Paul recently approached me (aka scoutdude) about a new feature here at the Curbside. The plan is that I and your fellow readers will be answering your automotive questions, no matter clueless or clued-in. We’re open to most questions of an automotive nature, but leaning of course to cars that qualify as Curbside Classics. E-mail your questions to curbsideclueless@gmail.com. It doesn’t matter if it’s “I’ve got a ‘xx Bro-ham deluxe and the “_______” isn’t working, to selecting the right Curbside Classic for you, to how does “______” work?
For our readers down under, across the pond, or anywhere else on the planet keep in mind I’m in the US or A, so my experience is biased by that. So for questions outside of my comfort zone and experience, we’ll be looking to you, our readers and your experience. Speaking of experience I’ve been doing the mechanic gig for over 25 years, interrupted by a short climb up the corporate ladder. As for comments, we encourage you to respond too, whether it’s a “yup I agree” or “are you mad?, you’re totally wrong”. Sometimes, there’s just no one single right answer. For a number of years I’ve been active on some of the IH forums where I’ve successfully talked a number of people through diagnosing, repairing, and/or modernizing gauges, lighting, ignition, charging and starting systems. We’ll do the best we can.
Stepping on my soap box for a second: Much like Paul, I have my “busy” season I am very active in the organization known as FIRST. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology is a US based organization that uses robotics competitions to inspire kids aged 6-18 to pursue education and careers in Math, Science and Technology, by providing hands on experience working with industry professionals from many disciplines. I am a mentor for the team at my children’s High School where we compete in the FRC league.
Our season starts Jan 7th and the build season runs for an intense 45 days. During that time we work 6 and sometimes 7 days per week. Once build season ends, things slow down slightly as we enter the competition season. I encourage every one to check out www.usfirst.org for more information, even you readers from outside the US, as there are teams all around the world. At regional events we’ve met teams from Turkey, Mexico and Canada. The 2011 world championships were attended by teams from 29 countries. Stepping down from my soap box.
So during the build season, Curbside Clueless posts won’t likely come quite as often as other times of the year.
If you have questions about your particular CC be sure to include relevant details such as yr, engine, trans, other problems that could in one way or another be related. Pictures of said CC of course are encouraged.
BTW, the Scout pictured is my ’73 Cab Top now sporting a 345 and 4sp driving all wheels. The Travelall a ’72 1010 with a Megasquirt’ed 392 that’s backed by the legendary Torqueflite 727. OK, bring them on:
curbsideclueless@gmail.com
Although not a question about a car problem, a summary of how you integrated Megasquirt into the Travelall would be interesting. Especially to those of us who have looked at doing so, but have never gotten around to it for one reason or another (cost, complexity).
Agreed!
I would like to know all about your Megasquirt installation. I have built a MS and tested it with the Megastim, but never got around to pulling together the rest of the components to install on my engine.
Doing a article on options to, and the basics of how to, FI your CC is definitely on my list. However you’ll have to be patient as to do it right will likely take a couple of installments and I don’t think that I’ll have time to do it justice until after the build season at the earliest.
By the way, great idea and thanks for doing it!
I didn’t know International made a four door, suburban-like Scout! Very nice indeed! That foglights below the bumper must’ve scraped pavement rather regularly.
Thanks,
Like the Suburban the Travelall is based off the full size truck platform and it actually beat the Suburban to the 4dr version by over a decade.
Those Fog lights are actually mounted in holes in the bumper designed just for them and they are modern production versions of ones in the genuine IH Neccessories catalogs from back in the 60’s till today.
However mine is the 1010, a version that today we would say was aimed at the “personal use” market and is a 1/2 ton 2wd torsion bar IFS. Out of the factory it sat much lower than the 1110 “commercial market” buggy springs and 2wd I-beam front axle.
Since the torsion bars are easily adjusted to change the ride height I dropped it until I liked the rake. Which yes makes it so low that I’ve whacked the fog lights more than once.
We got a question that I think may be on many peoples mind so I’ll answer it here.
“How similar (or dissimilar) is this column going to be to piston slap on TTAC?”
When Paul approached me about this he did mention doing something “ala” PS, so that certainly is the inspiration for this feature.
How it will be similar.
We will answer automotive questions like they do. The Panther Love is strong with me too.
How I think it will be dissimilar.
I think the questions here will be of a different nature, as I expect them to be relating to vehicles worthy of the name Curbside Classic rather than late models. Not ruling out questions pertaining to new vehicles and technology though.
As I can I’d also love to do articles like the aforementioned converting a CC to FI, or things like choosing, reviving, maintaining, repairing, and upgrading a CC. Maybe even some articles on the evolution of automotive technology.
Truth be told I don’t know much more than that and a lot of what goes on under the Curbside Clueless banner will depend on what you the readers want.
This column sounds like an excellent idea! It also sounds like the right place to get some feedback on a crazy idea I’ve been toying with for some years. You could call it the Coast-to-Coast Classic (CCC).
As some of you may have seen form my posts, I am based in Europe, Switzerland to be precise. However, my wife and I have quite a few friends and relatives in various places in the US, notably Oregon, Los Angeles, Arizona, Texas (DFW area) and NYC and have long-standing plans to visit them all. Also, we’d like to take our kids (currently aged 5 and 6) along and stop in Orlando and other kid-friendly places along the way.
Now to the CCC part of this pipe dream. Any sane person would probably tell me to fly and rent cars locally but I have a different idea: I’d like to buy a nice, solid CC on the West Coast and drive it all the way to NYC (possibly even up to Maine) on as many scenic routes as possible and, before returning home, leave my now CCC in the hands of an East Coast enthusiast.
Must-haves of the prospective CCC: Good reliability and low-cost fixability even in remote areas, seating for four in comfort for long-distance traveling, AC or the equivalent in fresh air, sufficient trunk space, good visibility from all seats, purchase price of max. $6000, distinctive/popular enough to be re-sold easily and quickly on the East Coast.
Nice to have: Memorable driving experience, V8 grunt or equivalent, decent full economy, rear seat belts.
What’s the collective wisdom on this? Which car should I choose? is it doable at all? Can I get a car registered and insured in my name as a foreign resident?
Ask and ye shall receive. http://wp.me/p1maKU-5lh
Eric
I just found your new site and I think this a great idea! I have followed you on the binder sites and always read your replies so I might gain little a knowledge from your vast experience! I’ll be tuned in foesure!! Thanks again for everything you do. Here is my 1976 Terra and I’ll also include a picture of my 1949 KB1 I did several years ago. Also one of my Cub Tractor just for fun.
Here’s the next picture:
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