Topic: This Is What's Kept My Mind Preoccupied "Updated w/ more pics"

[bill440cars]

  And here's what the truck looks like now (got to work around bad and COLD weather, ya know.

         

         

   Then, I had to back off for a while because of temps in the teens and THIS!

         

[cb650]

Bill that is just Colorado winter riding weather.           

[bill440cars]

Bill that is just Colorado winter riding weather.           

  Smart Aleck Kids!      Well, I didn't want to ruin that pretty snow covered hood look that it had going. 

[kslrr]

That is a Bi@#$chin' carb/manifold setup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bill440cars]

That is a Bi@#$chin' carb/manifold setup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   Thanks, I think so too! I'll be glad when I can get to the pint to where I can drop that engine in there and see how much room (if any) will be between the carbs and the hood. Had thoughts about making my own air cleaner and buy the element. I need to know how the carbs are gonna sit, in relation to the hood, so I will know just what I will need to do as far as the air cleaner goes and the hood itself. I've had 2 different thoughts, as far as the hood goes. If I had room, I thought about leaving the hood as it is, and not be announcing what was under there. But, then again, I really like the 6pk hood scoop and there are a couple of others I like as well (like the Mopar Prostock and the twin scoops like on some Darts and the '69 Super Bee). Also, I found a reproduction version of the '70 "Air Grabber" setup (with the pop up scoop too).   

[bill440cars]

        Well, I had gotten a deal from MoparHP on a set of mounts to put the 440 into the Dakota and that included the modification of a truck oil pan and pickup, along with a set of headers made for it as well. I won one of those oil pans off of ebay, which included the pickup too. Had them sent directly TO the guy and the mod is complete. He will be sending my package out today or tomorrow. So, it is only a matter of time before I can do a mockup to see how thing are going to fit in and how much clearance I will have in front of the engine and between the top of the carbs and the hood. I wil also be able to see just where I will be cutting into the hood, for the hood scoop (IF I use one. As soon as I get that package, I'll be taking pictures

        Here is what it looked like a couple of days ago.

          http://www.flickr.com/photos/13013726@N05/5416398386/

[bill440cars]

      Well, I got my package of Mounts, headers and modified oil pan, with modified pickup a couple of days ago. The headers are the ones made and used on the 1st Dakota that the 440 conversion was done and they look a bit rough because the paint is flaking and has some surface rust. Gotta get the work started on the engine and trans soon and get the truck ready for them. Putting this build back in time, with no computer, EFI or any electronic stuff, except for ignition.

      Here's the contents of that package:

         

     

[kslrr]

Cool, and keeping it simple (engine, carbs, radiator, battery/ignition) is the way to go.  Are you going with mechanical or electric fuel pump?

[bill440cars]

Cool, and keeping it simple (engine, carbs, radiator, battery/ignition) is the way to go.  Are you going with mechanical or electric fuel pump?

      Well, it has the electric fuel pump in the gastank for now and I don't know if THAT works yet. If it works, I will most likely use it (with a regulator) for now and I want to get a Fuel Cell for several reasons. The stock tank is only 15 gallons and is plastic. I want a 20gallon fuel cell and mounted in the bed of the truck. Hoping to help with the traction issue that I am sure to have to deal with and give me more fuel range. I have thought about the mechanical pump (to keep it simple), but wonder about a nonstock electric pump to eliminate one more thing from the engine compartment. The battery will be mounted in the bed too. I'm wanting to take everything out of the engine compartment that I can. Also, won't be a fan on the engine either but, an electric fan w/a thermostat on the radiator. 

[DarkRider]

Whoa!!!!! Looks like a beast in the making bill!!

[bill440cars]

Whoa!!!!! Looks like a beast in the making bill!!

       Thanks Chris, good to see YOU back on here too, my friend! 

[Ecosse]

hahahahaaa!!! traction... what's that?!

a big block in a rwd pick up... tire stores are gonna juuust love you bill! 

very cool project.


just my 2 cents: i'd mount the battery (and gas tank) as far back and low as possible, maybe where the spare tire would have been. drag shocks, and a good ol' adjustable pinion snubber with a cross member for it to hit against is far better than traction bars. a little thing but if the truck's static ride height is level it will be better for at-launch weight transfer than nose down.

mini tubs and drag radials too?

this outta be fun. 

