Checkin' in...

21 March 2011

Been a while since I wrote anything down here. The Wagon still runs GREAT!

With Darryl's help, we replaced all the brake components in the front axle last summer--looks like the driver's side wheel cylinder had been bad long before she was parked--the line was cut and crimped! Flushed the whole system and the brakes worked great after that.

With lousy tires and an exhausted suspension (not to mention no brake lights and expired tags), my driving with her is limited to laps of our 1-acre dirt parking lot. But I drove her a total of about 5 miles in that lot--all grins! Gears and steering perform well, but it would be more comfortable to drive if I acquire a seat that I can actually bolt to the floor. :D

I parked her for the winter--a premium viewing spot just outside my office window. With the weather getting nice and warm, I charged up the battery and fired her up. Starts like it was yesterday she was driving. My '09 would definitely not be so forgiving. Alas, after sitting for the last 6 months, there is, again, no sign of brakes...hmmm...

"IT...IS...AALIIIIVE!!"

Thursday, June 17, 2010

She lives! Spent $6.15 at Checker for new points. That's all it took!

Click here to watch the first start up!

Runs better than I dreamed: idled great, smooth; fuel pump, timing, carb--all great--even the exhaust sounded good.

Checked to see if the clutch engaged in first and reverse--yes it did, but NO brakes. So, at least I know what gets attention next!

Yippee! This was the first big hurdle, and she soared over it. Anyone have a hub-puller? :D

Signs of life...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Installed a new ignition cylinder in the dash board. Need to check spark on everything, but couldn't resist--gave the key a turn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwFkNjt8bvU

We did one more test fire, and she coughed a few times. Not quite enough spark. Going to replace the points, and check spark.

More to come!

Electrifying...

Thursday, May 13, 2010

I replaced the water pump, radiator hoses, and bypassed the leaking heater for the time being. The old garden hose test on the radiator was positive, so I put it back in, for now. New fan belt, new spark plugs and wires (distributor cap looks like new), and new negative battery cable. Since it’s time to get the battery installed, I am now not sure what I have: a 6V or a 12V? Somehow, somewhere, or someone, I got the idea that I had the 6V, but after some clean-up (again, note that I said "some" clean-up) of the engine compartment, I can clearly see a "12V" on the tag of my AutoLite starter motor.

The generator has no identifiable markings on it at all, except for a large black widow's nest in the brushes.

Researching…can’t find a definitive answer in catalogs, manuals, or an online search, so I post the question on The Old Willys Forum, and get an immediate and simple answer: 1957 and later = 12V. Thank you, Wally72! Woo-hoo!

Getting close enough to a first trial start that I can almost taste it!

One hurdle down...

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Update…a couple weeks of frustration over the broken bolts last month. It took quite a bit of creativity, swearing, and begging to get the snapped bolts out. I called in Darryl Ranges, long time friend and co-instructor, who now owns Sedona 4wd Solutions. He is my go-to guy when I can’t do it. He was able to drill out one bolt (after snapping the EZ-out in it), but had to resort to the old BFH, tap and die to restore the other one.

Having that done means I can finally move forward with everything else. In the meantime, I was cleaning and installing new parts in the fuel (see previous post) and cooling systems. I put my new Kaiser Willys catalog to good use! Very quick and thorough service from Kaiser Willys!

New water pump and inline fuel filter installed.

Dealing with a gassy situation...

Monday, April 12, 2010

I pulled the gas tank (only three bolts hold that in!?) for cleaning. Since it sat for years with a missing gas cap, I feared the worst. It wasn’t too bad—some varnish, some grit, and a well-preserved cockroach, who I named Fred (visible in lower right of photo).

I had a hard time seeing into the tank, so I stuck my camera in and got a great view of the inside of the tank:

Cleaned the tank out with acetone and a shop vac. Replaced the sending unit gasket. Replaced a section of fuel hose (obviously, from an old fuel line repair) and installed the in-line fuel filter just below the pump. The wire to the sending unit was broken, so I patched that together—we’ll see if it works later.

Bought a chrome gas cap at Checker for $6.99—my favorite purchase so far, as it is the first externally visible sign of progress on this wagon.

Happy trails!

Cooling woes

Monday, April 7, 2010

Joey pulled upper and lower radiator hoses off and tried to run water through, with no results. Due to the large amount of visible rust flakes, we pulled out the radiator, fan, water pump, and thermostat. We were both amazed at how easy all of the bolts came out, but then JOEY snapped off BOTH thermo-housing bolts. The valve cover is also the head, so I am not crazy about pulling that to back out the snapped bolts. I am starting to ask myself why I am so fixated on the cooling system first…oh, yeah, because I live in Arizona!

Checker only has a 180º thermostat, so I might have to order one, as well as the funky metal spring cuff that holds the thermo in place in the housing. Just in time for such needs, my new Kaiser Willys Auto Supply catalog arrived in the mail. To get yours, call 1-888-648-4923—Mike is great! I picked up some cooling system cleaner and some acetone to clean out the gas tank. I am going to have Darryl work his magic on my snapped bolts tomorrow. Maybe Friday I can get around to dropping the gas tank.