My '68 M715 Build Progress Page

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Originally Posted by grymsr

you might mention to him that you are "discussing" this transaction with other military vehicle owners.

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...and you might mention your best buddy from elementary school is a rather successful attorney.

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Originally Posted by plumas.placer.miner

I suppose my tribulations all sound quite petty. In the big picture, is it really that important?

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Important to the world relative to world peace or ending cancer? Not really. Important to you because getting what you pay for is expected and reasonable? Quite important and deserving of no apologies on your part.

Hearing about this is important to me so I can steer clear of this clown show. I also think it's important to publicize practices like these-- the court of public opinion, if you will.

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Originally Posted by plumas.placer.miner

Now, every time something bad happens with the truck, she just shakes her head as if to say, "Told ya so."... and she did. haha.

Yeah, I would like some cheese with my whine. haha.

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My wife used to hate my truck. As I've done more work on it and made it sound better, ride (a little) better and comfy seats... She likes it now. Not love, just like.
We'll take it on local runs or garage sales and it gets a lot of attention. She gets to use her Parade Wave.

A very ambitious project for sure. I think it looks pretty good. perhaps it's not quite what you imagined but kudos for the attempt and write up.

Brian,

Give me a PM with all your engine info. My dad works for Jasper Engines and Transmissions. They are one of the largest rebuild companies in the world.

I will call him with your info and see if they have a drop off near you. They are top notch and won’t mess up your engine.

I've installed Jasper engines, transmissions and transfercases before. Top notch company that stands behind their product. Had one issue with an engine and they took care of it and paid the labor to diagnose and repair it.

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Originally Posted by plumas.placer.miner

Yesterday I asked the company here in Reno that is supposed to be building an engine for me, about the details. I had asked them NOT to RTV the valve cover and oil pan gaskets because I wanted to take them off to paint the engine the way I want.They told me that I cannot remove the valve cover or oil pan during the warranty period or I would void it: 12,000 miles or 12 months.

Last time I asked them to paint the engine for me and they did it wrong and gave me the engine with tacky wet paint on it, which of course got all messed up during the transport home.

So, I asked them for my money back. First, that is a terrible warranty; most online engine re-manufacturers offer 3 years, unlimited miles. Second, if the engine develops a leak or a problem during that time, I would need to go through a whole process whereas they have to inspect it and have to authorize repair at a shop that they run. In other words, buying an inline 6 engine from them for $3750 creates additional problems for me should something go wrong.

They simply lost my trust.

I pointed out that they they gave me reason not to trust them (giving me wrong components on the last engine), for which they admitted and apologized for, but that their warranty is what it is.

So, I asked for my money back and my parts back...covers, bolts etc.

Now I either need to find another engine re-manufacturer or buy a core and do the work myself by farming out the machining: magnaflux, resurfacing, valve grinding and reseating, cleaning, etc.

I am sure I could do it for a lot less than $3700, but how many mistakes would I make? Those cost money too. And then there's the time it will take, and there are some tools I will need to buy.

Ah, the joys of automobile restoration...I don't deserve this much fun. hahaha

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I had a little Abarth back in the '80's that had a really troublesome engine, so I decided on a more modern replacement. Found a classified ad (remember those?) selling many parts, bought them, and started the rebuild process.

Buy the right parts, find a good machinist and a clean space in which to work, be methodical and patient with the proper tools, rebuild your engine.

I raced that engine & never had any problems with it. I had never rebuilt an engine before.

You obviously are mechanically inclined & capable, have a shop and some tools. From what I've read above, you don't have a heluva lot to lose.

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Originally Posted by plumas.placer.miner

Okay, the deal for two running Jeep 258s (1977 and 1979) is going to happen!

$500 each and $273 for freight shipping. Total = $1,273. I'll put the best one in my truck, and I'll rebuild the other in my own good time. Then, when I put the rebuilt one in the truck, I'll have a spare engine for the next time I need to rebuild one. That's the plan anyway, but I have had good plans before...haha.

The adventure continues....the learning curve gets steeper. haha

Tomorrow I am going up to my mining claims with my son and the dogs. I'll post photos. The Quakies (Aspen trees) are turning yellow and gold, so it should be pretty up in the high Sierras.

