Sorry if that's not descriptive enough. I'm kinda new in these parts--previous time on the Dodgeforum was in the 1st gen Dakota sections.

Anyhow, got a 1500, Club cab, 2wd, long bed, with a matching & nice Leer cap. But a seriously fubar and dead engine--a 318 seized, broken crank. ~180,000 miles. For the lordly sum of $150. I got it because I have a spare almost no miles on the rebuild on an engine stand in my tool crib. I've been working on it all week, in 100* heat and will get the engine out tomorrow. After some serious degreasing and pressure washing, the replacement will get place on Sunday.

The rest of it is pretty clean--Arizona rig means no rust or body cancer and things don't break when you apply torque to get them loose. It's white, so the usual flaking, peeling clearcoat hasn't happened. I love/hate white vehicles look like sh** but the paint is so durable.

No tech questions, yet. I like working on this thing. Unlike the 96 318 4wd Dakota, it's like working in a warehouse under the hood. So much room! And compared to my Taurus--it's so conventional.

Just an introduction of sorts to these sections of the Dodge Forum. I signed up on Dodgeforumz, too, but they all seem to be 16 year olds, mostly in the time of life when installing a woofer or 22" wheels is what passes for mechanical work.



I know, but other than the rear and the emptying engine bay, I can't get a picture while it's in the carport.

 

Nice. You have stumbled on the most active section on this forum. No need to go anywhere else. I'm surprised Brian (HeyYou) has not stopped by yet...

 

Welcome to the fun section of the Dodge Forums.

Yep. One of the reasons I like my truck is simply because just about everything is fairly easy to get to. There is ROOM!!!! Except, perhaps, the crank sensor.... that was not put in the best possible location.... Be sure and remove it before you pull the motor, and install it after the new motor is in place. They tend to become victims of crushing damage otherwise.

 

Welcome! Jealous you are able to say rust free, we are not so lucky around these parts. These guys know it all and also are quick replying.

 

Well, the engine is out and laying on the concrete floor of my carport. Amazing how easy this was. I like being able to actually get to the bell housing bolts.

Gonna clean and degrease the engine bay today and see if I can lever in the replacement engine tomorrow. Guide pins help, I think. That and cleaning and greasing the dowels and lubricating the sides of the rubber motor mounts.

Yes, we in the west are fairly spoiled by things being rust free. If you keep things up, vehicles last pretty much forever.

 

Well, I got it started yesterday morning! The engine bay is all done, clean and tidy. The new engine started right up, no codes present, and it runs soo smooth. The feller I bought it from 3 years ago was a gearhead, chasing the illusive horsepower, had rebuilt it, run it for 10,000 miles, and sold it to me. He seems to have been a good mechanic and a honest guy--it almost runs like it's balanced. And he practically gave it to me for $400.

So now have to get the A/C back together, front bumper back on and top off the fluids.So far so much better than I expected. A little tip, the trannie is covered with ATF, I noticed that the collar/seal for the dipstick was sitting on the floor--it's a little, cheap part that dries out after about 18 years--Autozone, etc. carries them for less than $5 and it makes the dipstick tube a snug fit.

New tires on the horizon!

And the old carcass engine is going to the scrap yard today.