Quote Originally Posted by royster View Post
I am in strong agreement here: there are lots of accounts here of modification plans for these trucks, yet the engine is getting minimal attention. I confess I started out that way, too, and my own story unfolds with my realizing that the truck is worthless if it isn't mechanically sound. And for these trucks, there are no quick fixes. I applaud your attitude and resolve to do it right, right from the start.

I also appreciate the detail you went through to tell your story, complete with photographs. Your $200 truck is still a bargain, and hopefully a treasure...heck, just the camper shell is worth 200...but there is a satisfaction to these little guys we all know is the root of our addiction to them.

I'll be permanently offline as of May 14 so I won't be able to follow your story, but I wish you well, knowing that you have everything it takes to have a successful restoration.
Thanks for the support! Eventually I'll work on getting the truck to look nice. After I get the head back together, I'm going to go ahead and upgrade the carburetor. I figure since I already have the old one off I might as well put on the new Weber carb and Carter fuel pump.

After that, I really need to address the rust problem. I'm going to cut out the bottom of the door panel and weld in some patches of aluminum and sand it all down and hopefully achieve a factory look. I also want to take the bed off the frame and sand off all of the rust and rhino line the underside of the bed so it doesn't rust anymore.

In the meantime, I figure I can pull off the catalytic converter and make sure it's not clogged up them I'll wire wheel the intake and exhaust manifolds and heat shield and use some rustolium so when it's back together it's clean. I'm thinking black manifolds and a Mopar orange valve cover.