Hey, first off let me say it is an honor to finally be able to post on this wonderful forum. I have been drooling over the 55's since I got my drivers license and finally have been blessed to find one here in montana. In the seven years I've been looking to pick one up, only a few have been for sale and never around for long. They seem to be an elusive creature up here in NW MT. I finally came across one on craigslist and had just enough funds to buy it. I located her in helena, MT. The pig was only a 2 owner, was a runner, and only had 88,000 original miles. Hell, the tires on it were worth the price of the pig. After cruising over to check her out I was sold and got her trailored back home. Yes, she is rusty in all the normal places but I'm so stoked to finally have one to drive me around the woods and to put some love into. Its inevitable that I'm going to have alot of questions in restoring her to a DD but I know I'm in good hands on this forum. My first question. When she Idles low,choke off, the oil pressure seems to drop alittle, there still is pressure as it is not dropping too low but not as high as with a nice idle. Is this fine? What are your thoughts?
'73 Montana Mountain Pig
- Thread starter NWMT
- Start date
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Cool rig!You'll be lovin' life in that sweety
Congrats NWMT and welcome to the group. Can't wait to see what you end up doing with this beauty.
Congrats on a nice find. Good to have another member in the Society.
On the oil pressure, I've seen that alot on older engines. Not a problem as long as it comes up with the rpms.
Do alot of reading in the older threads, there is everything you can think of and more.
On the oil pressure, I've seen that alot on older engines. Not a problem as long as it comes up with the rpms.
Do alot of reading in the older threads, there is everything you can think of and more.
Congrats! Where are you from in nwmt? I'm from there. I was born and raised in plains montana. My grandma still lives there and I visit her at least once a year. My advice would be one thing at a time and take your time. Don't rush it. It will get there in good time.
Jake
Jake
Congrats and welcome to Mud!!
that one looks like a survivor...
Congrats!
You look like you're about the age when I bought my long-gone '76 pig. But it had that fresh, new-pig smell.
I had a great time in it. I;m sure you'll do the same with this sweet-looking ride. It's even the right color.
You look like you're about the age when I bought my long-gone '76 pig. But it had that fresh, new-pig smell.
I had a great time in it. I;m sure you'll do the same with this sweet-looking ride. It's even the right color.- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks for the warm welcome everybody! I'm up in Polson Jake. I know Plains well as I do a bunch of hunting up the little thompson there every year. I am definitly going to be taking my time with her. My buddy I went to college with, (He's graduated and off to better things He's my local source for Fj info), I believe he owned the one you bought Skullyota. Nice to know there are some other locals around for maybe scoring a part or two here and there. Thanks for the info Ron. I thought since it was my first post that I'd ask a question but will definitly be surfing through the old posts for info before asking.
Addiction has started!!!!
There you go. That's what you'll remember about these early days with your Pig.
Mine's long gone
But I hang here now, lending what little knowledge I still have of those days and hoping to someday maybe get back into a 55 if I ever have enough luck and money.
FWIW, I wrote up many of my adventures in these two threads.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-classifieds-corner/751550-head-rests-71950-90352-a.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-...y/763319-late-70s-pig-build-green-dragon.html
Small world. There is a local newspaper in plains called the valley press. My dad started that paper in the early 80's. We left montana shortly after he sold it to the owners of the Missoulian in the late 90's.
jake
- Thread starter
- #15
I read the missoulian every day just to see whats going on here in montana and elsewhere Jake. I swear I'm one of the only kids of my age to actually read the newspaper now adays. It is a small world. Anyways, as soon as this quarter ends for college I'm going to cutting out the rust and por 15'ing what I can. After driving around town the body mounts which seemed ok when I bought it are cracking and dropping off piece by piece. Looks like some more fabrication work will be in order. Maybe I'll get some fab equipement for my birthday and/ or christmas? Anybody have any feedback on eastwood products?
Lincoln or Miller Mig box, angle grinder-GOGGLES FACE SHIELD AND SAFETY GLASSES, and Bobm. beer, time, money...finished
if you are rich, a plasma or nibbler would also be good investments for some sheet metal work...and lots more pics.
if you are rich, a plasma or nibbler would also be good investments for some sheet metal work...and lots more pics.
Also need a 50 ct box of cutoff wheels, map torch for loosening bolts, dustmasks, 8 GB card for your camera, patience, and about 3x more $$$ than you thought it would take!
That's it?
- Thread starter
- #19
I've got the grinder, faceshield, beer, and time just lacking money ha! The 50 count box of cut off wheels is no joke! Took about that much for my '79 dodge powerwagon I built. Beer and Patience is key. My cousin has a plasma so I'm good there its really the mig that I'm going to need. Would you suggest buying new or if I can find one on Clist to pick it up used? I'll search through the threads to see about shock suggestions but anyone wanna chime in on that subject as well. I know its going to take 3x as much as I thought just wanna get a list started of what I need so I can prioritize for when I start getting the cash flow again.
NWMT,
On the Mig, buy the best you can afford. It doesn't have to be a big one, just a good name brand. Miller, etc. if you just want to buy once.
Personally, I don't like to buy used, but you can find a deal, sometimes. Make sure to try it before buying or take it to a welding supply shop and let them try it out.
I've got a Miller 255 and it's nice, but not needed to do auto repair work.
On the Mig, buy the best you can afford. It doesn't have to be a big one, just a good name brand. Miller, etc. if you just want to buy once.
Personally, I don't like to buy used, but you can find a deal, sometimes. Make sure to try it before buying or take it to a welding supply shop and let them try it out.
I've got a Miller 255 and it's nice, but not needed to do auto repair work.