dustydog
89D300 StoneMasonCT
I have an '89 D-300, 330,000 miles, previously poorly maintained, auto 12' bed dually. I want to keep the benefits of the mechanical injection yet wish to be able to at least keep up and even "spank" the new truck owners. I do know that due to the limitations of the mechanical injection the truck has to be "built" for a single purpose. I.E. Drag,Tow, Economy. I use the vehicle for work as a Stone Mason so I haul frequent loads in the 3 ton area. I'd like to tow, yet the brakes aren't up to it. I'd like a rig built to tow/haul and have a theoretical 600/1200 hp/tq rating and a stick. Empty, the truck is a svelt 5600 pounds with passenger, dog, few tools, crap behind the seat and a tank of #2, so a bit of power and she should come alive. I only have so far kept the oil clean, upgraded the intake filter and cut the exhaust off at the muffler instead of changing the system from the muffler back. I hope to have another engine in the next month from a '92 I'm buying for $2,000. I planned on using the 138,000 mile '92 in my truck while I freshen up my smoky '89 and getting an aftercooler out of the deal ('92 is 4wd auto). Would I be better off building the '92 or my '89? Are these engines sleeved or do I have to bore/hone cylinders? I'd prefer (for asthetics) to keep the original block. Can a 24 valve head bolt up? Would there be any benefits and still have mechanical injection? Would a pump from a larger cummins (semi) be fit or should I go with a 7100? What kind of manual tranny could I use that would shift realatively quickly and hold up to the weight and proposed power? I have no problem whatsoever with cutting up the floor for a dog house to keep a huge tranny. I'd prefer a manual tranny but an older "mechanical" Allison auto would be ok if it would get all future power to the hopefully smoking duals. I have about $5,000 to start and always get a couple decent "cash" jobs here and there. I just want to start learning more and come up with an intelligent, comprehensive, effective yet cost effective plan while maintaining some longevity because I plan on trying to get a million miles from this rig (I'm only 43). Lets get started, I have a more than decent mechanical ability and a friend with a heavy lift and alot of time. Oh, for now anyway it's a 2wd but....?
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I will have a few questions for ya this winter when the ol 2wd beast gets parked. I have 333000 on the ticker right now, completly original (well as for rebuilds n such, hehehe) its supposed to have had a clutch like 230K ago n other obvious things, my shifter is tight as brand new. With these things u cant rest your hand on it or it will get sloppy it wears on the base badly. Also overfill the trans 1 quart its supposed to help, im sure u know that swank i saw the link to DTR on your site, my screen name is the same overthere as it is here. im not going for big time power but the 400 usable HP club wouldnt be bad either. 
