Brace yourself

Starting to tear into Hanky again. Made a trip down the Boulevard to get some angle iron with which to fashion adjustable braces with turnbuckles welded in. Took care of that little task on Thursday and got the rear brace installed, adjusted to get the gap right on the tailgate and then removed the tailgate. 

I figured before I get to cutting off the quarter, I oughta take out the gas tank.

So that was today's task. It didn't fight me too badly and before long I had the rear bumper off and the gas tank out,

along with a few pounds of Pinelands mud hidden up in the body. 

As I suspected, there is a bit more cancer hidden up in there and I think I'm going to need to replace the rear pan and either patch or replace the end caps.

I'm still having some starting issues too. Lately, it doesn't want to turn over with the key until I jump the solenoid. Then it cranks fine with the key. All the contacts at the starter are clean. I'll have to work my way back from there, I guess. 

Now just waiting for the battery to charge to get it back in the garage in advance of tomorrow's rain. Oh, that's another thing. I need to chase down a slow drain on the battery too.

Add it to the list. 

Leaky no leaky

Been fighting a losing battle with a leaky steering gear output shaft seal for a while now. Picked up a used unit at Crazy Rays a couple weekends ago, but wouldn't ya know it, it's the wrong sized output shaft. 

So I ordered a seal kit from Rock Auto. It got here yesterday, so my first task this morning was to install them. (Ok, second. I had to take leaves first). Went in no problem. I found that a prescription drug bottle is the perfect size to use as a driver to set them in place. Voila

Operation Seat Base

I finally got to work on the Scout. Last weekend, I put in the passenger side PT Cruiser seat. Went in no problem. Bolts right in. 

But in the driver's side, the seat base needed some rust repair. Since I'd prefer not to have the seat come undone under heavy braking or the like, I decided to fix it properly by welding in new metal. 

First out comes the rot. Then grind and sandblast the surface rust. Cut a few patches and weld them in. I think these were some of my cleanest beads yet. Maybe I'm finally getting the hang if this welding thing.  

When it was all said and done, the seats went in easy and look great. Now I just need to get new make seat belts (the ones I have don't fit into the integral receiver in the seat) and wire up the heat. That's right boys, these are heated leather seats. Fourwheeling in style. 

Has it really been since February?

I guess so. Well, not much to say I guess. I did buy a nice shiny aluminum radiator and installed it. Not without some consternation. Had to drill out the mounting holes and I still had to use spacers. Finally got it out of the garage. Of course it is leaking power steering fluid all over. That's and ongoing problem that's getting worse. Will have to replace that at some point.  :-/

At least it runs. 

Oldies but goodies

I'm getting to know my mail man (woman) pretty well lately with all the packages that have been showing up. It's dangerous to spend too much time on eBay, I tell ya. This time? Some vintage Scout Marxhbox cars. A lite disappointed in the condition of the package, but I think the price was still about right.

Now, where to hang them...

The hits keep coming

Another treasure showed up in my mailbox today. Another Johnny Lightning. But not just any JL. This one is a '65 international pickup that was made for employees for the holidays, complete with ornament hanger clip. Sweet.

Special delivery

I love it when the mailman brings me things. Especially when it's stuff like this.

As a little back story, I had a while ago asked an online toy dealer to let me know web new Johnny lightning Scouts came out an I'd buy 3 of any and all. Well, me never has and when I saw the R25 black Scout had come out a while ago, I went right to his site and, you guessed it, sold out. Really?

Then I also noticed that the new 65 pickup had also been released and that was sold out too. Dang. After checking a few other retailers, I stumbled across one who has one Scout. And one pickup. But not just any pickup, but a white lightning. Oooh. The price was steep, but not unreasonable, so I clicked the buy button immediately. But those were the only two he had. I wanted a regular truck to, so I added a note to my order saying I'd take two more of each if he had them.

The package arrived today with the white lightning, a regular pickup and three of the Scouts. Sweet! They are now hanging on my wall. I really only need two if the Scouts so may use one as a door prize, or if one of my friends wants it... I'd let it go for cost. :-)

More treasures are on their way. Boys and their toys. What can I say.

Scouts and Beer

They just seem to go together, don't they? OK some might say that Scouts go best with Tennessee Tea, but since Ray wasn't here, a beer (or 7) will do. Especially when you can drink it (them) with a couple Scout guys at Pub Dog. Great to get out, Brian and Alan.

Mini Score!

I've been kicking myself for missing the release of the last Johnny Lightning Scout and had been looking out for the release of the new '65 pickup, but missed that too. My usual dealer is sold out of both so I had to venture farther afield. Thankfully one if my other vendors had one if each and as it happens, the '65 is a White Lightning. Not exactly cheap, but mine!

Q-tipper

Had a chance to tear into Hanky on New Years Day. Pulled apart the carb to see how dirty it was. Not much in there, but any grit at all makes for an unhappy carb. So I took it apart, cleaned it out (about the only time Q-tips get used on my truck), and put it back together. Voila. It runs worlds better. Need to get my timing light back and make some adjustments to get into tune, but at least I could get it into the garage so I could get the too back on and do some other work in the relative warmth of the garage.

I'll call that success.