500 HP FORGOTTEN Truck Back On the Road - Will It Run? 

Well the push rods worked with the steel shim head gaskets. Then you put thicker head gaskets on which raised the heads so now the push rods don't want to stay in place!

Dylan, I'm so sorry. Please don't give up on the higher horsepower engine just yet. You have an intriguing subject for your channel. Diagnosing this issue may help all of us motorheads. More power is always better in the long run. Love u bro!

Actually would like to see the tare down and see if the problem is fixable and put it back in the truck. Thanks for another awesome video.

I'm sure you'll figure it out. That kinda thing can be very frustrating. I appreciate you sharing that kinda thing. It'll show folks that crap happens, but you just have to bounce back.

Your pistons all had eyebrows from hitting the exhaust valves. If your springs are not right for that cam revving it will float the valves. That can knock your valvetrain to pieces. Pull the heads and check for bent valves.

This is my favorite truck on the channel. That 400 sounds absolutely incredible

Jamie at DDG did a video recently about the various aftermarket parts with different tolerances affecting the rocker action as there is no adjustment there. He fixed the issue with adjustable rockers from 440 source I believe.

There are so few channels as real as this. You work, have problems then fix those problems and move on, that’s real life folks. Looking forward to part 2.

Seems like either you have the wrong push rod length, or the rockers are incompatible with the cam, meaning the rocker angle is off. As for the oil in the exhaust, only 3 conditions come to mind being valve seals, rings, or PCV being the most common, and cracked head, or busted piston being the worst case scenario. A warped head could contribute to this oil condition as well. I would definitely check the geometry on those rockers though. Great video Dylan, be confident, you'll figure it out. Thanks for sharing.

Briar is the best investment for your Channel Dylan!

At 16.24 when you took the head off, it was obvious one exhaust valve had hit the piston on number six cylinder. You may have a bent valve

Don't give up on the 383! Even though it's a pain in the neck having to pull the engine again, I think you'll be able to sort out whats going on with the lifters and/or valves.

When running an engine or just doing diagnostics especially on an unknown engine or a breaking in of an engine, a temperature gun or a thermal type camera can tell you everything you need to know about a running engine. You can see hotspots in the engine you can see what cylinders are performing better or not at all compared to the others. You can also see issues with electronics or any part that might be heat related...

44:35 love the look of your dad's truck! really nice

Hope you're doing well Dylan..left a like as always.....Also hope your dad is doing well... Honor thy father...You and everyone be blessed

I am just guessing here but, Mopar oils through the rocker arms so not enough oil pressure was being maintained to the lifters to keep them pumped up since it was flowing through the push rods unlike factory push rods. I know you put factory push rods in later and one was not working (collapsed lifter), and 1 push rod fell out maybe indicating another bad lifter. What I am suggesting is the lifters did not have enough pressure to keep them pumped up allowing the push rods to fall out and also wiping some lifters. I would say you need new lifters with the correct push rods. Easy for me to say it is your money. :)

Hey guy, you don't need to apologize. You win some, you lose some. I think it's great how well you took it. People need to see this end of car restoration too. Not everything comes with a happy ending. I'm thinking there's something up with the lifters but, running or not you still did a nice job! I'll be looking forward to part two!

😮 Cam lobe wiped??

Tough break guys, you got to take the good with the bad. At least you have a solid plan on what to do next. Great segment, thank you.

Better check the lifters and cam lobes on that cylinder. Bet you wiped a lobe or two. The extra .019" thicker head gasket isn't the issue here. The piston-valve clearance is definitely an issue though. The 509/292 purpleshaft doesn't play well with pistons lacking valve reliefs.

I’ve been there brother. You pull a decent runner to make it better. You do everything right but it just doesn’t run as expected. I don’t know Mopar. That’s why I love your channel because I get to learn more about Dodge,Plymouth, and Chrysler products. I hope you get to figure out what is wrong with your 383 and get her running right. Looking forward to seeing it! God bless! 😊

Ok, the carb needs to go. Either a thermoquad, or a Hp Dominator is what the 400 needs to breathe properly. An M1 intake would also be advised for maximum power. Just an old Dodge wrench with a few tried and true suggestions for your badass 400👍💯 ive modded many of these when i worked at the county shop, we would soup them up as far as we could for police use, we had several sattelites that were interceptors with tall rear gears that would run 150 mph all day long without overheating on 115° days with all that extra cop equipment weight in the car. These blocks were far superior to modern blocks because of the high nickle content iron they were cast with ( thats why they are so expensive to machine because they tear up cutters at the maxhine shop) all pre 1974 blocks no matter what displacement are the best for big reliable power, sure they're heavier but they will not crack in half when you push the limits like modern blocks will.

