Project Karma

[Tahoedonner]

Finally got the donuts sealed up nice and tight. Took about three cycles of engine heating to get a perfect seal. Absolutely no exhaust leak now. The donuts are victor reinz f7395. They do not have the sleeve. Decided on these after reading a bunch of threads.

Have been having a slight leak at the trans cooler line fittings and finally got fed up with all the fiddling and decided to just replace the lines and fittings with 6 an stainless braided ptfe hose. Not a drip anymore. I ran them in the same position as the hard lines to keep them away from the exhaust.

All that is left before smog next weekend is to reinstall all the vac lines to the engine. Charcoal canister. Heat exchanger thingy on the passenger side. Will pop on an old air cleaner for the test.

 

[Tahoedonner]

Smog update

took the rig in for it's first smog and failed instantly because, through all my planning, I screwed up and bought a cd ignition box and coil that weren't carb certified. I have no idea how I pulled that off but there wasn't anything I could do but buy new parts. Bought and installed a new msd box and msd coil and took her down for the second go around. She passed everything with flying colors except for the evap test. Essentially the only parts that I haven't replaced were the fuel lines and the lines running to the evap canister in the rear. Turns out gas cap failed as well. The good news is I wanted to drop the tank and test the sender as it doesn't seem to be working correctly. Going to drop the tank tonight and replace all the lines, paint, and reinstall for it's final smog check. Those were the only problems remaining. Been logging some decent road time recently so it's been fun.

Here's what she looks like as of now. Still no hood.

 

[Tahoedonner]

Failed the evap test so it was time to drop the tank and replace every hose that connects the tank with the engine, smog canister, and evap canister. Had to rip away my perfectly glued down carpeting to get to the access panel for the evap canister but there was no other option. Evap canister, after being washed off with water, was in pristine condition. There are a couple hoses that connect at the top, way up inside the fender, that are only reachable by removing the access panel. Bought 50' of gates barricade hose thinking I would have plenty (20+' left over). Replaced all tank to evap canister connections (5). Also replaced the 6th evap connection that runs to the charcoal canister under the hood. Replaced the fuel feed line that runs from tank to fuel pump. I ended up with abuout 3' of hose left over. My gas gauge hadn't been working and I was afraid the float was defective. Turns out the old wiring connections at the sender were the culprit. New wiring was run off the original sender and the gauge now works like a champ. Sanded down and painted very thing with eastwood chassis paint. Everything is new and tight.

Today I passed California smog completely. 4 years after starting this build I finally have the ability to drive this beast wherever I want. Lots more to finish but this is the biggest lesson of patience I have ever endured.

Couple pics of the tank process:

freshly painted tank:

Tank ready for install

Evap canister after cleaning. Was in perfect condition

New tank wiring connections

Is there anything more exciting than freshly painted gas tank straps?

 

[RMScout]

Looking nice. Seems kind of ridiculous that an aftermarket ignition is a no go. It's not like you changed the advance curve.

 

[punjig]

awesome
I'm glad you finally got over the long haul and over the big hump!!!
These dam ihes are a test of patience for sure!

 

[Tahoedonner]

Couple updates:

been meaning to get to the amp that the rat had chewed up the wires and see what needed replacing. Turns out the gigantic bastard chewed through every wire but 2. That's 11 wires at about 5 inches per all fully consumed.

Also got around to cleaning up the visors. They needed a deep cleaning, the chrome needed polishing and I needed to dye them black. Boring but they turned out great. I'll recover them at some point but these will do for the time being.

 

[Cowtron]

Looking great, donner. Man, I feel your pain with all that smog stuff. I had an '86 Bronco that just refused to pass smog, I tried for almost a year. I finally gave up on it and bought the Scout (which I'm way happier with, anyway). It's pretty ridiculous what they make you go through to keep these old trucks on the road. Glad to hear you're finally able to enjoy taking her out on the road. Gives me a little motivation to think someday I'll be there!

 

[Tahoedonner]

Been logging some decent road time in the truck. Added some 2* shims to the front axle and had an alignment done. She tracks really nice right now. Finally felt safe taking her above 55 but when I did I got a decent driveline vibration. Downloaded a tremec driveline app for my phone and the measurements say I need to shim the rear. Ordered up some more 2* shims for the rear along with some new centering pins from IHPA. I'm going to install those first and then take her on the freeway again. I've got a new tranny mount from IHPA that I want to put in but I was waiting until I dropped the t-case. Hopefully the shims will solve the vibration. I also finally got around to putting the hood on. Shockingly it runs hotter than without the hood. Coolant temp holds steady at about 205 after going up a steep grade and then letting it sit. Will sit at 185 when it's not being pushed. Temp is a touch high but nothing I'm worried about.

