It's been about five years that my 52 Panel truck has sat idle. Well, finally I've made some time to work on it.

Today I finished routing and connecting all new battery/ground/starter cables and installed a new Optima battery. Also ran half of a new fuel line. New tune up parts were installed about a week ago.

I got the greatest feeling when I honked the horn, turned on the lights and quickly pressed the starter button. It turned over! However, I didn't want to start it because the engine is not ready yet.

I still need to finish the new fuel line, do an oil change, flush the engine with new coolant, install freshly rebuilt carburetors (with the glass bowl), clean out the fuel tank and adjust everything. Then will check out the brakes and any possible electrical issues, like instrument clusters, turn signals and all other lights. Also need to get a new exhaust pipe made from the manifold to the muffler. Lastly, the dreaded trip to the DMV to get the registration current. It'll probably cost me $200-300 because of my personalized plates.

Once she's on the road, I plan to fix other little things one at a time, like install dual trumpet horns, 5 Star Deluxe hood trim, 16" wheels/tires, headliner, radio, etc.

Thanks to ZOOT, I was able to get the Offy dual carb intake assembly from him.

Here's a sneak peek.

 

Thats a great feeling when you get them out on the road again!

I started to do that with my 45 GPW last weekend but it might be snowing by the time I'm ready to drive it around the block

Thats a cute battery Ive never seen one like that before, is your panel still 6 volts?

cool intake too!!!



Josh

 

It's not the size of the battery that matters, it's the amount of power that it provides. There's a guy that sells vintage looking battery boxes made out of hard plastic that encase the 6v Optima battery. Once in the case, it almost looks like the real deal. Then I'll be able to put the new battery hold down bracket over it that I bought. Right now the battery is held in place with a bungee cord. Not a good look.

Yes, it's still 6 volts. No plans to convert it to 12v. As long as the grounds are good, the wires and cables are in good condition, there's no reason for me to changing it to 12v. I still get great cranking with the 6 volt Optima. I can get another one and wire it in a parallel circuit in order to get twice as much cranking power. I got the tip from the guy that works on my Airflow. He has the set up in his 37 Airflow.

 

Sounds good, Ilya. Can't wait to hear the first cruise report! I've been working feverishly to get stuff caught up around here before fall. I want to do my own little resurrection before it gets cold. My F-2 hasn't moved from the spot it's in for over 15 years - but that's about to change. I'd like to have it out of the barn and moved into the shop before it gets cold so I can FINALLY start tearing into it over the winter. Stories and threads like your are good inspiration!

 

I just hope that everything else falls into place after this many steps so far. However, I'm sure that I'll encounter more bumps in the road. The 51 Panel is waiting in the wings. It's scheduled next on the list of things to resurrect.

Fifteeen years is a long time! You might need a few winters. My goal is to move the Panel truck into the garage in time for the rainy weather. Plus, I can tell that the Airflow is lonely. Won't be fun cleaning out the garage to make room.

 

Ilya - THAT'S EXCELLENT!

 

Gotta love dual carbies on an I6
?Split the exhaust and run dual pipes?

 

Looking good! Waiting for a "first run" video!

 

Thats great news! ...I second the first run video request.

 

I don't need anymore ideas, Dick!

Perhaps, but might be hard to route it because the fuel tank sits at the left frame rail. Will need to go around it. I think that Bob has this on his Panel. I'll have to ask him.

Video will be forthcoming if everything turns out ok.

 

Glad to see the intake has a good home, Ilya. I remmeber my truck had an adjustable fuel valve set at about 7. It also had an electric fuel pump, so I don't know what you're using for a fuel pump, but just a word of caution. Too much fuel pressure might flood those little carbs. Good luck. Can't wait to see it running!! Zoot

 

The chassis I have under my panel is from a pickup truck which had dual exhaust when I got it. I had to replumb the driver's side bank of the exhaust:



Having to run both pipes from the driver's side is going to be a little more crowded to get around the tank. Too bad you don't have a flat six, the exhaust it on the passenger's side, it'd be a straight shot back.

 

Thanks for the picture, Bob. I remember that picture in mind.

Where there's a will, there's a way. It's just one of those things that I might do later.

 

Here's a quick update for those keeping score at home.

Mocked up and routed the vacuum line today out of 3/16" tubing and finished running the fuel line. Additionally, bought a plastic battery container to put the 6v Optima inside and secured it with brand new hardware (also bought the same container but with a Mopar sticker for my Airflow). Noticed that my battery tray is slightly rusted out in two corners. Will get that changed out later. Lastly, I checked out the exterior lights. Headlights, parking/running lights and turn signal lights work in the rear. Need to check the parking/turning lights in the front. Also, the instrument clusters don't seem to light up. Will need to check into that as well.

Thanks to Stu for providing photos from his truck showing where and how the original fuel line was ran and attached.









I hope to get the rebuilt carburetors tomorrow. If that happens, then will be able to finish plumbing them to the fuel pump. Will also try to change the oil and fill the engine/radiator with coolant tomorrow.

After the engine is done, will move onto the fuel tank and the electrical fuel pump. I hope I won't have to drop the tank in order to clean it out. It's been cleaned and coated before. Is there a good way of cleaning it without having to remove it completely?

The last items on the list will be the brakes.

 

I don't know about panel tanks, but with the baffles and such, there is usually no substitute for being able to turn the tank every which way to get crap out of it.

PS -- those don't appear to be "correct" radiator saddle bolts...