Rufus: More motor work

(06/30/06) While we waited for some parts and supplies, we decided to get the new distributor completely installed. The old distributor had a single long shaft. The new 12v electronic distributor needed an intermediate shaft that we had to order separately. Just another item on the parts list.

The side cover had to come off so the distributor and intermediate shaft could be stabbed.

The shaft is stabbed into the oil pump mechanism.

Then we turned the motor over and located Top Dead Center (TDC) with the locating pin that Henry and the boys at the factory had so kindly provided. It's marked with a red arrow.

The distributor is now correctly oriented (we hope) with the rotor pointing toward #1 at TDC.

Since the side cover had been painted red before, it got another coat of paint after a good cleaning. The oil return tube got some paint, too.

New radiator hoses and clamps and the old radiator has been painted and reinstalled for testing while the new one is on backorder. There's a new water pump and fan on order, too.

We finally found a spark plug wire set (after much searching) and we just need to trim the wires and add the proper ends to them. Mounting the coil and wiring it up would be a good idea, too. There's a gas sediment bowl along with the new fuel line. We're waiting for a fuel shutoff valve (it goes inside, at the bottom of the tank) to complete the fuel line installation.

We spent some time with the angle grinder getting rid of rusted bolts on the firewall, then decided that there were enough reasons to hit it with a wire brush and a couple of coats or Rust Encapsulator.

When we got through messing around with the firewall, we mounted the coil and cut the plug wires to length, then installed the proper ends on them and wired up the coil.

On the right side, the fuel line and sediment bowl got permanently (we hope) installed as did the choke/mixture rod.

(07/07/06) Speaking of the choke/mixture rod, here's the view from under the cowl. You can also see the fuel shutoff valve and the inner fuel line.

Here's a gratuitous shot of the whole mess including the seat back in place after a lengthy absence.

All the parts and pieces seem to be in place on this side...except for the muffler.

Then it was time to install the new water pump. Yep. One of the studs is broken off...and seems to have been that way for a long time. If it ever gets a high-compression head, that'll be resolved.

This is the new "leak-proof" water pump. We'll see.

This isn't the fan that we ordered...but in a way, it's probably a good thing that this one arrived. The original 2-blade fans have a reputation for vibrating and breaking. This plastic one doesn't seem likely to do that.

This is a radiator support rod bracket. A better name might be "cruel and unusual punishment."

The bracket is held in place with rivet head bolts that simulate the factory rivets. With the fuel tank in place, there's just about no way to insert them the right way and thread a nut on 'em from the inside. We finally decided to use a wooden stick and tape the bolt to it, run it thru from the back side and put the nuts on the engine side. That worked, but it took a long time just to get 4 bolts into place.

After installing the brackets, the support rods were a piece of cake.

Yet another gratuitous shot showing all the new parts and the support rods.

(07/08/06) This has to be the only stock muffler Ray's ever bought in his whole life. But it prolly won't be on the truck all that long.

The muffler connects to the exhaust manifold with a simple clip.

Good news!!! Rufus lives!!! After doing this and a little electrical work, it fired right up and Ray was able to drive it around the neighborhood. What a rush!

(07/21/06) Rufus now has a windshield. With original equipment dirt.

Too bad I had to wash off all that "Barn Fresh" dirt, but it was kinda hard to see through.

Next page: More wiring and instrumentation work.

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