We have an engine failure

[77c15]

On my way back from taking some tires off to the dump in my 74 I lost my oil cap (loosely fitted, was waiting to find a new one that fit right) and lost all my oil and the motor seized up. I have a 305 coming my way that runs from an 85 c10. My problem is on what direction to take this:

most of you guys know that I bought an 80 c10 for parts...but I also have my 74. The 355 in the 74 is now smoked, but I will be rebuilding it. I have that 305 coming, but am wondering what I should do. What sounds better: taking the engine (put it on a stand for rebuild), trans, and front clip off my 74 and scrap the cab (plenty of rust, would salvage what I could) and bed, keep the frame to sandblast and powder coat to put the 80 body on later down the road after the Air Ride Tech street challenge system was installed, and put all of this (305, 700r4, and basically few months old front clip) on the 80 and drive it? I'm torn on what to do. The bed and cab are honestly beyond saving, unless I could do a TON of body work myself (not equipped, don't have space, and haven't done much welding). There is rust and bondo everywhere. The 80 is super clean and has the straightest bed, rockers, and cab I have seen in quite some time. I know that plenty of you would say build them both, and I may do that later down the road if I come across another donor, but for now, my dilemma is what to do from where I stand now, especially doing all this in a neighborhood and out of a single car garage.

[dumbucket1]

with your limited space and budget just salvage any good parts off your 74, send it on its way and build your 80.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i'm very confused;

1) Do you mean the oil fill cap?


2)How complete is the 80?

3)Is the 305/700 trans combo still in the 85 truck?

[1976Scottsdale]

I would build the 80, just make sure to keep the titles for both for documentation purposes.  I know at least missouri is picky about such things.

[77c15]

I found the oil fill cap wedged into the curves of the driver's side header. Oil is all over the back side of the block and the transmission...all 4 1/2 quarts of it! I have the 74 stripped down to a cab sitting on the frame. I will be removing the cab tomorrow and scrap it...after I pull out all my goodies (Grant steering wheel, any good interior parts, the glovebox, etc.). The 80 is going to be the main focus, but the 74 frame is going to sit in the garage and await it's fate as a mean sandblasted, powder coated, and bagged chassis. I will post pix tomorrow if I get a chance...i'm taking plenty of them to document all of the work for the classic insurance policy I have on it.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i would hold off on junking the cab just yet.

2) If the oil cap did indeed get jarred loose--or possibly blown off, i'm not sure how all the oil could leave through this hole?  Maybe i'm missing something here?

[Lt.Del]

i'm not sure how all the oil could leave through this hole?

I'm with ya there Stewart. 
That's amazing that happened.  I would atleast think one would smell smoke while driving, or see smoke if the oil got on the headers and trans, therefore exhaust pipes, that thing would be a plume of smoke.

I guess anything is possible 

[VileZambonie]

Did you have a mechanical oil pressure gauge?

[lowbucktruck]

i would hold off on junking the cab just yet.

2) If the oil cap did indeed get jarred loose--or possibly blown off, i'm not sure how all the oil could leave through this hole?  Maybe i'm missing something here?

I agree... its nice to have an early model, pre-smog cab and VIN.  Unless the cab has terminal cancer, I would keep it.

[77c15]

Cancer is terminal...valve covers are aftermarket and are missing the baffle/block plate under the cap.