1970 Scout 800A - "Grandpa's Scout"

[motorider]

This is the family Scout that my grandpa purchased new on October 16, 1970. He gave this Scout to my Dad a few years before I turned 16 for me to drive. Later in life, my Dad give it to me.

I first learned to repair vehicles by the weekly maintenance/repairs that an IH vehicle needs during my high school years. Fairly recently, I decided that a major refurbishment was necessary in order to have a reliable backwoods explorer with my family as well as to preserve for my children and nephews.

I decided to post my project on the IH Parts America forum as this forum has been invaluable for me in finding the necessary methods to restore everything you will see as well as I have purchased most of the parts from IH Parts America. Chad and Jeff have been tremendously helpful in locating new as well as used parts.

The goal of this rebuild is to keep the classic lines of the vehicle I remember while allowing for some improvements mainly for safety, reliability, and function. More posts to follow.

Enjoy as I have enjoyed reading all the other projects on this forum.

Tom young


original picture sometime in the early 70's


Another original picture.


Line setting ticket I found in the glove box.


This is how it looked last fall just prior to removing the engine.


The 304 was tired and smoking due to valve seals as well as very low oil pressure. The block we sent to the machine shop and was cleaned up for rebuilding. All the normal machine work was done including new 0.030 over pistons. I decided to use a stock cam as I really did not have a need for anything more.


My daughter helping me install the pistons.


Inspected and cleaned up rocker assembly as per the directions on this forum. You can see that I pressurized the oil system and verified oil to all the rockers. I was pleased that only a little cleaning was required. The oil was changed very regularly over the last 40 years.


Painted IH red


Decided the t18 should have new seals and bearings as is was already out and I have been wanting to rebuild a manual transmission. I rebuild the Dana 20 two years ago and it went a smoothly as to be expected for the first time.


After I had everything on the floor and parts ordered I was a bit concerned about putting is back together.


More to follow.

 

[chico]

Debating doing the same on my t-19. Did you have any trouble taking it apart? Did you use any special tools?

 

[motorider]

debating doing the same on my t-19. Did you have any trouble taking it apart? Did you use any special tools?

Just a gear puller and a brass drift. I just followed the IH service manual. It shifts on the bench but it is not installed yet so it is not fully tested. Should know more in a few months.

 

[motorider]

I have been working on this project off and on the last few months as time allows. One thing always lead to another and I ended up taking the body off the frame and restoring a running chassis. I am planning to just drop the body back on the frame and enjoy the Scout a little before tackling the body.

Items completed to date:
sand blasted and painted the frame, axles, and steering gear with an epoxy primer and single stage urethane paint.
Cleaned and serviced front wheel bearings, hubs, and knuckles.
Cleaned and serviced tie rod ends and drag link.
Cleaned and serviced rear axle and replaced limited slip friction disks.
Cleaned and serviced the brakes.
Cleaned and painted drive shafts and installed new u-joints.
Had the radiator rodded and flushed.
Rebuilt engine.
Rewired the engine compartment, using the remote sensing alternator as discussed in this forum.
Rebuild transmission.
Rebuilt transfer case.
New clutch.

And the big one. I installed the hamilton fuel injection that included spark control.

The instructions were thorough after reading and rereading many times. Today was the day for the first start and the engine started after the first few revolutions and ran very well. After break-in I spent the next few hours running through the initial setup procedures and it seems to be running very well. Still need to run though them again to check everything.

Thank you bill for putting together such a great system and IH Parts America for making it available.

I can not wait to see how it drives after I set the body on the frame.

 

[DocG]

My frame off started the same way, by pulling the motor. Next thing you know your trucks in three counties! Funny how things happen.

The frame looks great. Can't wait to see the finished project!

 

[1970800@]

Hello Tom,
finding this forum, your story and seeing the work you are doing has really hit home.
I am in the research stage of my restoration. (that's how I found your post.)
I have my parent's 1970 800a. I was five when they bought it right off the showroom floor. Fred m. Boerner in huntington park CA. I even remember sitting on the tailgate in the showroom.
He gave it to me as my first vehicle at 16. I learned to drive in the Scout and even took my driving test in it. The clutch was the toughest part, I believe.
Many years and life phases have passed but luckily I never made the irreversible decision of getting rid of it.
It isn't running and it's going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back to my goal of "better than new".
This forum and IHPartsAmerica seems like a great start for my project.
I am a novice to forums, strings and/or threads so forgive me for asking about a 2015 update to your project. Did you post it in another location?
Thank you for your post,
don 1970 800a

 

[motorider]

Debating doing the same on my t-19. Did you have any trouble taking it apart? Did you use any special tools?

Hello Tom,
finding this forum, your story and seeing the work you are doing has really hit home.
I am in the research stage of my restoration. (that's how I found your post.)
I have my parent's 1970 800a. I was five when they bought it right off the showroom floor. Fred m. Boerner in huntington park CA. I even remember sitting on the tailgate in the showroom.
He gave it to me as my first vehicle at 16. I learned to drive in the Scout and even took my driving test in it. The clutch was the toughest part, I believe.
Many years and life phases have passed but luckily I never made the irreversible decision of getting rid of it.
It isn't running and it's going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back to my goal of "better than new".
This forum and IHPartsAmerica seems like a great start for my project.
I am a novice to forums, strings and/or threads so forgive me for asking about a 2015 update to your project. Did you post it in another location?
Thank you for your post,
don 1970 800a

I enjoyed your story and so glad you still have your Scout. This is basically the only thread, but I have asked a few questions on these boards in other locations and get great advice.

Maybe you have your Scout running by now.

 

[motorider]

It has been a while. I dropped the body back on the frame, installed the Hamilton fuel injection system (works great) and have been driving it over the last few years. The last few months I installed the IH Parts America springs (already had the shackles and shocks from the kit), rebuilt the door window guides, and tried to fix some oil leaks.

My daughter helped me one again removing the the old springs and installing the new.

This is a recent picture on the new springs with a one inch body lift and 31x10.5r15 tires.

Next up is front disk brakes from Parts America.

The original paint still looks good from 50 feet, but I am starting to think about paint from a rust prevention standpoint. Not sure if this is a good idea yet.

 

[BrokeGunner]

That sure is a nice Scout!! I hope mine looks and runs that good... some day

 

[motorider]

That sure is a nice Scout!! I hope mine looks and runs that good... some day

Thanks for the complement and I am sure yours will come together as well.