Next steps besides the trim work will be to correct some bracing issues inside to the satisfaction of the inspectors, then install the other garage door opener, then get cracking on the ceiling electrical for the lighting and the ceiling itself so that we can insulate it before winter.  THEN we can work on Cornelia in "relative" comfort :-)

Then I'll need to get the electrical in the side walls and insulate them as well, but I'm not sure I'll get that far... we'll certainly try.  I'm just happy to have completed the siding by myself (for the most part - Susan and the boys washed it for me last weekend) over the past three weeks while also doing my web design.

With respect to Cornelia, things are on hold a bit, not just due to the garage, but due to funds.  The exhaust is falling off Woody, the '96 F-250 and I need to replace the entire system from the manifold back, which won't be cheap.  I hope to have that done next week.  Then we're going to take Woody to Indiana to buy a rebuilt motor for Cornelia and take Cornelia's current motor out and set it aside for a proper rebuild while we have something to drive.  Does that make sense?  I hope so - the point is that I want Susan to experience this truck a little before we really start to take her apart for the restoration...

We found Corny in a farmer's field between Madison and Sauk City and I thought it would be exciting to see the first vehicle I ever owned and drove, but it actually put me in a bit of a melancholy mood after seeing the old truck.  Nonetheless, I'm glad we found it, because the purpose for hunting him down was to see if I could get a part or two from Corny to incorporate into the restoration of Cornelia.

We're going to do a bit of horse-trading with the farmer, and I'll see if I can get the rear-view mirror and trouble light, along with possibly a radiator from another truck (he has several R-Series!) - so in the end, this is an exciting discovery that could lead to some valuable parts.

With respect to Cornelia's engine, I'm still stuck, but I want to thank those of you who wrote in with your thoughts and suggestions - especially Jim.  I have some good news though - I have a lead on a rebuilt Silver Diamond 220 engine in Indiana for a very low price, so Susan and I are thinking of pulling this motor and saving it for a proper rebuild as opposed to potentially scoring the cylinder walls by getting it going with a rusty cylinder.  We'll plop in the rebuilt motor so that we can continue on our quest to drive the truck a bit before tearing it down for the actual restoration.  Anyway - that's the thinking for now.  In preparation, I am spraying the front end sheetmetal parts with PB Blaster so that we can remove the grille and fenders to afford enough room for engine removal.

Things still aren't progressing with the engine either - still no movement.  I guess it still needs to soak for a while yet, but I was hoping to at least see a LITTLE movement by now...

I've also removed the starter and generator - I found a vendor on eBay that sells rebuilt units and I sent them some photos.  We'll see what they come up with for a match (IF they come up with a match).

These are the setbacks on an old vehicle. :-(

So, we were off to a great start, and with the radiator out of the way, I thought I'd put a 1-5/8" socket on the crank nut and try to turn the engine over... No luck whatsoever.  It is tighter than... Well, you can insert your own phrase.  I then removed the starter and generator to see if they might be hanging things up, but no dice.  My father-in-law, Norm, had a great idea and suggested pouring in some Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinders, so that's what I did today.  I also pulled the valve cover off and poured some over the valve train.  So we'll let the oil soak for the next seven days and try to turn the engine again.

I'll keep you posted.

(You can click on the photos to view higher resolution versions).

Between my notes, the manual and the pages from the International Harvester Truck Service Manual, you have everything you need to tear down and rebuild a Carter Model YF 735A carburetor.  I can also highly recommend a source for a rebuild kit.  I only wish I could confirm a proper rebuild by popping it on the manifold and firing up the truck, but unfortunately we're still quite a way from that day... So, we move on to the next step, which will be the fuel pump.  Look for posts and information on that subject soon!

In the meantime, you can read up on the rebuild by going to the Truck Facts section, then clicking on "Rebuild the Carter YF Carburetor".  I hope it helps!

I also talked to them about the potential impacts of ethanol fuel.  They stated that they use leather accelerator diaphrams for their accelerator pumps, so they will be impervious to the detrimental effects of ethanol, which will degrade rubber.  They also have some additional information on adjusting your carburetor for using ethanol blended fuels, which I intend to read over very carefully.

I've updated Cornelia's Start-Up list accordingly.  We're on our way :-)

Anyway, I managed to find that elusive model number!  It turns out upon cleaning and close examination that the Carter YF on Cornelia is a model 735A, which now allows me to order that rebuild kit and get cracking on the rebuild itself.

If you click HERE, I have a photo showing exactly where to look on the carburetor to find the model number in case you are as clueless as I was ;-)

I'm going to try to order the rebuild kit from The Carburetor Shop out of Eldon, Missouri.  They have the most complete list of rebuild kits for the Carter carbs that I've come across.  I'll let you know how it goes...  Once the rebuild kit comes in, I'll set up a new page where you can follow along the rebuild of the carburetor itself.