new guy, old car

[nkaminar]

Ole Thirty, You are doing all the right stuff and it sounds like you have the mechanical skill to work on this car. As you say, it is nice and easy to work on.

Change all the fluids. Use a multi grade detergent oil. Use 85W-140 modern gear oil in the transmission, rear end, and steering box. If the steering box has grease in it, flush it out to the best of your ability and add the oil. The grease gets squeezed out of the gears and bearings, leaving them dry. Lube the distributor. Put fresh grease in all the grease fittings.

If the radiator leaks consider buying a good quality one from one of the suppliers. Or have it re cored if you can find a radiator shop that will do that. Usually when the radiator starts leaking it is at a point where it won't cool very well.

I think vinegar is good for removing rust but not the tar that was left from the old gasoline. You can flush out the tar with a solvent like toluene. Just be careful with any solvent and don't breath the vapors or get in on you skin. Put the solvent in the tank and them jump up and down on a running board to slosh the solvent around. Gasoline also works as a solvent. The difficulty is getting rid of the dirty solvent when you are done.