What I've been up to

[6PackCuda]

As some of you may recall, I bought this plow truck last year. It's a '78 with 318, 4 speed, and a limited slip rear. Looks ok in the pic. but this thing was EXTREMELY rusty. So bad that the doors were hard to keep shut because the rockers and cab corners were pretty much gone. Inner fenders were paper thin, box sides were paper thin. Floors had been patched and re-patched and were rotted out again. Nothing solid left to attach new metal to. I'm pretty sure thing had been a plow truck for a LONG time. I used this truck all last winter as is with no problems though.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/IMG_9586.jpg

After winter was over, I decided to look for one in better shape to put the plow on. I bought this '75 from Kaleb(spoolinhard). Very nice solid body with only minor surface rust. He had already welded in nice new floors. No motor or transfer case, but came with a burned up 727.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/003-1.jpg

[6PackCuda]

My original plan was to use the 318 and t-case out of the '78 and re-build the 727 that came with the '75. So I yanked the motor, tranny, and t-case out of the '78.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/003.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/002.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/001.jpg

[6PackCuda]

I decided I would go through the 318 and just clean it up, re-seal it, and put a new timing chain on it. Well, once I got in to it my plans changed. This motor was SHOT! Cam was all pitted up and lifters were concave. Cam bearings were shot. Pulled one main cap and one rod cap off. No need to go any further than that. The bearings were wasted.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/014.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/019-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/017.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/012.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/011.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/010.jpg

[6PackCuda]

I just couldn't justify spending the $ for a full overhaul of the 318 so the search began for a 360 power plant. I found a good candidate through Kevin(no318). Only problem was, the guy didn't want to sell the motor by itself. He wanted to sell the whole pickup. A '78 D150 2WD. 360 4V with a 727. So, I bought the whole pickup with the intention of yanking the motor & tranny and hauling the body off to scrap. After seeing the truck in person though, I decided it was in too nice of shape to scrap, so I pulled the motor and tranny as planned, then put it on craigslist. Within 1/2 hour I had a guy wanting to check it out. He showed up the next day and bought it.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/019.jpg

[6PackCuda]

The previous owner said the 360 ran good but had carb problems so he parked it. It had been sitting for a few years. I took his word for it and decided to use the motor as is.
The transfer case out of the red '78 worked fine, but I figured since I had it out I would re-build it too so that hopefully I never have to take that heavy SOB out again. Went through the t-case a put all new bearings, seals, and a new chain. Glad I did because the old chain was really loose.

I rebuilt the burned up 727 that came with the '75. I just did a stock re-build and added a bolt-in sprag since I figure the sprag will be taking some abuse in a plow truck.

So, now I had everything I needed. A good 360, fresh 727, and a fresh NP203 transfer case.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/005-3.jpg

[6PackCuda]

With the entire front clip off, I was able to install the engine, tranny, and t-case together as one assembly. That made life soooooooooo much easier. I was amazed how smooth it went in.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/006-3.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/008-2.jpg

[Stein]

Dang, and you said I was the busy one. Looks to be coming together great. And yes, that 318 was shot!!!

[6PackCuda]

Got the motor/tranny/t-case installed, then ran in to a major road block. When I went to hook up the front drive shaft I realized the front diff. was trashed. You could grab the yoke a spin it freely. Pretty sure the pinion shaft is broke. The thought of re-building the diff. and getting the pinion depth set right and trying to torque the crush sleeve while on my back under the truck kind of scared me. I wanted nothing to do with that so I yanked the whole front axle out of the red '78, since they were the same gear ratio, and installed it in this one.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/003-2.jpg

[6PackCuda]

Starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now. I re-built the thermoquad and put new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. She purrs like a kitten now. Still need to pull the limited slip diff. out of the red '78 and put it in this one.

There's also a few minor electrical issues to work out and the plow mount needs a few minor repairs.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/002-2.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/001-1.jpg

[69 GTX]

Nice work Dave! You don't mess around either do ya? After getting the club cab I found and after much thought, I did pick up a 2000 Dodge Ram Short box 4x4 with 112K. I will be putting up pics soon and as soon as I get a few more bugs out of the 74 I will be listing it for sale.

[spoolinhard]

Wow, looking good! I'm glad that it will hit the road again. The 4wd never worked, that doesn't surprise me on the differential, although i had always assumed that it was the t-case.

[6PackCuda]

I decided to go a different direction with my plow vehicle. What do ya think?:D:willy:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/013.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/012-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/011-1.jpg

[Stein]

Throw some mud grippers on it, and I think it will work!!!

[no318]

Reminds me of this.....
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6d1rn-eEA0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6d1rn-eEA0)

[6PackCuda]

Throw some mud grippers on it, and I think it will work!!!

And maybe some tire chains. Hey, you're experienced with putting tire chains on e bodies aren't ya Stein.

[69 GTX]

I decided to go a different direction with my plow vehicle. What do ya think?:D:willy:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/013.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/012-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n194/dwamboldt/011-1.jpg

Too much time on your hands again Dave, boredom setting in right? LOL!!!!!

[Hopalong]

At least paint it to match!

[charger453]

Holy crap, you were doin some work! Your Cuda is slick! :headbang: