The little black truck gets a big block

I have had this 1987 D50 for 3+ years,
It has been part daily driver, and part backup vehicle.

It is in daily driver mode right now, but will be moving to motor swap soon.

I have seen and heard about small swaps and associated issues.

I have decided to go big block Mopar. Part of the reason I the distributor location, and part is because I already have the 383, heads, cam, timing, etc.

I picked up an Offy intake to go on the engine, and have a 650 spread bore, double pump carb (think Q jet replacement), that should give plenty of pep, plenty of vacuum signal, etc.

I will post pics of truck as it sits now, and progress of the engine,.

Long term will probably include cutting down a C body 8.75 housing, custom axles to keep the stock wheels (I like the 5 spoke Bogart look), and probably a 3.23 or less gearing to make it highway driveable. '

Updates to come.

a 8.75 from an A body mopar fits without cutting if you can find one - same 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern. At least its not the carter thermobog carb it came with - or you could got fast efi or holley projection 4. Pics please!

My truck is 6 lug. Plans are to cut down the longer C body axle, and order new HE axles in the right bolt pattern to keep the 6 lug 5 spoke wheels...

that is different what about the brakes - you may be able to use front rotors off of k1500 chevy 4wd trucks and fab a bracket for calipers, or go wilwood or ssbc

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Originally Posted by pennyman1

that is different what about the brakes - you may be able to use front rotors off of k1500 chevy 4wd trucks and fab a bracket for calipers, or go wilwood or ssbc

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Definitely have to figure something out. May try to keep it 6 lug drum of some sort, but haven't got that far just yet. Right now I am trying to keep it roadworthy for daily driver use, but damn. It leaks gas and oil at astounding rates. Gonna lift the bed tomorrow night, and see if I can figure out where it's leaking underhood.

Here is how she looked several years ago, when she was drug home...

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...0Truck/D50.jpg

Here she is now...
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps4f02bc61.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbefe9152.jpg

The 383...
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...Picture126.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...c/Turbo015.jpg

The needed a replacement piston. It has new bearings, a split duration Summit Racing cam of some sort, timing set, oil pump and pick up, gaskets, etc. I have already trimmed the tab on the block to use the shorty stainless headers from Ebay. It should keep the entire combo relatively narrow.
I am going to pick up a core 727 and have a friend run through it. I also have a T handle shifter from B&M that a friend didn't need, but I might look at one of the narrow pistol grip style shifters for clearance in the cab.

be sure he replaces the sprags in that tranny - the one weak part in a 727.

Before the heads and intake go on, I am going to do a basic port job on the heads. I will probably not even bother with a valve job, just a basic port cleanup, bowl cleanup, and some red scotch brite cleanup. I will decarbon the valves while they are out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pennyman1

be sure he replaces the sprags in that tranny - the one weak part in a 727.

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This one will probably not see the track, so the sprags and the drums won't take too much of a beating. Hoping to keep all the hard parts in the trans, trying to do this whole job on the cheap.

A radiator is probably going to be the highest cost item.

you are right there might as well do the whole job - the valves have to come out to do the porting anyways

Any updates?

I found out with mine that a later Magnum "ROLLER" block isn't the best motor since the starter and steering box wants to sit in the same place..

NOW I get to weld in a steering rack and MAKE IT WORK..

E

I have a stroked 340 (394) in my 1980 D50. It is a pump gas motor and made 662hp and 533 tq. There is plenty of room for a small block. I had to build my own headers. Ran a best of 6.21 @110 in the 1/8. I can drive it anywhere.

Picture..

^ the want is strong with this one.