New Dodge Ram 50 Owner - Looking to Learn and Tackle Projects

[jream122]

Good Evening,

I recently purchased a 5 speed 1989 Dodge Ram 50 with 168,000 miles for $2,000 out of Virginia. There were known issues (as you'd expect with a $2000 truck), but the bones are good and I am extremely pleased with the state of the frame and major moving components.

The countershaft bearing(s) had gone bad, and the transmission appeared to be making some metal. I currently have the old transmission out, and a replacement with (allegedly) 93,000 miles ready to go in the vehicle after I purchase a transmission jack and do some cleaning.

My projects after the transmission job are as follows please share any experience or advice on these, I am here to learn:

-Address head gasket leak. This appears to be extremely mild. White smoke out of the exhaust pipe and exhaust gas in the coolant with minimal coolant loss. Clean oil and no issues overheating. I am considering using a head gasket sealant product to tide the truck over until I have time to take the head off as I've read it is a huge job, and would love to hear opinions on that.

-Address electrical system. Alternator light is on, but battery is charging and alternator is producing power. A new stereo and speaker system were added to the car and I think this may be the source of the issue.

-Redo interior. Previous owner elected to place a vinyl ... thing ... down in place of the carpet. I am not thrilled about it, but this is at the bottom of the list priority wise.

I have read the thread on things to do the moment you get the car, and feel like mine is in good shape. Vehicle came with weber carb conversion, muffler work, and generally great upkeep. Glad to have found this forum and am looking forward to getting this car in top top shape. Pictures to follow.

[dash]

Mitsu SOHC 4cyl not difficult to work on, but if you're "new", it may be a 'huge' job I suppose
that balance shaft bearing might be a bigger job actually. You wanna drive it like that ?
I've seen those head sealant things, work and bail people out. Dunno if any downsides later tho
2.0 or 2.6 ? May find a nearby starion owner who know their way around the 2.6. Easy job for him
truck looks good

[SubGothius]

that balance shaft bearing might be a bigger job actually. You wanna drive it like that ?

I think they were referring to a shaft in the transmission there, not the engine balance shaft(s).

I've seen those head sealant things, work and bail people out. Dunno if any downsides later tho

Just make sure there is NO coolant in the oil or vice-versa first. Look for "mayonnaise" or "chocolate milkshake" deposits in the radiator cap, coolant recovery tank, oil cap, dipstick, ideally also remove the valve cover and look inside. Most of those head sealant additives contain sodium silicate, which is BAD to get into the oil galleries, can seize up an engine if it gets into any bearing journals.

Looks like a pretty clean and solid truck OP, good score!