Half-ton pickup redux
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Doesnt need a valve job just valve seals ,but that can be a lot of work too. Usually have to blow air in the cylinder to keep the valves from falling in after you remove the rocker arms and springs. Probably just live with the puff of smoke on startup.
Oh yeah, I just had a neighbor do that to my ‘78 last spring. Little neoprene things. It run me $80 to have it done but I didn’t get a puff of smoke on startup, it was just using a lot of oil. I also had some blow-by going on and I tried the CerTech ceramic treatment and it seems to have worked. I’ll have the engine rebuilt in a few years anyways though.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
From questions on purchasing a 2011 F150 to replacing valve seals on 40 year old engines, in nine pages. This one's cooked.
jetsam
Minister of Fire
Stelcom66
Minister of Fire
Unfortunately I believe the only manual transmission available in a full size truck for the last 10 years or so was in the Dodge 2500 with the diesel. Even 4x4 trucks 15 years old with a manual tended to be RWD. I'd prefer to have a standard transmission, and especially in the Dodge 2500, but that won't happen unless I win the lottery.
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I recently bought a rust free 1997 dodge 2500 gas 4x4 manual transmission that I totally rebuilt...fresh Mopar Performance long block and went throughout it bumper to bumper...it will haul.
Stelcom66
Minister of Fire
Oh wow, you lucky! I like the style of that generation. Does it have the 318 V8? I don't think the 360 came with a manual, or maybe it did back then, but I see it's a replacement engine. I'll bet it does move.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
I actually ended up a Dodge customer in 2005, when I was shopping for a new 1/2 ton, and learned that Chevy had stopped offerering manual trans in 4x4 V8 extended cab pickups. Fast forward ten years, and Dodge stopped offering manual trans, as well. Even Toyota, always a bastion of the manual transmission, does not currently offer a manual trans in a full-size pickup.
I just bought a new(er) pickup, and settled for auto, which I told myself I wouldn't mind anymore. In truth, it’s not that bad in good weather, but it scares the chit out of me in the snow. I just can’t feel what’s happening under me nearly as well, with auto trans.
I just bought a new(er) pickup, and settled for auto, which I told myself I wouldn't mind anymore. In truth, it’s not that bad in good weather, but it scares the chit out of me in the snow. I just can’t feel what’s happening under me nearly as well, with auto trans.
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It actually came stock with the 360....by haul I meant it is geared low 4.10 and can haul/tow a lot of weight...I skid a lot of big logs with it...now my other Dodge with the 8.0 will really haul! lol
Stelcom66
Minister of Fire
Got a 12K Winch on the 8.0...that winch has saved me a lot of work!
Stelcom66
Minister of Fire
I also settled for a 2001 automatic Silverado a few years ago, had to trade it in along with my manual trans. Subaru Forester for a larger SUV since due to a job change I couldn't justify two vehicles. The consolation is, most modern automatics to as well as or sometimes better than manuals for MPG - at least according to www.fueleconomy.gov. For snow though, I also definitely prefer manual. The Silverado 1500 was fine loaded up many times (and likely overloaded) with firewood over short distances.
Stelcom66
Minister of Fire
Nice! 8 liters, is that a V10? Cool two-tone. The photo reminds me I need to check with a place that routinely leaves pallets for the trash hauler to take away.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
It kills me that Dodge has stopped making pickups with big motors. Even the SRT-10, which was cool, was about the most useless truck ever made. I’d have gladly laid down more cash, if I could buy a 1500 4x4 with the 6.4L SRT V8 or the SRT V10, if they had the good sense to build one. A 5000 lb. pickup with less than 6 liters is a turd, no matter how you slice it.
Not a dig against Dodge, specifically. Chevy and Ford are even worse, in this regard. I just name Dodge, because high horsepower was their primary marketing, whereas Ford marketed on legacy/popularity and Chevy marketed on reliability.
“Sensible” fuel economy is ruling over horsepower, these days. Yes, they get more horsepower out of today’s 5.7 liter motor, than they did out of yesterday’s 7 liter motor... but I’d like to have today’s 7+ or 8 liter in a 1500 pickup.
Not a dig against Dodge, specifically. Chevy and Ford are even worse, in this regard. I just name Dodge, because high horsepower was their primary marketing, whereas Ford marketed on legacy/popularity and Chevy marketed on reliability.
“Sensible” fuel economy is ruling over horsepower, these days. Yes, they get more horsepower out of today’s 5.7 liter motor, than they did out of yesterday’s 7 liter motor... but I’d like to have today’s 7+ or 8 liter in a 1500 pickup.
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edyit
Minister of Fire
Ashful
Minister of Fire
Different strokes for different folks, but yes... our priorities are aligned. My current truck uses much less fuel than my car.
This is why I search these older trucks out for wood duty.Many moons ago I ran a 3/4 ton Chevy 4x4 with a built 454 in it....wish I had another one....
I am still a proponent of " No Replacement for Displacement" but with trends as they are ( thanks EPA for nothing) unless you go classic you generally are sol in the 1/2 class . Don't think Ford even offers a manual in 3/4T or 1T classes either anymore. They were rare enough back as far as 2003 already. With newer auto trannies offering up 8,9,10 gears kinda becomes a moot point -except for the god awfull prices. With used unit pricing sky high as well. Hard to come to grips with units pricing 5 times my first home- which is still standing- can't say that about the 64 Olds or the 70 Buick I had at the time about 1977. Course my current home (recently purchased) is about 6 times the average new truck cost- which is pretty much what it was back in 77 I suppose, now that I think about it. Just didn't seem that way back then.
jetsam
Minister of Fire
But the trucks you miss are much cheaper now! Of course you have to fix them a lot
(I have a 1976, and it only cost $750 but requires much regular fixing. 
)
Ashful
Minister of Fire
Not a bad way to roll, if you're into that. But my point was that old 454 was barely 400 hp, and today we get 700 hp out of a 378 cid Hellcat. I want today's 454 cid... 800+ hp?
While I adore classics, I have no desire to go back to old trucks for my daily drivers.
I understand this and would love to have 800 ponies of non diesel under the hood.these trucks are not my daily drivers but work horses with out payments and this how I like to roll..I work these trucks pretty hard...I wouldn't dare put a new truck through what I put these trucks through..so I don't have to cry if I skin one up...
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