Thread: New project

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Hey guys, here I go again. Acquired a new project. 1989 K3500 1 ton 4X4 with a 454 and a 400 trans. Many things were wrong with the engine but the frame, bed, and cab is rust free so a rebuild of the engine is a no brainer. First ? This is a smog engine with the air pump. That is gone along with the a/c compressor that was locked up. I know that there are after market acc. brackets but, is there someway to run a belt without these 2 components? Question 2. This is a tbi engine and though I would like to retain it I don't know how many if any of the sensors or onboard computer work. Can they be tested prior to installing the engine. Thanks for any information.

If you Google "1989 454 smog pump and ac delete" you'll find several engine specific articles and/or vehicle specific forum posts about re-routing your serpentine belt, and the need for "delete pulleys" to make it work. Did that on my old '90 F150, and the Mustang forums had everything spelled out. You should also be able to check out your sensors with a good VOM, but you may need a variable DC power supply to dial in low voltages for some, like 0-5VDC. Just need to research the input/output signals for each one first.

Should be a cool old truck when you're done!!

I have gone on Autozone's site and they have the test values to the senors.

Hey Roger, thanks for the reply. Isn't Google great? This is just what I need. I have the same problem that many of us gearheads have. Plan on a simple rebuild just to have a decent driver and next thing you know I'm $6000 into an engine with aftermarket serpentine brackets/pulleys and what the hell, might as well put a blower on it. At least that's how I am. So I'm trying real hard to keep it stock. Anyway thanks for the reply/info.