Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[gsbrockman]

I'm still really excited about this truck and now will have full confidence in it at any speed.

Cheers, Ron

......until you do that HellCat swap with 8HP90 Auto.

 

[TFucili]

Might as well just go Hellephant!

https://www.motor1.com/news/346596/hellephant-crate-engine-price/

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, That crate motor would really blow cop motor away, now I wonder would this fit in your engine compartment, just a though.

 

[gsbrockman]

If one can be shoehorned into a new Challenger or Charger.....I’m sure it’d fit in that era pickup.

 

[AH64ID]

If one can be shoehorned into a new Challenger or Charger.....I’m sure it’d fit in that era pickup.

Only one way to find out... I mean he should probably do it just so we know if it fits.

 

[gsbrockman]

Only one way to find out... I mean he should probably do it just so we know if it fits.

Are you TAUNTING the OP????

 

[AH64ID]

Are you TAUNTING the OP????

Never... we don't do any of that on this site

 

[Wiredawg]

I'm starting a "GO FUND ME PAGE" to help poor little ole me get this crate motor. Too funny.

Didn't get anything else done... new Dr prescribed med that made me sicker than a dawg. Secure texted him Wednesday I'm done with it. Hoping to be over residual effects by Monday. Bad nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

Cheers, Ron

 

[gsbrockman]

Get well soon!

 

[TFucili]

Dang pill pushers!

 

[HPSimpson]

Nope we don't need you begin sick with the possible of nice crate motor and all these helpers helping install in your, cop motor truck, do we?

 

[Wayne M.]

Sad to hear of the side effect, Ron. I hope there’s an alternative for you. Now about the 3G HEMI in that truck. It’s been done. I just saw one going in a Ramcharger over on Instagram. That said, I wouldn’t mess with LRE!

 

[Wiredawg]

Wayne,

Thanks, yep, leaving the LRE stock... not even headers. I'm feeling much better. Going to chill Sunday and hope to get back to business on Monday.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, Take couple days easy, how is your ankle healing hope well. I am out at Catalina today on '96 Dodge oil and filter change.

 

[Wiredawg]

Yep Homer,

I'm tak'n er easy t'day. Hang'n in the mancave with wife and dawgs watch'n TV and medicating.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Hi Friends,

I wasn't happy with the front calipers... bleeders were both clogged up and were in pretty bad shape internally. I decided to replace them and now very happy. All the old brake fluid is gone. I picked them up after PT today, installed and bled them, and brakes feel better without engine running than they did before with engine running.

Thought I would share I read up on the fuel pump in the OEM SM and think the valve, maybe diaphragm, has failed, which is why fuel drains back out of carb and fuel filter and back through the fuel pump. Gonna install the new one tomorrow and then figure out the vacuum line setup.

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Good best option is always replace old pads then bleed all junk brake fluid out of the system. Gee after 42 years of course the diaphragm gave up the ghost, yes old manual off the cam shaft just dry up great, Ron you getting there real soon.

 

[Wiredawg]

Good best option is always replace old pads then bleed all junk brake fluid out of the system. Gee after 42 years of course the diaphragm gave up the ghost, yes old manual off the cam shaft just dry up great, Ron you getting there real soon.

The fuel pump isn't the original, and likely a crappy Chinese copy like the alternator was. I'll shoot a pic tomorrow of the old one and the new one.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Swapped out fuel pump today... amazing difference. I looked close at the old one and it could actually be the original one. I started to take a picture of the pump, but nothing really special about it. Next, gonna lube the chassis whilst it's up in the air on jack stands. Brakes feel good too at the pedal. Got to remove two exhaust manifold bolts and install the studs for the intake heater and need some vacuum hose to restore function to the intake flaps and idle solenoid. Need to verify distributor is connected as well. Gonna check plugs then and change em if needed, then tune up time.

Just so happens I have this Sears Engine Analyzer which coincidentally, I purchased in 1978. Cool it's the same year as the truck. I still have the timing light too, but couldn't find replacement parts for it.

Well, gonna chill out today and hit it again tomorrow.

Cheers, Ron



Cheers, Ron

 

[brucejohnson]

Friends,

Swapped out fuel pump today... amazing difference. I looked close at the old one and it could actually be the original one. I started to take a picture of the pump, but nothing really special about it. Next, gonna lube the chassis whilst it's up in the air on jack stands. Brakes feel good too at the pedal. Got to remove two exhaust manifold bolts and install the studs for the intake heater and need some vacuum hose to restore function to the intake flaps and idle solenoid. Need to verify distributor is connected as well. Gonna check plugs then and change em if needed, then tune up time.

Just so happens I have this Sears Engine Analyzer which coincidentally, I purchased in 1978. Cool it's the same year as the truck. I still have the timing light too, but couldn't find replacement parts for it.

View attachment 118495

Well, gonna chill out today and hit it again tomorrow.

Cheers, Ron



Cheers, Ron

I like the label in the upper right of the meter face.