Old Toby is out in the world again!

[Aeroman]

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!

[Fid]

Congratulations and thanks for the pictures. Glad it's back on the road, it's always good to have another one on the road.

[Henry's HenryJs]

Glad you are driving again, hope the leak is resolved, Henry.

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

Looks Great...

[joefrazer]

Hey Rick...Rudy has NOS hood hinges to fit Old Toby...you could eliminate your official Willys accessory prop rod!

[Aeroman]

That hood prop rod came with the car. I have a sentimental attachment to it now after almost 34 years.

[Mechanicgirl]

 wow! that's clean I hope I can get mine that clean...

[MarkH]

Old Toby's looking pretty sharp there!

How do you like that battery?

[Aeroman]

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.

[MarkH]

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?

[HJ-ETEX]

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. 

[Aeroman]

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.

[BigDave LM6174]

Aeroman, move back to California, I will help you and we get it back on road in one weekend.

[Aeroman]

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.

[BigDave LM6174]

We hope to be out there this June for a nephews wedding it Chattanooga