I drove my 52 1/2 ton around the yard today for the first time Didnt have any brakes and the carb is out of adjustment but it was awesome none-the-less. Had family over for mothers day and they all decided to come out and look at it. Gives me more motivation to get it road ready. I couldnt give it hardly any gas though without it trying to stall out and I had to keep the choke half way on, couldnt even get near having it fully open. Im guessing these issues could be fixed with a valve adjustment and carb tune, correct? Pic:
Flat Spots I'd concentrate of the brakes & chassis lube first but yes , routine tune up , beginning with a valve adjust will greatly reduce flat spots . Timing *must* be dead nuts ball on pointer ! . Also look at the phenolic spacer / heat insulator under the carby as they occasionally crack & create vacuum leaks . Spark plugs should be new & gapped to .035" . Congrats on the test drive ! . DO NOT turn the brake drums ! .
congrats! that is awesome. listen to nate he knows how to keep these old trucks going no problem. Just stick with it! ask questions when you need them and get that thing going. It looks cool just as it is trust me you will get a lot of people that love that look. Others will ask you when you are going to paint it.
I got to work on the brakes some today. I actually have a 52 parts truck im pulling parts from, supposedly has new brakes, so im swapping it all on. Some questions though, what are the torque specs on backing plate bolts and lug nuts? I couldnt really find a lot of info on torques specs. Also, are the brake line kits really worth the 200.00 or is it just as easy to bend/make my own?
Man, I'm digging the left front wheel on your truck! That is what is called an "Artillery Wheel" and was a very popular accessory wheel back in the day!
I need to check again, myself. I believe Russ put a list of lines you can buy off the shelf that work just the same. Glad you got to drive it! Why, I remember a time when I once got to drive my truck around... ... ... ...
Torque spec? I just tightened them down Probably a good idea, however I have put quite a few hard earned miles on my truck. Getting close to 5-7k now. Not a bit of trouble. For me the prebent brake lines were worth it. i just wanted to get it on the road as fast as I could and it to be safe. I got the Stainless Steel set for a bit more, but I think its money well spent. Check all the vendors. Our here, Jim Carters, and LMC truck. I think I got mine from Classic parts, our guys here. Enjoy driving your truck it looks sweet
Thanks for the link Ol' Chebby, that'll definitely work out better that way. After I get brakes done I'll probably turn back towards working on the engine. Im kinda leaning on buying a carter yf to put on there but I dont really know if its necessary. I still need to buy a radiator. I looked inside of mine after I had just filled it up the day before and it was empty, or atleast the water was low enough I couldnt see anything. Does anybody know of any good cheap radiators or does anybody have a used one to sell? Thanks, Cody
I finally got the brakes done on the truck and found a radiator. Been trying to tune the carb now. Ive gotten it to where it runs decent and idles fine but I can only have it that way when the choke is still halfway on... also when first giving it gas itll sorta stall out and then pick back up to a higher idle. But it only does that if the pedal is pushed quick. If i push it slowly, itll do fine. Ive adjusted the valves, but i havent had the chance to fine tune the timing yet. Where should I begin to solve this problem? Should I still keep working with the idle/air mixture screw? Thanks, Cody
I havent rebuilt it yet because im still debating whether or not to put a carter yf carb on there. Ive heard that they are much better carbs to have. Would it be worth it to just go ahead and switch to the carter?
carb kit is arond $15-20, it is an easy rebuild. I used to field dress mine on the side of the road when it would dill up with gas tank silt.
Flat Spots As you've not yet mentioned adjusting the valves , dwell or timing yet , you're wasting time by touching the carby . Yes , the Carter YF carby is a vastly superior unit but first take the time to sort it out 'till it runs *perfectly* the you'll better appreciate the YF's abilities , not just the lack of fuel seepage . Then of course , you'll be able to sell your old Rochester series 'B' carby .
Sorry for the late reply, work has kept me busy. Anyway, here is some more pics You'll have to excuse the mess... its the "workshop" so to speak lol. I dont have a fancy garage, just a field haha
