my 88 pickup I just bought

I just bought an 88 reg cab 2wd 22re pickup auto with a bad motor in it for $200. Has 159,000 miles on it. The frame has no rust on it at all, although the body has a few small spots.
It did not finish the drive home however. Some previous idiot used 8 gauge wire for the battery terminals and when the truck stalled out at a red light it wouldn't start because the wire was all fried. So I have to tow it home (which would be better for the motor anyway)
I plan on building it for 1/8 mile racing. The block and head should be good so I will just get a rebuild kit. I'll build it to be able to handle NOS.
Any thoughts as to whether I should put a carburetor motor in (possible?) for added tuning.
Will post pics when I get the truck home tomorrow. had to leave it in the parking lot where it broke down. After I got home I realized that I forgot to get an address where I left it so hopefully I can retrace my steps and find it. That would suck trying to spend all day looking for it. Thoughts, comments, and advice appreciated.

Oh and as always I don't have a lot of money to spend (the kind to drop in a chevy 350 say). It doesn't have to be a rocket ship but I would like it to be faster than my taco (times in sig)

 

Awesome!

 

great buy but only if it was 4x4 but you probably have a reason for it so good job

 

knocks real bad. prolly bad rod bearings as it does it through the whole rpm range. it only has 159,000 on it though. somebody didn't treat it to nice I think. Frame is immaculate though.

 

I just read your build. I was disappointed that you didn't finish until I realized you just bought your truck too. The body on mine is a lot better than yours (although I'm afraid of what is under the bedliner too). I have to do a whole engine rebuild though. I wish it was just a head gasket issue. I had a 4 cyl head milled, cleaned and tested about a year ago (2.2L gm) and it came to 160 I believe.
I'm building mine for the race track so I'm gonna try to get a few extra horses when I do the rebuild. I'm also gonna make it strong enough to withstand some nitrous.
Not sure what your intentions are for the truck but I have a set of running boards, a bedliner, and a bug shield (on the hood) if your interested. I was gonna try and sell em so if you want you can have first dibs.
Also you live in PA right? I have family in lancaster which I think theres a beech creek out there.