Bringing a 40 Back to life-

[sgtpeper]

I have to say I do like driving it around a bit. Is it safe to drive without it warming up to a proper temp?

My Alfa did the same thing - and its very bad for Alfas to not run at operating temp.

I'm just hoping to not get too tired of driving it. At a mile high this isnt the most powerful thing on the road at all and we have a lot of hills on our highways. I dont think this will get used for highway driving too much if I can help it.

 

[sgtpeper]

Oooh also, I've been searching but what is the name of the metal spring type thing that holds the small vents on either side inside the cab closed? I am missing one on the drivers side at the moment..

 

[Super Tico]

Oooh also, I've been searching but what is the name of the metal spring type thing that holds the small vents on either side inside the cab closed? I am missing one on the drivers side at the moment..

So is everyone else. All I can find here is passenger side springs.
It´s not rocket science to make one tho ! Go to brownells dot com and order a bit of spring steel rod stock. Make one yourself.
It will come in handy for many things.
58 mph huh............... I havent gone that fast in years !

 

[alkarich]

Here is the SOR link:

Specter Off-Road-Land Cruiser Parts - Search On-112-06

Also try some of your local wrecking yards like the one I mentioned. Shouldn't be hard to find out there.

 

[sgtpeper]

While I'm asking a million questions, how many quarts of oil does a 79 take? And is the drain plug the huge bolt at the back of the pan on the back side but not on the bottom??

 

[CruisinGA]

I just dump in 8 quarts. IIRC 7.4 or so is the "spec" fill.

Yes, that description sounds like the drain plug.

 

[sgtpeper]

Hey guys,

Well Rocky Mountain Cruisers got to take a look at the truck today to let me know if everything is okay. And all of a sudden the dip-stick is showing milkshake after a drive around the block. The power steering pump is going out as well which isnt good...

Sooo the truck needs money. They have not done a compression check or anything, but I did notice I had to add radiator fluid after the car sat, plus the milkshake dipstick and I'm thinking something is really wrong with the head gasket or the block or head ha .

The really sad part is, my boss put $4k into the truck a year ago before he parked it including a 1200 new radiator!

The body is in pretty good shape but clearly its going to need some work.

Heres the big question of this sad post - whats the truck worth as it sits?

My boss is frustrated with it and wants me to just sell it.

If anyone is interested in taking a look at it, let me know its still sitting at Rocky Mountain Cruisers here in Colorado...



Jeff

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

why not buy it from him really cheap? he is frustrated and knows it needs money, see what he is willing to sell it to you for and you can finish it up since it seems like you like it.

 

[sgtpeper]

I do like it, but I have no desire to put any significant money in to it to use it as a daily driven work truck. After I sell it for him, I'm supposed to use the money to buy another work truck. I'm thinking an '80s 4 runner with the 22re would honestly be the perfect truck for the work I have to do - and its what I'm leaning toward.

What do you think this truck is worth as it sits with how I described it?

Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[alkarich]

Don't assume anything with this truck. Start by changing the oil and the filter. Drive it a day and check it again. Condensation build-up alone can cause your oil to turn milky. Did the exhaust smell sweet?

A bad p/s pump isn't the end of the world either. Most of us don't even have power steering.

Also it depends how much coolant you added?

Don't be disheartened that quickly.

 

[sgtpeper]

Its true, but it is using significant amounts of radiator fluid after being driven for maybe 3-4 miles at a time. It has to be going somewhere - its def not leaking out.

Exhaust is soooo rich it almost smells like raw gas at this point. New plugs put in 5 miles ago and are already black again. However, the old ones and the new ones are not turning white.

Could always do a compression test I guess and see whats really going on...

Either way what do you guys think the truck is worth?

 

[alkarich]

Post up some more pics of the body. Rear sill and quarters, rockers, floor pans, tub floor, etc. The couple of pics you posted look good. But hard to guess a value without closer pics.

 

[msapers]

Is your oil level unusually high? That would indicate coolant entering the oil. I would definetly do an oil and filter change and a coolant flush and fill (remember to bleed out the air bubble that sometimes develops). Fire it up and monitor oil pressure, temp, etc. Then shut it off and check for milky oil, high oil level etc...

A compression test would be a good idea, but it may not show a blown head gasket. If the gasket is still intact around the cylinders but is leaking at a coolant passage, it will not affect compression.

Bottom line: Whether you keep or sell it, it's worth the price of an oil and filter change to see what you're working with.

 

[sgtpeper]

I guess you guys are right. I might as well at least do an oil change and see if the problem comes back or not.

He also said my brakes are odd - in that they work too well. The pedal is almost at the very top it is FIRM. Weird no?

 

[alkarich]

Don't assume anything is weird without first investigating.

My old 40 had milky oil after sitting 1 winter. Unusual winter for us where it hovered around freezing alot. Hence lots of condensation in the block. I thought the worst as well. Changed the oil and all was well.

Good luck and keep your fingers crossed.

 

[sgtpeper]

But what would explain why it is using anti-freeze?

Jeff

 

[alkarich]

Hard to say at this point. Sounds like you're sure it's not leaking anywhere.

Start with the oil change, eliminating the possibilities.

 

[sgtpeper]

Talked to Rocky Mountain again. He said theres no way its just condensation. Its SOOO full in there it would have to have like a quart of condensation... It clearly needs the head removed and everything checked.

Sooo that said, the boss wants it gone. What do you guys think its worth? I'll take more detailed photos today hopefully. It should have been a red truck so you can tell its very faded. It has diamond plating on the rear corners of the tub which I assume covers some rust. There is a bit of rust in the bed of the trunk area. The fenders have a bit of rust on them as well. However, the frame is really good and the floors are really good. The top is also in very good, but faded condition. The seats are very cracked, the dash is cracked.

Any ideas of value?

 

[alkarich]

So what happened after the oil change?

 

[sgtpeper]

He said there is so much water in the oil, theres no way an oil change would do anything. I'm trusting their opinion since Rocky Mountain seems to really know what theyre doing. He said its using a good bit of anti-freeze, and the oil is well over a quart too high and extremely frothy. Now, when I checked the oil when I got it running, it was a hair low, so that shows how much is now in the oil...