Reds Rusty 40

[Redgrrr]

Ive never done a build thread before so I figured I would give it ago. I'll start off by saying I've been a 40 addict since before I could drive.

A buddies dad had one for awhile when we were youngsters which probably set me up for a lifetime hobby. I remember diving by my 1968 that I still have with my mother at 10 years old and told her that if that one ever came up for sale I was going to buy it. Sure enuf I bought it 5 years later at 15 years old.

This current 40 is a 1972. As far as I can tell this one is pretty complete and original. It was last licensed in 98 so hoping to figure out why it was parked and get it running and driving by summer as cheap as possible as I'm in the middle of another 40 project that has priority for this summers wheelin season.

A big thank you to @bigfj62 for the tip/lead about a random 40 in the background of a Craigslist ad and another to @40Habits for helping me drag it off the side of hill in the cold, snow and Ice with zero brakes.

Everyone like pics so here is one of it where it was stashed away and a few more of getting it home.

 

[Redgrrr]

It's pretty rusty and ugly but I like it that way This won't be a frame off restoration like many of the great builds on mud. I might even sell it eventually who knows.

I have so many parts for this era of 40 it's stupid so I figured I could posibly give it a another chance of road duty in the future on the cheap.
Famous last words maybe

 

[Redgrrr]

Here is the little progress I got done today.
1. Took the plugs out and put a little marvels in the cylinders and replaced the plugs.
2. Changed the oil with some I had forever in the garage and replaced the filter. No water or coolant in the old that came out so that's the first good news.
3. Broke my first bolt on this 40 removing the thermostat housing to clean out a mouse nest.
4. Took some Inventory of the rubber parts needed on the engine.

I'll prob wait as long as my Anxiousness will let me before I throw a battery in it, Prime the oil pump and turn it over before I buy anymore parts for the coolant system. In the mean time I'll get it cleaned out inside and start to remove and inspect the fuel tank, lines and filters.

 

[Redgrrr]

Note to all 40 owners don't leave a spare diff on the passenger seat. It will dent the foam and seat covers.

 

[Redgrrr]

As a few of you know, I part 40s out once in awhile and always have parts in the classified section trying to fund my rockcrawler project and find parts for my 1968 that I'm hoping to revamp next year at best.

It's always funny and informative with the stuff you find in these trucks when you tear them down or clean them up. Found some spare keys and a bunch of clues to the former life and use.

Found a cool old map and info pamphlet of my area, firewood permit from the 80s, some lead additive for the fuel which I think it means I should use some when I put fresh fuel to it when I attempt to start it and some new wiper arms from SOR in Toyota parts bags!

I'm hoping Tomorrow I'll have time to pull the seats and fuel tank and inspect the fuel system.

I have a fuel tank from my crawler project that I can use if this one is as bad as I'm expecting.

That's all for today, I welcome any suggestions on starting a long parked motor. I'm a novice in mechanical problem solving.

 

[Varty Yo]

Nice!!!!

Looking forward to this mini build haha

Sub'd

 

[swamp-thing]

Awesome, I'm with you -- the "patina" on this one is nice and I think once you flip the bezel back around she'll turn over and purr like a kitten for ya!!

 

[Redgrrr]

Funny, maybe I'll flip it over before i try to turn the engine over for good measure Ash!

I'll take any luck I can get but I'm still skeptical on it turning over smoothly. Not sure I'm that lucky

 

[Varty Yo]

Whens the planned test fire?

Get a vid of it

 

[Redgrrr]

Rust is definitely the theme here.

The tank hasn't ever been removed as far as I can tell and all the evap system looks to be intact as well. Never had one this original so I don't know.

Like all of tanks I've removed from long sitting 40s the metal tube that goes thru the floor under the filler neck is rusted away.

I'm going to wire wheel the bottom of the tank today and see if it's worth getting boiled/cleaned out this coming week.

 

[Redgrrr]

Whens the planned test fire?

Get a vid of it

Not sure just yet. Hoping to get the fuel delivery sorted first. I'm gonna let the marvels do its thing for a bit. No point in rushing it till I have fuel, air and spark all ready to go. Then if it does run I'll work on the coolant system.

Maybe this is all a waist of time. Still don't know if the motor is stuck yet. Ill probably try to rotate it later today but wanted to let the marvels sit for a bit.

 

[Redgrrr]

Interior is gutted...just say no to carpet...

 

[3_puppies]

I've always liked the pollux? orange color. too bad someone painted the exterior.
Good luck with it.

 

[tlc762]

It even has the early door cards on the front doors- a very rare item in the states along with the pollux orange....

 

[Redgrrr]

I've always liked the pollux? orange color. too bad someone painted the exterior.
Good luck with it.

The paint over is a bummer. Never seen a 40 this color.

It even has the early door cards on the front doors- a very rare item in the states along with the pollux orange....

Thanks for the color name confirmation. It looks almost the color of a pumpkin. The door cards are cool and in surprisingly good shape!

 

[JohnnyC]

Most of us do call it pumpkin

If one does not break a thermostat bolt ... then you do not work on your cruiser enough

It does come out with heat ... got it out yet?

As for starting... spin the crank to make sure it all spins

 

[Redgrrr]

Just got done cleaning up my disaster in the driveway before the wife gets home from work...Last thing I did tonight was grab the fan blade and it turned with ease. The harmonic balancer spun with it, so that a good sign.

Im thinking I may pull the distributor tomorrow to prime the motor with oil, throw a battery in and see what happens... Does anyone know if i spin the oil pump clockwise or counter clockwise? @JohnnyC

no pics of the tank but I did briefly hit it with a wire wheel and it looks ok so I'll dig deeper tomorrow on that and maybe get it to the radiator shop and get it cleaned out.

 

[3_puppies]

It even has the early door cards on the front doors- a very rare item in the states along with the pollux orange....

I looked right past the door cards. they are in nice shape.

 

[JohnnyC]

Clockwise

 

[Redgrrr]

Thank you.