Scout Rebuild
Note: This page hasn't been updated since 8/98,
and probably won't be in the near future
The purpose of this page is to document my rebuild project of my 1978
International Harvester Super Scout II. Its mostly for my own records, but
I'm putting it on the web in case any other Scout enthusiasts are
interested...
This page will be under construction as long as the Scout is. See the
Status page to find out exactly where I am
in the rebuild right now, and keep checking back if you're interested in
the progress.
Also, some of these plans are flexible, if you have any feedback,
warnings, or suggestions, please
send me mail.
"Skip that, show me the pics"
-->
My notes on prices ...
Questions
Here are a bunch of questions I have about this
project. Take a look and send me any
thoughts...
Overview
In a nutshell, my plan is to
- strip the original body (done)
- pull the engine, have it rebuilt (done)
- remove the body (done)
- remove axles, suspension and transmission from the frame (done)
- sandblast, reinforce, and paint the frame (done)
- re-install axles, suspension, and transmission (rebuilding only
what's needed) (done)
- put a new fiberglass tub (body) on the frame (done)
- rewire the entire truck (done)
- put the engine back (done)
Check out the Status page to see what's left.
Details
These sections include my original plans, with updates added as stuff gets
done. They read a little rough, but provide (me with) a good history.
Starting Point
Here is some history on this truck.
The truck is a 1978 Super Scout II.
It has a IH 304 V8, an automatic transmission, and a 2-speed
transfer case.Here's the original
line setting ticket.
Engine
I decided to have someone else rebuild the engine.
I'd like to do it myself, but I also want this project to be
done sometime soon. I'm using a local
company/garage which is supposed be pretty good, reasonably
priced, and give a good warranty.
I'm planning to go pretty stock on the whole thing. But, I
might make a few mods. For example, I might try to find some
hardened valves, seats, etc (Giddum' Up Scout had a cylinder
heads for the 304 V8 complete w/ hardened
stellite valves, guides and seats for $200 in their '95 catalog,
but I think these might have been special, one-time deals), and
I'll probably use a non-IH electronic ignition module, since
I've heard about so many problems with the IH version.
The engine rebuild is done, and the engine is in!
Click here for unpainted pics...
Click here for other pics...
If anyone has any suggestions for other reasonable mods, please
send me mail.
Complete fiber-glass. I got a tub, fenders, hood and windshield frame
from Kentrol Inc.
For details...
Transmission
Inspect, and clean it up, but not planning to open it up.
I cleaned it up, painted it, and put it back in. Only thing that got replaced
was the parking/reverse switch.
Transfer Case
Inspect, and clean it up, but not planning to open it up.
Replaced the 4WD indicator switch.
Axles
Just basic stuff, sandblast (done), paint (done), and repack bearings, etc.
Frame
Sandblast, and reinforce. Right now I'm planning on adding a plate
for the steering box, and anything else that shows up.
OLD: A friend is suggested powder-coating the frame. I don't know much
about powder-coating, but he had some rims done that came out
great, and the stuff is supposed to be really tough. No
idea what it will cost, though.
I decided against the powder coating for a few reasons... My frame is in
great shape, very little rust. With some good paint it should last for
quite a while longer, so the powder-coat doesn't seem necessary. Painting
is cheaper. And I don't have to haul the frame anywhere.
The frame is done, it came out pretty well,
here are some pics.
Brakes
Everything was replaced (except for the master cylinder, which seems
to be in good shape, and the lines) when I got the truck, so I have no
major plans for the brakes.
A friend is trying to talk me into braided stainless, I may look into that
after I get it on the road (sooner if I need to replace brake lines).
I did end up putting all new (hard) lines in. See the
Status page
( 9/28/96,
10/2/96,
10/5/96,
10/6/96,
10/10/96)
for details.
Exhaust
Nothing major planned here, I'll have to see what things look like
when I get there.
I got there. Pipes were a little rusty, but that's about it. I quickly
blasted them, and shot them up with high-temp paint. It will probably only
last a week, but it looks good for now....
I sprung for a set of Stan's Headers.
Electrical System
I'm gonna re-wire/replace as necessary. Some electrical things never
worked on my Scout since I got it (the oil pressure & temp gauges, and the
gas gauge only worked sometimes). So I'm gonna check out the wiring harness
piece-by-piece, and replace what's needed.
So far, the headlight harness looks pretty good. I replaced the firewall
connector on this about a year ago.
Jeremiah B. gave me a line on a source for aftermarket wiring harness stuff
for Scouts (I haven't looked into this yet).
"Complete Chassis Harness designed with the do it your selfer in mind...
includes a fuse block and all necessary circuits" from Painless Wiring
1-800-423-9696.
Also need to figure out how to ground everything.
The stuff from Painless Wiring was around $300, and it consisted of a fuse
box, which a bunch of wires coming out. No connectors on the ends, and
nothing Scout specific. Didn't sound to "painless" to me (especially for
$300) so I passed.
I started reconditioning the wiring harness myself (see the
Status page for nity-grity details). I basically
unwrapped all the electrical tape, checked all the wires, repaired where
needed, and cleaned & tightend all connectors. Then re-wrapped the entire
harness(es) with fresh electrical tape.
I now know the harness well enough (thanks to my factory manual complete w/
schematics) that I should be able to diagonse any electrical problems with
ease :-)
Interior
I'm planning to
"Rhino-Coat" the interior. I also need new front seats eventually, rear
may be salvagable.
Done. There are some (rough) pics on the pics page. I
also found some decent seats in a junkyard, a full set (2 front buckets, and
a rear bench) for $75.
Copyright © Caesar Naples 1996, 1997.
Modified on
