Beginning bone stock 86D350 restoration
#2523679
07/18/18 05:09 PM
07/18/18 05:09 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4 South Texas
jim14410
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
South Texas
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Good afternoon all. Brand new member here - looks like a great place to share my progress and pull in suggestions from fellow experts. I'm beginning a restoration of a 1986 D350 truck. Factory 360 v8 and 727 trans. Single cab, long bed. My dad bought this truck almost new and I basically grew up with it - learned to drive in it...etc.. It still runs and drives today, albeit it leaks everything imaginable, and it appears I have a either an intake or head gasket leak as it recently began burning coolant. It also burns a bit of oil if you let it idle for an extended period. Compression is down a bit, but evenly so. Body is very good - no rust, interior is faded but intact and no major cracks. For those of you still reading - I want to get this truck back to the way it was when it was new-ish. I'm not going for showroom condition, it will be a driver and truck that will still be used to get stuff from the hardware store. I'm aiming for the condition say a 5 year old car would be in today. This includes going through the motor and driveline, front end, bushing etc. Interior will have working A/C, cruise, and maybe even FM radio So my first stop here I think is to freshen up the motor. Factory in 1986 I think it's rated around 180HP. If my research is correct the "pre smog" engines had HP around 250s or so. It doens't have to pass any emissions anymore as it is registered as an antique vehicle. Can someone throw out some suggestions on modifications or improvements to get the engine closer to 300HP. Most of the message boards focus on muscle car applications for these engines, but this is a truck - daily driver. With a budget focused on "the whole truck" I want to have some fun with the engine, but it ins't getting the a ton of money thrown at it... Thanks in advance. I'll be keeping updated with pictures as I go. It will be slow as I work during the week, but should be able to tackle a small update every weekend!
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Re: Beginning bone stock 86D350 restoration
[Re: jim14410]
#2523894
07/19/18 01:11 AM
07/19/18 01:11 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,208 Someplace you aren't
SomeCarGuy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,208
Someplace you aren't
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Cool deal.
Call Porter Racing Heads in VT. Dwayne will set you up with aluminum heads and build specs to give a local shop to do the short block. Redoing your heads isn’t all that much cheaper than getting new stuff that will wake the thing up. Dwayne can also spec a cam to perfection.
I want my fair share
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Re: Beginning bone stock 86D350 restoration
[Re: jim14410]
#2524166
07/19/18 05:12 PM
07/19/18 05:12 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,061 Atlanta, GA
mgoblue9798
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,061
Atlanta, GA
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Just my two cents, but best bucks down approach is find a good 5.9 magnum motor and install it. Use the exhaust manifolds that come with it. Get a crosswind intake and use your Qjet. If you are going to drive it much, I would also think about putting a 518 trans in it. It is a direct bolt in using a trans xmember from a 90-93 D150 that came with that trans. These are the two best bucks down improvements you could make for power and economy. For about $150 more you can get a reground cam for the 5.9 as well.
Last edited by mgoblue9798; 07/19/18 05:14 PM.
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Re: Beginning bone stock 86D350 restoration
[Re: jim14410]
#2524230
07/19/18 08:41 PM
07/19/18 08:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640 in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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I would agree on the magnum and O/D trans. I would use a 93 OBD I vehicle though and keep the fuel injection. That way you can have the O/D and lockup converter all automatically.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion. '74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon! 2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: Beginning bone stock 86D350 restoration
[Re: jim14410]
#2524240
07/19/18 09:11 PM
07/19/18 09:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4 South Texas
jim14410
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
South Texas
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Trying to attach pictures but issues from the phone. I'll give it a go from work computer tomorrow.
I was considering the magnum option. How New can I go w/o having to do any major mods to the frame or mounts? I'll probably stick with the 727 for now, I can always do a trans swap later.
What kind of power do you get bone stock magnum 5.9 with an intake for a carb? I'd probably need to update the ignition system too. This one has the ballast resistor / melting "computer" one lol.
I could do the cam too really...if it would benefit over stock.
Last edited by jim14410; 07/19/18 09:14 PM.
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Re: Beginning bone stock 86D350 restoration
[Re: jim14410]
#2524461
07/20/18 11:45 AM
07/20/18 11:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640 in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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You will need to clearance the top of the bell housing for the crank sensor if you keep the injection. Otherwise it will bolt right up.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion. '74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon! 2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: Beginning bone stock 86D350 restoration
[Re: jim14410]
#2524714
07/20/18 07:59 PM
07/20/18 07:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,831 east side of Ohio
basketcase
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,831
east side of Ohio
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good looking project. If you're going with another engine, oil and bag the original engine and stash it in a safe place.
Dave
1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
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