Finally got the front speakers installed also. They really solidify the door panels.

 

[Tahoedonner]

Installed some rear 2* shims and new center pins, I got from IHPA, based on the info I got from the tremec driveline calculator I downloaded and took the truck out for another freeway drive. Driveline vibration when I was between 65-70, which is technically 1.2 x speedometer @ 78-84, was reduced quite a bit. Pretty sure the new transmission mount will reduce it even more. Overall I'm pretty damn happy with how well everything is working. Transfer case is now leaking a little bit. 4 days later I've got a couple quarters worth of oil on the ground. The t-case seems to be seeping from pretty much every spot you would think it would leak from. It looks to me that it is transmission fluid. I'm hoping the po put tranny fluid in the t-case. Probably wishful thinking. Either way I should probably pull the t-case and inspect. Too bad because I really wanted to put a few hundred miles on her before I left her inoperable again. Already have the reseal kit. Going to drain the t-case and see if it refills with fluid.

 

[McMullen]

I just read this 12 page thread in one sitting, and I am extremely impressed by your patience, attention to detail, and commitment to this project. I am about to take the plunge on my first Scout as well, a 74, and had similar intentions, though reading through your meticulous journal has given me some great ideas. It has also highlighted some things I need to consider as I make my plan (aside from questioning my sanity).

Thank you for keeping up with this - it is very helpful for others who are about to walk in your shoes.

 

[Tahoedonner]

I just read this 12 page thread in one sitting, and I am extremely impressed by your patience, attention to detail, and commitment to this project. I am about to take the plunge on my first Scout as well, a 74, and had similar intentions, though reading through your meticulous journal has given me some great ideas. It has also highlighted some things I need to consider as I make my plan (aside from questioning my sanity).

Thank you for keeping up with this - it is very helpful for others who are about to walk in your shoes.

Thanks. It has been quite the journey.

 

[Tahoedonner]

Just spent about a week re-loading all the pics on the thread. Very tedious but needed to be done.

Got some more work done on the interior.

Tuffy center console

Pedals

 

[subldoed@yahoo.com]

Love your build!

Is the center console the 10" wide version? Did you have to modify the rear base?

Also, where'd you get the new pedals?

Thx!

 

[FDChappie]

The 10" console is in my Scout. To get it to fit the back legs were extended with some short lengths of 1/8"x 1.5" angle iron. Nice unit and real handy. Having drink holders really civilizes things.

 

[Tahoedonner]

love your build!

Is the center console the 10" wide version? Did you have to modify the rear base?

Also, where'd you get the new pedals?

Thx!

Picked up the pedals from summit. I think they're lokar midnight series pedals. I did have to drill new holes in the pedals to attach but it's pretty painless. Probably took and hour total. Console is the 10" version and fits perfect between the seats. The rear attachment of the console just needs to be slightly rounded out for the legs to reach the floor. Technically you could just put the two bolts in and I'm sure it would be snug as can be.

 

[Tahoedonner]

My original grille was in pretty rough shape so I went with the ss grille. I'm not liking the fact that it is very cheap plastic looking. So I decided to see what I could come up with for a custom grille built off the old one.

I sanded off all the chrome and cut out the center of the old grille. I've had some nice stainless mesh for awhile that I was going to put behind the ss grille but instead cut out a piece to fit in the center of the old grille. I painted the old chrome portion black and will put an IH emblem in the center when all is said and done. I was trying to emulate the style of the older 80/800 grilles. Haven't been able to put it on the truck yet but I think I might like it.

 

[FDChappie]

That's the exact mesh I've been looking for to put behind a ss grill. Do you know where I can buy some and what would I ask for?

 

[Tahoedonner]

that's the exact mesh I've been looking for to put behind a ss grill. Do you know where I can buy some and what would I ask for?

I bought it a long time ago from some online mesh retailer. I'll see if I can find the receipt and let you know.

Edit:

pretty sure this is where I bought it from. Small diamond 12" x 48".

http://www.customcargrills.com/diamond-grill-mesh.asp

 

[FDChappie]

I bought it a long time ago from some online mesh retailer. I'll see if I can find the receipt and let you know.

Edit:

pretty sure this is where I bought it from. Small diamond 12" x 48".

http://www.customcargrills.com/diamond-grill-mesh.asp

Great link, exactly what I'm looking for. Ouch on the price for black compared to hardware store grill.

 

[Tahoedonner]

Finished up the grille and installed today. Extremely pleased with how it turned out.