Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Willys Forum => Topic started by: Aeroman on April 02, 2012, 01:30:44 PM
-
After 2.5 years off the road, Old Toby, my 1954 Willys Aero, is back on the road. I stopped driving it until I could determine what was putting coolant in the oil pan. Hoping that it would only be a blown head gasket, we pulled the head. The gasket was indeed blown between cylinders 4 & 5. The block was off 5,000ths and the head was off 13,000ths! We shaved the head, left the block alone and reaasembled, keeping our fingers crossed that there was no crack in the block as well.
Saturday was the first test other than a trip down the freeway for an exit or two. I went to the Georgia Tech Auto Show where Frank Pudysz and I parked next to each other as representatives of KFOC (See attached pic). I still need a few more things handled (like new tires) but I plan to take it to Sweetwater this June. See you there!
-
Congratulations and thanks for the pictures. Glad it's back on the road, it's always good to have another one on the road.
-
Glad you are driving again, hope the leak is resolved, Henry.
-
Looks Great...
-
Hey Rick...Rudy has NOS hood hinges to fit Old Toby...you could eliminate your official Willys accessory prop rod!
-
That hood prop rod came with the car. I have a sentimental attachment to it now after almost 34 years.
-
wow! that's clean I hope I can get mine that clean...
-
Old Toby's looking pretty sharp there!
How do you like that battery?
-
That Optima 6 volt battery is now about 11 years old and still cranks the car. I guess I like it.
Unfortunately, Old Toby's engine developed some real problems, believed to be a cracked block. I have installed a used replacement engine I got from a fellow Aeronut, Doss Wallace. I have not finished the installation - mostly hooking it up then firing it up. While under the car, I discovered a crack in one of the lower A-arms and the clutch/brake pedal assembly also needs replacement. Been feeling discouraged for about a year now. Besides, higher priority items keep arriving, giving me an excuse not to work on my car. I seriously miss Old Toby and hope that I get the urge to work on him again at the same moment that I have time available to do so.
Here's another shot taken at the Georgia Tech Auto Show. March 2012 juxtaposed with a similar shot taken in 1989 at a CHVA meet in Buena Park, California.
-
I just realized this is an old thread that got resurrected by a recent comment, sorry to hear about the mechanicals.
Great pics though, maybe a third to that last set in another 20 or so?
-
Old Toby has been mentioned in the Club publications more than any Aero car and perhaps more than any KF/KW car. It is good to hear it is back on the street again.
-
That's the sad part - Old Toby is not on the streets again. Engine transplant incomplete, needs some stuff still hooked up. Then the pedal assembly replaced, then the lower left a-arm replaced. Feeling discouraged. Who wants to come over and help out? I got a six-pack of Yuengling in the fridge.
-
Aeroman, move back to California, I will help you and we get it back on road in one weekend.
-
Jake: That'd be a long way to drive in that little Darrin, but if you're up to it, I'll keep the light on for ya! We sometimes see snow in December and it may go as low as the 20's some nights.
Dave: You know you have an open invite to Atlanta. C'mon down when you visit Tammy's family in NC.
-
We hope to be out there this June for a nephews wedding it Chattanooga
-
Making progress since Toby's engine transplant. Everything engine wise is hooked up. Engine turns freely. Spins with the starter. Spark at the points. No oil pressure. We need to prime the pump. Hopefully get to that when the time allows - probably in two more weeks. Then will have to replace the cracked lower left A-arm. Then will have to replace or repair the pedal assembly because the shaft coming out of the assembly that goes to the clutch linkage is broken off.
Target date is to bring the car to the Georgia Tech car show in March. I think I can do that. Then a trial run to Chattanooga for the Hudson National and then, hopefully to the KFOC National!
-
Making progress since Toby's engine transplant. Everything engine wise is hooked up. Engine turns freely. Spins with the starter. Spark at the points. No oil pressure. We need to prime the pump. Hopefully get to that when the time allows - probably in two more weeks. Then will have to replace the cracked lower left A-arm. Then will have to replace or repair the pedal assembly because the shaft coming out of the assembly that goes to the clutch linkage is broken off.
Target date is to bring the car to the Georgia Tech car show in March. I think I can do that. Then a trial run to Chattanooga for the Hudson National and then, hopefully to the KFOC National!
The sooner you start soaking your pedal bracket bolts the better. I was liberal with penetrant & a heat wrench while working mine in & out to free them. Still twisted the end of one off in the floorboard.
If you source the pedal arm bumpers that go on the bracket bolts, clue me in after you get yours!
Good luck on March, sure wish I could say that.