For sure,need to check cam. Easiest way in the car, pull the rocker arms and push rods. Put long on the rim of the lifter and spin the motor over, if any of them don't come up ,you probably have a cam lobe wiped. Need to also check for coil bind.

I’m wondering if it’s not an issue with your lifters. They collapse when shutdown depending on lobe position. Pops the push rod on startup. Might just try the original lifters, or buy a different set. Better replace the push rods too.

lifter is pumping oil but its not holding pressure(check ball valve is not sealing if it has a check ball or it could have a metering valve inside that is not sealing) open up lifters in question as crap could of blocked the sealing of the metering valve(think disc) or check ball valve if one is at the bottom of lifter best of luck if the seal/valve is not sealing it will still flow to top of pushrod but the lifter will bottom out causing a LOT of play and it will throw a pushrod

You may have put in a marine cam that runs counterclockwise, which is why you’re having timing issues and bending rods, I’m not sure about the markings, but I would looking into that issue, it might just be changing of your cam, Long time follow, Michael D Souza😅,

Man i love the 74-78 dodge trucks(78 is my favorite, but they are all good) I became a chevy guy because i could afford them. Once you have 3 or 7 in the yard, your committed to that brand for compatibility sake. But i grew up on the passenger side of a 74 longbed with a loud 318, and a 4 speed. Watching the road go by through the rust holes in the floor. Then there was a 78 4x4 with a 360 that sounded rowdy as hell(cam, intake, headers, big 4 barrel carb)...but that was the last Dodge my dad had. All chevys after that. I know Chrysler stuff is always 2-3x the price, and harder to find. But this is going to be worth it when its done. Those 383 motors were just awesome rpm machines. You will get it, don't give up

I'm not a professional but I thought thicker gaskets would effect push rod length. Can't wait for the next video to see what it was

I would pull the pan , make sure the oil is clean if so I would opt for a new cam and lifter package as well. My guess you got lifters not holding pressure and staying pumped up. Soak the new ones and then pump them by hand with a pushrod while they are submerged in oil just as an extra step to be sure they are pumped up. Most people just submerge them and don’t pre pump them .

Dylan, sorry to agree with a lot of comments: Sounds like you used a thicker head gasket? Therefore your valve clearances will be different. Can you not adjust valve clearances? That would solve pushrods falling out. New lifters? check them!! Cam wiped? not likely but possible, get cam checked by tuning shop, They may find something or not . I live in UK, and have no experience with any of your motors, BUT, I was engineer for 30yrs. For pushrods to fall out, it screams difference in clearances, thicker head makes that difference therefore you need adjustable rockers.

Well this is a call Dad moment, be thankful you have him and his wealth of knowledge.

My first thoughts are that when you pulled the heads the dent in the one piston indicates that the cam is either taller than what can accept those push rods and then were replaced by the original owner to what you found in the engine. A bent valve or two was the result. Another thought is that I didn't hear if you had soaked the new or used lifters and they were void of oil, so they didn't pump up and some either froze and allowed the resultant excessive slop to have them to come out of the lifter cups. Just a few thoughts.

I would take the entire top end off and inspect everything thoroughly before running it again. If the rocker assembly is properly torqued and valve springs are all fine, then it that leaves the lifters or cam as the source of the problem. The cam might be trashed.

Looks like valves hit piston probably got some bent valves. When you cleaned off the pistons you could see where they have been hit with valves befor.

I love those old dodge truck's I don't care for any of the new dodge vehicles one bit I only have love for old dodge vehicles

You change the headgasket thickness rods are short now

i lvoe my 1980 w150 short bed. Its got a slant and a 4 speed but man these trucks so much fun

Think it could be the head gaskets the thickness you said you put thicker head gaskets in

Howdy Mr. Mccool Since the pandemic a lot of lifters had gone down the drain I’ve had my issues with my 318 It’s a somewhat known issue that the lifters we are getting here in the states are not the same as they used to be and are OE spec but fail terribly

.020-.030 thicker head gasket can cause too much gap between the rockers and push rods. That rocker setup is great for a factory cam, but I prefer screw in studs and guide plates. Hope you get it figured out and didn't wipe out the camshaft

