Just a note for those rebuilding their engines:
I purchased a new Melling oil pump for the M37. Box said part number M37. Inside was a civilian pump which is different than the military (T245A) engine. Pump was returned. See the pic below.

Im aware that they recommend that. I was taught how to rebuild engines buy guys that built nascar and indy engines back in the day. they spray them regardless of manufacturer recommendations. I have never blown a head gasket in problaby 250K of driving 230s ive rebuilt. half of that or more on one ...

I called the Felpro technical line. They said use the copper gasket spray on the copper side only.

I used a Felpro head gasket that was copper on one side, and blue paper on the other. Used the copper spray on the copper side. I torqued per the military manual, 65-70 ft.lbs. Went to 68 each time. This was my first engine rebuild that required a retorque of the head bolts. Dry on the nuts for the ...

performed the head bolt retorque today. Amazed that there was about an 1/8 turn to reach the torque setting of 68lb/ft. I also adjusted the clutch linkage, it was set a little bit tight with the fingers starting to "click" on the springs of the disc. A little more each day.

Had to pull the gas tank and flush the rust out. After cleaning, the tank was dried on our wonderful 110*F sunshine for a day. I coated the inside of the tank with the POR15 tank coating. Tank reinstalled. Waited an extra 2 days before adding the high test (87 octane) fuel for the flatty. With a pri...

Cal_Gary wrote:Sorry for the delay, Outpost; taking down an influx of spammers here on the forum.
I might have some pix of replacing my front leaf spring mount bushings (I replaced the springs as well). Let me me dig around-might take a few days....
Gary

Thanks Cal_Gary, will be looking for it.

Not yet. Will be by August. Lots of little things to do. The 110*F plus 60* dew point has me reducing time on the critter. I did take the four wheels/tires off and had them balanced. Cheap. $10/each at Big O. One wheel took 14oz of weight! We used the stick on weights that were only about 3/16"...

My truck had a very hard life. How is the job of replacing front leaf spring bushings? Any pics by chance?

Make sure you check these on both the bell housing and inside the driver's side frame rail.
This one is ready for retirement.

Cut the long stick shift and fabricated a mounting block. Heated and bent the stick to fit above the seat. This seems to work well.
The heat and humidity with dew points in the 60's are limiting my time on the truck. The Porta-Cool effectiveness has dropped significantly due to the monsoon weather.

Some more done today. Carburetor is on, vent lines.
My newly acquired NP 420 4 speed has a very tall and long stick shift. The stick hits the bottom of the dash in first and neutral.
Need to do some mods to get it to fit and function. Would like to find a stick like this one:

PoW wrote:So far, so good. When are you going to do the rest of it?

PoW

I am keeping the body in full patina mode. Just want a safe, reliable (?) vehicle for the Christmas parade, and assault on the local coffee shop.

The cherry picker lifted the engine nearly level, no issues with the connection to the bell housing.
It is coming along. More work to be done.

One of my window cranks has the knob about to fall off. The retaining shaft that holds the knob onto the handle is worn to extreme. Anyone have a usable used one for sale? Tempe Arizona.
thanks
Mike