It lives!! (sort of)

[barmanvarn]

Finally got the engine to run today. First time in 15 years.

Truck is an hour away so I've only been able to go down on a few Saturdays over the last few months.

Got to mess with a lot of things that I'd never touched before.
- Replaced Starter Solenoid
- Distributor (replaced points and condensor)
- Replaced Coil
- Replaced Fuel Pump
- Rebuilt the Carburetor

Didn't get to let it run long as I found out the radiator has a pretty good leak in it. Hope to have a shop repair it (if possible) this week.

Next I need to tackle the (lack of any) brakes and replace (or clean) the fuel tank.

[sean1969c10]

It's always a good feeling when they come back to life. Congrats!!

[barmanvarn]

Thanks.

When I was finally ready to fire it up, I had my Dad come over and turn the key (for posterity, since it was his truck for so many years). It fired right up.

Later my Dad admitted that he didn't actually think I'd ever get it running. He should know better than to doubt me. LOL

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Pics!

[sean1969c10]

Glad you were able to show your Pop what you can do.

[barmanvarn]

Originally Posted by blue 72 gmc 4x4

Pics!

Pics wouldn't show much at this point as there isn't much to see. LOL

Picture an engine covered in oil and gunk with a nice, shiny starter solenoid, fuel pump, coil, and carb. Oh, and I did clean the valve cover when I replaced the VC gasket. And there are also assorted cobwebs and dirtdobber nests all over the place.

I have been taking a lot of pics during the project. Once I can get the engine warmed up I'll be able to more easily scrub all the old gunk off of it.

[barmanvarn]

Originally Posted by sean1969c10

Glad you were able to show your Pop what you can do.

Yeah, I think he was expecting me to give up and tell him he could sell it and get it out of his way. Fat chance!

Long way from being road-worthy, but getting the engine running is a BIG milestone.

[barmanvarn]

I was able to post a video. This was the first time turning the key.

It ran much smoother later.

It lives! - YouTube

[dads longhorn]

Congratulations! After 15 years you and your dad should be real proud! Good job

[barmanvarn]

Originally Posted by dads longhorn

Congratulations! After 15 years you and your dad should be real proud! Good job

Thanks.

The backstory is that my dad bought this truck new in '69. Somewhere along the way it became just a tool to get him back and forth to work, so it fell into disrepair, eventually sitting behind the shop and slowly falling apart.

For 20+ years he's had offers to sell it but I "made" him keep it so I could eventually restore it when I had a house w/ a shop. Well, finding a house and shop is taking way too long so I decided to start going to his house on the weekends and see if I could at least stop the deterioration.

Dad said the truck is mine so I could do what I wanted to it. All the labor and money comes from me, and I've called my dad over on occasion for a second opinion on something.

My mom laughs at him as he keeps calling his friends saying "WE" got the truck running. LOL

[Wizo]

"My mom laughs at him as he keeps calling his friends saying "WE" got the truck running. LOL"

Precious family moments. Enjoy and remember the moments while you can.
Take care of that old truck and enjoy it thoroughly. You will understand why some day.

[barmanvarn]

Originally Posted by Wizo

"My mom laughs at him as he keeps calling his friends saying "WE" got the truck running. LOL"

Precious family moments. Enjoy and remember the moments while you can.
Take care of that old truck and enjoy it thoroughly. You will understand why some day.

Oh, I'm with ya 100% on that one.

As far as my Dad knows, I'm just doing this out of boredom. I mean, that's part of it but I'm also doing it to spend more time w/ him.

My mom and I find my Dad comical because when I told him I was going to start working on the truck, all he said was "Well, don't expect me to be out there in the cold and rain." But every time I pull in the drive, he's out in his shop w/ his cover-alls on, ready to dive in. He acts like he's not interested, but he is.

It's endearing.

[Wizo]

Roll with it. My ride ( Papa's old lorry) is about 95% done. Papas since passed away so I'm the old man now. Now its just memories.

[barmanvarn]

Originally Posted by Wizo

Roll with it. My ride ( Papa's old lorry) is about 95% done. Papas since passed away so I'm the old man now. Now its just memories.

I feel ya brother.

Our finding my dad comical is all in good fun, trust me.

I've set my goal to have this done in 5 years total. Which would be when the vehicle is 50 years old. If I can get a house and shop, I'll be able to progress much faster.

What took me 3 months of weekends would have likely taken me 2 weeks had the truck been at my house.

[tcrist]

Treasure those memories with your dad. One day he will not be able to help you or be able to come out and watch.

[R.L.]

This for me is the root attraction to this hobby, congratulations.

[barmanvarn]

Originally Posted by tcrist

Treasure those memories with your dad. One day he will not be able to help you or be able to come out and watch.

I hear ya. That's why I let him turn the key the first time we started it. It was only after the fact that I realized that *I* never turned the key myself. LOL

Originally Posted by R.L.

This for me is the root attraction to this hobby, congratulations.

It is fun. I've learned a lot already. He already admitted he didn't think I'd ever get it started and I KNOW he doesn't think I'll get it roadworthy. It'll be a while for sure, but I'll get there.

Will make a great parts truck for me since my 2-door Jeep doesn't have much space in it.

[Wizo]

Whip out the kodak and show us a few slides……………. huh?

(take some pix n show us what ya got going on) Lol

[barmanvarn]

I did post a vid a few post back.

As for pics....not much to show right now. At least, nothing that I think anyone would care to see. I have been taking pics since day one so I have a visual archive of the work being done.

[Wizo]

( I have been taking pics since day one so I have a visual archive of the work being done.)

Good man. Try to remember to take pix of something that you are about to rip apart for overhauling or unbolt from the truck. I do this a lot and I can't even count how many times this method has saved my bacon.

[barmanvarn]

Originally Posted by Wizo

( I have been taking pics since day one so I have a visual archive of the work being done.)

Good man. Try to remember to take pix of something that you are about to rip apart for overhauling or unbolt from the truck. I do this a lot and I can't even count how many times this method has saved my bacon.

Oh yeah, I hear ya. I took a million pics when I rebuilt the carb last week. And still almost messed up. LOL