1984 Red B2000 SE5

Thanks. after checking other forums, decided to go with victor reintz. Probably same as FelPro, but def better than the POS McCord I got from rockauto when picking up parts before seeing it... it's mostly cardboard, and not exactly inspiring confidence. Since it took my lazy ass a few hours to pull the head, figured it was worthwhile to to spend a few extra bucks and get the best head gasket i can, to prolong the inevitable on a maligned engine as long as possible.

Not much to update.
Parts keep slowly arriving. Refilled propane tank for heater for garage as it's been below freezing here past week.

Head gasket supposed to finally arrive tomorrow so I might dive into getting the engine back together, if not, then sunday.

Still a few parts I need to be complete, but I'm getting there...

Man that thing is nice and clean! You've got a way better starting point than many of us had


I've been looking at a 3rd gen and you're making me want it even more

Thanks Zanzer. I've been looking for one in fairly original shape for a few years now.. tried my patience at times. I did have to have it shipped across the country, but the wait and hassle has been worth it. just can't wait to get it back on the road, so i can sell my old truck.

Today was effin cold out, and while waiting on head gasket to arrive (it finally did), I went to another pick n pull yard to look for some parts. found a great shape one with a bunch of options, so i pulled a bunch of chrome trim, and an analog clock. I forgot to pull the clock connector plug, as I'm not sure if mine has one (I'll check tmrw). Blue interior. Door handle cups were shot sadly, i know someone was looking for them. Had a nice chromed grill I thought about pulling, but I'm happy enough with mine for now.

Got my exhaust manifold back from the machine shop. Previous owner had broken off 2 bolts. I sanded it down a bit, and put some high temp paint on it.. the old lumps always look like ass, and I'm not feelin the $200 aftermarket headers, not heard much to say they're worth putting in as far as economy/power.

Forgot to check the windshield, but I don't remember seeing any cracks, so I'll head back over on monday, if anyone has any requests. engine had 180k on it, but looked to be in good shape, very clean engine bay.

I'll have to check the manual to see best way to remove the windshield, see if i can save the gasket (no biggie, they're available), or i'll just cut it out.. Think I've pretty well got what parts I need at this point to finish 'er up.

Still need some door cups in better shape, but they're not doing any harm, and some seat covers without rips, but i've yet to see one of those ever..

After that, just do all the scheduled maintenance on it, fluids and hoses, and should be good to go til I feel the urge to mod it (webers, offy intake, better wheels, etc)

Wow, that truck was in good shape, a great place to start a restoration.

Obviously, keep the foots coming!

Foots forthcoming..

Went back to pick n pull today, as I was a dummy and forgot to grab the windshield (mines cracked). Thankfully an employee was willing to walk out and check its condition before i made the trip as it was close to the office. No cracks! Ended up just cutting it out, as it's below freezing here, and the rubber wasn't having any of playing nice. $30 bucks for windshield was worth the hassle and the return trip. No cracks and it has the tinted top, which mine didnt have. My windshield had a 18" crack in it, so glad to pick one up cheap.

Had to grab a missing bolt from the head that the previous owner didn't install. I hope its not floating around in the oilpan as i almost dropped it in there myself when pulling it from junkyard.

Look what was floating around in in my head



So I'll be replacing the cam bearings as well.

Started putting head back on, but ran into a snag on installing the camshaft. posted a thread in help section to diagnose my stupidity. can't get the darn thing to go back in.

More pics once i have something to show.

Well, it's running again. new cam bearings and head gasket and replaced much of the old hoses while I was in there, some were looking a bit ratty.

I need to go pick up a timing light, so it's running a bit off, but it starts and idles.

I'm getting a bit of engine shaking, not sure if that's just because of timing, or vacuum leak, or something else the matter. Seems to be idling a bit high as well from the sound of it (no tach), so I'm not sure what state the PO left it in. I'll double check all the vacuum lines and spray some carb cleaner around.. also check the plugs and compression make sure i'm firing on all 4, it's a pretty intermittant shake though, I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Figure I'll time it first, then track down whatever else might be the matter. Plenty of scheduled maintenence to check up on, replace EGR, do all fluids, and a huge list of other stuff. Heck, I'm not even sure how old the gas is in this thing..



EDIT: one thing I just thought of. When I reinstalled the distributor, I was at TDC and I rotated the rotor so it pointed at where piston 1 was. When I slid it in, since it's a screwed gear, it changed that position so now it was up inbetween 1 and the next one. Was I supposed to take this into consideration when installing? It's easy enough to go back and correct it, just wondering if i put myself at the 'far' side of adjustment range or off a bit too much.

If the dizzy is anything like the younger trucks there should be some kind of mark to line up on the dizzy for tdc that when installed the rotor should be just before cylinder one position on the dizzy. The mark should be on the dizzy where the dizzy mates to the head iirc. If not, try to set it up to where you install it that it would be just before number 1. Spark should occur just after cyl 1 hits tdc. If you can get it there then tuning the dizzy should get you set right where you need

Where it sounds like its currently sitting cyl 1 would fire before cyl 1 actually hits tdc which would cause predetonation making a ping or knock and that could really mess things up since the cylinders would be trying to fire right before the end of the compression stroke instead of just after.

yea, the chiltons didn't mention the mark, said to line it up with cyl 1.. or i misread as i was feeling like i was almost there.. and rushed it..
when i get back to it, i'll set it back to TDC and reinstall the distributor using the mark. Thankfully i didn't let it run too long, and had the timing set all the way back which probably only had it firing just a little bit too early

Thanks!