When doing any type of conversion or restoration,problems always crop up. Parts that came off don't fit where they're supposed to,parts get lost, or parts you figure are good, turn out to be junk. It's been my experience that the parts that are the hardest to change,are obsolete ,or are expensive are usually the ones that need replaced.
Take my radiator for example.The main reason for replacing the engine in the Autocar was that you couldn't trust it not to overheat. Take it from my experience,if you have any thing with an engine that's been sitting for 20 or 30 years,pull the soft plugs and flush it out. Even this may not get it cleaned. You may have to tear the engine down and get the block hot tanked. There's nothing worse than going to a show,or trying to get home from one and having your truck puke antifreeze everywhere. Yes ,I've been there a couple times....
Anyway, when the radiator was pulled, Rich informed me it was full of rust and scale. Usually a radiator can be boiled out at a radiator shop. Then its back flushed and all is right in the world. However, if its full of rust and scale,like from an engine that's been sitting for a long time and the owner wasn't smart enough to flush it out, the antifreeze circulates and goes through the radiator,dragging the rust and scale along with it, it slows the flow down,the engine gets hot, more crap breaks loose,and bang,pretty soon your plugged up tighter than Dick's hat band.
On a normal truck or car, the top and bottom tank can be pulled off the radiator and thin metal rods are used to clean out the radiator tubes. This is called "Rodding it Out" However, Big Melvin's radiator can't be disassembled without breaking the core,so its down at Evan's Radiator Shop getting recored,causing a substantial lightening of my children's college fund. At least I know I won't have an overheating problem once the engine conversion is completed.( I hope)
Now for the good news: I've been looking for a Bostrom Viking T Bar drivers seat. This is a vintage looking suspension seat used in a lot of old trucks. The seat is fully adjustable and has a ratchet to adjust the ride stiffness. My dad has one in his 1964 Diamond T and it's pretty comfortable. I was planning on buying one and had contacted Bostrom. They advised me the seat had been discontinued,however replacement parts were still available.
Last Saturday night, I had attended our monthly truck club meeting. Club president, Rocco Kempa, advised me he had been reading my blog and had an old Bostrom T bar seat in his back yard. He took it out of a B Model Mack, and told me I could have it. I'm going to try to pick it up next week. I never rebuilt this type of seat before, so it should be a fun project.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more fun and adventure.
