Definitely a good idea, will have to wait until spring. If I go that route I would probably pickup a "good"
used engine to drop in while I go over the old engine.
Good thing about older trucks, for the most part plenty of room to work. Pulling the engine out of the Sub would probably take
about 4 hours. Another plus, lot's of SBC Chevys floating around for a pretty decent price. Even 383 strokers from a reliable
builder are reasonbly priced.
The Sub is my "winter vehicle", normally don't take my 2001 Ram/Cummins out in snow/salt (it's my baby,
my buddies make fun of me all the time for not taking out in snow/salt, I even try to avoid the rain
)
Pretty sure no coolant leak at this time, I monitor overflow bottle and raditor at least weekly, levels are always
the same. It leaks more oil than it burns, between the weeping oil cooler lines and the slight drip at the rear main.
Happy with the truck, will be keeping it as long as possible. It's getting "Historic" plates on Jan 2nd. No more
emissons inspection, $100.00 for two years registration, plus a reduction on the already low insurance. It doesn't
owe me anything, paid $4K for it 8 years ago with 159K on the odometer. Have done the exhaust cat back, radiator,
PS pump and lines,water pump, starter, alternator, fan clutch, wiper control module, class IV hitch on back. And
a rear barn door glass I broke strapping down a canoe, that's another story.
Only things I would change are the color, black looks good when clean but doesn't last long and is hot in summer
around here. Also wish it had the solid front axle with leafs and locking hubs. The torsion bar front end isn't bad,
actually has pretty good travel; however, hard to lift properly and can realistically only go up a few inches.
Thanks,
Dave
You will probably think I'm nuts for suggesting this, but I think you would be better off in the long run to pull the motor if you have the facilities to do so...I realize not everyone does. It sounds like a lot more work but once you have it on an engine stand everything is a whole lot easier and you tend to end up with a better quality job to boot plus you have an opportunity to do a thorough inspection that you just can't do any other way. Also, with that many miles on it there's a good chance your intake manifold gaskets are about to start leaking coolant into the lifter gallery if they haven't already and it takes a minuscule amount of glycol to severely degrade your oil.
