My friend just acquired a Reo Gold Comet that is almost identical to yours. The Vin number is 647666 and is located in upstate NY. In the glove box there were two registrations in bad condition, one said 1963 the other 1962. The wheel base is 182 inches and it has the identical fish plates mounted on the frame. The grill and headlights are the same and the headlights have a small marker light mounted on top. I have many pictures and couldn't find another until I stumbled onto your videos and was very happy to see them. Thanks.
I was in error on the Vin #, it's 547666. The registration is very hard to read but the plate in the glove box has the correct #. It also states the model # E300L. If I could figure out how I'll send some pictures.
It was likely brought into South Africa as a knock down kit and assembled there so the cab and front clip might be Africa specific and different from the u.s.a version steering wheel being on opposite sides and all that its looking good 👍
Great job with the gasket set. I would say that your truck is a 58 or 59 because of the date on the radiator. It’s going to be beautiful in Canary yellow and black. So please don’t mess it up. Will not hurt you to have one pretty painted vehicle. They look so much better with paint on them than that rust/patina crap. But it’s yours so carry on brother.
The cool thing here is I live 30 or so miles from Lansing Michigan or 100 miles from Flint Michigan where that truck was made . Looks like a Johny Cash inspired build . His Cadillac song is great .
This is really one of my favorite channels I really like the ways you can over come normal stuff that will stop most builds and fabricate your own parts that's cool man
Nice job Div. Your Reo was made about the time when white and diamond-t took them over. It appears to be a '59 model with a E model grille fitted - either original or who knows??? Anyway, the KS governor was basically an engine protection device, rather than an engine control device. The single barrel KS governors used on all sorts of 6 cylinder mopar engines and lots of late '40's early '50's 4 cyl Jeeps. They just stopped the engine being over-revved. If you're using it as a spacer, just make sure the vacuum port is plugged, don't want/need any vacuum leaks. Owner operators back in the day often removed the governor entirely for a little more oomph when needed. They also used stepped hoses on the radiator - as you found out, lol.
Awesome firewall and The yellow and black looks great with the electrical components attached very clean. I know your probably going to distress the radiator shell and linseed oil the rest of the truck which is your way of finishing it up A job well done Wayne looks like he knows how to paint too. You guys take care.
Morning diff, I am always amazed at your work, I enjoy seeing you and the barefoot mechanic working on this type of project, you both are amazing and top notch, have a lucka day and the weekend coming up, your friend Brian…
My old Fiat 124 windshield wipers were so slow that I upped the voltage by bending one of the contact arms in the regulator. It really helped, although it would boil the battery dry after a few months 8-)
I have to say that I have a 64 Ford Y-block with the original radiator. The outlet from the radiator is a different diameter that the water pump which is also original. It was a bear to find the right hose to fit. Your solution works!
Search Gold Comet in "Strange Bedfellows, 1964" movie. I believe the RHD export models used a different front end than the North American versions. It probably is a 1959.
Hey Div, the old Rio looking good. If you had realised that the bottom radiator hose fitting was too big, your radiator repair shop could have done the right size in brass. But hey "shoulda, woulda, coulda", you did a great job with what you've got, in true "Rat Rod" spirit. Cheers to your good self and "flash" Wayne, who likes to pretty things up. 👍 👍 🦘🦘🦘🦘.
hi Div. that rather mysterious contraption, thats the governor to stop you from over revving the engine, larger truck like a grain truck or something hauling heavy loads, basically you can put your foot to the floor but the governor will stop a high RPM of the engine from happening, according to google
My first job, after high school, was radiator clean & repair. We used 50/50 solder & domestic gas pushed by compressed air, from the shop compressor. You pulled off a great job but, I was cringing when you used acetylene & oxy. That was a big no-no for me. Well done! 👍,🖖.
1961 Gold Comet Reo seems more like it, but old trucks back then were made of whatever they had sitting around so you will see the same years with different bits.
👍👌👏 In my opinion respectively for my personal kind of taste the yellow paint looks great. Especially in combination with the black paint. Additionally: A car hauling vehicle should be seen well.
Looking good I would say a patina job is on the cards. Good to see your recovering well brother. Might be a trip to Texas in the future for you and your fine lady. 😁🤘🇬🇸
Div, I'm just now able to sit down and catch up on your channel. I just watched the previous episode of the reo. In regards to your distributor cap, if it ever fails you can go coil on plug like a new car. Or, and this is just a thought, 3d print a cap and rotor. I know nothing about 3d printing, but it's an idea. Love the truck. It's cool. Your buddy from the bay!
