Project: "Shark Bait" 72 Scout II

[surfnturf]

This is my 3rd Scout, but it is my 1st Scout II. I have been an 80/800 guy but I do like the after market support of the Scout II's. After market support and parts availability will be important in this build because in the middle of May this year, I will be the Dad of a 16 year old driver. "AAAAAHHHH" Don't get me wrong, my son Tyler is a good kid, but a teenage boy is a teenage boy.
Me and my kids spend alot of time in the water. Salt water and fresh. We surf, fish, kayak etc. I want to be able to build this one to get us to the backwoods places at the river and lakes as well as get us to the ocean and do some surf fishing.
Since Tyler will be doing some of the driving, Auto trans was important. (less pedals the better)


So here is what I picked up from another SEBA member.
1972 Scout II, 304, 727 auto trans, D20 t-case, 44 in the rear with 3.73 gears, 30 up front. No power steering, drum brakes.









It has a fairly straight body with limited dents and very little rust on the body panels. The tailgate has a few dents and the driver door but not to bad.

Interior body is also pretty solid. except a few spots that will have to be cut out and patched.

[surfnturf]

Now here is some of the bad spots. first this panel will be replaced.



And around the wheel well will have to be fixed.



This is the worst spot. The rust has not extended to the braces but the floor pan has to go.

[surfnturf]

I also got another 727 with it when I picked it up. It is supposed to be a rebuilt trans.



And the famous box of parts that comes with every Scout you buy. Most of the trim items are in there as well as a bunch of other stuff.



Extra fuel tank and interior top pieces etc. I have had to turn my old Chicken coop into a parts storage area.

[surfnturf]

On to the engine.
Engine moves freely but carb was spewing gas when I hooked it to an electric fuel pump. So I took it off. It was a Holley 2 brl. I will be changing to a Autolite (motorcraft) 2100. Mainly because I have rebuilt a few of the 2100's and they are simple to rebuild and easy to find. Plus they are very reliable carbs. (remember teenager).



I still chuckle when I see this sticker. Do not drain, permanent antifreeze.



The bad news on the engine is After I took the valve covers off, they were dry and rusty. I am really hoping the oil pump is not bad but it doesn't look like oil has made it up here in my lifetime.
I will be using a drill and try to see if I can bring some oil up today.

[surfnturf]

BTW, I'm pretty sure this is not the original engine. Plus I dont think 727 came in these until 73. Let me know if I'm wrong on this.

[surfnturf]

Here is my progress for the weekend. I took most of the front end off, at least down to the inner fenders.



Not any rust to speak of so I'm pretty happy with that.







Nice and clean inside.



Also I found another sticker under the grime.



Another plus for the day was that I primed the oil pump and finnaly got oil to the top. It took 2 batteries in the drill and alot of turning the engine but oil finnaly showed up. I also replaced the distributor with a new one and I am now getting spark. So as soon as I get the carb I should be good. I hope.