Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[HPSimpson]

Also you may a used some heat around those exhaust manifold bolts but, I would consider that has the last restore.

 

[HPSimpson]

OK Wayne lets hear that Duster iding with Chevron white pump 110 gasoline, this '78 Lil Red Express won't be running before spring thaw!

 

[brucejohnson]

Friends,

I have a small window tomorrow and Thu to work on the LRE, although I'm thinking of just putting it on jack stands, pull the wheels and have easier access to the fuel pump, my head barely fits under the front of this truck. Then, while it's up, inspect the brakes, and degrease the front bearings.

I need some advice: The manifold heater attaches to the exhaust manifold via two exhaust manifold bolts.... I'm a little concerned about damaging them removing them... ant tips from the gallery?

View attachment 118032

Since my report in my previous post, my wife and I decided to replace the flooring in our bedroom and its scheduled for Tuesday. Needless to say. I have to remove the electronics, home theater system, so more unscheduled projects. I'm antsy to get back on the LRE as I'm concerned I'm taxing the starter with the hard starting.

Anyhoo,, always appreciate the advice along the way.

Cheers, Ron

Ron,
IIRC the exhaust manifold bolts on the intake heater should be the bolts with studs. You shouldn't use bolts to tighten the heater shield directly to the exhaust manifold.

 

[brucejohnson]

I guess that’ll force me to get a you tube account lol.
Ron, that stove goes over the center 2 manifold bolts, correct? Just due care to get em out, those are dry holes. The end manifold fasteners should be studs and nuts because those are wet.
The fuel pump is right under the alternator. Easy job from up top.

Wayne,
Fast draw! You beat me to the studs …

 

[brucejohnson]

The fuel pump is right under the alternator. Easy job from up top.

^^^^^^^
What Wayne said...it's easy...

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron,
IIRC the exhaust manifold bolts on the intake heater should be the bolts with studs. You shouldn't use bolts to tighten the heater shield directly to the exhaust manifold.

So I need to remove them and install bolts with studs... outstanding. Thanks a bunch.

OK Wayne lets hear that Duster iding with Chevron white pump 110 gasoline, this '78 Lil Red Express won't be running before spring thaw!

Sounds like you're where there is real winter. We've had a couple days in the 70s and one 80 this past week.

I need to cut the grass, winter rye while the Bermuda is dormant. Nothing to thaw down here but food from the freezer for cooking.

Just wait one day I'll surprise y'all and have this stuff done, and I'll be king for a day

Cheers and stay warm. Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Got a winter war story to share with y'all or yous in the Northeast.

I was stationed at an early warning radar site in Iceland in 1982. A guy shipped a 72 Corvette, but did not have enough antifreeze in it, so it blew out the freeze plugs, and damaged the engine. He had it towed to the site where it sat for almost a year. It was likely the only Vette in Iceland. We used to joke him that we'd share towing cost to to Reykavik to pick up girls. It was both funny and sad.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Temps in NYC hit 70 yesterday, steady winds from the south for the last 2 days. I do have a clip I can post from the last time I had it out, it’s mothballed right now. Seriously I’m only poking fun at ya Ron!

 

[DavidC]

I guess that’ll force me to get a you tube account lol.
Ron, that stove goes over the center 2 manifold bolts, correct? Just due care to get em out, those are dry holes. The end manifold fasteners should be studs and nuts because those are wet.
The fuel pump is right under the alternator. Easy job from up top.

That's the one thing I loved about Plymouth/Dodge. Everything was easy to get to and work on. That fuel pump is an hour on a bad day.

 

[Wiredawg]

Temps in NYC hit 70 yesterday, steady winds from the south for the last 2 days. I do have a clip I can post from the last time I had it out, it’s mothballed right now. Seriously I’m only poking fun at ya Ron!

Absolutely funnin' I like gettin' it AND givin' it. I'd love to see and hear it. A friend in HS had one with headers and they hung low so had to fix and replace em axfew times. It was scary fast.

 

[Wayne M.]

Ok fellas, I totally forgot that the TDR hosts videos, so I had to split the one I had into two. Here’s a link to the first and the other should be right next to in the gallery.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/media/img_1091.6526/

 

[brucejohnson]

Alright! Both of you have done well with the sweet Mopar tunes productions. Now I HAVE to find a way to convince the boss she should let me get her one to enjoy. (ENVY, JEALOSY, ENVY-ENVY-ENVY) - DROOL)

 

[Wiredawg]

Hey, take a look in the TDR gallery.... I posted my LRE video... proof thar is thunder in them thar hills. Next video I'll kick it down so you can hear the lope of the cam. And I can lear to post the link... I think I hear my wife... getting new flooring in the master's bedroom. no joking me on this, I AM the master.... uh oh, gotta go.

EDIT, sorry you gotta turn your head on its side... my videographer skills need much improvement.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TFucili]

Hey, take a look in the TDR gallery.... I posted my LRE video... proof thar is thunder in them thar hills. Next video I'll kick it down so you can hear the lope of the cam. And I can lear to post the link... I think I hear my wife... getting new flooring in the master's bedroom. no joking me on this, I AM the master.... uh oh, gotta go.

EDIT, sorry you gotta turn your head on its side... my videographer skills need much improvement.

Cheers, Ron

Yeah, try out the foot-feed will ya?!

 

[HPSimpson]

Wayne thanks for showing Ron, How-To-video the little Red truck actually runs sounds pretty mellow, Ron far right pedal when warm up stick it, down halfway!

 

[Wiredawg]

Wayne thanks for showing Ron, How-To-video the little Red truck actually runs sounds pretty mellow, Ron far right pedal when warm up stick it, down halfway!

Its loud, exhaust outlets just a couple feet from my ears....turning music up used to work in the 70s through 2000s, but not now. I have tenittus and get pretty bad ringing. likely need to wear ear plugs.

Wayne could maybe speak to the cam, reading literature on the truck, Dodge used cam from 68 Duster, either it has a mild lope or ihave a miss.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

That engine should have the 1968 340 cam. It should idle smooth with a so slight if any Lope. A vacuum gauge should be steady and pretty high at idle.
The cam in my car is a Direct Connection Purple Shaft solid tappet (the reason for the clatter under the hood) 280/.528 lift. It has a nice lope as you can hear.

 

[TFucili]

All this cam talk got me thinking of the 289 K motor I had. The guy I bought it from had put a Manley cam, springs, etc that was much hotter than the stock HiPo cam. Ridiculous duration, like 318' or something. Barely idled, and didn't get on the cam 'til over 2500 RPM. It was a bear to drive around town. Just went to the Manley site, and was pleased to see they are still in business. No more camshafts, though.

 

[Wayne M.]

Tom, Manley is very much in business, right down the GSParkway in Tinton Falls NJ. Very American, really known for Valves and Con rods.

 

[jhenderson]

Tom, Manley is very much in business, right down the GSParkway in Tinton Falls NJ. Very American, really known for Valves and Con rods.

They’re one of the “ Go to” companies my buddy with the automotive machine shop uses. Good service and quality product.