Brought my 59 home today

[Dilligas]

I was finally able to load up my 59 Apache and haul it home today. My father in law restored it about 15 years ago, he has put less than 200 miles on it since then. He would occasionally start it up and drive it around the yard but even this hasn't been done for a few years. I have been helping take care of some things for him over the past few months and he surprised me with the truck!
I charged the battery yesterday but couldn't get it to start, it would run if I poured a little fuel in the carburetor but wouldn't stay running. I took the fuel line loose at the carb and nothing is coming out, I ordered a new fuel pump today so hopefully will have it running soon.
My plan for now is to get it running and add some seat belts so my 12 year old son can ride with me. here are a few pics, it definitely needs a bath!

[56hotrodred]

Wow that's a nice truck. Maybe clean out the gas tank also. Wouldn't hurt and could very well help.

[Foot Stomper]

What an honor and treasure you have received! Congratulations! I truly hope you keep it stock as it's a perfect time capsule!
Here's my recommendation on your fuel challenge: (I went throught this myself this past summer)
- Remove gas tank and dispose of stale gas and rinse, riinse again and rinse some more.
- disconnect fuel line from fuel pump and blow out fuel line with compressed air. If fuel comes out sluggy and stinky, rinse and blow till clean
- remove fuel pump and hand pump the crank lever to dispense old fuel. rinse and rinse again. (wear safety glasses as fuel will spray out at force.)
- remove fuel line from carb and blow out with compressed air and rinse
- remove carburetor and dump old fuel out and rebuild if necessary - stale gas will varnish the smallest of orifices and cause you nothing but headaches - rebuild it in in doubt (Easy and kits are about 15$)
- reinstall carb and replace all fuel lines (install an inline fuel filter between fuel pump and carb to catch any remaining crud
- change the engine oil immediately before even trying to start it - old oil is very unhealthy to a good engine!

Good luck with your truck! I really am jealous!!

[DPete]

Nice and stock, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[ChuckDriver]

Great looking truck, congrats!!

[flashed]

Congrats ,its a beauty.

[392Hemi]

Sweet truck! Good luck

[dsraven]

nice truck!
one other little side note, maybe add a fuel filter inline. at the rubber line under the floor is a great place because it is close to the dirt source so less chance of getting something in a fuel pump valve etc. not that hard to get too either. use a gear clamp or a fuel injection hose clamp on the hoses.
seafoam motor treatment is great stuff for a fuel system that has been inactive for awhile. it acts as a system cleaner and also a fuel stabilizer. I only use it in the fuel.
here are a couple of other little tips for you, since the truck sat for a bit.
remove the distributor cap and look under the cap for corrosion on the terminals and on the rotor.
while the cap is off run a white business card through the points to check for crud that may be on the contact surfaces. if the card come out black then another run through may be required. this is assuming the points are in good condition.
check the condition and gap on the spark plugs. probably fine but you never know and it only takes a minute to pull the plugs for a check.
check the condition of the engine coolant and hoses etc. probably just fine but sitting around can cause issues
check the belt for cracks and tension
if you have a "step on" starter maybe check the linkage for a return spring, stiffness or binding so you ensure the starter disengages when you take your foot off the pedal.
lastly, check the brakes to make sure they work before moving under power. it would be a shame to hear of a crash on such a nice looking truck

[_Ogre]

grrr sexy...


what's the story? why only 200 miles on the rebuild?

[Dilligas]

My father in law is an amazing man, he can build or fix anything he puts his hands on. The fun for him is in the work, he also restored 2 antique Ford tractors some years ago and never attempted to start either one of them. A few years ago I got one of the tractors from him and use it down at my hunting property, the other one still sits! He just isn't interested in the end product.

Originally Posted by _Ogre

grrr sexy...


what's the story? why only 200 miles on the rebuild?

[Dilligas]

Thanks for all of the nice comments! I am looking forward to getting it on the road, I appreciate the advice on what should be done. It appears that the fuel tank should be easy to remove, 2 straps holding it behind the seat, disconnect the filler neck and fuel line and lift it out, hopefully I am not missing anything. It has been quite a few years since I have turned wrenches, I look at what some of you do to your trucks and I am blown away! My 12 year old son has already told me that this will be his 1st truck so it looks like I will have a helper working on it.

[CountofMonteCarlo84]

Sure looks solid.

[Kevin Mac]

Man that is a nice truck. It is great your son wants to get involved. I think that is healthy for a young person to work on things and understand how they work and why. I am so blessed that my father did this and still to this day I learn from him.

Mac

[_Ogre]

i wish i'd have been born that lucky, instead of so damn handsome

[Advanced Design]

That was very nice of your a Father in law. He must be a good guy. Beautiful truck!

[Oldtruckwelder]

Really nice truck DILLIGAS ( lol. Great name )
JT from SC

[Russell Ashley]

That's a very nice truck and I'm glad that your son is taking an interest in it. Spend time together working and cleaning on it and you might turn him into a life long "car guy". Some might say that's life long punishment, LOL.

[Dilligas]

Well I removed the fuel tank this evening, it is the original and quite corroded inside and the sending unit is shot. I ordered a replacement tank, sending unit and rubber connectors for the fill and vent tubes. Hopefully the first of next week I can put it back together. Thanks for the advice, I probably would have put the new fuel pump on without checking this and regretted it.

[dsraven]

maybe should plan on replacing all the rubber fuel line parts as well. sounds like you have some rot going on. it's cheap and good insurance.

[Dilligas]

Installed the new fuel tank, sending unit and fuel pump. Blew out the fuel lines and it started up and ran great!

[my56chevytruck]

Man, that's a nice looking truck for sure. Any long range plans??

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by my56chevytruck

Man, that's a nice looking truck for sure. Any long range plans??

I am thinking of getting a small vintage camper to pull behind it, then go to a few campgrounds close to me and spend a weekend. Other than that just drive it around and enjoy it.

[Foot Stomper]

Fantastic results! Congratulations on such a fine machine!

[Task Force Era]

That's awesome! It cleaned up nice. You'll have fun with this truck!

[poncho_villa]

That is one fine example of an unmolested, unmodified truck.