kyleandhisIH
Member
I now have money, and apparently it's too heavy to carry anymore. So I turn to my two first IH engines, a 304 hooked up to an automatic, and a 345 hooked up to a t-19 wide. My primary excuse for this first post is to determine the feasibility of my current funding vs. Getting one of these two engines completely torn apart and verified good.
The 304/auto has been re-carbed, the distributor cleaned up and updated with pertronix, and a host of other small details worked out to make it roadworthy. My only problems now are poor running (I attribute that to me not figuring out where my timing is best) and a cracked fuel inlet on the Holley 2300 bowl.
The 345 came with the thermoquad, which I have removed and inspected. It is in fair shape without too much corrosion, though I am no professional. I possess all the necessary peripheral parts to run either engine. I am leaning towards swapping the standard tranny either way, but that depends on the budget.
I currently have $700 at my disposal, but my current job (remodeling a flooded home) is nearing an end, and I May only have a check or two to count on. I would almost bet that I will have close to $1,000 available in the near future. My plan is simple: I will first inspect the 345/t19 since that doesn't put a running vehicle out of commission. I will then determine if it is necessary to dig into the 304 for a comparison, but ultimately I end up with one engine rebuilt and hooked up to a transmission. Though I lean towards the standard, the auto has been rebuilt and has few miles on the overhaul.
There are many costly variables involved here, but there are multiple certainties: I will be likely buying new motor mounts, a gasket kit, and I have figured in all main, rod, and cam bearings. Just this list brings the total to more than $330, and this doesn't include the cosmetic dressings. I do have a good set of plugs, wires, and a decent ignition system riding the 304, a water pump that was bought new but has yet to be verified for volute clearance, and a radiator with the 304 that has been re-cored.
Long story short, I have a lot left to do before I even hit a lick at this process. My main question to some of you with more than a few rebuilds under your belts: do I have the capital to start this out, or should I tuck back and wait for a more prosperous time?
The 304/auto has been re-carbed, the distributor cleaned up and updated with pertronix, and a host of other small details worked out to make it roadworthy. My only problems now are poor running (I attribute that to me not figuring out where my timing is best) and a cracked fuel inlet on the Holley 2300 bowl.
The 345 came with the thermoquad, which I have removed and inspected. It is in fair shape without too much corrosion, though I am no professional. I possess all the necessary peripheral parts to run either engine. I am leaning towards swapping the standard tranny either way, but that depends on the budget.
I currently have $700 at my disposal, but my current job (remodeling a flooded home) is nearing an end, and I May only have a check or two to count on. I would almost bet that I will have close to $1,000 available in the near future. My plan is simple: I will first inspect the 345/t19 since that doesn't put a running vehicle out of commission. I will then determine if it is necessary to dig into the 304 for a comparison, but ultimately I end up with one engine rebuilt and hooked up to a transmission. Though I lean towards the standard, the auto has been rebuilt and has few miles on the overhaul.
There are many costly variables involved here, but there are multiple certainties: I will be likely buying new motor mounts, a gasket kit, and I have figured in all main, rod, and cam bearings. Just this list brings the total to more than $330, and this doesn't include the cosmetic dressings. I do have a good set of plugs, wires, and a decent ignition system riding the 304, a water pump that was bought new but has yet to be verified for volute clearance, and a radiator with the 304 that has been re-cored.
Long story short, I have a lot left to do before I even hit a lick at this process. My main question to some of you with more than a few rebuilds under your belts: do I have the capital to start this out, or should I tuck back and wait for a more prosperous time?
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