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6/08/26:Today, for the first time since September 2023, I finally stomped on the starter and brought the truck back to life.

It’s been quite a journey to get here. When I upgraded to power disc brakes back in '23, I hit an unexpected snag: the existing wheels wouldn’t clear the new calipers. That left the truck stranded in the garage while I agonized over choosing the right rims. That delay ended up being the catalyst for the entire bodywork and paint project. It’s hard to believe, but two years and nine months have passed since she last roared.

Before attempting the start, there were a few things I wanted to do. I swapped out the thermostat, since the temp gauge was acting sluggish in the past and did a fresh oil change. I also pulled the distributor to spin the oil pump manually, just to make sure the bearings weren’t starting dry. Seeing that oil pressure climb over 30 lbs gave me a lot of peace of mind.

I ran into a few hurdles along the way, of course. After adding half a gallon of gas to the new tank and CuNi gas line, I found a leak at the connection near the fuel pump. Despite my best efforts to tighten the flare, it just wouldn't seal, and it’s clear I’ll need to run a new line. For today, I rigged up a barbed fitting and a short piece of hose just to get her running.

When I finally hit the starter, she was initially a bit grumpy. The hydraulic lifters were rapping pretty hard, and for a moment, I feared I’d be pulling the valve cover. I also had to shut her down briefly after seeing the top of fuel pump wet with gas. I tightened the bolts and it seemed to have stopped. My thoughts are that the gaskets may have shrunk while sitting. Upon starting her again, she smoothed out beautifully. Within a few minutes, those lifters pumped up, and she was purring like a kitten. I kept her at about 1500 RPM until she hit a steady 180°, and the temperature climb was smooth and consistent.

Although my original three-year build projection has stretched into year seven, with at least one more to go, I am absolutely thrilled to have her moving under her own power again. It was a great day in the garage!