Another TRUE Barn find!

[ptindall]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

I really think the extra half bearing is the culprit. It's unused and clearly dated '78. The damn thing must have been slopping around in the pan until it bounced up and hit the crankshaft bearing cap bolt...? See the small bite in it?

The loose beaing is very interesting but I think the only way it could have caused the engine failure is if it blocked the pickup enough to reduce oil flow.

[Grey Ghost]

Can you see where it banged around or gouged anything in the oil pan?

I can see it happening. New guy on the job or having a bad and just let the thing to on down the line.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

Time for a low budget junkyard LS1 swap

[Don Rickles]

Ok the diagnosis is in…..

Crankshaft is toast
Cylinder Head is cracked, also toast
Block is usable and can go with .30 over.

Now’s the time to make up my mind…..

With this bad news I’m really thinking I should bail on the inline 6. Listening to several here has kept me trying to save it. But now the cost looks like it will exceed using the 390 that’s already built….I do have the old Cruise o matic to bolt up to the big block, but almost certainly it needs to be rebuilt.

I will make the two lists and compare now that I know I only have a bare block to start with…..

Bummer….

[CurtP]

Does anyone even have .30 over pistons in stock? Seems finding parts right now is completely hit or miss. I'd bail on the I6 unless you really want to keep it as close to original as possible.

[Yadkin]

Cruise-o probably $2500 to rebuild, then a custom driveshaft.

[Don Rickles]

Bench seat is ready to be picked up! I was able to locate the exact fabric and color!

[UniqueDoug]

Cool thread, can’t wait to see how it comes out

[Grey Ghost]

what was the final decision about the motor

[theandies]

No offense but I just don't get this pickup thing these days. No matter how much they are fixed up etc. they still all look the same no matter the manufacture or what's stuffed into the engine bay. Yes, they can be lowered, put big tires under them. LS the shit out of them. Paint them up real nice but in the end it's still a boxy pickup truck no matter the badge they have on the fender.
I don't get it at all. I just wish I had an old C10 or something to sell to a sucker these days.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

what was the final decision about the motor

Teaser pic!

Originally Posted by theandies

No offense but I just don't get this pickup thing these days. No matter how much they are fixed up etc. they still all look the same no matter the manufacture or what's stuffed into the engine bay. Yes, they can be lowered, put big tires under them. LS the shit out of them. Paint them up real nice but in the end it's still a boxy pickup truck no matter the badge they have on the fender.
I don't get it at all. I just wish I had an old C10 or something to sell to a sucker these days.

Did you eat a lot of lead paint chips, when you were a kid?

[LATB]

Originally Posted by theandies

No offense but I just don't get this pickup thing these days. No matter how much they are fixed up etc. they still all look the same no matter the manufacture or what's stuffed into the engine bay. Yes, they can be lowered, put big tires under them. LS the shit out of them. Paint them up real nice but in the end it's still a boxy pickup truck no matter the badge they have on the fender.
I don't get it at all. I just wish I had an old C10 or something to sell to a sucker these days.

Because pickup trucks are practical, fun to drive and cool. The old trucks are cool X10.

If you don’t understand ask you husband to explain it to you.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by LATB

Because pickup trucks are practical, fun to drive and cool. The old trucks are cool X10.

If you don’t understand ask you husband to explain it to you.

You dismissed his valid point out-of-hand. Think about it. It really is a bit odd.

Rule of thumb used to be, the less practical the vehicle, the more it was worth as a classic. It is still that way with pickups, where a short bed, flare fender, big block truck is worth a lot more than a long bed truck with an I6.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

You dismissed his valid point out-of-hand. Think about it. It really is a bit odd.

Rule of thumb used to be, the less practical the vehicle, the more it was worth as a classic. It is still that way with pickups, where a short bed, flare fender, big block truck is worth a lot more than a long bed truck with an I6.

No, you're making too many assumptions.

Never once did I talk about the value of this old truck. I'm not doing this for the money. My life has been spent driving pickups for work trucks and daily drivers. I actually used a '78 F250 with a 460cu., as a mule for years in the late 70's, and it was black like this one. There's a '07 F250 Lariat in black on my driveway currently. I dig pickups, period....

But, to your point on value, I was given this truck for a song, and will try to keep the costs as low as possible. Even then, I'll take a stab stating it will be worth at least double my spending, when it's road worthy.

Here's a list of what's currently parked on my driveway, inside the garage and in my car hauler.......
1967 Corvette Coupe Base 70k mi Green
1971 Corvette Coupe 454 18k mi WBY
1972 Corvette Coupe LT-1 factory A/C 49k mi WBY
1972 Cutlass 350 Rocket 72k mi Green
1974 Datsun 260Z 85k mi Green
1979 Ford F250 85k mi blk
1987 Corvette Coupe Z51 4 sp 42k mi Blk
2006 Thule 24' Enclosed Car Hauler Blk
2007 Ford F250 V10 174k mi Blk
2013 Cadillac Coupe 124k mi Blk
2013 Audi S5 78k mi Blk
2017 Volvo S60 42k mi Blue

All but the '79 are driving, insured, and inspected.

I did have a '76 Monte Carlo in my early twenties, I got laid in that car so often I nicknamed it Hotel Monte Carlo!

[Don Rickles]

Today's interior progress!

I'm very happy with the quality of work done to the upholstery on the bench seat. Colors a dead match along with same as factory patterned vinyl made for a great new interior. Cleaned up nicely.

[Don Rickles]

Little progress! Got my short block assembled! second picture is showing the pastigauge, perfectly with in specs!

[Don Rickles]

TTT! I'll admit I really haven't been able to squeeze in much time on the '79.......BUT ....we hit 60* outside today, warm enough to paint!

Picked up a cheapo Deestone, for a spare tire, mounted and balanced.

Slow but moving.....

[TheRealBadger]

Originally Posted by theandies

No offense but I just don't get this pickup thing these days. No matter how much they are fixed up etc. they still all look the same no matter the manufacture or what's stuffed into the engine bay. Yes, they can be lowered, put big tires under them. LS the shit out of them. Paint them up real nice but in the end it's still a boxy pickup truck no matter the badge they have on the fender.
I don't get it at all. I just wish I had an old C10 or something to sell to a sucker these days.

Just hideous

[Don Rickles]

There’s a ‘59 Ford just waiting to be plucked! 😆

[Grey Ghost]