Today is the day...1st drive since 1999!
I've done everything I can think of to the '58 SII 88" to make it road worthy, and it's only taken 10 years. The rusty bits on the frame have been replaced or repaired, all new suspension and brakes, new bumper, new head, new tranny, sorted electricals, and way too many other things to mention.
It looks pretty much the same as when I bought it, i.e. old, ridden hard, and put away wet. The high school shop grade body and paint work looks a little better (but not much) thanks to some polisher work and the paint being a perfect match to Rust-Oleum Sand. The Rust-Oleum Ivory wheels and top definitely look better.
This has been, alternately, the most satisfying and frustrating project I've done to date. It was supposed to be so simple. The PO overrev'ed the motor, sucked a valve, and bent a pushrod due the carb return spring being hooked up wrong and binding at WOT. After that, it sat parked in his front yard for 7 years. That head also had at least 4 cracks. After pulling the motor and checking under the pan for more damage, I replaced the head and somehow got the valves and timing adjusted really close. On the 3rd fuel pump it fired right up and runs great. The insides of the 1st 2 transmissions were filled with gear teeth. The 3rd one seems to be fine with the exception of a major oil leak at the output shaft...that's a project for next winter. And WTF is up with taking a piece off this thing, putting on the work bench, and having it not fit back into the exact same place? This happened more than twice. Needless to say, like others before me, I have dubbed it The Antichrist.
Some pics
Before - Day 1
During
After
Well, I'm off...wish me luck.