New truck!

[pachiwall]

My '03 Pontiac Montana minivan died this summer. Blown head gasket, overheated several times. Aluminum heads, and maybe aluminum block (not sure on the block), so I don't trust putting a head gasket set on it. I hear that they are NEVER right after badly overheating. Which brings me to modern electronics! Why does it have a driver information LCD screen that is about 4"X4", lights up red and dominates the gauge cluster stating "coolant hot"...look immediately at the temp gauge, and it is BURIED in the HOT range! You would think that as sophisticated as these modern pieces of crap are, the large grab your attention info screen would indicate HOT when the engine is approaching hot...not after the needle id as far into the hot as it can go!
So, I started looking for OLD SCHOOL. Unfortunately, I think we have reached a point in time where all the easy to work on OLD cars and trucks are hard to find in acceptable condition. Either too rusty/beat up...or considered a classic and not affordable! I think I got lucky. I missed a $1000 '83 GMC with a 350, because it was about 30 miles away, and I couldn't get a ride to look at it. Then a week later I found this '85 Dodge ram 1/2 ton DSCF7705.JPG with a 318, 2barrel carburetor, and distributor. With NO engine computer!No oxygen sensor, no mass airflow sensor, and no differential feedback EGR sensor! All very easy to work on.DSCF7712.JPGDSCF7713.JPG Paid $650 for it and it was 2 blocks from my house! Body is overall good condition for its age.DSCF7707.JPG Interior is not too bad, all truck, no frills.DSCF7706.JPG Except the FRED FLINTSTONE floor on the driver side!DSCF7708.JPG Fuse box is hanging by the wiring harness, but everything electrical seems to work. The floor pan is the only thing that bothers me. Now all I have to do is pay the $150 reinstatement fee, and get an SR22 (high risk) insurance so I can get my license back! I got busted speeding and had no insurance. Ohio will suspend your license for 3 months and require SR22 insurance for 5 years for driving without insurance. The good thing about SR22 insurance is if you have 10 cars, it covers you on anything you drive (liability only). Otherwise the insurance companies want you to have a policy on EACH car...even though you can only drive one at a time! I tried to get an SR22 when I had 4 cars, they won't sell one without a court order! Soon I'll be able to buy "local pickup only"(or not so local) pachinkos again!

[luckydog]

I used a galvanized driveway oil drip pan for a rusted out floor on one car I had, I cut it in half and used 1/2 on each front floor pan

then I covered it all up with some cheap carpeting, never had a problem with it

used gavanized duct work does the trick too!!!

[naha13]

Nice truck! But what's that white stuff on the ground?

[RaymondV]

Where is the gas pedal in that photo?
Is it behind the folded back carpet?
Back in the early 90s, I had a 1983 Dodge truck just like that.
The steering had so much play in it, it scared the hell out of me sometimes, especially on slick or icy roads
But the engine ran like a beast

[pachiwall]

I used a galvanized driveway oil drip pan for a rusted out floor on one car I had, I cut it in half and used 1/2 on each front floor pan

then I covered it all up with some cheap carpeting, never had a problem with it

used gavanized duct work does the trick too!!!

Drip pans sound like a good idea, after using one of those rust "converters" that turns into black "primer". Any brand of that stuff works. It bonds to the rust and seals it off from oxygen, and moisture. Drip pans for flats & easy curves. Fiberglass mat for tougher corners and holes...on the inside. Then a healthy coat of canned undercoating (or roofing tar) on the outside.
Hot light came on. Gonna put a thermostat in and change the antifreeze tomorrow. I think I have a mechanical temp gauge out in the garage.

[Card Shark]

Congratulations on the truck. That thing should last you for a very long time.

[Moparformances]

Its a Mopar.. what more needs to be said

[yose]

The old 318 motors are one of the best motors ever built.

[JACKSJE4]

I had a 66 Volkswagen fastback as my first car and it also had rusted floor boards. My dad cut up some 3/4" plywood with a jigsaw to fit each area, then we covered it with some carpet remanents. Worked like a champ!

