Project: First Timer

Well, here is how it started. I went outside today to start the truck and take a short ride. I started the truck, and guess what, the smoke cloud covered my ENTIRE neighborhood. I let it run for around 8-10 minutes, and the smoke never stopped. So, I am starting this thread because I am getting ready to go ahead and do a ground up build. Gonna start by getting the truck to my father's shop, and setting it in the shop (after I get it cleaned up because he is a junk horder, and he's only 70 years old....lol). Gonna go ahead and get the bed off and get the hood off and then get ready to pull the engine/tranny. Now, I am a poor person with a wife and 4 kids....lol......so the build will be kinda slow go, but will be snapping pics along the way. Not really gonna go all out (mainly because I am a noob at this, and don't know shit about body work), but will make it presentable. Gonna clean up the under carriage, frame, engine bay, etc. Gonna go ahead and rebuild the engine, COMPLETELY. Probably gonna go ahead and get a header, weber carb conversion, and new clutch kit. The tranny shifts smooth, but the throwout bearing is rattling. Not gonna go with bags, 1) they are more than I can afford-2) just really don't care for them.

Now, being that I am a first timer with this, I will most certainly need all the help I can get along the way. So please don't get disgusted with all the questions I will have and what not. May even try to get some help from some local forum members (if possible), especially on the fine tuning. My father has been doing this for 50+ years off and on, but he just turned 70 years old this past Friday, and won't be up to helping alot.

So, gonna start with a few questions:
1) Being that I am a first timer, where would be the best place to start?
2) Should I wait till all parts are ordered then begin, or just start and complete as the parts arrive?
3) Any locals willing to give their insight on problems I may run across?

Please, by all means, make any suggestions or give any insight that you may have. I will NOT be offended by constructive criticism. I know there are a lot of people here that have done this many of times, and your help would be greatly appreciated!

Well B, Ill tell you straight up. If your gonna do a ground up rebuild its best to go ahead and tear it down completely, tag and inventory all your parts, order replacements parts for those needing to be replaced.

There are tons of other things you can do while your waiting on all the parts to come in. Start by cleaning up the frame. thats simple and a can of bedliner or black spray paint can make it look presentable. May I suggest a wire tuck (running all engine bay wires inbetween your fender and sub frame). This is quite extensive and tedious, I suggest snipping and extending one wire at a time that way you dont get something crossed.

So, I think that is a good starting point for ya. From the sounds of it, you may not need a complete rebuild. sounds like you blew a head gasket. Check your oil dipstick and see if your oil looks milky, if so, this means that you are dumping antifreeze (water) into your oil which is a deffinite sign that you blew a head gasket.

By the way, what kinda ride you got? and are you gonna static drop it instead of bags?

According to the gauge, it never ran hot or anything. But of course the gauge could NOT be working. And yes, I am gonna use the static drop instead of bags.

And the tag and inventory thing, any suggestions on the best way to do that?

zip lock bags for smaller items. piece of masking tape for larger items. id number and put a location on all parts then make a record of the numbers and locations on a scratch pad or note pad, or you could even do one in word or note pad on the computer.

Thanks bro. Whats the best way to keep the bolts and know where they all go and such?

try to put the bolt back in there holes after you pull the part off, or you can color code with spray paint. yellow bolt /yellow holes..ect..

Thanks for the tip baddawg, I will surely do that.

Well, got the shop cleaned out, and the truck in the shop. Gonna go in the next few days and get the bed off, get the hood off, and try and get the engine out. Gonna get the engine kit ordered in the next week or so.

Here is what seems to be a GREAT deal on a engine rebuild kit. What you guys think about this kit and it's contents?

Update:

Just ordered and paid for my Pacesetter header from !

Should arrive in a few days....yeehaw

the ebay rebuild kit seems to be a good price