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How much rust is too much rust?

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1949 caddyman

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Oct 5, 2010
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Arizona
Looks like it's still at Randy's. .He is such a good guy to be helping you with this, not only finding it, storing it, getting it running & now buffing it to a shine! When will you be getting it? Put new tires on it & drive home or ship?
 
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Mr onetwo

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Apr 6, 2011
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Coastal Maine
Looks like it's still at Randy's. .He is such a good guy to be helping you with this, not only finding it, storing it, getting it running & now buffing it to a shine! When will you be getting it? Put new tires on it & drive home or ship?
It's at his place until Monday. I could and would not have attempted this without his help.He is an A1 standup guy!:bowdown: A truck is picking it up and will bring it to Augusta,ME by Saturday! Can't wait.:D
 

TimeWarpF100

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Aug 21, 2010
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Sold the '66 Short Bed Custom Cab. Running and driving great. Its going to Western NY.
 

gahrajmahal

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Dec 12, 2008
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2,519
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
I actually owned one of these back in the day. 2wh. Drive, 4 speed stick. It was great but the top is heavy and hard to line up when putting back on. That was the days of the T-Top so I sliced it right behind the driver door and made a Jeep style gasketing system then I could take the top off most every day. I know, it sounds barbaric, but that is what we did back then.
I recently got a subscription to Hemmings Motor News and I recommend buying the best body you can afford. Drivetrain frame and suspension stuff is easier and who says your rusty subject won't need all that stuff anyway.
What is your goal? To drive this truck or to have one to work on. Money is secondary when it comes to vintage vehicles, of which I currently own two. Both with little rust originally.
 

Todd.Brock

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Jul 15, 2008
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4,248
Location
Cincinnati
Geez- how did I miss this thread??? I would have to keep that thing in a air bubble - I think it would start rusting as soon as it hit the state line. That's state law, swear to it...
 
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Mr onetwo

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Apr 6, 2011
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Coastal Maine
I actually owned one of these back in the day. 2wh. Drive, 4 speed stick. It was great but the top is heavy and hard to line up when putting back on. That was the days of the T-Top so I sliced it right behind the driver door and made a Jeep style gasketing system then I could take the top off most every day. I know, it sounds barbaric, but that is what we did back then.
I recently got a subscription to Hemmings Motor News and I recommend buying the best body you can afford. Drivetrain frame and suspension stuff is easier and who says your rusty subject won't need all that stuff anyway.
What is your goal? To drive this truck or to have one to work on. Money is secondary when it comes to vintage vehicles, of which I currently own two. Both with little rust originally.
To drive it like I stole it!:shocking::beer:Seriously...It will be my 9 month driver vehicle.I will put it up late this fall to eliminate salt exposure.I plan to save my money for a couple of years and then do a frame off restoration.I have never run a 440 so I want to see how I like it and then make a decision on the drivetrain.
 
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Mr onetwo

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My "unicorn" is lost in this blizzard!:shocking::sad:
 

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Mr onetwo

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Well guys...it's here.Delivered in the middle of the blizzard...50mph wind gusts...snowing sideways.Truck was frozen solid and would not start.Couldn't open the hood and drivers window is down and broken.It seems that nothing I do is ever EZ!:eyecrazy: Driver was very helpful and cooperative. I had to call AAA to get it home where it sits.Today is cleanup day and must get truck in the shop...12" more snow coming tomorrow.:scared::sad:
 

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TimeWarpF100

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not here
Well guys...it's here.Delivered in the middle of the blizzard...50mph wind gusts...snowing sideways.Truck was frozen solid and would not start.Couldn't open the hood and drivers window is down and broken.It seems that nothing I do is ever EZ!:eyecrazy: Driver was very helpful and cooperative. I had to call AAA to get it home where it sits.Today is cleanup day and must get truck in the shop...12" more snow coming tomorrow.:scared::sad:

Mark, Do you still have the Ramcharger? Made any progress or still saving $$?
 
