Hey guys, brand new here. I came into a few bucks and have decided to restore my grandfather's old 96 1500 with a v6. I'll likely swap in a V8 but that's not the problem here. The truck has sat for 13 years without ever running, and was in horrid shape mechanically when parked. Right now I'm just looking to move it from the pasture so I can get started with all the cleaning before I dismantle it. I put a fresh battery in, grabbed the booster and she cranked right away, but wouldn't go, figured no fuel in the tank. So I added just over a gallon to get started and still nothing. So I took off the air cleaner, and shot some ether down her throat and she dialed right up, but no matter how hard we tried we couldn't get it to idle on its own. I'm more than ready to redneck rig it up a new fuel system with a can and electric fuel pump on a switch, but my question is how do I go about that? It's not a carb on that truck but it's unlike any intake I've dealt with so far. I'm fairly new to the mechanical side of things but have spent years training myself up and am not afraid to tear right in, I've already successfully, somehow, rebuilt an auto trans lol. Any advice would be appreciated, I know this is a hell of a longshot here. Thanks guys!

 

You've already established that it basically runs and fuel is the problem. The fuel system uses a high pressure fuel pump in the tank, and is return-less. The truck could possibly run with an external pump delivering ~50 psi straight to the fuel rail. However that would require the injectors to work and after 13 years they might well be stuck. My plan of attack would be:
- remove the fuel pump relay and jump the contacts. Listen if the fuel pump even runs.
- if yes, disconnect the fuel line at the rail and check if there's anything resembling fuel coming out.
- if yes, get as much as possible out if the tank. Then add fresh fuel.
- pull injector and check if it sprays anything. If not, remove them all and soak in fresh gas or carb cleaner and then (after drying them off and far away from anything flammable) try to activate them by supplying 12V but only a short pulse. They should click.

 

Even if you put a gallon of fresh gas in the tank it still may not be enough. The gas is stale and needs to be removed then fresh gas put in.There should be a port on top on the fuel pump assembly that you can hook up a external pump and suck out the bad gas.

 

Yeah, the gas in the tank isn't gas any more. Adding a gallon isn't going to make a bit of difference.... need to drain what's in there, then put in some fresh gas. Several gallons at least.

 

Great advice from the above. One caveat, the fuel system isn't exactly return-less. the "return" is built into the pump and inside the tank. For long term, putting an inline pump, even at 50 psi will cause it to run rich and you will turn your plugs to charcoal and eventually burn up your inline pump, because they want to always be flowing. It could get you out of the pasture, however. Believe me, I just went through this and ended up building an entire fuel system. You are better off getting the factory system to work.

Also, rebuilding the fuel system to a return system will give you emission codes, because of elimination of charcoal canisters.

 

Unless you're going to race it or tow something heavy, why change the engine to a V-8? The 3.9 six banger had as much power as the pre-magnum 318. My old '84 did just fine. The 3.9 in good tune can give you over 20 mpg in daily driving. On a more realistic basis, if you ever have to work in the engine compartment, you'll appreciate the extra room a 6 banger will give you.

I'd drop the fuel tank and get what ever is left in there out. Replace the fuel pump while you're at it.Once you get it clean with fresh fuel, you can then see if the injectors will work. Since it fires up with ether, you have a fuel issue. Once you get it running, add a quart of transmission fluid and let it run for about 5 minutes. Drain and refill with fresh oil and a new filter. Run this oil for 25-50 miles and change it again. This will clean the gum out of your engine unless the engine has major issues.

Once you fix it up, you'll think of Grampa every time you drive it.