Been putting this off for a while. Gonna swap motors from the 318 a 360 I picked up for $80 :P

And while I'm in there, I'll be cleaning up the frame and painting the engine bay body color.

Tear down begins:

Had to stop here for tonight. More tomorrow

Got the rest of the front sheet metal off

Drivers side suspension.

Passenger suspension.

Had to stop for the day. Have the flu. Working between sickness.

Good to see another of one of the most beautiful pickups ever made get some love.

Check the frame around the steering box while you have easy access by pulling the bolts. I had 1 truck crack here.

Got the $80 360 cleaned and sprayed. Not using the van valve covers/intake or oil pan. Those are just there for overspray protection. The motor was clean, just it was ford blue lol. Supposed to have been rebuilt. I dunno. It does have a double roller in her so she's been cracked open at least for a timing set change. It's a 77 and it passed California smog, so she's gotta run decently

Tore the 2bbl intake off of the $80 motor. Then pulled the 4bbl and valve covers off of the 318. (Was using a 360 4bbl on a 318 haha) They're not installed, just setting on there, because its outside.

Tomorrow I will clean and paint the intake and valve covers.

Inside of the $80 motor

My poor truck. I feel bad robbing parts off her for the other motor. It's worth it though

Looks like you're making good progress. If the oil pan that's on it is sealed up and working, why not use it? Is there a difference in a truck pan, and a van pan? The one off your 318 won't fit the 360. Inside of the motor sure looks clean!

Nice project. I always had a soft spot for these trucks..The van oil pan the sump is in the front ,the Truck pan the sump is in the back.. To you have a externally balanced torque converter or are you gonna weld on some weights ?

Got the intake stripped primed and painted. I would have installed it, but paint is still fresh. Don't want it chipped by the bolt holes.

Got the valve covers stripped. Have some detail work to do. Clean the crevices and straighten the holes.

And yes I did reinstall some smog devices (egr valve) and thermostatic vacuum switches. Even though its going in a 72, once the race motor is built, this ones going in something else. I may just find me a 75-78 dodge shorty van

Gettin there

looking good! that $80 engine looks pretty clean inside. That one pic reminds me I need a couple plug wire holders.

Thanks. I think this is a good motor

Got the 318 and trans pulled

Pushed it out into the gravel driveway and went to scrubbing. Had to stop. After all, it IS Christmas Eve lol

Found that both the motor mount ears on the Kmember are cracked. Pics later. This truck is looking like its going to need a K member bummer. Looks like its welded in.

More scrubbing.

Started taking the black spray paint off.

So, long time, no update.

One thing led to another, and well.....

Got the cab setting on there in this pic. Doing van LCA's, and installed PST suspension. Hope it lasts.

Have it semi assembled. Still no cab mounts. Saving up for them.

Still have to run brake lines, etc, but need it rolling for when my house sells. Plus now I can get my other truck backed in to pick up the 360 to take to get balanced tomorrow, I may do the brakes (upgraded to 11" in the rear and need to get the pads/cylinders/spring kit, etc.

Long time no update.

Been busy and haven't gotten to the truck as much as I would like.

BUT I got it running with a 318 for now. 360 build is going slow. I may assemble it soon but I'm waiting for heads.

Been working on the 72 every day for the past few days. Got it running and moving. Still needs some loose ends handled:
Strut rod bolts/sway bar bolts on control arm tightened
Attach sway bar end links
Wiring ran to tail lights
Cab bolts tightened all the way. Left loose to lift cab for panel alignment
Lube front end
Run exhaust. Right now it's just open Y pipe
Attach front bumper

And anything else that I come across. But I drove her out of the spot she's been sitting in. Can't do any work on it tomorrow, but Friday till Monday is open season I can't wait hehe

Looking good keep at it!!! I'm liking the stance reminds me of the old 1970's look