So I finally got the truck back after ~$760 in costs including:

• New Head Gaskets
• Radiator flush
• Oil change, oil filter, burn-off, oil change, oil filter
• Rocker arm
• coolant flush and fill - all coolant was black when I got it.

This was really just supposed to be a good look over by the mechanic to find faults with the system. I gave it a good look over yesterday to check the electrical system. The mechanic said the fuel gauge didn’t appear to work but I put some gas in it and it looked like it was working fine.

They also told me I needed a new power steering pump because it had ceased but I took a look at it yesterday and the pulley arm looks like it is free. I looked inside of the pump and all the liquid seems to have been drained out so I might be able to get by with a quick rebuild of all the gaskets. The pulley is shot but I ordered a new one from Summit Racing that should work. The problem with the old power steering pumps is that they all seem to be the old Saginaw pumps and pulley prices vary wildly in costs. Most places don’t even list an International power steering pump so I’m under the impression that the gm 5/8 or 3/4 diameter pulley should work. I ordered the 5/8″ pulley so we’ll see how that works.

The mechanics did say the smog pump was shot and I think I’m going to remove it altogether. This shouldn’t be too bad of a job but I’ll probably need to track down a slotted ratchet to remove the smog lines from the block, find some solid screws to fill in where they go.

I also noticed that the radio is dead along with the controls for the air system. Since they are all located in the same general area, I’m thinking it may just be that something was disconnected under the dash or under the hood; the fuses all look good. Wiring is not any fun but I think I may be able to manage it.

I also checked out all of the lights - turn signals, break lights, etc and everything looks good with one minor exception: front driver side signal was dead. I pulled off the plastic and the inside of the holder was corroded as all hell. After a bit of scraping and sanding I got a lot of it off but there is still some that won’t come off. I just took a can of Rustoleum chrome to it and it seemed to dry on ok. Hopefully it will be able to withstand the heat.  On the downside, when I attempted to take the bulb out, the whole light socket harness turned to dust and is destroyed. Now I’ll have to find a new socket and rig up something to hold it in place. I’ll also have to fabricate a housing gasket before putting the light back on. I think it should be pretty easy if I can find some gasket material. I’ll probably have to silicone the socket harness inlet as I can’t seem to track down the proper gasket for the hole.

Anyway, more truck blogging to come…

She finally arrived. Like a hot honey with a decent body and a bit of a fucked up grill, it ain’t nothing that can’t be fixed up. It’s a 1972 International Harvester Pickup - 345 V8. She leaks fluids but I’m told that most IH’s have a self-lubricating chassis. This one seems to be no different.

The good: Solid body, good lines, little rust, excellent interior for the age, has AC, also surprised to see that it has torsion bars for the age of the truck. Runs strong, wants to run as soon as it drops into drive.

The bad: surprise! power steering is out related to an issue with the smog pump (smog/air pump is tension for belt for power steering), exhaust is banged up a bit and the pimp is a bit crimped in a couple areas. Leaking fluids, it looked like oil but could have been any other dark liquid. Ball joints need replaced, tranny fluid needs flushed, cooling system needs flushed, sounds like it has a stuck lifter but could be just some carbon. Breaks may need to be done, hopefully I can see more after a couple cans of break cleaner.

I bought it off of eBay and I’m not the most mechanically inclined so she’s sitting at the mechanic’s getting a good twice-over to give me a rough idea on how much work is needed. From there I will start posting more photos. You can check it out by going to http://somewhat-hypothesis.com/photo/