I have to announce that my Chevrolet 1937 SD truck is alive.
This afternoon I started the engine for the first time since 1976. Along the way, I had to have the head rebuilt after it became a mouse hotel, rebuild the carburetor, clean the fuel system that was plugged solid with varnish, replace the wiring harness that was so brittle any movement of wires caused the insulation to crumble, replaced the ignition components, radiator hoses and fan belt. The last thing I had to do was clean the starter bendix so it would actually engage the flywheel.
I've installed new wheel brake cylinders, rebuilt the master cylinder, and replaced all the brake lines. I still need to do a final brake adjustment and put the tires on it.
This truck was my grandfather's, he bought it in 1939, and gave it to me when I was 15. I drove it for several years until college, marriage, and kids side tracked it.
I still have a few issues, the generator isn't generating, it overheats, and the oil pressure seems too high (indicated 15 PSI at idle, 30+ above idle). But it was nice to hear it run after all those years.
Jim
