Joe, the brakes are another item down the road, the PO told me that it leaked near the master cylinder. It was bone dry, so I added fluid and sure enough, it leaked out a slow stream that looked like it was coming right out of the plunger boot. I pulled the MC and it was stuck pretty good, and the inside looked like a dirt farm, so I replaced it. I had one brake line going to the Hi Power Booster (the hydrovac was on the F7 & F8) that was froze, so I replaced that one. When I thought I had it all done, I added fluid and then the gusher poured down the front of the MC, turns out the line going to the front brakes was broken right above the MC. That line will come with time.
As I mentioned earlier, I only replaced 7 plugs, the #5 plug was turning pretty hard coming out and I am afraid that it may have been cross threaded. I decided to leave it go until I had a thread chaser and my shop vac ready. Just in case I am right.

Yep, I knew about the remote starter switch, working on this thing alone, it sure makes it easier. BTW, don't you just love that wire from the starter switch to the solenoid!

 

Well the reason I asked was not so much a matter of electrical troubleshooting as much as suggesting you do a few things to it before you run it too long to help prevent some other problems. It sounds like it's in pretty good running shape.

I might be tempted to purge the gas tank, and fuel lines and put some good clean gas in it. I'd definately change the oil and filter, change the spark plugs (as you have) and drain and replace the coolant.

Wow, I can see why you might have though the generator might not be putting out. The wires on the voltage regulator (first picture) are really thread bare - I wouldn't run the truck with those like that. It's a little scarry whe you see a bare and dangling ground wire in such close proximity to a bare "battery" wire coming off the regulator (possibly carrying 35 amps)

Also, I had to laugh at the wire coming off the starter solenoid. I'm really suprissed you were able to get the starter to turn over.

BUT, it's running again - that's the good news. Just be careful running it with those wires like that. Not only could you short/weld/catch fire, but you may damage parts that are still good!

And look on the bright side. You may not have to rip it all out, it looks pretty close to either disintegrating and falling out or burning up and falling out all by itself - tee hee - kinda!

 

Well I finally got it to run and stay running today. Julie, you may have been right about the float sticking, runs pretty smooth and no more leaking around the base of the carb. I put fresh gas in it, but I still need to drop the bowl on the fuel pump and clean that out. I drained the coolant out and I can't tell if actually had any antifreeze in it. From the color and texture (really rusty) I would say it has been in there a long, long time. The shop manual says 23 quarts, but 10 qts of antifreeze and 10 qts of water and it was topped off. Could the other 3 quarts be if it had a heater?

 

Caution: That extra will be needed later. Until you run it and get it warmed up enough to open the thermostats, air will be trapped in the top part of the engine. When the thermostats finally open and let that out you will be low on coolant. Warm it up completely in the driveway and top off the coolant before you take of on any kind of a drive!

These Old Flatties were bullet proof. I have heard so many stories here about them not having been run for 10- 15 years and with a squirt of new gas, it fires right up and runs like a top. Can you imagine trying to do that to one of todays newer engines?

I'm excited for you...I'll bet you are excited and anxious to go for a drive!

 

Other than the driveway, and maybe the 1/4 mile to the deadend of my hilly road, there won't be much riding until I get through the brakes, because as of now, the only brake is the parking brake band on the back of the transmission. And yes it will stop the run from a slow roll.
I'm also not sure if I have a vacuum problem or the wiper motor needs attention. There were no arms or blades when I got the truck, but after running it for about 10 mins, I tried the wiper motor. Turn the switch on and they rotate left and stop. Turn it off, and they rotate back.

 

It's all in the wrist! Fast action.

In my first truck, the 55 I go tit started and new the brakes woul dlast 3 pumps so I had to take it for a drive. I didn't have a seat so I put an old kitchen "Captains Chair" in it and drove it around the block!

Ah to be young again!