Vannin' Community and Forums Forums Dodge General Discussion How far do I go?

77 B200 with 318 and 252K on the clock. Put on 3800 miles since ownership. Uses very little oil, starts ok, runs ok, just don't feel good about taking it anywhere. Pulled it in the shop for the long winter and noticed radiator fins were deteriorating. Long holiday weekend and now I have the whole front end opened up. Radiator, trans cooler, alternator, water pump and fuel pump removed. I couldn't find my compression tester (been thirty years since I used it) so I will run a test next weekend. With the whole winter to go yet where do I stop or should I pull the block and have it rebuilt now. Replace intake and exhaust. Just looking for some thing I can take on a long vacation and not have to be towed home. Thanks

Gone that far I would go all the way!

Yes, thanks for the encouragement. Ceramic headers and new intake? 4 barrel or really go big with new EFI system? I'll see how the compression test works out. Radiator support looks like it's been worked on in the past. Looking for a new one this morning and have not come across one yet. Any sources? Thanks

Sounds like you are in pretty deep. Might as well do a full rebuild if you can.

Especially with 252,000 miles!

Especially with a small block, it's easy in and easy out. Sure you'll have a couple grand in it by the time you're done but it's a lot less hassle than getting a tow truck to drag you home after something finally lets loose. Take a picture of the slop in the timing chain. The factory nylon gears were quite but the wore really fast after that 80,000 mile mark.

Block is out, have a lead for a 75 360 out of a pickup. Would I be better off rebuilding the 318 or the 360? Will the 360 bolt up to my 727 tranny?

Thanks for the help