Heck, it seems more intimidating then when I was deployed but I'm looking forward to it! Next weekend is going to be a mixture of cleaning kit, syncing the carbs on my motorcycle and getting those numbers. Should be a good weekend!

I won't lie, as I was getting towards the end of Matty's threat I started to think like I do when I watch the end of a movie or tv show "Man... there is NO WAY this is gonna all come to completion before the end!" and it didn't! So I'm now watching his threat for the newest updates.

 

It's gonna be a learning experience, no doubt of that. But you will enjoy it. (just keep telling yourself that. )

 

Good Evening!

Out of the field finally (well, yesterday to be honest). Good go. And a kick *** clearance of a village at the end - always fun.

Now onto the numbers! I am a bit concerned, but maybe for no reason? As I understand it, it's all about making sure the numbers are the same across the board. So without further waiting, here is what I have... (And keeping in mind the gauge is analog and not digital...)

1) D: 160 / W: 175
2) D: 155 / W: 175
3) D: 165 / W: 190
4) D: 145 / W: 175
5) D: 175 / W: 190
6) D: 170 / W: 180
7) D: 165 / W: 185
8) D: 140 / W: 180

So... the thoughts and comments? Lets here them. I won't kid, I'm already leaning towards possibly picking up another 5.9L engine and working on that. There are a few (very few...) kicking around. HeyYou, from reading Matty's threat I remember there being discussions reference Magnum vs. LA engines. There is a 5.9L LA for sale in the area, considering whether I should grab it or not. Or one of the other engines that are about... prices vary, but I have no clue how to test a pulled engine.

Chad.

 

Your numbers are ok, but, the severe jump on a few of them indicate that the rings are starting to go. Keep in mind, chrysler says anything over 100 PSI is "acceptable". Does the engine smoke/use oil at all?

Picking up a spare motor to rebuild, and still being able to drive the truck while you are at it, sounds like a winning idea. However, you can't use the LA block, as the lifter bores are at a different angle than the magnum engines. (so I am lead to understand) If you are going to rebuild the motor anyway...... condition isn't really that much of a factor, so long as it didn't toss a rod or something silly like that.

Pull the oil pan, and wiggle things. Front to back movement on the rods is sorta ok, provided there isn't very much. Side to side movement though is very bad, and you need to pull the rod cap, and see if the crank is messed up, chances are the rod will have to be resized as well. If you have multiple choices, skip the engine with bad rod bearings.

 

The truck lacks power (A lot of it...) and though I never seem to see smoke, the engine goes through oil quicker than one would expect. I am guessing the plenum gasket is probably gone and I know the checks, but considering I was planning to rebuild an engine... figure I wouldn't worry about it too much!

Good to know about the LA motor! Thanks for the heads up on that. Will the year matter that much? I have seen a few engines from the 70's and 80's on kijiji and craigslist. I'm stationed in New Brunswick, so the pickings aren't the greatest. I've been checking out the Atlantic Provinces as well as Maine so far.

Chad.

 

You need a motor from 1994-2001. Preferable is 96-01 so you don't need to worry about slight sensor and wiring differences.

 

Again, thanks. I'll start looking around now!

This is what I am looking at possibly... http://novascotia.kijiji.ca/c-cars-v...AdIdZ303818808

There are a few listed, but the one at $150 might be worth it. Says it runs, but smokes. But since it's being rebuilt (or turned into a 408), I'm assuming this won't be a problem.

 

a motor that runs good, but smokes a little for 150 bucks? Yeah, that would work. The other 360 for 300 isn't a bad deal either......

 

I'm going to go against the rest of the folks here and tell you not to dump a bunch of money into this truck. I made them same mistake a few years ago with my truck. I felt that I had attachments to the truck, and honestly planned to keep it forever. So when I started having problems with it I decided to go ahead and fix everything wrong with it instead of getting rid of it. I have over $10,000 in repairs in a truck that I could probably never even sell for half of that. It's actually probably closer to $15,000 now, and it's still an old truck with dash's that crack, and a truck that isn't reliable even when the parts are replaced. Now that I've had it several more years, I'm honestly tired of driving a truck that gets 12mpg, but I'm pretty much stuck with it unless I want to sell it for a fraction of what I have in it. I literally could have sold my truck at the time, and put what I put into repairs with what I'd have gotten, and I could have bought a brand new truck. That's the way I should have gone because I'd not only have a newer truck, but it would also be worth more. These things really are a money pit, and while I'd do minor repairs to keep it going, there is no way I'd dump a ton of money into one of these things again, and I wish I hadn't the first time.


I'm not trying to step on anyones toes here, I just hate to see someone else make the same mistake I did, as it was a very costly one.

 

That's pretty much the case for any older vehicle though..... You end up spending a bunch of money in repairs, for zero return on investment. I suppose, it just depends on what ya wanna pay for.