[bill440cars]

hahahahaaa!!! traction... what's that?!

a big block in a rwd pick up... tire stores are gonna juuust love you bill! 

very cool project.


just my 2 cents: i'd mount the battery (and gas tank) as far back and low as possible, maybe where the spare tire would have been. drag shocks, and a good ol' adjustable pinion snubber with a cross member for it to hit against is far better than traction bars. a little thing but if the truck's static ride height is level it will be better for at-launch weight transfer than nose down.

mini tubs and drag radials too?

this outta be fun. 

        Hey Bill, good to see you are still around Buddy. Yeah,  It could be a trick getting traction. The crankshaft has a bushing in the end of it, IF I were to go with a standard trans, but I am going with a 727 Torqueflite. I am looking to drop it down about 2" inches or so. The battery will be back there and I am wanting to put a fuel cell in the bed and try to keep it pretty clean underneath. Yeah, A pinion snubber IS a good way to go, that's true. I just picked up a 1K lb capacity folding cherry picker (with a load leveler) from Harbor Freight and an engine stand as well. I'm hoping to start pulling stuff out of that truck soon. I'll be posting pictures and updates for anyone who wants to see and hear about it. Also getting things set in a small extra bedroom, to where I can work on my Super Hawk back there. Catch you all later on,  Bill      

[Dusthawk]

From my experience with El Camino's there is a weight trick that should work, find a piece of sheet steel, as thick as you can find it, and weld it between the frame rails as close to the rear bumper as possible. A couple extra hundred pounds can make a great impact on traction. On an El Camino the plate would be welded in between the tank and bed, don't know how the Dakota is set up but thought I would share. That 440 shouldn't even notice the extra weight back there.

[flopshot]

i see ladder bars and tubs in your future.

[Ecosse]

my pro street 440 duster had a piece of flat stock welded in the trunk spanning the frame rail. in the center was a welded vertical pipe and lowered free weight discs of 25 lbs. each. then i could add or remove the extra mass at will. that and a full size truck battery in the right rear of the trunk.

no ladder bars... that's a gm/ford traction band-aid.   

 

[bill440cars]

From my experience with El Camino's there is a weight trick that should work, find a piece of sheet steel, as thick as you can find it, and weld it between the frame rails as close to the rear bumper as possible. A couple extra hundred pounds can make a great impact on traction. On an El Camino the plate would be welded in between the tank and bed, don't know how the Dakota is set up but thought I would share. That 440 shouldn't even notice the extra weight back there.

From my experience with El Camino's there is a weight trick that should work, find a piece of sheet steel, as thick as you can find it, and weld it between the frame rails as close to the rear bumper as possible. A couple extra hundred pounds can make a great impact on traction. On an El Camino the plate would be welded in between the tank and bed, don't know how the Dakota is set up but thought I would share. That 440 shouldn't even notice the extra weight back there.

 

          Well, I'm planning on a fuel cell in the bed (about 20gal or so), the battery and I was thinking about one of those heavy flat fiberglass covers, to help things out. Looking at the pinion snubber and positrac too. Thought I'd give that a shot and see how That would go and then go from there. I have a notion to get the truck drivable so I can work out the kinks and THEN worry about cosmetics. Always open to suggestion. After all, this place has a TON of info, considering that vast experiences of the variety of folks we have here.

[bill440cars]

i see ladder bars and tubs in your future.

  I HAD thought of checking into a 4 link rear suspension system. Before it's all said and done, it just could get tubs, so I could fit some "Meaty" Tires back there. 

[bill440cars]

my pro street 440 duster had a piece of flat stock welded in the trunk spanning the frame rail. in the center was a welded vertical pipe and lowered free weight discs of 25 lbs. each. then i could add or remove the extra mass at will. that and a full size truck battery in the right rear of the trunk.

no ladder bars... that's a gm/ford traction band-aid.   

 

Bill, that setup you described, sounds like a possibility. Now that you mention it, I remember seeing stuff like that. Thanks for bringing that up. Bet the Duster was a "Screamer"! 