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I think you're on to a good plan there.

Third time is the charm! Good luck Brian.

Beautiful. I grew up in Maryland and always experienced the seasons. We had our share of snow, our share of humidity and our share of rain.

Now, I live in NE Florida. Yes, it is a lot different. But I always realize that experiencing the fall (or spring, or snow) is only a click away on the Southwest Airlines website. (Rapid Rewards, round trip? $11.20)

Nice pictures of your claim area, good job on the blasting it's going to turn out great.

Nice work. Keep them pic coming and good luck

Excellent! Looks great.

Good job.

Add a hood and that is a sharp looking truck!

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Originally Posted by plumas.placer.miner

I couldn't put the engine in today. There are two sizes of pilot bushings for this engine...the OD is the same on both but the ID is different and I need the Inside Diameter to match the transmission shaft I have. As it turns out, I bought the wrong one last week. Buying it online didn't offer two different choices with measurements, of course.

Bummer...engine install will need to wait until next Friday or Saturday.

I was able to get the new radiator painted. My shop is a mess. Aluminum oxide dust everywhere and parts from here to breakfast. As soon as I get that engine installed and running, I am going to give it a good cleaning.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1083/UuX0x1.jpg

I also painted the bridge weight plate and put on new number decals. I bought them on this site from "Beast". Thanks! I also put in the windshield wipers. I have the perfect grommet size in case anyone wants that info.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/8960/36C2vS.jpg

I also tried on the new canvas cargo cover, which was made by "newlifecanvas.com". Mona did a respectable job, just like she promised.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/300/h3Rb6N.jpg

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Yikes— Power King Grave Diggers! I couldn’t even look at mud without getting my M43 stuck with those.

Seriously, that is a really nice truck. I’d love to see how that runs with that 258.


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Very nice!

Truck looks great! :)
I think the AMC 258 is a good choice for what you are going to do with it.

Wow, I would love to ride along with you offroading through the desert after you have it back together.

Here’s another:

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Shorter walk (that’s a lake bed about 6 mi from Glendo, WY, with the old US 87 roadbed I strayed off of in the immediate background), cheaper tow than yours ($2200?? Holy house cats!!), but I totally understand the predicament.

Congrats! Glad you got it running again. Hope this engine is a good one.

Yes! Good news, thanks for sharing the progress.

Congrats! Hard work AND perseverance paying off!

Good to hear that you have finally been able to get it up and running! Have fun at the parade. I find 2 gear low range is about the perfect speed for a parade so you don't have to use the clutch too much.

Congratulations, you made it! Love the picture, Looks great!

Ol M715 is looking sharp!

Awesome!

One word...

"Excellent!"

Good job, glad it worked out for you to be in the parade.

Thanks for pics...Lots of good work there Brian!

Keep the pics coming brother!

Awesome! Keep up the posts, I’m sure I’m not the only one who tunes in regularly!


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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow, Hope you had a good thanksgiving!

Photoshop it in.

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Originally Posted by plumas.placer.miner

I take everyone else's 20-something millennials and turn them into working professionals in 2 years. If you don't think it's hard...then give it a try! hahaha

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... nope, nope, nope.

You might be able to get away with just having the shop polish the journals and not have to grind. If they're all reading in the .010 zone. maybe..

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Originally Posted by plumas.placer.miner

First coat of primer.

PS-rattle cans suck for this, but I had a whole case of them, so I used it.


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https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/9366/OUL8RH.jpg


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The gallon of 24087 will be here by Friday...I think.


Engine Update:
According to the machine shop, my crankshaft is able to be ground again. The connecting rod journals are within spec for .030 bearings, but the mean bearing journals need to be ground down to .030 under. $185

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Your trigger finger must really be aching.

Looks good enough for the Zombie Apocalypse! Not too shabby.

Definitely looking better...right color now!!

I think your paintwork is perfect for an environment where it's going to get scratched. It looks good. Hell, I'm painting my IH 1310 with a roller-- your camper is Barret-Jackson smooth compared!

When in doubt, shoot another coat. Further scratch protection.

Unless you need the paint for other things.


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