No more rust in paint we trust! looking good Dif, I'm looking forward to seeing you get back on the Hudson but keep the missus happy and for gods sake get the Renobog finished first or you'll never hear the end of it....haha
Diff, I saw a brochure in this video on youtube, (History of REO Trucks - Truck History Episode 28), That shows the E - series available in round and square fender options for 1962.
Great job, looking excellent when is he painting the rest 😂😅 that yellow will make it faster 😂 or a monky magnet Banana yellow 😂😅 would it be early mack? looks interesting though, thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones, have a Lekka one
Dear Diff and Wayne. 👍👌👏 2) Only minutes in and I already can't resist to comment. I guess that the grill of this wonderful 1959 Reo is younger than the rest of the truck. Simply because of the fact that it's as edgy as the early 1960's model you showed. I think that the original grill (and maybe also the hood/bonnet) had a much rounder design (and maybe even with a bit of bling bling attached to the grill). Similar to the blue 1958 Reo F20 Gold Comet on channel Tinker Tinker on youtube. 3) Now, after watching the complete video, I'm pretty sure that the radiator and grill shell was replaced once with one from a newer truck. Why else should it have a different outlet pipe diameter than the inlet pipe at the engine!? This would also explain why the rubber sealing stripes are still in a good condition. As always: Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and especially health to both of you.
I think his truck is a 59 and it left the factory the way it is. White Motor Co acquired both REO and Diamond and moved them into the same factory and started building trucks for a little while with some shared parts. His truck looks like it was made by the reo division using the same hood sheet metal as the white 4400td and 4200. The big tip off that it's the original hood is the Gold Comet emblem on top. The radiator was likely intended to work with the white motor co diesel truck engines.
Great job! The REO is looking good. Nice radiator fix. Paint it with your black chassis paint on the outside and hope the antifreeze will help keep the inside ok for awhile at least. 👍🏻👍🏻
Under the carbi is a pneumatic governor. The allen key is the adjuster clockwise increases the spring pressure inside and increases the rev limit not sure about the two vacuum ports I have only seen them with one which connects to the intake horn at the top of the carbi. Hope this helps Ozzy Andy
The vacuum ports connect lines to the distributor and the carburetor vacuum. The design is a variation of the classic Hoof Governor units used in the 1930s to 1950s. I was a heavy equipment mechanic repairing 30s to early 60s forklifts for a factory.
I believe that your truck is a 1952, but has a 1960 grill and hood on it. I've looked at a lot of pictures and that is the only way I can figure out how you have what you have. I found a 1952 REO F22RT, which your truck has the same fenders/wings, and for the hood and grill I found them on a 1960 REO C500 or C400 truck.
good work Div and Bare foot mechanic..getting the Reo done...maybe the Reo was an export model from USA and was made up from left over parts ?...like here in Australia with early 1950s Plymouths and Dodges were made of left over parts...we call them Plodges now...hahahaha
Actually looking at all gold comets I could find you may have a one off or possibly rare truck. You are right looks like grill from 1960’s REO and fenders from 50’s REO.Could be a transitional model. Or simply guy who owned truck stuck an early 60’s grill and hood on a 1959 truck because all he could get in South Africa. All kinds of hot rods and muscle cars out there which have different year front ends. Just a thought.
Wow on those gaskets!!!!!!!!
Not difficult, just patience 🙂
Always a good time with you and barefoot Wayne. Diff, I think you have a cross over year when they changed from 58 fenders
Hey, you could fill the radiator with water to the level you need to keep it cool while soldering. Love the videos Div, keep it up!
Not a bad idea!
My friend just acquired a Reo Gold Comet that is almost identical to yours. The Vin number is 647666 and is located in upstate NY. In the glove box there were two registrations in bad condition, one said 1963 the other 1962. The wheel base is 182 inches and it has the identical fish plates mounted on the frame. The grill and headlights are the same and the headlights have a small marker light mounted on top. I have many pictures and couldn't find another until I stumbled onto your videos and was very happy to see them. Thanks.
Thanks for the info, very interesting!
I was in error on the Vin #, it's 547666. The registration is very hard to read but the plate in the glove box has the correct #. It also states the model # E300L. If I could figure out how I'll send some pictures.
