I am planning to install the Hughes plenum kit, new valve covers and I just installed a 180* thermostat today. What else do you recommend I take care of while I have things torn apart? If there are other items to replace I would rather do it all at once.

Thanks for any inputs. This site has been extremely helpful in the short time I've been a member.

 

Water Pump? Timing gears?

 

make sure the hose that runs from water pump to manifold is NOT dry rotted or swelled up badly. I just finished mine up today

 

Ooo, good point. Just get a new one. They are like six bucks.......

 

I'll check into the water pump. What are your thoughts on gear drives instead of timing chain gears?

Good point on the hose. I replaced the hose to my thermostat just because I'm **** with that stuff and it was worn out. In fact the PO pretty well trashed the truck so I'm replacing most of the hoses as I go. I am a little worried about messing with the heater hoses and will probably do some research before I tackle that just to make sure I don't miss something easy.

 

Your truck sounds like mine. A serious victim of neglect.

Gear drives are expensive, noisy, and hard to find. Just get a good double roller timing set, and call it good.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Competition-Ca...T04WFSPCSAXMN1

Free shipping too!!!

 

Distributor cap and rotor if they're not nearly new is always good to get while they're in easy reach.

 

Thanks for the words on the gear drive. I'll take that advice and probably use that Amazon link. I've been pretty happy with getting things from Amazon. They sometimes have great deals on useful things.

I already replaced Cap, rotor, wires and plugs last week and I just did my PVC valve and thermostat today. My valve covers are leaking pretty bad so I got the gaskets but won't install them until this week.

 

If you didn't get your PCV from the dealer, go there, get one, throw away the aftermarket piece.