'70 squire: back to the road

Been over a year since I've touched it. I had a big NOS parts score last week though. Hopefully will light a little fire.

 

Gonna throw the Dennis Carpenter catalog at it, eh? Nice bunch of scores there!

 

Found a fuel tank and sender in great shape out of Nebraska. Only difference is the new tank has evap emission fittings on it. Must have came from a 71 or 72 wagon. But everything else is the same, and I should be able to just plug those lines and they will never be seen. Big score there.

Still trying to decide on pulling the engine and just putting new freeze plugs in it, or pulling it out and really cleaning the inside of the engine out. Hone, re ring, new bearings, new lifter and timing set, and a full reseal. No machine work since it ran pretty good. And then hit it with a coat of ford blue paint.

I think I need to just get the spark plugs back out and run both wet and dry compression tests to help make that decision.

 

Great score on the gas tank! Looks like you’re finding some good stuff. If this is a car you plan to keep for a while if you’ve got the engine out for freeze plugs it might be a good time to do the things you discussed. After it’s done you’ll be glad you did it. Good luck with whatever you decide it’s gonna be nice regardless. Will love to see it finished. Love ‘70’s.

 

Not too sure how long I will keep it was in the mood to sell it to fund another wagon that's a little better off. Even found d someone interested in buying it. Finding the gas tank makes me want to keep it, but the tank is just a small piece in my very expencive goal.

 

I had to redo my ‘60 Colony Park from the ground up, practically. I guess my thought was I planed on keeping the car, plus it was in the late ‘90’s when restoration costs were nominal, compared to today’s dollars. I guess the thing is if there is another one in your sites that seems to be a better “value” and car then that may be the way to go. I had been looking for a ‘60 for a long time, plus they are pretty scarce. The one I got came out of Denver, so not so bad body wise and was a pretty good starting point. It’s a fine line to figure out what’s best for you. Are ‘70 Squires relatively available? And as you said you do have a potential buyer for your current one. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

i'll get the new old tank thrown in there this weekend just to protect it if nothing else. looks like the body has to come off of the frame a little bit to get the fuel line routed back in factory position. if the body bolts fight me much, i will have to save that project for a different time when i can pull the carpet back and get at them from the top side with lube or heat.

 

Should I put red tank liner in the tank before installing? It is currently rust free inside.

 

Probably as a precaution. Again it depends your part of the country and also with the gas today how long does a tank sit before you work your way through it? Fortunately here in the Southwest other than rubber hoses and such tanks, chrome, and under carriage parts last forever. I have a ‘71 Country Sedan with an ever so slight exhaust leak on the original muffler. I’m contemplating not fixing it because it’s original.

 

Here is the new tank with some paint on the outside. I opted against coating the inside since it is so clean to begin with. The old timer I talked to and also a radiator shop both said dont do it and either run the thing out of fuel every time I plan to park it for the winter, or put fuel treatment in it and fill it full tank. But they both said to leave the tank un coated for risk of the coating flaking off.

Also, pics of the new sending unit. I think I am going to use the old one as a template and repop a few of them. As hard as they are to find, surely someone else will be needing one.

 

Looks great. I agree if you’re gonna run the tank out before winter storage or if you use a protectant in the gas that makes total sense. Looking good!

 

I want to try the macs brake lines. Oe steel, so will fit in with my eventual goal of full resto. They say they're for 70 galaxy with power disks. A 70 galaxy has a 121 inch wheel base, same as my wagon. Can anyone think of any reason why this wouldn't work? For only $170, if I have to remake 1 or 2 lines, that still seems like money well spent.

Open for suggestions.

 

Posting these for long term reference, and for anyone else who may need:

 

SMS will do the seat cover if you send them the original to make a pattern from. I just had my front bench done for my 65 vista, expensive but BEAUTIFUL! Got a carpet from ASC also through SMS spot on match!....Longroofs Rule!

 

Super beginner question here, but I want my ducks in a row before I dive in.

I'm going to pull the engine, give it new core plugs, new timing set. And reseal everything down to the long block. Im not going to pull the heads (I hope). Questions are:

-Should i put new lifters in since these have been sitting for years?

- will I be able to pull the engine with the hood and radiator still in? Or better to pull just radiator or both? I will be using a conventional engine hoist, as my shop has nothing over head to hang a chain hoist to, and I have no trees.

- best oem color rattle can engine paint?

I have pulled plenty of engines before, but none this heavy and set back from the front. That's my main worry.