@crayz-u1w you could mail me at ratrods4africa@gmail.com. That will be great!
You are spot on with those gaskets Diff.
Thanks!
I like the word “Spanner” better then having to say “open end wrench”. Great video, thanks for sharing.
Paint it would look cool go for it love these old trucks all done up
I think the hood/grill is newer than the fenders and the rest of the truck, very cool I cannot find another one like it.
I agree
Hey! Diff Excellent, that engine bay is looking good. Bright and spiffy(shiny). Well done, gr8 ep. Cheers
That was the correct pronunciation of Racine. Good job on the truck!
Thanks 👍
Wow Div that must have been a very time consuming project making all those gaskets by hand You're a very patient man. Well done! L👍
It was likely brought into South Africa as a knock down kit and assembled there so the cab and front clip might be Africa specific and different from the u.s.a version steering wheel being on opposite sides and all that its looking good 👍
Well done Diff...........
Cool.truck
Another great video Diff. You probably have a tool box full of collectables. Very rare anything made in the USA anymore. Love the truck.
Painting? Yeah ok because I like this yellow black scheme you started under the hood 👌 🇨🇦 👍
Looks like it's gonna go all the way now...😅
The best part of your videos in my opinion is your innovation...it is great!
Thanks!
Wayne is restoring your Rat Rod. Thanks for sharing, well done.
Awesome, I stayed awake for the silver solder lesson. Ha ha, wow, the truck is coming along nicely!
Thanks boet 👍
This truck is awesome,great job!
I'm with Wayne on the yellow firewall... 🙂
Love the yellow makes it stand out 😊
Great job with the gasket set. I would say that your truck is a 58 or 59 because of the date on the radiator. It’s going to be beautiful in Canary yellow and black. So please don’t mess it up. Will not hurt you to have one pretty painted vehicle. They look so much better with paint on them than that rust/patina crap. But it’s yours so carry on brother.
Great job on the cleaning, painting and assembly of the truck. Trucking looking great !
Thanks 👍
Looks to be swapped with mack nose ,awesome looking truck!
The paint looks lacquer man!
😂
Great soldier job! Done a few back when I worked at a radiator shop
I'd say it's an engine brake Diff. Great job on the gaskets mate.
Looks great all shiny yellow. Needs a bit more patina.imo amazing the casting skill in the 1950s for the carb.
Patina will come, but don't tell the shine boys😂
Very clean! Looks great Diff!
Love watching how you make things work. Lekka, man! ❤👍
Thanks! 👍
The cool thing here is I live 30 or so miles from Lansing Michigan or 100 miles from Flint Michigan where that truck was made . Looks like a Johny Cash inspired build . His Cadillac song is great .
You can polarize those old contact relays for positive or negative ground
This is really one of my favorite channels I really like the ways you can over come normal stuff that will stop most builds and fabricate your own parts that's cool man
Thank you!
i love your buddies manic laugh it is infectious 😂😂
Coming along nicely Div and Wayne
Going to look good with that little yellow car on back. NICE WORK both of you.
Awesome engineering as always brother yall have a lekka one and say hi to everyone for me
that old truck is a real classic thx for sharing
Well done again coming along very nice 👍🏼👍🏼🛠🛠
Nice job Div. Your Reo was made about the time when white and diamond-t took them over. It appears to be a '59 model with a E model grille fitted - either original or who knows??? Anyway, the KS governor was basically an engine protection device, rather than an engine control device. The single barrel KS governors used on all sorts of 6 cylinder mopar engines and lots of late '40's early '50's 4 cyl Jeeps. They just stopped the engine being over-revved. If you're using it as a spacer, just make sure the vacuum port is plugged, don't want/need any vacuum leaks. Owner operators back in the day often removed the governor entirely for a little more oomph when needed. They also used stepped hoses on the radiator - as you found out, lol.
Nice work! The black fenders and bumper would look cool sprayed with bed liner.
Diff the 58 is looking bad ass! Well done!
You work well together. Good job.
Thanks 👍
Awesome firewall and The yellow and black looks great with the electrical components attached very clean. I know your probably going to distress the radiator shell and linseed oil the rest of the truck which is your way of finishing it up A job well done Wayne looks like he knows how to paint too. You guys take care.
With Wayne and his yellow spray gun around, who knows what will happen 😅
@ratrodsafrica yeah there's a couple of vehicles to paint yellow lol.or you could talk him into painting your house.Take care brother.
