no questions when it comes to reassembly time.

Once all that's done, I have plans to do a fluid/filter change on the transmission. Hoping to have it ready to set the intake back on (something else I know to be especially careful in doing to avoid gasket movement) Thursday morning. Then let it set until Friday to allow the UltraBlack to cure. Also aware of the torque sequence and amount.

I still may end-up getting the distributor drive gear, depending on what it looks like once it's removed, and can get that locally (and may just do it anyway while it's out).

I'm all ears if anyone's got suggestions/advice on anything I may have missed (though I may just have failed to mention it). I've done my homework, and the only thing that I really have concern over is the distributor installation.

I'm considering buying the scan tool from NAPA to check cam retard, be a handy item to have anyway, and I plan on keeping the truck for a long time.

Keeping my fingers crossed I'll be adding pics of the process over the next few days.

Oh, and it will be losing the farm bumper just as fast as possible