[pachiwall]

And I forgot to include the really cool hood ornament!DSCF7715.JPG It is metal, incorrect for this era of truck.DSCF7717.JPG And mounted crooked. DSCF7718.JPG But looks REALLY COOL!

[Wayne-Ooo]

I had a Dodge truck with that hood ornament. Had it stolen several times. Back in the day, they were putting big silver chains on them and making necklaces out of them. I finally ended up quit replacing it.

[ballsofsteel]

I had an '85 with the sheep on the hood. It was correct for that year - went with the "RAM" on the tailgate. Mine had an o2 sensor and a computer to work the ignition timing and the mixture solenoid in the carburetor(a miserable setup). I suspect that it had been banished from Cali. as a "Gross Polluter". It ran like crap and got pretty crummy mileage. It had amazing range though - the tank held like 80 gallons.

The front half went to the scrapyard a while back - the rest will make a nice trailer.

[pachiwall]

I want to put a mechanical temperature gauge on it. Where is a good place to find a threaded plug that goes into the water jacket of a 318? I know there are ones in the head of a small block Chevy. However this is my 1st Mopar, and can be hard to find with it in the truck.

[Moparformances]

I want to put a mechanical temperature gauge on it. Where is a good place to find a threaded plug that goes into the water jacket of a 318? I know there are ones in the head of a small block Chevy. However this is my 1st Mopar, and can be hard to find with it in the truck.

without looking at one (at work right now)

there should be one on the top of the aluminum water pump housing

[ballsofsteel]

I want to put a mechanical temperature gauge on it. Where is a good place to find a threaded plug that goes into the water jacket of a 318? I know there are ones in the head of a small block Chevy. However this is my 1st Mopar, and can be hard to find with it in the truck.

There might be an extra hole in the intake manifold - next to the thermostat.

[Moparformances]

There might be an extra hole in the intake manifold - next to the thermostat.

yes intake manifold

front passangerside

[pachiwall]

yes intake manifold

front passangerside

Thanks MOPAR! I'll check again...didn't bsee anything in the intake, waterpump housing or heads, whwn I was changind the oil, thermostat, and filters. I don't think the previous owner changed anything.

[pachiwall]

First time I drove at dusk, I remembered that I never tested the headlights. They don't work. Drove straight home without delay. Discovered the dimmer switch don't fit the wiring harness, I decided it was an incorrect switch. Looked into new switch...every switch from the '60s to the Dakota is the same one that don't fit! I modified the connector and got the headlights working. the new problem, the left front turn signal bulb lights bright as if blinking...but stays on steady. Indicator on dash stays on as well. Also, when the left turn signal is turned on. the wiper motor rotates back and forth at the pace that the bulb SHOULD be blinking. I suspected either bad turn signal switch, or headlight switch. I looked at the turn signal switch when I was putting in an ignition lock cylinder ( never know how many keys this truck has...bought it 2 blocks away), it didn't look burned, but don't click into place as firm as I would like. So, I turned my attention to the headlight switch. The brown wire has insulation melted off at several places as far back to the main harness as I can see! At least I know where to start! On payday, I get a new headlight switch, and pull the cluster to gain access to the harness. The headlight switch is tightly packed in there and was very difficult to reach. I suspected a short in the dash lighting, because nothing lights...but as I take panels off, I keep finding burned out bulbs. I'll go ahead and replace all the bulbs in the cluster while it is out. Need to trace the brown wire back to the fuse block...at least... it should have blown the fuse! I haven't seen a fuse box full of 30 amp fuses, so hopefully It stops there! But why do the wipers "pulse"?
SPEAKING ABOUT THE WIPERS! I bought the plastic bushings to fix the linkages. The "knob" on the end of the crank is rusted and pitted. So, I decide it is easier to remove and clean up, than clean it in the hole. Broke the bolt off in the shaft of the motor. Since the motor seems to work, I'll try to drill & tap it...unless the wiper motor is the short...kept blowing fuses...then a friend shows them this "trick" with aluminum foil...

[luckydog]

its starting to look like a real project for you I hope you can get all the bugs out!!!

[Card Shark]

I am sure you will get it straightened out.