Ok folks, anyone care to offer thoughts on a build for the following:

1982 D-150, A-833 O/D with 3.56 open differential.

Modifications to date:

Super Six manifold with Weber 32/36 DGEV two barrel progressive carb. Electronic MOPAR Orange box ignition--still playing with curving the distributor as I learn more about it (using an 8.5 R vacuum advance and stock MOPAR springs, 15R mechanical advance plate). I am scrounging for dizzy parts and may have to revisit both the distributor curves and carb jetting once I get it to Spokane (a 1600 foot elevation change).

So, I am thinking about do the following, in order (thoughts please):

1. Install a SureGrip differential with a 3.9:1 ratio--Reason: more torque multiplication and likely the least expensive bang for the buck. Probably helps that I would have a diff shop do that install. The overdrive makes this workable from an economy standpoint--with the 3.56 I find O/D to be fairly worthless at legal highway speeds, just lugs the eninge--I think it nets out to a 2.6 final drive ratio in O/D (great for the Bonneville Slat Flats I suppose)/.

2. Install a 2-1/4" exhaust system, to include a free flowing cat and muffler (of the quiet variety, if there is such a thing--rumble=good, loud==not so good)--Reason: fairly cheap, and since the two barrel breathes more than the one barrel did it makes sense to let it exhaust better too.

3. Install a cam with greater lift and duration than the stock cam. This is seemingly more complicated since the hydraulic cam selection seems pretty limited. Would I be better off milling the head as people recommend and then use the rocker assembly for a mechanical lifter cam, or should I mill a slight amount off, shim the rocker arms, and stay hydraulic?

This truck gets used as a truck and does modest towing duties. What I would like to see is improved efficiency more than anything--that almost always mean more power so you have to use the right foot wisely of course.

Anyway, I have it off getting painted so once I get it back, some, or all, of the above will be on my to do list this summer...

Thanks in advance....

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Slanted D150

I'd probably go right for 4.10 rear gears. They shouldn't cost any more. I used 4.10s in my '66 Dart with the A833OD and got 20+ MPG on the highway. With a truck size tire 4.30s probably wouldn't be too much, but with the 8 1/4 rear end installing those thick ring gears gets troublesome.

2 1/4" would be a good upgrade. With a catalytic converter a Walker Super Turbo should be fine. They really are not very loud, but do sound nice.

You can have just about whatever you want ground as a hydraulic cam. I would keep the duration pretty short, say 256° advertised to keep the low end torque. Oregon Cam Grinding can do a cam for $70 exchange. I've seen new slant hydraulic lifters cheap on eBay. You can swap in a mechanical cam and valve gear and mill the head. I'd swap valve gear and cams before playing with rocker shaft shims myself. I'd also do the gear change and exhaust first and then see if you still want more power.

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Joshua

If the truck is running on 6 cylinders and not using a bunch of oil, do all the other up-grades first and do your engine improvements last.

Another option, find another "core" engine to rebuild on the side, then swap it in when needed.
DD

Doc,

The engine is running on all six cylinders--it had been running on three when I got it... Bye bye Lean Burn and a new ignition fixed that.

The motor only has 38K on it so I believe it would be wise to wait on an engine mods. Does re-camming an otherwise stock engine (i.e. stock compression ratio) net you much? I wonder if it would even be noticeable.

I like the idea of the spare motor--I have rebuilt motors before that took the car out of commission, not worth the cost savings if you can find space to store and extra engine....

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Slanted D150