Having Fun With it?

[David R.]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the insight. I won’t be discouraged. I have wanted one of these since I was about 8 years old, and I really am having a blast with it. I bought the truck sight unseen (cheap), and fully expected the worst. It came from an estate sale and had sat in a barn for the last four or five years. I have very little history before that. Someone had started to build a huckster body on it and I have some of that material stored for now. I had no steering assembly, so first job was locating steering gear and rebuilding it. Pulled starter to get steering gear installed and rebuilt starter while it was on bench. (My theory is only do it once.)
I have done a compression test and was surprised to find a consistent 75 psi on all four cylinders!
I finally coaxed distributor out and it will need rebuilt. What’s your thoughts on stock verses modern points?
Oil pump looks good, a little wear in upper bushing.
Andrews says the baffle tray prys out of oil pan. Seems pretty tightly wedged.
I have a local guy who can re pour and line bore bearings if need be. I will check bearings next. Should I check them all? Which is likely most worn?

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by David R.

I finally coaxed distributor out and it will need rebuilt. What’s your thoughts on stock verses modern points?

I have a local guy who can re pour and line bore bearings if need be. I will check bearings next. Should I check them all? Which is likely most worn?

Stock points. The 'modern' ones aren't actually all that modern, and it's now easier to get the stock ones. (which most of the time, are better).

As for the bearings, i understand the center main is likely to wear the most.

[john charlton]

Stand the pan up in a suitable container and wait for as much gloop that will drain .Put the pan in a large garbage bag and drop it from shoulder height onto a hard surface (not concrete ) When you drop it make sure it is upside down and horizontal .The tray will pop out if it does not you might have to help gravity a bit . Also clean out the valve chest making sure no debris gets down in the 3 main bearing feed holes you can easy see them one at each end and one in the middle .

John in cold clear morning Suffolk County England .

[David R.]

Here is oil pump screen. Glad I resisted urge to try and start it.

[henry's 31]

That looks great, great job!

[David R.]

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Thanks John, you’re a genius. Baffle popped right out when I dropped oil pan. Pulled valve cover off this afternoon. Yuck! Sure hope some oil was finding its way through the muck to the rear main. Distributor was barely in block. Index hole full of rust. Torqued head studs. #12 was a little loose. Lots of clean up to do and check bearings next.
Still having fun!

[30 Closed Cab PU]

If your baffle is ever really stubborn other ways - 2x4 across the top, large C clamp on top of teh 2x4 and through the baffle hole. Baseball bat through the baffle hole and pry.

[john charlton]

To refit the tray engage the side with oilpump hole edge into the female slots .The tray will then sit at an angle .Get a suitable wooden drift and give it a smart bop midway at the raised edge with hammer or better still a mallet . It should just snap back in .Make sure you get it in the right place fore and aft When seated give it a tug just to check it is secure .

John in Suffolk County England .

[David R.]

Thanks John. I’m sure the clearances are pretty close in there and I’ll bet it wouldn’t be pretty for things to go banging round in there!
Mercy is there lots of clean up to do on this thing. I wore out scraping crud this evening.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by David R.

Thanks John. I’m sure the clearances are pretty close in there and I’ll bet it wouldn’t be pretty for things to go banging round in there!
Mercy is there lots of clean up to do on this thing. I wore out scraping crud this evening.

Just keep you eye on the prize - increasing reliability, knowing you are doing things the correct way, not causing damage/issues by being thorough, reduced breakdowns, having confidence you know what shape the truck is in, and increased comprehension of how it works and is put together.

[David R.]

Yes, Elmer (I named it after the name I found scratched on steering wheel) and I are getting aquatinted. I wish I had a little more of it’s history. This old truck has definitely been worked. I certainly could have picked an easier project, but I am enjoying this one.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Looks like the spring on the bottom the oil pump is broken.

[David R.]

Originally Posted by Drive Shaft Dave

Looks like the spring on the bottom the oil pump is broken.

The spring is broken. A new one is on the way along with new gaskets and bushings; and parts to rebuild distributor. Baffle is cleaned up and working on pan. Has a dent to push out.