All that shiny paint Diff! You know the Mrs will want hers painted now too! Thanks for the video brother!
Yes, I'm starting to worry about that!😂
Looking good Div!
Your motor mount bolt should . Go through the top and the nut on the on the bottom because if you lose the nut, the bolt won't fall out
It can't fit from the top, I tried. Engine casting in the way
You’re awesome Duff and I really like the Barefoot Mechanic, Wayne!
Thanks!
Racine is a cool town just outside of Milwaukee. Daughter lived there for a while. They used to have many many factories . Now its just a suburb.
I like both styles.
Lekka boet.Yellow is the new black. Thanks for sharing your humor content take care.
Well sense the grill shell is so pretty you might as paint the cab to match it doesn’t hurt to have one nice thing I’m sure.👍🏾
I guess that's gonna happen next now...
That fuel needle looks just like a Briggs and Stratton small engine carb needle !😊
Love how you and your brother get along. Your sense of humor keeps me laughing. Keep up the good work. People of your caliber are few and far between.
Thanks!
Loving this truck!
Morning diff, I am always amazed at your work, I enjoy seeing you and the barefoot mechanic working on this type of project, you both are amazing and top notch, have a lucka day and the weekend coming up, your friend Brian…
Thank you very much!
My old Fiat 124 windshield wipers were so slow that I upped the voltage by bending one of the contact arms in the regulator. It really helped, although it would boil the battery dry after a few months 8-)
Great Skills Diff!! You have great skills.
Thank you!
I have to say that I have a 64 Ford Y-block with the original radiator. The outlet from the radiator is a different diameter that the water pump which is also original. It was a bear to find the right hose to fit. Your solution works!
Why did they do that?😅
The world is full of crazy people. That was the 60s so who knows
Great job 👍 I think the Rad and grill are 58 ,truck might be 56
Rather smart indeed.
I think your truck was special build for the TV series "Rat Patrol". Can't prove it, just made it up. But it could be.
Search Gold Comet in "Strange Bedfellows, 1964" movie. I believe the RHD export models used a different front end than the North American versions. It probably is a 1959.
Hey Div, the old Rio looking good. If you had realised that the bottom radiator hose fitting was too big, your radiator repair shop could have done the right size in brass. But hey "shoulda, woulda, coulda", you did a great job with what you've got, in true "Rat Rod" spirit. Cheers to your good self and "flash" Wayne, who likes to pretty things up. 👍 👍 🦘🦘🦘🦘.
Closest i can find is a 1958 White 2000, square nose grille with rounded fenders, same cab side vents and bodylines but the roofline is slightly off
The plot thickens...😅
And flat black bumper
hi Div. that rather mysterious contraption, thats the governor to stop you from over revving the engine, larger truck like a grain truck or something hauling heavy loads, basically you can put your foot to the floor but the governor will stop a high RPM of the engine from happening, according to google
My first job, after high school, was radiator clean & repair. We used 50/50 solder & domestic gas pushed by compressed air, from the shop compressor. You pulled off a great job but, I was cringing when you used acetylene & oxy. That was a big no-no for me. Well done! 👍,🖖.
Normal propane/butane torch struggle with the silver solder
My Craftsman tools are still made in the USA and we do still have spanners but we call them wrenches
Yes, we make a few tools here in the USA (craftsman- snapon -mack and a few others
1961 Gold Comet Reo seems more like it, but old trucks back then were made of whatever they had sitting around so you will see the same years with different bits.
👍👌👏 In my opinion respectively for my personal kind of taste the yellow paint looks great. Especially in combination with the black paint. Additionally: A car hauling vehicle should be seen well.
Looking good I would say a patina job is on the cards. Good to see your recovering well brother. Might be a trip to Texas in the future for you and your fine lady.
😁🤘🇬🇸
Yeah man, shiny paint causes stress! 😅
@ratrodsafrica same applies to woman
😁🤘🇬🇸
Well done guys. That's an awesome truck. Thank you for sharing. Cannot wait to hear it run.
Us too!🙂
More awesome work, Div (that's how you spell your name, right)! I really like the yellow!
Thanks! Yes, that's how we spell it🙂
Div, I'm just now able to sit down and catch up on your channel. I just watched the previous episode of the reo. In regards to your distributor cap, if it ever fails you can go coil on plug like a new car. Or, and this is just a thought, 3d print a cap and rotor. I know nothing about 3d printing, but it's an idea. Love the truck. It's cool. Your buddy from the bay!
