1984 Ranger, 351w, gasser style

[fomocoguy]

So work has slowed to a crawl and I've finally got time to work on her again. Yesterday I managed to get everything loose and the motor ready to be plucked. Before I started tearing her apart I drove around the block with the new suspension set up just to be sure it was all squared away. Here's a pic of her out in the sunlight:

Everything is going pretty smooth so far. All I need for the motor is the proper water pump, a v-belt ps pump, and the proper bracketry for it all. Looks like I'll be making another trip to my favorite junk yard!

 

[fomocoguy]

I'll tell ya, it amazes me how much trouble the previous owner went through to try and make it look like his 302 swap was factory and make sure it was all emissions compliant. It had full exhaust with cats and stock mufflers, full smog setup, stock 2 barrel carb and all vacuum switches/egr/hoses and factory serpentine. Looked like a big mess of emisions crud to me, but I bet he was proud of it. A/c was all there too. Of course, being a stock mid 80's 302 saddled with all that junk it wasn't fast at all.

What he probably didn't know was that since the truck was a diesel it still has to pass diesel emissions for an 84, which is nothing. Guys in MO seek out old diesel trucks for this reason. You can build an 80's diesel any way you want and it will pass an emissions "sight" inspection because there is no required cat, charcoal canister, smog pump, egr, or any of that. If I decide to put regular plates on it I'll have no problem.

 

[fomocoguy]

The demon has been exorcised...

 

[fomocoguy]

I've been slowly getting her ready for the new engine, and today its just about there. Since it was an a/c truck that giant heater box had to go. The previous owner had cut a big chunk from it and covered it in patches and caulk, but since I won't have a/c I cut it all out and fabbed up a sleek piece out of some old sheetmetal I had laying around. I was going to ditch the heater altogether but figured I might regret it at some point.

 

[fomocoguy]

All bolted in! Time to start building headers.

 

[kunar]

I like it! I'll have to keep an eye on this one...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Thye heater box mod looks good. You have a brake?

Richard

 

[fomocoguy]

Thye heater box mod looks good. You have a brake?

Richard

Thanks!

I use a brake every day, but I used a hand seamer and some light hammer work on this. I'm a sheet metal worker by trade.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sorta me too. I do alum cladding on windows and doors.

sent while sitting on the throne

 

[Jim Oaks]

This sounds like a pretty interesting build.

 

[fomocoguy]

This sounds like a pretty interesting build.

Well, I figured if I was gonna build a ranger I'd do it in a way that will make it different than any other ranger around here. I love the weird And unique hot rods and definetly dig the old gassers, and I couldn't afford a real nice old truck to use. I've dreamed of building a V8 ranger since I was a kid, so all my thoughts manifested into this. I like hot rods with some grit too, so I think a hand painted "Joe's Garage" sign on the doors will complete the look.

 

[fomocoguy]

One header down, one to go. Went pretty smooth considering it's my first header build.

 

[kunar]

One header down, one to go. Went pretty smooth considering it's my first header build.

Dude, those look good!!

 

[fomocoguy]

Dude, those look good!!

Thanks!

I just ordered the rest of my exhaust from Summit. I'll weld the rings on and make some caps for the ends, and there will be 2.5" coming out the side of the collector going to a pair of Smithy 30" case glasspacks and turndowns for a 60's hot rod sound. Eventually I want to add some electric dumps so I can open them up with the flip of a switch.

 

[6.2]

Interesting. Not the way I'd go with it, but I can't deny its unique. And you appear to do great work!