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Mr onetwo

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Hey Randy, Yes, I still have it (they'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands):evil:. I have it stuffed in the back of the garage waiting for the salt to leave the roads.I have been acquiring some parts and plan to put it on the road the middle of May.I have found all the stuff for a complete 8 3/4 rearend which will be swapped in this fall.The water pump decided to let go and I am still cleaning up the interior and wiring.I put a front driveshaft in it and a deep trans pan along with changing diff fluids, but the transmission is acting funny, so I have to figure that out.I did score a super nice set of parchment bucket seats recently.I am going to dye my door cards and new 2015 Ram center console to match these seats with SEM "Color Coat". I was going to revive this thread shortly, but you beat me to it...thanks.I am so glad you are doing better my friend!
 

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01-7700

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Oct 19, 2017
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142
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Maine USA
I'm in Gahdnah. I looked on craigslist for vehicles of interest in the southwest - quite a few to choose from. Rust repair is my least favorite thing to do.
 

hotdogstand

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Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Messages
114
Location
Norfolk, VA
That's a good looking find! Congrats on to you and Randy. I'm restoring a 77 vette now, PA title, and I'm lucky that it's in the condition that it is!
 
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Mr onetwo

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I'm sorry but that guy is delusional! These trucks are fantastic and I love mine, but they are just not worth that kind of money and it's not even a pop top.
 

racer8432955

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Jul 7, 2007
Messages
172
late to the party, but I'm from the upper Midwest, so I'm qualified to talk about rust.
what most on here have said is correct. start out with a southwest rust free and you will time (for sure) and money ahead. I've done it both ways.
That aside, to me there is some pride in saving a Midwest holy roller. You know, when you go to the car show and flip thru the guys book if disbelief. this was that??
there not making anymore of them. so lord save the rusty ones......
 
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Mr onetwo

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Well , the body on my RC may be damn near perfect, but I did find rust in this truck...just not where I expected.Water pump housing and water neck were so packed with rust they couldn't be saved and radiator was packed too.Photo is deceiving...actually was far worse.We decided to pull the motor yesterday to make it easier to fix.Wish me luck!:confused:
 

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like2wheel

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Oct 29, 2014
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On an as needed basis
The rationale to start restoring a rust bucket is simple:
Perfect reason to buy more tools so you can fab up nice patch panels.

So, buy the car of your dreams and start working.
Pic is a Buick Super Special Coupe, or whatever remains of it. In a year it will be better than new. We are 4 guys working on it. One for the body, one for the chassis, brakes and suspension, one for paint and upholstery and I will do engine, driveline and all electrical .
It will be a sleeper, we plan 650bhp, new engine, gearbox and rear axle.


Ola

Now how about some pics if this Buick 1 year later
 

Mavawreck

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Jan 30, 2011
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Durham NC
Well , the body on my RC may be damn near perfect, but I did find rust in this truck...just not where I expected.Water pump housing and water neck were so packed with rust they couldn't be saved and radiator was packed too.Photo is deceiving...actually was far worse.We decided to pull the motor yesterday to make it easier to fix.Wish me luck!:confused:

Any concern about the cooling passages in the block?
 
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Mr onetwo

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Coastal Maine
That's why we decided to pull the engine.I can check everything out and also cleanup the engine bay and rewire the truck.If the engine turns out to be bad then this will become a long term thing...I hope not, fingers crossed.:dunno::fingersx: Since this is GJ after all...bridge crane is 2nd best tool ever after the MaxJax.:thumbup:
 

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Mr onetwo

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I think the engine is fine....have dis-assembled it....heads and block off to the machine shop.I will strip the engine bay and shoot a couple of coats of the original color on it before re-wiring everything.
 

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Mr onetwo

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It's been a very busy summer for everything else but my truck.Finally got balanced rotating assembly back home.Got to fix my pressure washer so I can hot water wash the block and start assembly.Can't wait!
 

TimeWarpF100

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It's been a very busy summer for everything else but my truck.Finally got balanced rotating assembly back home.Got to fix my pressure washer so I can hot water wash the block and start assembly.Can't wait!



It had really good compression yet so knew the engine itself was fine. Looking forward to seeing more progress pics. Nice to see you are keeping the 440.


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