[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by 62c30

I know it has sat for at least 2 years. Does it matter if the turbo is hooked up to start it? I would assume not but figured I would ask. If it starts and sounds good I'll probably do the killer dowel pin kit and maybe some gaskets and then clean up some and paint it. I'm looking to make a good work truck out of it not make a ton of power, just something with good mileage and reliability. I've had the truck for over 10 years and has been a very good truck so it's kinda hard to take it apart to do this conversion. The front end is wore out and the brakes suck so plan is to rebuild the 1981 frontend and get everything I can lined up so I can get the thing done. Anything else besides the kdp I should take care of while it's out and accessible?

The turbo outlet doesn't have to be hooked to the engine inlet just make sure dirt and objects aren't near either. As long as the oil feed line is still on the turbo and the return is on you'll be fine.

Yes, I'd replace all the gaskets including the head gasket and valve seals. Thise early gaskets are known for getting extremely hard and causing failures. Best to just do it while its out. Id put a 3k govoner spring in the injection pump, advance the timing, and put a little larger injector in it too. A HX35W off a 95-02 Dodge will help quite a bit too. If you need parts or part numbers/info let me know and I'll help you out.