When 45 was fast

[Four Paws]

It doesn't take you long to realize how much life has changed when you get behind the wheel of one of these old beasts. We can run 75 mph in new diesel pick-ups with 15K in tow, A/C keeping us comfortable, Navigation telling us where to turn, and the kids happily entertained in the backseat watching DVD's in the headrests.

Drug this thing home last month, and finally managed to devote a few hours to it.

Shoveled out about 10 pounds of rats nest from under the seat.

Swapped out what was left of the seat for an extra one I had laying around.

Installed a temporary fuel line to a gas can.

Got it running and yard driving. In dire need of a master cylinder, and more than likely, a Hyrdo-vac rebuild once I get the M/C installed.

A tune-up wouldn't hurt either, but it ran surprisingly well for the first time in a decade or four.

Also needs door glass. Anyone have a pattern for KB6/7 door glass?

Anyone have experience cleaning gas tanks with muriatic acid? I drained all the varnished gas out, but it looks pretty nasty inside...nasty enough to plug fuel filters for a lifetime.

[Doc Stewart]

The door glass on the KB series is the same on both sides so pull the good one and have the glass fellow duplicate it. When you re mount the new glass in the old frame, use some "windshield sealer" to secure it.

Muriatic acid from the hardware store will clean out your tank. Pour in a quart then put a length of chain in there [secure the end] and rattle it around for a bit, let it, set then rattle it again. Better done with two guys.
Flush it all out of there with water - great weed killer - then pour in a pint of denatured alcohol to get the water out. Now is a good time to seal the tank with any of the various products for tank sealing. Eastwood has a good one. The shops at airports sell a great sealer also. The sealer will stop any pin hole leaks you may have uncovered. Caveat: I did this to a round tank on a 53 R200. Lots of rust and yuk came out only to discover that the entire bottom line of the tank about an inch wide was GONE. Fuel had been held in there by the rust and yuk. Found another tank at a salvage yard - tanks are generic by size.

[JimKoz]

I'm not sure that muriatic acid dissolves varnish, but acetone will. After acetone, the tank is pretty clean and the acid works faster.

I typically fill the tank most of the way with water and then add a quart of acid, then top it off the rest of the way with water and let it sit out in the hot sun for a few days. I prefer a weak solution of acid for safety, but it does take more time to work.

[Four Paws]

Doc, I don't have any door glass to pattern.

As far as the muriatic acid, I will likely give it a try at some point. The 5 gallon can is working just fine now. Need to sort the brakes out and give it a tune-up.

Any Zenith carburetor experts around? Anyone have a good carburetor service manual? Jetting chart, etc.?

[Doc Stewart]

I don't have any K7s to pull a pattern from. K6 through K12 are the same cabs.

Try carburettorfactory.com for Zenith info and parts

Brake cylinders can be hard to find. Try Capitol clutch and brakes in West Sacramento, CA
Also, you existing cylinders can be bored and sleeved by Sierra Specialities in Quincy, Ca and other companies.

Replace all the steel lines and all the flex lines on a truck that old. It is very exciting when you push on the stop pedal and it sinks to the floor especially going down hill or in traffic! I recently had the experience in an 85 Ferd pickup going down a 2 mile 7% grade of single lane road. Cement barrier in the middle and bad drop off on the side. The automatic would not shift below second so I steered and prayed. A rear steel line broke and the 'dual system' failed also. Nobody hit, no damages done. When I finally got it stopped thru some brush and against a small tree, I walked a mile to a friend's house and had a shot of brandy. So, when you hear me say that I haven't had a drink in 30 years, I'm lieing.....

[guidolyons]

Four Paws- That is some classic iron

Hey Doc, isn't that what the EMERGENCY brake is for?

Hold the release so it doesn't lock up the brakes and modulate the e-brake pedal

I had a similar incident in my old '76 Chevy, rear hard line rusted through and let go with a bang! Luckily the front brakes still worked!

[Four Paws]

Well, I managed to clean and 'rebuild' the master cylinder into workable condition. It's not perfect, weeps a little fluid, but it is very functional. Surprisingly, my local parts store has one on the shelf, but I figured I would take it apart, clean it up, and try to save some money while I work the bugs out of this thing.

My lovely wife helped me bleed the brakes after I got it back in. Took it for a quick spin and must say it stops darn good, and the hydrovac appears to be functioning. I think new vacuum hoses will really wake it up.

Plugs, wires, pertronix, carbs and valve adjustment up next.

[stroker3]

One just like that was used as a yard truck when I worked at a tanker mfg. company. They made fuel truck tanks for every branch of the military. It was mostly used to haul around empty 5000 gal jet fuel tanks. In typicle IH fashion it earned a name.....the donkey..