On a second note... somewhat non related, as I have determined after all this work I am going to keep it and build it up, what are guys putting on their 318's for exhaust? I dont want to replace it or go dual or anything, just want to swap out the muffler. Was looking at Thrush at the big "O" sunday and they have 3 stages. the stock replacment($60), the "turbo" ($35) and the typical glass pack ($20). I was thinking the glass pack, but wondering if it would be too obnoxious. Go with the turbo and get the deeper tone, but not real loud?

Anyone have any exp with glass packs on the stock system?

Also, I want to put the muffler right behind the cat and then turn out side right in front of the rear tire. Anyone see issues here?

 

Hey if you still looking for motors, i dont know what part of ND your from but if your close to fargo take a drive to the twin cities here there are a good half dozen engine ranging from 318's to a few magnum 5.2L and all are fare and cheap 150-250, there is a jeep magnum 5.3 L in my salvage yarb for $200 im pulling tranny so the engine will be free clear and ready to go here? Just a thought

 

Already got a motor. Thanks for the hit though!

 

So i got it down to just the 2 motor mounts and the 4 bolts bolting the motor to the torq converter.

Unfortunately, with out being able to spin the motor over, I am unable to remove 2 of those 4 bolts, so the torq converter is going to have to come out with the motor... gonna be messy!

I spent a couple hours tonight taking off the intake mani and heads, hoping that it was just a bent push rod or valve... but no such luck. its a connecting rod no doubt.

Anyone ever pull a motor still attached to the torq converter? I am going to pull the fan and the last two bolts and give it a whirl tomorrow. hopefully I can get it forward enough to get them bolts out!

so, with that said I have a good set of heads with push rods and an intake manifold if anyone needs them!

 

I have pulled motors out with TC attached, gets messy but is necessary at times. The TC should only be half full, when you lift front of motor higher than the back it willl run out onto..... pretty much whatever you DONT want it to.

Make sure you have the TC lined up with the pump splines in trans before you try to drop new motor in or you will damage pump/TC/seal etc. and anything else you don't have extra money to throw away on.

 

well, i got it all out and the new one is setting in place.

to my surprise, I didnt lose a drop of trans fluid when the motor came out or when I put the TC back in! My neighbor is a mechanic and said he has never seen this before either. I guess it prolly helped that I dropped all the tranny fluid before I did this to replace the leaking gasket on the trans pan. All while the front of the truck was jacked up so maybe enough came out of the TC.

Anywho... I took the TC off the old motor and put it back in the trans and the new motor droped right in place. another thing my neighbor the mechanic had never seen. An easy and quick drop in. I literally did it my sef while he was watching and it fell right into place!
I put the 2 larger bolts from the motor to the trans in to be sure everything was lined up but other than that, it still needs to be bolted in and then re wired.
Good day, id say... good day.

 

So after more than a month of driving a '79 ford p/u. I finally am back in a dodge!

Finished the motor swap lastnight and to my surprise.... it fired right up! I was completely expecting to turn the key and get nothing. not even a click.

Started right up, but idles a little rough and seems like it might be missing a little. Going to run a timing light and maybe go back to my old plug wires as it worked fine with them.

Could not believe how much fluid the tranny actually held. I put 2 gallons in and it barely brought it to a safe level to drive!

With it running again, it sort of "re-kindled" my likeing for the truck, and I think I am going to continue to build on this chassis as it only has 70,000 on the chassis and 45,000 on the motor. I pulled the running boards and really like that look! I may start an upgrade thread and let this motor replacment thread die now!

 

Good job. Glad to hear you got the thing back up. It's always a good feeling to turn the key over for the first time and hear the engine come back to life. I always hesitate thinking it won't start too though.

An upgrade thread now?

 

Yes,

The truck is bone stock black with silver and the typical Dodge paint issues.

I am thinking cosmetic upgrades as well as a few performance mods. Nothing huge or over the top, but thinking of making it sort of a "bullet proof" stealthy appearance.

Paint (stick with the 2-tone, but I'm thinking Black and gunmetal for a dark sinister look)
"black out" everything (windows, lights, anything chrome)
skid plates
big bumpers (want to make it able push and hit stuff with out damage )
shackle and body lift
headache rack
lotsa lights

Going with a "need a tough, bullet-proof, bomb proof truck to get me around when WW III begins and the US caves-in on itself and I have to move to my underground lair in the back woods" theme

 

I think you have some great ideas there. Add an external roll cage and you will be in business.

I have been designing some bumpers that I'd like to TIG up soon. I want to make provisions for a winch with it. I am still debating on whether or not I want to go with a tow truck type design where the front face of your tire is hidden behind the steel or a hummer type design where you have an exposed front tire face. For looks I like bbeing able to see the tire and I actually want to cut my front quarter panel up to the headlights. It is rusting anyways.

As far as lights, I am hoping that by the time I am ready I will put them on last and the LED light bars will be cheaper.