First scout, 69' 800A

6

69' 800A

New member
I have bought a 1969 International Scout 800a, with a 304 v8 and dual exhaust system (stock?) for my first car :) hoping it will be a good first car, I bought the Scout in early 2011 and just now I decided to share my progress with everyone.
Any suggestions on what I should do?
Here is a list on what I have done so far...
1) new spark plugs, wires, and distributor cap
2) new bulbs all around
3) new windshield wipers
4) new horn
5) new tires 33"
6) new stereo/speakers
7) new roll bar
8) new soft top
9) new air filter (not the right one anyone know what the right one is?)
10) rhino lined interior floor
11) new clutch
12) new exhaust manifold gaskets
13) new u joints
14) new mufflers
15) new lug nuts all the way around
16) removed front tow hitch
17) fluid change all around
18) new 3 point racing harness in front seats
and I'm sure I'm missing a bunch

what I have to do,
1) new lights on there way two 8" 130 watt pro comp lights, two 5" 100watt pro comp lights, roll bar interior light.
2) new wiring harness for every little wire in the Scout
3) new paint job
4) new gauge panel
5) new shifter knobs and boots
any other ideas?
Thanks for reading I will post pictures as I progress, give me and suggestions/ideas u have.

Photos,
my car - a set on flickr

Car with no top
car with no top - a set on flickr
 
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Welcome to the addiction. Looks like you've got a real gem. scouts make great project vehicles if you're looking to learn about auto mechanics. Once all components are squared away, they are generally quite dependable. The fuel economy often leaves much to be desired. The original v8 offering in an 800a model would be a 304. The 345 was not an available option for the 800 platform, but engine swaps happen with regularity on these rigs. There is a machined boss on the lower passenger side of the engine block just above the fuel pump and below the cylinder head that will have the engine displacement stamped into it. It can be difficult to see.
 
Thanks, mine has not been swapped its still the origanial 304, anyone know if dual exaust was a stock option? I like it and I am going to keep it, I was just curious.
 
Dual exhaust - doubt it, but do not really know...

You can order the line setting ticket (build sheet) from the wisconsin historical society ($20. / using the vehicle serial number) and that will tell you how your Scout was built at the factory including the original paint codes.

Air cleaner - a black flat, round, enclosed "canister" with an air horn - "like" all vehicles of the era. Some scouts came with / were ordered with an oil bath air cleaner - for operation in dusty areas.

Probably could find someone who still has the stock air cleaner assembly who converted their engine to the air cleaner on your engine.

Assume you know that you need a much larger capacity altenator to run the new lights.
 
Is there anyway u could post a link to a alternator that will work to run the lights, a radio I have put in and the normal needs for the car, it would be best if I could install it without changing much like just swap out the old one for a new one. Or if I wired in a second battery would that work?
 
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Here is a link here that will get you started...

http://www.forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/electrical-tech/5817-voltage-sensing-alternator.html

I am sure there are other posts here in the electrical forum (and on the internet)...

Do not think you need a 144 amp alt, but you would need to do the calculation of all "draws" (current and future) for your elec system.

The stock alt (without a/c) is 37 amp; a/c or hd elec was a 61 amp alt...

There must be some site on the internet that would help calcualte the draw... When I put driving / fog lights on my t/a, a 55w bulb drew a little over 7 amps (each) - cannot remember the formula.

Caveat I think a high output alt can "overpower" a stock IH electrical system, so some rewiring / upgrading of wire gauges May be needed. So, you need to pay attention when that is mentioned.

Battery is a storage device. A second battery would mean that you would be able to run longer before the engine died. If the "draw" is greater than the altenator output, power is "taken" from the battery -- at least per my feeble "electrical mind".
 
Your Scout originally came equipped with an externally regulated alternator. I can't tell from the one underhood pic in your album if that is still the case. Perhaps a previous owner has already converted it to accept an internally regulated alternator. You should verify what you have before going any further. If your configuration is still original, the conversion to an internally regulated unit is simple and straightforward. There are diagrams to be found all over the 'nets and most likely even in the pages of this forum by searching keywords "10si conversion". 10si refers to a model designation of the delco internally regulated alternator which came standard on later model ihc vehicles and millions of GM vehicles from the '70's forward. They are readily available almost everywhere, but as with most anything else these days, new is far better than re-man. The 63 amp version should be adequate for your needs. You'll want to have all your wiring updated before you bring a higher output alternator online, as the original circuitry was marginal when new over 40 years ago.
It looks like your alternator bracket incorporates the mounting plate for an ac compressor, which was removed at some point. Those brackets make for difficult alternator belt tensioning. It can be done, but it ain't fun.

Your aftermarket air cleaner will flow much more air than a stock unit, but if you still prefer the original, you'll need to get one with a 5 & 1/8 inch bottom opening to fit your carb. The good news is, that's the most common size opening. There are canisters with 4 & 7/8 inch openings that won't fit your carb, so have a tape measure handy when you hit the pick and pull.

Edit...another look at that pick does show what looks to be an external voltage regulator mounted to the firewall near the heater box.
 
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When I get home from school today I will take pictures of whatever u need to able to tell what has to be done, let me know what u need to see to be able to tell, and I am going to shoot more of what I have done so far to the car recently.

So a 63amp 10si alternator will work? And I am going to start re-wiring the whole car today if I have time. Any suggestions on re-wiring? Any wire gauge sizes for specific things that I would not know about? I have the original manual I will be referring to...
 
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