Ok AutoBoard.....

I finally broke down and bought a project car.
The first car I learned how to drive was a 1964 Scout 80 that my Dad had. I knew that I would someday get one, and today I came across one that I couldn't pass up.

Enter me buying a 1970 International Scout 800b 4x4!
For the most part the car is in ok condition. It has the typical body rust issues and needs to have the bed replaced. Engine and small parts are in working order. There are some dents and dings so body work will need to be done.

I came here to ask for any leads on somebody that can help me with this project, ideally anyone that is familiar with Scouts. Ideally I would like to restore it to as close to original as I can.
I like to think I'm pretty handy and can do a lot, but the talent of working on cars (body work etc) is just not one I possess.
I am located in Midland, but would be willing to haul the truck somewhere.

Thanks in advance for any help yall have!

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What is your budget? Restorations aren't cheap. Could save a bit if money if you farm out the difficult jobs like blasting and body work.
Nice scout though!

To be honest I'm not sure... That's not to say I have a blank check for the project, because that's not the case at all.

I am not looking for a Grade A show car, I just want it to be reliable daily driver. If it has some imperfections here and there that's ok, it's a 50 year old car. The big items that need attention are re-wiring, body work, paint, replace some rusted out floor panels, and door/window gaskets replaced.

This project may take me 5 years to complete or maybe 10! But I'm not looking to flip the truck for a profit. It's mine and will be for a very long time!

Consider a post pre-purchase inspection. Have a mechanic give it a complete once-over, including a compression test, snd serve you up the menu of things to work on... and in order of importance. Shouldn't be more than a couple of bills or so. That'll be your launching point... the roadmap for the next 5-10 years.

Have fun!

Can't help but just wanted to say I love those and can't wait to see it done with the top off.

Find a car you consider a safe, reliable driver. Use its cost as a starting budget to make the scout a safe and reliable driver.

Scout? Looks good, but make sure your tetanus shots are up to date!

Ha yes tetanus is up to date! I think I was lucky enough to find a good source relatively close to Midland that restores Scouts. So that's a plus!

How many cousins do you have?

Bro...





What do you wanna know? Mine is a '63 model 80. But not too much different between an 80 and 800.



My first advice is general toy car project related : Don't blow the thing apart day 1. You say the "engine and small parts are in working order", does this mean it runs and drives? If so, drive it around a bit first, even if only around the pasture. Even if it isn't driving yet, it can't be far off from it. Enjoy it some before going too deep. And even then, try to do projects that take the car out of commission for limited amounts of time. Much more enjoyable than 5 years without any play time (and easier to stay motivated).

Scout advice:

• These things are a simple as it gets. More simple than a Jeep. You say your handy, but not with cars, I would try a few small tasks first. I can almost guarantee that you will be able to do the majority of the work. Fanciest thing on it is the dual fuel tanks.
• Forums - Binder Planet, Binder Bench looks to no longer exist, Pirate 4x4. (Pirate 4x4 is pretty hardcore offroad. Some times the guys can not be very welcoming. BUT they are BY FAR some of the most knowledgeable and skilled guys on a website. The International Harvester side is a little nicer, but if you just lurk around that site, you will for sure learn a lot.)
• Parts Stores - Google "International Scout parts" the first 6 or so sites are good for odd ball Scout stuff. NAPA has been good for me, their computer may not pull something up but they usually can match part numbers off the actual part and find it that way. The scout sites can be expensive. EBay is usually strong with the Scout parts. I've had good luck on Craigslist.

What motor/trans/t-case do you have?

Original axles and all?


I'd love to help in anyway I can. email texas(username)@gmail.com if you ever need.

Scouts have a club just like Corvettes and Jeeps. Just Scouts are more cool. Never call it a Jeep and NEVER, EVER call it a Bronco (Scouts came first, Bronco is just a copy-cat).

Cool old Scout! I agree with LocoGringo - get it running/stopping safely, then go from there.

Not sure how familiar you are with the current "patina" trend on older vehicles, but your Scout is a great candidate. If it were me, I'd try to straighten some of the bigger dents, stop the surface rust from spreading, buff the old paint, and enjoy driving it with the character it has now.

As someone who once jumped too deep into a project and abandoned/parted it out...I agree with everything above.

Make it mechanically sound and operationally safe...enjoy it!

Thanks for the info! It does run and drive right now. It needs some work on the wiring side so that will be one of the first tasks. But as it sits right now, I can drive it around in the pasture (not at night, because I have no lights!) and have fun with it.

I'm familiar with some of the parts websites that you mentioned, but I will for sure check out Pirate 4x4.
I ordered a setting line ticket so I can verify if what I have is all original. As far as I can tell it's all original motor, axels etc. with the exception that somebody at some point put a set of glass packs on it!

I'm pretty sure the duel fuel tank transfer switch is stuck on the left tank, so i'll need to check out the right side and see what condition that tank is in.

I'm pumped and will post some more pictures as I go. This weekends task is to clean out the interior and inspect it closer and really see what I have.

As far as the paint and body it needs to get some dents and rust repaired and under control. I'm not big on the patina'd look, I would prefer to go back and repaint it the original red/orange color. The white stripes will probably go as well, those aren't original and whoever taped them off when they were painted must have been drunk. They aren't straight at all!

All in all, i'm excited. This is a childhood memory coming back to life!

Awesome! That looks like it is in good shape.

I have a 1964 Scout 80 I have been working on for three years or so. I have had it where I am comfortable running around in it for over a year.

If you are going to do it all yourself break it down by systems/groups.

If it hasn't been running regularly in the past couple of years, pull the fuel filter, if it's nasty, you should drop the tanks & look at them. Might need to refurbish or replace them. Get a timing light, read up on how to set the time. Replace points, condenser, coil, spark plugs, wires, cap & rotor. Drain & fill all your fluids. Replace or repack wheel bearings & give it a brake job. Those wheel cylinders can be bored out & reused. You may be surprised at the electrical. Pretty much everything in mine was in decent condition. I have only replaced ghetto rigged connectors or wiring.

Most parts I have been able to find at local auto parts stores. NAPA & CarQuest has had the most stuff in stock. A few items I had to get from ihpartsamerica.

Are you doing a full body off restoration? If so, get the body off & to a body shop to make it pretty while you do all the mechanical things yourself.

Main thing is once you get it driving...drive it! Don't let it sit. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Sooo....where we at?

I don't have time yet to play with (work on) my Scout, so I need to live vicariously through you.

Somehow I just now saw your reply....talk about a late reply. I can say that I haven't made any groundbreaking progress. I have been crazy busy as of late, however I did make sense of the wiring mess, and was able to temporarily wire it to so I could start it. That was a success and the engine turns over and idles ok. It's progress!

TxAG-010 said:

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I can say that I haven't made any groundbreaking progress. I have been crazy busy as of late

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I feel that's par for the course on vehicle projects. Good deal on getting it going, its fun to play with them before taking them out of commission for longer periods.

Keep us posted us you make progress.