Those guys are like the crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, they jump in the water with large alligators and pull them out with their bare hands. I hope they don't meet a similar fate to Steve tho.

 

Keith,
Excellent, I've been waiting for the next wave of pics. Nice to see things coming together. The carbs been sitting for a bit so things have probably dried out. I'm all for taking the "wishful thinking" approach and trying the car clean. I've also had some luck in the past by doing a "redneck overhaul". Basically taking a can of carb clean and spraying the heck out of any and allparts of the carb you can reach. Down the throat, throttle plates, etc. Even going so far as to pull idle mixture screws and spraying through the ports, etc.
Once you fire the thing back up (it will be flooded and smoke like crazy) let it run until it clears out and then rev it up to about 3000rpm and slam the choke shut while cranking the throttle open. Let it almost die then open the choke back up and let it clear out again. Do that a few times, sometimes that will clear out some internal blockages...sometimes

Thats pretty neat about the Gator Boys. Nice opportunity for the boys. I'll bet they were tickled.

Bobby

 

Thanks Bobby. Twice I pulled the choke closed and hit the throttle with no luck as it has worked before in the past. I thought I would give it one shot with the cleaner as its only a couple of bucks compared to $200 to rebuild the carb. I bought some carb cleaner too and might take the jets out and try and clean them. I will let you know tomorrow how things worked out. You were right about the boys being excited about the Gator boys. When I picked them up from school yesterday, I told them I had met someone who is on TV and showed them the pics. They thought it was so cool.

 

Closing the choke while the engine is revved up is an almost guaranteed way to blow out the power valve in a Holley Carburetor. If spraying carburetor cleaner doesn't solve your problems you can rebuild the carburetor yourself. Kits are available here: THE CARBURETOR SHOP / TRUCK CARBURETOR REPAIR KITS F Applications, CK553 carburetor kit for Holley Holley 885 FFG, Holley 885 FFG Carburetor Kit, and occasionally on that infamous auction site. A manual for the carburetor is viewable here: Mercury carb: 1949-1951 Model 885

 

Hey Keith? I agree with the above post about the power valve. I have never had it happen to me but it can, especially if for some reason the engine pops back through the carb. If this has already happened than I suspect the power valve is already blown assuming your carb is equipped with one.

As for the carb cleaning additive you got for your fuel system You may not fully understand how it is designed to be used.

I used to use a product called Carb-Life. I can't get it here anymore but it was the best snake oil I have found. Living in the bush as we do here we are always using Gerry Jugs for gas. Doing so lets a lot of water and dirt and even hair into the tank.

Anyway back to the fuel additive for your tank. What I have seen is that it is designed to be used in a rig that is pretty much driven daily. Than it can work and clean the carb. Starting and running for an hour a couple times a week I don't think will be enough for it to properly clean your carb.

A rebuild kit and a gallon of carb cleaner to soak the carb in after it is apart can be had for $20 bucks. I am very sure with the work I seen you do that you (with the help of this forum) can overhaul the carb. Ya don't need a shop to do it. Ya got FTE.

 

Success, Success, Success!!

Removed and cleaned out the jets, put a can of Seafoam cleaner in the tank and after a few minutes she ran good. Now for the stuck clutch problem.
I started her in 5th gear and after 2 trips around the block, the clutch broke free. I finally have some video to show. Please ignore my dirt engine compartment and exhaust leaks LOL. Other goods news my generator seems to be working. I still plan on doing the conversion to an alternator.

Video after carb clean out.


Clutch still stuck



Freed clutch!!!

 

WOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!! That truck is a beast! You make driving it look easy. I love the siren in the first clip and the lights in the last clip.

Are you motived now even more to finish?

BTW, did you ever figure out the STOP lense issue? I'm too lazy to search for that issue in your post. I recently bought a pair of lights with the STOP lenses. What was the diameter of the lenses that you needed?

 

Thanks Ilya!! I am super motivated now. I am uploading a video right now that shows the lights a little better. We only have a little more wiring to do, hang the hood, letter and stripe the truck. Other little things to do like the install the mirrors and spotlights.

I need 4 1/4 inch lens.

 

Awesome Keith. You have got to be one happy camper.

 

The lenses that I have are in the 6" range. Won't work.

 

Yes Rich, one happy camper!!

Ilya, it seems like they are either the 6" or 4". I am still going to make mine work.

 

Keith,

That is phenomenal!!!!
Man, oh man that siren is something in and of itself. You showed great restraint in just barely spinning it up. I probably would have gone for the full on wail and spooked the whole neighborhood.

I'm very glad you were able to get the carb straightened out, it sure sounds like it purrs like a kitten now.

This is so cool seeing all of your hard work paying off and the truck moving under its own power. You have done an amazing thing with this truck and with preserving the history of it.

Big thumbs up to you
Bobby

 

Keith,

Congratulations!!!

Video number 1: I wish I had a siren....

Video number 2: Absolutely appropriate to have "Journey" as the backgound music. What a journey this has been.

Video number 3: Hip Hip Hooyay! Why didn't the Honda pull over when you had your lights on?

I have no idea when, but I will be coming to take a ride. One of my retirement goals...

I watched all 3 videos at least three times. Absolutely fantastic!!!

 

Keith; that makes me grin, it looks and sounds great!
They can keep all them new style sirens, nothing gets the attention like that grinder. Although it is a power hog, it will drain your battery quick with the old generator.

 

Thanks Guys!!


Bobby, I wanted to wail that siren but it has a big spring on the front so it really is hard to hold a camera in one hand and try and pull it down with the other. I will have the string attached to it soon. I called about the bell bracket yesterday and the owner wasn’t in so they weren’t sure if it was done yet. I can’t want it get that on the truck.


Joe,
I was so excited to get the old gal back on the road that I didn’t notice “Journey” playing in the background. Yes, you are correct its surely been a journey. You’re always welcome to take ride or get behind the wheel. I was so concentrating on driving the truck that I didn't notice the Honda LOL.

Wally, nothing like the sound of a friction siren!! They fazed them out in the early 50’s and went to the electrical ones.