Checking out a Scout.

[Josh Shoemaker]

I am hoping that some of the experience people on here can help me.

The scenario:

I am thinking about purchasing a 1980 Scout II locally here in georgia.

The details

the engine is a stock Nissan sd33t
approximately 122,000 miles
ac does not work, but just needs hose repair, compressor still works
body has been dinged and scratched, but has very little rust. This Scout spent most of its life in Arizona.

**fully converted for biodiesel, partial strait vegetable oil (svo) conversion

biodiesel modifications include: biodiesel resistant fuel tank, fuel feeder hose, and fuel lines. A racor 30 micron fuel filter with water separator, indicator light, and fuel heater. Easy access spin-on 10 micron primary fuel filter.

Svo conversion is a custom system (I previously converted an 89 vw jetta with a grease car kit):
-10 gal heated cylindrical fuel tank – coolant hose wraps around outside of tank
-see through in-line fuel strainer
-Holley red supplementary fuel pump
-heated 30 micron fuel filter – heat is provided by vw oil cooler heat exchanger
-hose-on-hose heated fuel line – 3/8 aluminum tubing (fuel) wrapped around 5/8 aluminum tubing (coolant) and insulated with pipe insulation.
-heated 10 micron fuel filter – heat is arctic fox 12 volt electric heater pad
-hot fox in-line heat exchanger
-manual fuel selection valve
needs – modification to the fuel injection pump to provide for fuel return. I can explain this in greater detail if you are interested.

Extras include new belts, hoses, fuel and oil filters

all this according to the owner.
Now I am not concerned with the bio diesel part. My experience with scouts is very limited. I have purchased 2 Scout 80's but they were not running so I really wasn't concerned with the engine/driveline part that much. Mainly because I knew that I was going to restore one of them.

What I would like to know is what do I need to be looking out for when I go see this Scout in person. As far as rust areas, engine noise, driveline noise, just anything in general. This one will be one that I intend to drive when I get it.

Thanks.

(I hope I put this in the right place. I tried looking for a section that May have what to look for when buying a Scout. But didn't see it.)

 

[1972ScoutII]

Check for rust, bring an icepick
common places
-lower fenders
-body mounts
-floor
-corners of bed

the ac needs more then just a hose. If its been opened up it needs a dryer too. Probably needs both high and low pressure lines

good luck

 

[Josh Shoemaker]

Alot of pictures

Went and looked at the Scout today. My personal opinion is that it is in pretty good shape. But I am not that keen on the scouts. I would like to get some of yalls opinion of it, I figure the more eyes on it the better someone May catch something that I have overlooked. I also have a friend of mind that I will show the pics and video also.

The rear hatch looks like it has been replaced. It does not match the rest of the body and has gaps in the seems. I have some video of the engine running, its loading on youtube now. Will post as soon as it uploads.

Things that I noticed when I drove it.

The gas pedal is not smooth when you press it. It seems to go in steps instead of a smooth glide to the floor.

The steering feels a little loose, but nothing that seems major.

The clutch is hard to press to the floor. I can't tell where it engauges or disengauges. It this normal?

I don't know if the turbo is working. I didn't hear it spool up.

I didn't notice any smoke when it was running.

 

[Josh Shoemaker]

more pictures

 

[Josh Shoemaker]

youtube - mvi_0519.mov

youtube - mvi_0520.mov