SteveKuhn
New member
- 1,227
- 4
- 0
- Location
- Hasbrouck Heights NJ
A bit long but by way of introduction and thanks:
On Memorial Day, I didn't know anything about this hobby, but answered an ad selling an M105 while looking for a utility trailer. Found SS via Google looking for how to make it work. Later learned from the site that it WAS too much for my E-350, but that day Joanne and I got to see his Deuce that was hidden behind a stockade fence. She didn't know what it was; I never knew much more than the legends. He was clearly in love with it.
Ended up buying an M101 instead, but couldn't help reading the Deuce ads. Finally called the guy back to see if he could walk me thru finding a truck. Turns out, his circumstances had him thinking about converting it to cash. So . . .
About a month ago, I closed the deal on a '69 AmGen, 27,8xx mi/1100 hrs, and it started some short shake down trips about a week ago after a new master cylinder was installed. First time I ever drove one. Yesterday, Joanne whipped it around until she came to the conclusion it drove a lot like her old TR-3 would have if the TR-3 weighed 13,000 lbs.
Until last evening, I replaced a battery, flasher (thanks to troubleshooting articles here), and added a Solargizer. Air-O-Matic is still sitting sealed up in its carton waiting to see if other repairs will eat up the $ set aside to install it.
But on yesterday's avg 1800 rpm/40 mph trip down Rt 23 and east on I-80 from upstate, it seems to have blown a right zippered steering knuckle boot in spectacular fashion throwing lubricant all OVER the inside of the wheel, but not dripping much. Never would have known without looking.
Actually the boot is a mess but the wheel isn't too badly splattered. I'm told it's an indication that the inner and/or outer seals might have gone, and the rubber doesn't get along with the lubricant. I was gonna make a Flip of it and post it, but I figure everybody probably knows what it looks like.
I plan to order seals and boots for both sides tomorrow, then visit the mechanic with the relevant TM pages until they arrive. Unfortunately, I don't have the facilities to attempt this myself. Fortunately, one guy was a tank mechanic in the Israeli Army and the other did hot rodding to surplus Soviet trucks.
So far, I'm in the bucket about as I expected for a 42 yr old vehicle that's been sitting a couple of years. Other than some surface rust and a couple of small rust throughs, the body is good and the engine runs good, getting better as the old fuel burns off.
After a power washing today, I seem to have found Vietnam-era OD semi-gloss under a the govt 383 and the faded Aervoe applied by the owner (see picture prior to wash.) The semi gloss is so tight on the steel that it seems to have been forged that way. The only thing that loosens it are the small rust spots.
Much as I like the color, I'm not sure I'll be able to stand the way the semi gloss shows surface imperfections. I'm fixing rust and Rust Morting, removing runs and filling scratches, but I'm not going to do a like-new body job.
Having a devil of a time finding unit markings. There's 1 spot at the top of the driver's door that cllearly has '....ANGEL' if the light's just at the correct angle. (the ... representing the rotary grinder marks there and most everywhere else lettering would have been.)
I have a spray bomb of every Gillespie color, and will probably order a few gallons for test on larger areas. Plans are to roll with very fine 2" & 6" foam rollers, doing tight spots and cutting angles with spray.
I've read the threads on using acrylic latex, but I just have reservations on that on a truck. The one's posted look great, but my dad was an old-time painter. I'm trying latex on a tan M101A2 instead w/ a really nice Ben Moore color match.
Arguing in favor of the semi-gloss - it'll look bang-on with the NOS tarp and end curtains waiting to be unfolded.
Plans are to fix it to keep it on the road burning 'way too much diesel between now and cold weather, do whatever mechanic work I can, and get it painted as it deserves, as a well-maintained working truck in the unit.
Would like to take it to Sussex fairgrounds in the spring (just 10 mins from where it'll winter.) If I feel both confident in the machine and daring for the trip, Raush in the fall. If not, there's the E-350 for that one.
I certainly am spending time reading through the various posts to new owners and topics of interest and break/fix on the site. Quite a marvelous resource. Even found a few local people through their posts.
Any comments or thoughts welcome.
Thanks.
