1987 B2600

The username says it all. I have just recently purchased a 1987 Mazda B2600 cab plus 4x4. I bought the truck for $250 dollars from my brother. Rented a car hauler and towed it 230 miles to my house and now it sits in my drive way. I have never worked on an automobile before and I am considering giving it a try.
The truck is in great condition (Body, interior, and drive train). However the engine needs some work. This is what I've been told: He was driving the truck home from his hunting camp when it ran hot. He pulled over and water was leaking out of the head on the passenger side of the engine. He parked it and towed it home and there it sat for a year and a half. The engine was rebuilt in 2000. Vaccume lines are dry rotted and are intimidating to me, it just looks like a major headache. I would like to do away with those. The exhaust sytem looks like it needs to be replaced. I have also noticed that the clutch fluid has leaked out and is noticable around the transmission.
I have about $2000 dollars that I would be willing to spend.
Please help with any ideas on the best way to get her going with that budget. What would you do?
Truckdummy

blown head gasket,and if there is clutch fluid around the tranny then the slave cylinder is most likely your problem.and i dunno what to tell you about the vaccum lines other than go one at a time when replacing them.

Thanks for the info. I've been thinking about a webber carb. I've read that I could use that and get rid of the vaccume lines. Is it that easy? Also, I've been trying to find some headers but all the ones I can find are for 2wd only. Does anyone make headers for a 4wd 1987 b2600? Thanks for the assistance.
Truckdummy

the headers i dont knw about but if you get a weber its too easy to get rid of the vacuums it is your best bet to get the weber

i dunno if they even make headers for the b2600.and if its the carb version b2600 then the exhuast/intake are on completly opposite sides then the b2000/2200,and the injected b2600.your truck is a mitsubishi motor

Go to an exhaust shop they can probably make you some headers probably be in the $400-$500 range since it will be *custom*. Go with the weber. Get a weber 38 or 32/36 I just put in a 38 and the preformance increase was amazing. It was pretty easy to put in. Also these engines are pretty easy to work on. If you can read and follow directions you should have no problems other than of course rusted bolts and jobs taking you longer than you would have thought but other than that you should be good.

Hey, it's the truckdummy. I pulled the head off this weekend and dropped it off at the machine shop this morning. I also picked up my Weber carb. I didn't get the 38 was that a mistake? I returned the timing kit that I had purchased because everything looks good with the chain and gears. Fear and Laziness also came into play with the timing when I saw how much further I would have to go in the engine to replace the timing chains and gears, etc. I also droped off the radiator to be refurbished. Today I also picked up the following components to be replaced.
Starter
Thermostat
Water Pump
Plugs
Ignition Wires
Distributor Cap
Rotor Button
Hoses
Is there anything else that I should replace while I've got her broke down.
Also, is there anything that I will need or any tips installing the weber.
Thanks for the help. Any input is welcome.
Mark