My 1962 Project 😵‍💫

[tarawa]

I started on my 62 M37 this week. I purchased it not running. Apparently sitting for 6 years …questionable?.
1) Brakes go to the floor. It looks as if driver side wheel cylinder is leaking
2) Batteries are dead so I removed them.
3) Wanted to put Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders before attempting to turn engine.
4) Removed 4 of 6 plugs fairly easy, #2 & #3 badly corroded.
5) Actually # 3 was completely rusted off leaving only the threads in the head.
6) #2 sheared off leaving just the base in the head
7) I ordered extractors from Amazon and removed the remnants of the two plugs from the head fairly easy.
I was wondering why the front 3 plugs were so corroded but the back 3 seemed perfect. Must have left the hood open through one of our hurricanes(?)
9) Since # 3 was broken off and open to the elements, it was full of water. Maybe hood was left open.
10) I vacuumed out the water and poured Marbel Mystery oil in all the cylinders.
11) Checked the oil for water and it looks pristine.
12 Switching to the brake system next and letting the Marvel Mystery Oil do its job.

More to come later!

[tarawa]

Spark plug

[tarawa]

Finally cleaned out the back of the truck. Tons of spare parts, including starters, generators, brake parts, electrical parts, carburators, distributers and lots of other stuff. Hopefully I won’t need all the parts to get this thing going and stopping.

[Cal_Gary]

Busy bee! Many of us have been there, done that.
Don't let the project overwhelm you-pick a sub-project and focus on that, one sub-project at a time. Stop when you get tired or frustrated. My motto on mine was (and still is) "mechanicals over cosmetics". Getting the truck moving and stopping on its own always offers a huge boost in confidence, even if you're sitting on a milk crate for a seat!

Keep us posted, and keep the pix coming!
Thanks,
Gary

[ODAddict]

I agree with Gary. Try to do something, no matter how small or how short of a time it takes, every single day. Sometimes, when I'm busy with other things, I'll go to the shop and spend only a few minutes. You'll be amazed at how much you'll accomplish over time.

[tarawa]

Today’s plan is to buy a set of shelves to inventory all the spare parts. Right now they are spread out in the shed/garage. Then I need to pick up a small work platform to be able to reach the engine. I guess 5’8” is too short to work on the engine.
In the mean time I am letting the Mystery Oil do its magic.
Believe me, I have plenty of other things to keep myself busy. None of which I am too thrilled about!

[John Mc]

I'm also 5' 8" and have difficulty reaching much in the engine compartment. the 11.00 R16 Michelin XZLtires don't help that much either. I have two work platforms/step stool things I got from Harbor Freight.

This one is 13" tall with a platform of approx 12"x15" and rides folded up and upside down on one of the troop seats. The latches that lock the legs in place when in use dangle down when it's folded and keep it from sliding off the troop seat. Easy for me to reach from outside on the ground. Works well when on the road if I need to poke around under the hood. Also makes a great step to get up in the back of the bed. List price is about $40
https://www.harborfreight.com/step-stoo ... 66911.html

This one is 20" tall with a platform of about 12" x 40". It stays in my garage. Useful when working under the hood and allows me to move around a bit without having to constantly climb off to reposition the platform. Lists for $55.
https://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-lig ... 56203.html

Both go on sale from time-to-time or use a Harbor Freight coupon to save some $

[tarawa]

I picked up the larger one today. If I can only keep the wife from hijacking it.

[PoW]

If you open the hood up all the way, never forget to secure it with the metal rod on the windshield frame.

That hood packs quite a wallop falling down...

PoW

[Rdinatal]

Dupe. Oops.

That's ok. Figured it was from being hit on the head by an unsecured hood..

[John Mc]

I picked up the larger one today. If I can only keep the wife from hijacking it.

The larger one definitely makes a better work platform.

The smaller one is handy for a step into the back, or occasionally helping someone get up into the cab. I gave a ride to a Korean War vet who remembered driving them regularly in the war. He wanted to sit in one again, but would not have been able to climb in without some step. My 92 year old mother enjoys a ride in Brutus from time to time. It's either lift her up in, or get out the step. (She finds the step a bit more dignified.)

[tarawa]

I am just getting over a shoulder injury and opening the hood wasn’t happening at all without the help of a friend. Now I can do it if I am careful. Injuries are more frequent now that I am 70.

[PoW]

Copy that, 71 here.

PoW

[tarawa]

I got a set of shelves in my shed/garage and started to inventory all the parts. Shelves are getting full pretty quickly. Thank goodness the previous owner bought all these parts.

[PoW]

Indeed. When I rebuilt my first M37 back in '73, a new tailgate was $50...

NOS doors, fenders, hoods, all were easily available.

PoW