Steve
From NNJ where I used to be able to see the sun reflect offWTC from my front yard.
On Memorial Day, I didn't know anything about this hobby, but answered an ad selling an M105 while looking for a utility trailer. Found SS via Google looking for how to make it work. Later learned from the site that it WAS too much for my E-350, but that day Joanne and I got to see his Deuce that was hidden behind a stockade fence. She didn't know what it was; I never knew much more than the legends. He was clearly in love with it.
Ended up buying an M101 instead, but couldn't help reading the Deuce ads. Finally called the guy back to see if he could walk me thru finding a truck. Turns out, his circumstances had him thinking about converting it to cash. So . . .
About a month ago, I closed the deal on a '69 AmGen, 27,8xx mi/1100 hrs, and it started some short shake down trips about a week ago after a new master cylinder was installed. First time I ever drove one. Yesterday, Joanne whipped it around until she came to the conclusion it drove a lot like her old TR-3 would have if the TR-3 weighed 13,000 lbs.
Until last evening, I replaced a battery, flasher (thanks to troubleshooting articles here), and added a Solargizer. Air-O-Matic is still sitting sealed up in its carton waiting to see if other repairs will eat up the $ set aside to install it.
But on yesterday's avg 1800 rpm/40 mph trip down Rt 23 and east on I-80 from upstate, it seems to have blown a right zippered steering knuckle boot in spectacular fashion throwing lubricant all OVER the inside of the wheel, but not dripping much. Never would have known without looking.
Actually the boot is a mess but the wheel isn't too badly splattered. I'm told it's an indication that the inner and/or outer seals might have gone, and the rubber doesn't get along with the lubricant. I was gonna make a Flip of it and post it, but I figure everybody probably knows what it looks like.
I plan to order seals and boots for both sides tomorrow, then visit the mechanic with the relevant TM pages until they arrive. Unfortunately, I don't have the facilities to attempt this myself. Fortunately, one guy was a tank mechanic in the Israeli Army and the other did hot rodding to surplus Soviet trucks.
So far, I'm in the bucket about as I expected for a 42 yr old vehicle that's been sitting a couple of years. Other than some surface rust and a couple of small rust throughs, the body is good and the engine runs good, getting better as the old fuel burns off.
After a power washing today, I seem to have found Vietnam-era OD semi-gloss under a the govt 383 and the faded Aervoe applied by the owner (see picture prior to wash.) The semi gloss is so tight on the steel that it seems to have been forged that way. The only thing that loosens it are the small rust spots.
Much as I like the color, I'm not sure I'll be able to stand the way the semi gloss shows surface imperfections. I'm fixing rust and Rust Morting, removing runs and filling scratches, but I'm not going to do a like-new body job.
Having a devil of a time finding unit markings. There's 1 spot at the top of the driver's door that cllearly has '....ANGEL' if the light's just at the correct angle. (the ... representing the rotary grinder marks there and most everywhere else lettering would have been.)
I have a spray bomb of every Gillespie color, and will probably order a few gallons for test on larger areas. Plans are to roll with very fine 2" & 6" foam rollers, doing tight spots and cutting angles with spray.
I've read the threads on using acrylic latex, but I just have reservations on that on a truck. The one's posted look great, but my dad was an old-time painter. I'm trying latex on a tan M101A2 instead w/ a really nice Ben Moore color match.
Arguing in favor of the semi-gloss - it'll look bang-on with the NOS tarp and end curtains waiting to be unfolded.
Plans are to fix it to keep it on the road burning 'way too much diesel between now and cold weather, do whatever mechanic work I can, and get it painted as it deserves, as a well-maintained working truck in the unit.
Would like to take it to Sussex fairgrounds in the spring (just 10 mins from where it'll winter.) If I feel both confident in the machine and daring for the trip, Raush in the fall. If not, there's the E-350 for that one.
I certainly am spending time reading through the various posts to new owners and topics of interest and break/fix on the site. Quite a marvelous resource. Even found a few local people through their posts.
Any comments or thoughts welcome.
Thanks.
Steve
From NNJ where I used to be able to see the sun reflect offWTC from my front yard.
Find a bunk, stow your gear and prepare to get underway 
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