Posted by Brian in Oregon on Saturday, June 08, 2002 at 0:13AM :
In Reply to: Re: Build em or eventually lose em-my turn! posted by Lew VB on Friday, June 07, 2002 at 10:14PM :
Yes. It's YOUR truck. Do what YOU want with it.
How did your friend "butcher" his R2? Merely by putting a 318 in it or did he torch and hack it up to get it in there?
That's the beauty of the Helitool kits. The engin kit requires two minor mods, which are reversible. The disc brake kit is entirely reversible. It also allows the original transmission and PTO to be run.
I have no qualms about dropping a modern engine in these old trucks. But I can also appreciate a nice original truck as well.
It boils down to what the owner needs it for. I don't want a truck that can only do 45 mph. I intend to use my M37 for exploration all over Oregon. I don't need to spend what little time off I have crawling like a snail to get there. Someone else may only go to car shows and parades. 45 mph may suit them fine.
It is also possible to do a conversion that all but passes close inspection as totally original. This is what I am attempting to do with my M37. Until the hood is popped or you crawl underneath it, it will look no different that a bone stock M37. Except it will do 55 mph.