Need info for a 76 Power Wagon rebuild.

[Chace TX]

I bought a 76 w200 crew cab power wagon. 440 w/ 727 auto. Has had a lot of work done, but I have to rebuild the engine. Any good sites or advice that any of you can offer.

Thanks

 

[78repowerwagon]

That depends on your plans for the truck. Do you want a dependable truck to haul firewood or something more wild for sled pulls at the county fair and fun on and off road?



Did you find a short bed or long bed? Either way it is hard to find one with a 440.

 

[Chace TX]

Just a river rat.

I am building this truck to play in the mud and get me around at the river. It is a shortbed. It has a Dana 60 rear, Dana 44 front NP203 transfer case, full time 4x4. The body is in pretty good shape. There is only a little surface rust, and both front fenders need to be replaced along with the grill. According to the previous owner it has all new bearings in the axles, new ball joints and u joints, rebuilt transmission, new springs and shocks. New carb, alt, and starter, and rebuilt radiator. He said the rod and mains were bad and when I pulled the rod caps he was right they are shot. The truck has very little wear and I think the engine was run low on oil or without an oil change for a long time. I was going to have the crank turned, and only bore it if necessary. I am trying to keep costs down as much as possible.

 

[BIGDIG]

I have a 1977 M880 Military power wagon,Its built strong,lots of HD parts. They are still around complete or for parts,just go to a military vehicle site and look around. The suspension in them is a 1-ton . try typing in "M880 Military trucks",that should give you a large list.

 

[DODGE REDNECK]

I have a 1975 crew cab PW that i picked up back in I think 98. it had a 440 with the 727 and the 203. notice i sad had
now it's got 93 CTD


When i first started driven' i found my self a 1967 crew cab PW 383 4spd. (prevously 2wd) Havent decided ifin' it needs a CTD. It still runs like the energzer bunny. (please honk if parts fall off) #@$%!

 

[Chace TX]

MOPARCWBY ?

I don't need another diesel 4x4. I want this one as quiet as possible, and don't have the $$ to spend on a conversion. Did you keep the 440 and auto?

Chace

 

[78repowerwagon]

Keeping cost in mind I would rebuild the bottom end stock. The cast crank and LY rods are plenty strong for building a strong street motor. Go easy on the compression if you plan on towing with it 8. 5:1-9:1. I would put in a cam comparable to a 440 magnum grind or possibly the hemi grind if bottom end power is not a great concern. Top it with a performer or comparable intake with 1500-5000rpm range and a 750 holley with vacuum secondaries(3310). Use the stock pickup exhaust manifolds and do a good 3 angle valve job on the heads. Go to some swap meets and you can pick up good used parts for a song when people are packing to leave, they don't want to haul it home and unload it. That will make a strong running pickup to play with. If you want more power look into a little bigger cam and intake such as the torker II and the hemi grind cam. Set timing at 35 degrees and run good gas.



Don't make the mistake of running to much compression. You will make more power running 9 to 1 compression with 35 degrees advance total than you will with 10. 5 and 28 degrees.



Matt

 

[Chace TX]

Thanks, thats the kind of info I was looking for.

I read an article on pistons last night in a Mopar mag. Which pistons are the best for a low rpm high torque truck motor? Is it worth the extra for the Keith Black Hypertectunic (sp) pistons?

 

[78repowerwagon]

Pistons depond alot on personal preferance and your intended use. Alot of compression is good for power and torque espically at low rpm as long as you use the appropiate gas. Lightweight pistons are good for high rpm but not worth the money for a "toy". Personally I would save the money and run a good set of cast pistons around 9:1. They are inexpensive and plenty strong to do what you plan to do. If you might want to add nitrous later then you should go forged. KB's hyper pistons are a good choice, but personally I would buy cast and spend the extra cash on something else like a good ignition or SS valves.



Matt

 

[Chace TX]

Thanks.

I am going to try to find a set of cast pistons. I hope to get the cylinders cleaned up with just a . 010 over bore. What brand of pistons do you recommend? Where is a good place to get them?

 

[78repowerwagon]

TRW/Sealed Power or some other name brand? Check with Jegs http://www.jegs.com/