Well you changed head gasket thickness, lifters are the main things. Could be thickness of gasket changed the length of push rod. Lifters could have failed, cam lobe wipe on break in. A lot of variables to check. Good luck👍👍

Hope you can. Get it running the way you want. Never can tell what it could be. Thanks Dylan ! 💯👊👍

Head gasket thickness is much different between the steel shim style and the blue paper gaskets. That and it looked like you had a valve strike on one of the pistons when you took it apart. Try going back to a steel shim gasket

Thats one cool truck Dylan, it kinda reminds me of a ‘74 ramcharger i owned 20+ years ago, it too was black, but it had a built 360 in it and a transmission that didnt have reverse so you had to park it very strategically!!! Awesome video bro!!!

Kudos for the video editing skills and narration for the call backs and history. I aways enjoy the entertainment and knowledge put in each video.

Shift happens! The trouble is finding what variable shifted to cause issues. Hope the tear-down is illuminating!

The thicker head gasket moved the length on the push rods

Why don't you get a barn (I know you have a work barn) but a garage to store all these vehicles instead of just putting them out in the field again!?? Store them properly.

As soon as I hear that pop when starting it, I knew you had pushrod issues. My 04 Ranger had a pushrod slip after a head replacement and it made the same exact sound.

The valve train oiling reminds me of a hydraulic 225 slant. Lifters are the very last part to see oil pressure.

You need to put some weight in the rear of that pickup. Maybe wider tires? I like Dylan's style. Is that a 727, 3 speed auto trans?

Dylan -- really enjoyed the video! Sorry for the pushrod issues but my shade-tree mechanic work tends to result in having to go back an fix things more than once.... so is encouraging to know even an experienced car guy has a stinker happen from time to time. Hang in there -- anything you do to get this one going would make another interesting video. At least your dad got the rear-end he wanted for his truck :-))

I had a ‘67 Monaco with a 383 once. My mom gave it away before I got my license. Had it running and ready to go. Haven’t found one since.

Has Briar got a cool car of his own? If not, he deserves one, how about a project car for him?

I got faith in you Dylan you will figure it out, Awesome Video.

Wow you need to do a nother cut grass video/ fleet update

I’m sorry that this happened to you after all the long hours and late nights you put into this. I’m looking forward to part 2 of this big block pickup MOPAR.

51:56 brother run a compression check on that bank ,it's definitely bent and dropped them in the valley,need some hardened pushers and upgrade on valve train sweet ride but you got a cam issue big cam which it may be to much for stock hollow push rods and may have eating ya cam,wish there was more but definitely compression check

Did you check for pushrod length? Sounds like no pre load.

That 383 had some piston to valve interference issues. There is a valve impression on the piston where you removed the head. Personally, I don't buy used engines unless I can hear it run prior to purchasing, or either I'm buying it with the intentions to tear it down and rebuild. Been burned a couple times and that's a good enough lesson

Awesome truck! Id really like to see some 392 hemi heads on that poly 318 club cab ya got there though😂😂😂 Years ago, hot rod magazine had a 400 low deck build that used a 426 forged crank , hemi rods, and special pistons with raised pins to get 900 na hp from an otherwise stock 400 block. Always wanted to build one.

I want to see more on the extended cab Dodge

That is a bummer but it happens to the best of us!! And with used motors, it’s always a gamble, but still a great video and something learned is always something gained

I'm going to have to agree with some other commenters on here. Don't give up on that engine. It has to be fixablle. You'll figure it out.

Definitely need a pole barn with gravel floor at least so they dont rust away after you put all the new parts on

I had a 1977 warlock, black with gold strip. Loved that truck! At almost 400,000 thousand miles, the little 318 finally gave up. I put a 440 out of a 1970 Chrysler new Yorker in it and totally ruined that truck! The big block was so heavy that if you got off the blacktop, you were stuck!

Watched Dead Dodge Garage episode where it was blowing the push rods out of the engine. He had to put in after market adjusters and set to zero lash like for a Chevy. It was only a few weeks ago if that. Seems very similar.

Flat tappet lifters are an issue nowadays ( I am sure you know) which may have caused the issue and possibly damaged your can also. Looks like you did everything right. I would tear down the 383 and find out what happened and fix it. Melling lifters are reliable and don't cause issues. Should make a cool truck! Keep the faith!

That "318 blue" and chrome looks great

Hey just a thought I highy recommend buying a comp cam kit, cam. Lifters and valve springs. It will save alot of headaches....

