1979 Olive: Making a Dependable Driver

[Skreddy]

My neighbor, @iron guru stopped by the other day to talk about my blue 1970. It was decided that he needed a cruiser to take driving duties when he needed. So my neighbor, Tom, has a stable of nice cars as is; 55 Chevy, 67 Bug, older 911 and a VW Bus. And he drives them all regularly. So the criteria: whatever we found him was going to be a minimal rust, sound driver that he could jump in at a moments notice and drive wherever. He liked the 74 and older for the more “utility” feel of the interior (I like him already!) but I saw this olive 1979 and he really liked the color, originality and what appeared to be very little rust. I worked nights all weekend and went to bed at 6 am Monday morning and was up and out the door by 8:30 am to meet Tom. Drove from Stanwood to Gig Harbor in the rain and met @cmf2424 to take a peek. After driving, talking, minor tinkering and another drive, a deal was struck. It was raining pretty good (well that’s not normal…) and we decided it was best not to try to drive it home so we went back, got my truck and trailer, then headed back. Loaded up and headed home, got back in my driveway at 9 pm on the dot. Bid goodnight to Tom and made myself an extra tall whiskey lemonade, chatted with the wife, then off to bed.

 

[Skreddy]

Had to jockey the Red Rocket cruiser and our other cars this morning, then got the Olive 79 off the trailer and into the garage. Promptly had to go to work a few hours. Snapped a few pics though. Very minimal rust. Small bubbling along the base of the windshield where it meets the cowl, small spot on rear sill and couple spots on the rear floor but really solid. The coming days I’ll make a list of everything needed to make a solid driver, as well as some wants. Brakes, minor adjustments and will likely pull the motor to clean, reseal and maybe change clutch. New tires and shocks on the list as well. 33k miles on the clock: found a mileage log book so I know it is 133k. I’m really excited to be working on this cruiser (with someone else’s money!) to preserve it and get it back on the road.

 

[Skreddy]

Here are some pics the PO shared with me, after it’s long slumber. The P-PO was starting to get it road worthy again, hence the partial front disassembly.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Well played.

Good looking TLC with just enough history around the edges to make for a good story.

 

[Skreddy]

When we looked at and drove the cruiser it started and idled great but couldn’t drive it, barely enough fuel flow to fill float bowl to bottom of window at idle. We changed the filter and blew the line out to the tank and we’re able to drive it. I knew the tank would be getting dropped to clean out at minimum. Well, today the tank was dropped and decided we will just get and install a brand new tank, sending unit and pickup. Will clean out or make new fuel lines as well.

 

[mrldcty]

What a great score... congrats! I'll be interested to see where you source the gas tank... may need one soon as well for my 1/80 40 series.

 

[Skreddy]

What a great score... congrats! I'll be interested to see where you source the gas tank... may need one soon as well for my 1/80 40 series.

Goi g to try a Spectra unit. Good reviews and half the price of other options. I’ve had good luck with spectra tanks and oil pans in other vehicles.
Then a CityRacer sending unit and I may need to build my own or “remake” the pickup tube.

 

[Skreddy]

With Tom’s wallet a little lighter, I order a metric buttload of stuff from CityRacer and others. Some new brake parts came with so figuring out what else will be needed. New front pads but the rotors could use a turn. I’ll sandblast them first to get them purty. New seals and bearings and front will be good to go!

After we attend this job of course! If there’s one thing I love, it’s a big old glob of moly with 2 fingers buried in a sloppy knuckle!…. I popped it open to see how it was but I knew this was getting done regardless. Was actually not as bad as I was expecting. I don’t want to leave any surprises for the new owner when he gets it back from me and doing knuckles and seals just makes sense.

 

[cmf2424]

Holy crap your not messin around… That Cruiser is going to be so awesome when your done doing all that work. Looking great bro!!

 

[Skreddy]

The new Spectra tank showed up today. I took a few measurements and some side by side comparisons and am really pleased. The only complaint I have isn’t with the tank, but the packaging was poor at best. A couple of the flange seems got a little bent, but not too bad at all. Otherwise, the tank looks identical in shape. There is no drain in these tanks. Haven’t decided yet if I’ll add one. I’m used to cars with no tank drain and I’m not sure it’s worth creating a potential rust spot where I’d need to remove the coating and weld a bung in. Poor pic but I was laying out the factory felt on the new tank.

 

[mrldcty]

You can always syphon it to empty when needed, right?

 

[Skreddy]

You can always syphon it to empty when needed, right?

That was my thinking. And I’m forseeing no reason to drain this tank for a long time, unless someone fills it with diesel or something….

 

[Skreddy]

The last few days have been tough to get any progress in as my wife is off wine tasting with friends and left me to watch her kids. (Yes, they are technically genetically mine too). But I’ve been able to get a couple hours here and there. Finished up the knuckle rebuild and new front brake pads and rotors as well as finished install of new rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders. Waiting on hub gaskets to finish off the front end.

And my 5 year old daughter helping me while her sister sleeps….

 

[Skreddy]

But the real crown of the weekend was I pilfered this bib off of it for wall art!

Just kidding. It’s inside for safe keeping for awhile. No one should disturb it if I put it near the excercise equipment…

Why remove it you ask?

So I can yank the drivetrain of course!
Going to change the clutch and associated bearings, reseal trans and t-case and also regasket/seal the engine. New vacuum lines and all cooling hoses will go on as well and a good engine bay/frame detail and rust preventative measures. New master cylinder too.

 

[mrboatman]

That thing will be nice when complete

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Great progress. I assume this was the before photo? That's definitely a few years of caked on grease and dirt.

 

[Skreddy]

Great progress. I assume this was the before photo? That's definitely a few years of caked on grease and dirt.

View attachment 2997662

Yes, definitely the before!

 

[Skreddy]

I pulled the drivetrain as an assembly, but I initially tried to pull the trans and t-case separately to no avail. Figured out why that was today; pilot bearing seized on input shaft. I had to pry harder than I was really comfortable with but I got it! Glad things like this will be tended to.

 

[Skreddy]

Engine was stripped of accessories and degreased/pressure washed. Tomorrow will be pull the pan and covers for internal inspection, then new gaskets/seals and paint. Also engine bay cleanup tomorrow.
The clutch was about down to the rivets with the pressure plate fingers worn down from a frozen throw out bearing. I’ll just oil the bearing up until it spins, polish the fingers and sand the rivets down and some 120 grit on a da for the flywheel and it’ll be good to go….
Clean up trans and t-case will happen tomorrow as well in prep for inspection and reseal.
Once the engine is painted and on the stand I always feel like I’ve about crested the hill and it’s so close to getting back together.

 

[desmocruiser]

Great work on a great Cruiser, my favorite combo, but I could be a little biased!