Thread: Junkyard rescue of an '87 Dodge Power Ram 50

The reason why it's rated so low is because of the emissions crap that was federally mandated in the late 80's, these engines have been dyno'd at well over 450hp with EFI, turbo, cam, ported head, etc... I'm not going to go that far, just enough mods to make the truck feel like it has a little pep in it's step.

Even though I didn't start until after lunch, I still got quite a bit done today... Valve cover cleaned, new gasket, installed. Intake manifold cleaned, EGR blocked off, new gasket, installed. Carburetor installed and everything but the fuel line and the electric choke connected. I changed the oil, put on a new filter, and pulled off the skid plates to make cleaning the underside of the truck easier. I also pulled all the cables off the ground point directly under the battery, cleaned everything and bolted it back together. I also found most of the original battery hold down hardware, hiding underneath...

In case anyone wanted to know, the PCV cover from a L32/L67 M90 works great as an EGR blockoff plate for a G54B.

2019-02-02_11-19-53 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

Tomorrow is going to be the same again, but I might not get the engine running, because I need heater hoses. lol

Did you buy a wideband?

It will make tuning that carb really easy if you have one.

Not yet, I'm planning on it eventually but these carbs come pre-jetted for these engines, so it'll run pretty well right out of the box. I'll be tuning it the old fashioned way until then, it's something I feel is necessary to learn how to do.

Considering my affinity for older cars, that kind of knowledge will probably be useful.

I just bought the heater hoses from Advanced, $5 off coupon and 20% off online code saved me almost $10.

Coming together very nicely. A little purple power or super clean and a pressure wash will make a world of difference in that engine bay.

I've heard oven cleaner works well too, and it doesn't eat the skin off your hands like some degreasers.

you got that backwards, oven cleaner can take your skin off. why you wear gloves when using it. ive washed my hands with engine de greaser.

You're right, I responded before coffee....

I wonder how many things I can use the PCV cover to block off on this truck... I'm not using the stock mechanical fuel pump, but it leaves a hole in the side of the head. See where I'm going with this? lol

I got the battery cables soldered and new brass terminals on them, put the battery back in and checked most of the lights... I'm gonna need some bulbs for the instrument cluster, but the headlights work, the windshield washer pump works, and the wipers are a bit lethargic but they do work.

I got the fuel tank back in, made a bracket to hold the rear of it up out of some scrap aluminum I had laying around... I still need a filler neck, a gas cap and a couple extra fuel filters, but the truck is getting really close to firing up.

I haven't done much with the truck in the past week, other than finding more crap to fix. I did order the fuel filler neck, a fuel tank cap, a fuel pump block off plate, and a new parking brake cable.

The heater valve leaks, so I'll be pulling the dash off to get at the HVAC/blower assembly. I'm going to pull it all apart and clean everything, including the vent tubes and A/C evaporator and housing. Lots of tedious cleaning.

There's a busted brake line right next to the fuel tank, I'm going to just replace that 6" section for right now, get the brakes bled and test the brakes. I want to make sure that everything works before I start replacing parts. I found some R1 Concepts rotors and pads on Amazon but I'm not entirely sure they will actually fit. I will replace the rubber brake hoses after I know there aren't any other leaks.

I've got to finish mounting the electric fuel pump, wire it up with a relay, and replace the rubber fuel line in the engine compartment. Then I can put some gas in the tank and flush the hard line going up to the engine compartment, catch whatever comes out in a water bottle or something clear and watch until it's clean gas throughout the fuel lines. Then I'll be able to prime the entire system and make sure there are no leaks anywhere. After that, all that's left is to install the block off plate, top off the oil, shove the muffler onto the end of the header collector and start the truck. It's still going to take forever for me to actually get all of this done, but at least I won't be waiting on parts.

There's still more that I have to fix before I can drive the truck... I've got to get an actual exhaust on the truck, replace the front shocks, bolt the bed and rear bumper back on, change the gear oil in the front and rear axles, grease every joint that has a grease nipple, and take the truck over to the coin op car wash and pressure wash the ever living **** out of it. After it's clean I can take it over to the Auto Skills Center and plate/reinforce the frame, weld in the patches I will be making for the floor and the new rocker panels, fog everything with rattle can black and call it good.

There's still a lot more that I want to do, but once I'm driving the truck I can space out the rest of it.

UPDATE: ****'s broke yo.

Snapped off both bolts for the passenger side front shock, soaked them in penetrating oil and the special sauce (ATF+acetone), broke the extractor off in the hole I drilled out, and moved onto other stuff for now.

I pulled the dash, cleaned everything, wired and installed the stereo, and cleaned every inch of vent tubing inside and out. I've still got the heater box and blower housing to pull out and clean, and the A/C evaporator housing to try and clean without having to disconnect any lines or bend anything. And clean the rest of the inside of the cab.

2019-02-25_02-19-50 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

2019-02-25_02-20-05 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

I also ordered another pile of parts, to include: 5 quarts of Redline MT-90 gear oil, transmission shifter bushing kit, transmission shifter boot, transfer case shifter boot, transmission gasket set, turn signal flasher, PCV valve, and a big ugly 4x4 decal.

I also bought a set of 5x7's and a 10" subwoofer. It's not a high end stereo system, but it'll be enough to hear the music over the exhaust.

Got the shifter bushing and shift boots installed, pressure washed the carpet, installed the fuel filler neck, replaced the PCV valve, and started working on wiring up the speakers.

Drained the transmission oil, found something that would concern me if this had an automatic transmission...

2019-03-06_08-02-43 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

But since this is a manual transmission with brass synchronizers, it's normal after 200k miles. There was a little bit of material on the magnetic drain plug, but not enough to really concern me.

I did get the hole in the floor fixed:

2019-03-06_08-02-51 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

Good enough for me. lol

Tomorrow I'll take a torch to the broken bolts, try and get those out. Still have to wire the fuel pump, cut down the fuel pump block off plate, and put the interior back together, but progress is being made.

Got stuff done today.

2019-03-12_05-29-11 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

Nexxen Roadian Mud Terrains, 235/75R15. Really good reviews and cheap as hell.

2019-03-12_05-30-24 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

Got the carpet back in, got the dash back in, blew the radio fuse but everything else works.

2019-03-12_05-31-01 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

2019-03-12_05-31-10 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

My new favorite feeling is having an interior that is both clean and functional.

Amazon.com: Folex Carpet Spot Remover, 32 oz: Home & Kitchen

Is this the folex your taking about?

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I really like the dashboard and instrument panel cluster. Could not be more 80's.

Originally Posted by FordMan77

That's coming together nicely! Dig the mudders. A nice cleaner interior is truly a good feeling especially on an older vehicle.

If you still have some stains in the carpet/seats try Folex. I cleaned my GP carpet with it and it pulled out damn near everything, and there were some spots that were worse than yours. And it did not pull any of the color out either.

I used Folex in the shampooer....lol

That's as good as it's going to get.

Originally Posted by BrandonHall10

I really like the dashboard and instrument panel cluster. Could not be more 80's.

I've always liked the dash in these trucks. To me it's simple, and simple works best.

Did you notice the "period correct" 3 port 12v outlet? It probably looks familiar... lol