[Ecosse]

Bet the Duster was a "Screamer"! 

meh... i never finished it. ran out of money paying court costs, etc... at a time when it seemed the local police (in three different towns) had it in for me.

i was a bad boy behind the wheel in them days. 

[bill440cars]

Bet the Duster was a "Screamer"! 

meh... i never finished it. ran out of money paying court costs, etc... at a time when it seemed the local police (in three different towns) had it in for me.

i was a bad boy behind the wheel in them days. 

       Now, THAT'S too bad Bill. I didn't get a even START a decent build, until I was married & had our Daughter Karla. I wasn't building anything Awesome though. I think it COULD have been cool though. I had a '68 Dodge Truck, bought an Imperial for the 440/727 and was gonna drop that in the truck. I built a "Tilt Front ed on it" and was getting ready to get into it big time, when our situation changed, we were needing to move so Karla could start school in a good school district and I parted with it. Ended up dropping the 440 in my road runner instead. Had some fairly decent cars, but nothing awesome though.

[bill440cars]

  Have to be honest and say that the Charger has been distracting me from doing anything with a bike, as well.

 

  Here, you might can see that I've added a Cold Air Intake, removed the big plastic engine cover, installed black engine half covers (with the Indian decals on them), put on a black coolant/power steering cover, added a front strut tower brace, I've also changed the engine tune with a Predator tuner, added the (cat back) exhaust system from an SRT8 Charger (2 3/4" vs my 2 1/2") I've also swapped out the grille assy for a Daytona grille w/honeycomb insert, Added front and rear Daytona style spoilers, added sequence turn signals, added vent shades, tinted windows

    

   In this shot, you might can see the Black Strut covers that I added today, also added hood struts and did away with the prop some time back, added a fuse box and ABS cover (painting them AND the previous black cover on the other side metallic Silver, added a polished firewall cover and added different engine half covers (which you can see better in the shots below, but these 2 shots were before I got the strut covers in and in the last shot, I had the fuse box cover off and was repainting it)

   

   

[DarkRider]

Any update on this truck bill? Yea im back but still kinda sporadic since work keeps me on my toes lol. I will be starting a Mopar build of my own here soon.

[bill440cars]

Any update on this truck bill? Yea im back but still kinda sporadic since work keeps me on my toes lol. I will be starting a Mopar build of my own here soon.

      Not much progress on the Dakota Chris. I've done SOME on the Charger though. I've done a little more under the hood and I've got another piece to put under there. I also have a set of springs that will lower the car about 1 1/2-2"

     Got to do some work on the GTX. The trans mission is starting to make some noises and I am trying to get myself up to starting on smoothing the body out on it too (previous owner was NOT a body man and NOT that I AM, but I think I can beat what HE tried to do)

     On the Dakota, I have ALL of the mounts to install the 440/727 combo. I need to get the engine checked as I think it will mainly need a cleanout and hone job, on the block. Then, a valve job is in order, get the trans rebuilt and put in a shift kit. Not sure about the torque converter (stock or stall?) I haven't even pulled the present engine/trans yet. Between being busy and the HEAT around here, I haven't done much on it. 

[DarkRider]

Any update on this truck bill? Yea im back but still kinda sporadic since work keeps me on my toes lol. I will be starting a Mopar build of my own here soon.

      Not much progress on the Dakota Chris. I've done SOME on the Charger though. I've done a little more under the hood and I've got another piece to put under there. I also have a set of springs that will lower the car about 1 1/2-2"

     Got to do some work on the GTX. The trans mission is starting to make some noises and I am trying to get myself up to starting on smoothing the body out on it too (previous owner was NOT a body man and NOT that I AM, but I think I can beat what HE tried to do)

     On the Dakota, I have ALL of the mounts to install the 440/727 combo. I need to get the engine checked as I think it will mainly need a cleanout and hone job, on the block. Then, a valve job is in order, get the trans rebuilt and put in a shift kit. Not sure about the torque converter (stock or stall?) I haven't even pulled the present engine/trans yet. Between being busy and the HEAT around here, I haven't done much on it. 

Glad to see you are still pluggin away at projects Bill!

on a side note check your messages lol

Chris