I had your problem one time before. Went to four sets of push rods. I replaced all the rocker heads and did not have that problem again. Believe that the rocker head has had a slight oblong look to it. And they just slipped right out. On your one that's not moving. I'm thinking you have a bad lifter.

My friend’s dad had one of these trucks. It burned nearly as much oil as it did gasoline. The 318 was so worn out that his 20 mile round trip to work burned over a quart of oil every day.

I bet that the neighbors just love you and your channel, LOL! 🥴 I didn't do half of what you do and I get harassed by the PO PO!

So with all that said you probably either need to do a put the factory gaskets back in it or be the longer pushrods.. because they are still hydraulic lifters when the lifter is on the Bass circle you shouldn't have any lash in those Push rods

I hope you're adding a fan shroud. All radiators need one.

You have a great channel, as evidenced by keeping it real instead of not uploading a video. There is no failure. There is only opportunity to improve. No doubt you'll get it sorted out. Keep Going, and Also try getting in touch with Steve Dulcich.

There was a big old spider on the cowl at 11:54 😮 I was screaming at the TV lmao 🤣

Jamie from dead Dodge garage has seen that before. I forgot what the fix was but you might want to reach out to him. Definitely don’t give up on that engine.

Oil in the exhaust means oil past the rings!! I didn't think valve seals would put that much oil in the exhaust

Just a guess, but I’d say you either wiped the cam when you put new lifters in and had to break it in again, or someone sold you some chinesium lifters and they failed. If it was a length issue all the push rods would be falling out. To change the subject, what is that distributor you’re running? It looks like it’s so long it’d have tons of torsional shaft give and reek hell on your timing accuracy.

Just a heart breaker Dylan! Just hate havin the chase gremlins!!!

Didn't you say you were surprised how the oil jetted out of the rockers? The reason was the pushrods had oil passages.

I do appreciate the humility and civility McCool displayed as well as the absolute professionalism when the fans had all the poop thrown at them.

I would make a suggestion,before you fire an engine turn it over without trying to start it,i could tell you had a dead hole when you started it,it was loping,you probably wiped the cam,try solid lifters with a new cam

When i first saw those rocker arms, i thought i was going to see the pushrods punch through them like on Dead Dodge Garage

DO A LEAK DOWN TEST AFTER YOU GET THE PUSH RODS BACK IN PLACE THAT WILL GIVE YOU A ANSWER OF THE CONDITION OF THE RINGS

Just a completely unscientific guess here, maybe the lifters you have installed were actually AMC lifters. outer diameter are withing a couple thousands but designed for thru pushrod oiling? Believe the brand new spec is 0.902 for AMC and 0.904 for Mopar. A new AMC lifter in a worn Mopar lifter bore would be a loose fit causing super fast hydraulic lifter bleed down?

Good Afternoon Sir, I hope you are doing well and having a fantastic day today Sir, I hope your Family is doing well also ! Have a lot of fun and I am right here enjoying your fun !

You might want to mow and run a weed eater when we're trying to see vehicles lol

Man that sucks. Hope you keep us updated on what you find. Im really interested in the cause and remedy.

I saw thiss same exact thing happen to Chris Birdsong on his truck with a built 440. The break in wrecked the cam lobes.

I'm not a Mopar expert in any way, shape or form...but my first thought is the thicker head gaskets are your culprit.

Need longer push rods

Nothin Wrong With That!!!👍 As my buddies and I say In the Northern New England Area. Dylan does what he does and is good nuff. At least he records it and shares it with y’all. So don’t be too hard on the guy✌️

Great video Dylan you have such great subscribers to help you thru this everyone is waiting for part 2 to actually see what went wrong. You have everyone sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for part 2. Good luck and God bless.

M 10:08 great job open manifolds or open headers are not good to just run, learned a couple of decades ago it will burn up valves

My buddy had a Purple Duster that we all called Barney with a pretty darn hot 400 with a 4 speed. That darn thing would MOVE. He used to bracket race the thing down in Mason Dixon dragway in Boonsboro Maryland.

That Chrysler Blue is a very beautiful color, but maybe on the next performance engine you could do Plum-Crazy Purple?. I think that would be pretty cool. I'm personally not a Mopar person but I do love that Plum-Crazy Purple.

Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. You tried your best. We all saw that. It's all a learning experience. Well done.

Pic Dead Dodge Garages brain . Jamies a guru on Mopars