Author Topic: Old Toby is out in the world again!  (Read 5586 times)

Aeroman

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Old Toby is out in the world again!
« 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!
Rick Kamen
KFOCI LM4314 since 1979
Willys Aero Survival Count
aeroman@aol.com
http://clubs.hemmings.com/willysaero
1954 Willys Aero Eagle "Old Toby"
1964 Ford Econoline panel van
Once owned 11 other Willys Aeros and a Willys wagon, 2 Kaisers, 1 Henry J, plus Studebakers, Hudsons, a Nash and others.

Fid

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2012, 02:37:13 PM »
Congratulations and thanks for the pictures. Glad it's back on the road, it's always good to have another one on the road.
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Henry's HenryJs

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2012, 08:21:53 AM »
Glad you are driving again, hope the leak is resolved, Henry.
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G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2012, 11:04:20 AM »
Looks Great...
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joefrazer

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2012, 02:37:58 PM »
Hey Rick...Rudy has NOS hood hinges to fit Old Toby...you could eliminate your official Willys accessory prop rod!

Aeroman

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2012, 02:20:47 PM »
That hood prop rod came with the car. I have a sentimental attachment to it now after almost 34 years.
Rick Kamen
KFOCI LM4314 since 1979
Willys Aero Survival Count
aeroman@aol.com
http://clubs.hemmings.com/willysaero
1954 Willys Aero Eagle "Old Toby"
1964 Ford Econoline panel van
Once owned 11 other Willys Aeros and a Willys wagon, 2 Kaisers, 1 Henry J, plus Studebakers, Hudsons, a Nash and others.

Mechanicgirl

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2012, 07:09:46 PM »
 wow! that's clean I hope I can get mine that clean...

MarkH

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2015, 08:36:51 PM »
Old Toby's looking pretty sharp there!

How do you like that battery?
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
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Aeroman

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2015, 08:07:32 PM »
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.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2015, 08:15:33 PM by Aeroman »
Rick Kamen
KFOCI LM4314 since 1979
Willys Aero Survival Count
aeroman@aol.com
http://clubs.hemmings.com/willysaero
1954 Willys Aero Eagle "Old Toby"
1964 Ford Econoline panel van
Once owned 11 other Willys Aeros and a Willys wagon, 2 Kaisers, 1 Henry J, plus Studebakers, Hudsons, a Nash and others.

MarkH

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2015, 10:06:18 PM »
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?
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
Rusty '58 Austin Healey 100-Six
Barely running'74 Chevelle Malibu

HJ-ETEX

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2015, 08:03:51 PM »
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. 
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1951 Kaiser Deluxe /327 Chevy
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1968 Kaiser Commando V6
1961 Willys 2WD 134 F-Head SW
1963 Kaiser FC170

Aeroman

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2015, 08:53:31 PM »
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.
Rick Kamen
KFOCI LM4314 since 1979
Willys Aero Survival Count
aeroman@aol.com
http://clubs.hemmings.com/willysaero
1954 Willys Aero Eagle "Old Toby"
1964 Ford Econoline panel van
Once owned 11 other Willys Aeros and a Willys wagon, 2 Kaisers, 1 Henry J, plus Studebakers, Hudsons, a Nash and others.

BigDave LM6174

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2015, 12:18:02 AM »
Aeroman, move back to California, I will help you and we get it back on road in one weekend.
Big Dave
KFOCI LM 6174
Whittier, CA.
1951 Kaiser Deluxe
1952 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
1958 Lido 14 Sailboat W/Trailer
1958 Carry All Trailer

Aeroman

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2015, 05:46:21 PM »
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.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2015, 05:48:23 PM by Aeroman »
Rick Kamen
KFOCI LM4314 since 1979
Willys Aero Survival Count
aeroman@aol.com
http://clubs.hemmings.com/willysaero
1954 Willys Aero Eagle "Old Toby"
1964 Ford Econoline panel van
Once owned 11 other Willys Aeros and a Willys wagon, 2 Kaisers, 1 Henry J, plus Studebakers, Hudsons, a Nash and others.

BigDave LM6174

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Re: Old Toby is out in the world again!
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2015, 05:09:33 PM »
We hope to be out there this June for a nephews wedding it Chattanooga
Big Dave
KFOCI LM 6174
Whittier, CA.
1951 Kaiser Deluxe
1952 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
1958 Lido 14 Sailboat W/Trailer
1958 Carry All Trailer