Hey Mr Datsun!I know less than nothing about 3D printing!😅
Wayne is high maintenance...lol....looks good brother
The slippery slope of sanding and painting Lekka Div
Blame it on frigging Wayne! 😅
No more rust in paint we trust! looking good Dif, I'm looking forward to seeing you get back on the Hudson but keep the missus happy and for gods sake get the Renobog finished first or you'll never hear the end of it....haha
Yeah, I'm gonna be in trouble with the Renobug...😅
Probably would look good painted seeing that it’s one of a kind then distressed to look old, (patina )that’s what they say in the states
That's the plan!
The gaskets looked like they came out of the factory.There was a lot of different tool makers in the U S A.
Diff, I saw a brochure in this video on youtube, (History of REO Trucks - Truck History Episode 28), That shows the E - series available in round and square fender options for 1962.
That's interesting.
Great job, looking excellent when is he painting the rest 😂😅 that yellow will make it faster 😂 or a monky magnet Banana yellow 😂😅 would it be early mack? looks interesting though, thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones, have a Lekka one
I bet it is going to be pretty slow, so if the yellow paint can make it faster, it will be great 😂
Dear Diff and Wayne.
👍👌👏 2) Only minutes in and I already can't resist to comment. I guess that the grill of this wonderful 1959 Reo is younger than the rest of the truck. Simply because of the fact that it's as edgy as the early 1960's model you showed. I think that the original grill (and maybe also the hood/bonnet) had a much rounder design (and maybe even with a bit of bling bling attached to the grill). Similar to the blue 1958 Reo F20 Gold Comet on channel Tinker Tinker on youtube.
3) Now, after watching the complete video, I'm pretty sure that the radiator and grill shell was replaced once with one from a newer truck. Why else should it have a different outlet pipe diameter than the inlet pipe at the engine!? This would also explain why the rubber sealing stripes are still in a good condition.
As always: Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards luck and especially health to both of you.
I think his truck is a 59 and it left the factory the way it is. White Motor Co acquired both REO and Diamond and moved them into the same factory and started building trucks for a little while with some shared parts. His truck looks like it was made by the reo division using the same hood sheet metal as the white 4400td and 4200. The big tip off that it's the original hood is the Gold Comet emblem on top. The radiator was likely intended to work with the white motor co diesel truck engines.
That's a great answer @tinker-tinker!
Great job! The REO is looking good. Nice radiator fix. Paint it with your black chassis paint on the outside and hope the antifreeze will help keep the inside ok for awhile at least. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks. I think proper antifreeze will make it go a long way
Those carby floats look like a passive smoker's lungs Diff, love the yellow.
😂👍
All looks fine the last bit i did like this leaked so ended up turning a reducer junction on a friends lath. That’s on a 30s bitser.
We will see if it leaks😅
The day you start it and you suspect carburetor problems, take it apart.
Boil it in lemon juice for 20 minutes.
Works just like an ultrasonic cleaner.
That's interesting!
Under the carbi is a pneumatic governor. The allen key is the adjuster clockwise increases the spring pressure inside and increases the rev limit not sure about the two vacuum ports I have only seen them with one which connects to the intake horn at the top of the carbi.
Hope this helps
Ozzy Andy
The vacuum ports connect lines to the distributor and the carburetor vacuum. The design is a variation of the classic Hoof Governor units used in the 1930s to 1950s. I was a heavy equipment mechanic repairing 30s to early 60s forklifts for a factory.
@buddcochran4726 that is where I have seen these governor. I am also a Forklift mechanic they are still used today
There are no connection lines and the dizzy doesn't have a vacuum advance 🤔
I believe that your truck is a 1952, but has a 1960 grill and hood on it. I've looked at a lot of pictures and that is the only way I can figure out how you have what you have. I found a 1952 REO F22RT, which your truck has the same fenders/wings, and for the hood and grill I found them on a 1960 REO C500 or C400 truck.
Could that explain the miss match with the radiator hose ??
@@tjm3900 Could be, old engine, newer Rad.
I agree that hood and grill is 60 or later
The paint distresses.
Diff, in Australia, we call that yellow a caterpillar overhaul.😂😂😂
😁
Very nice job Diff
Thanks 👍
We found photo of 58 Diamond\REO dump truck very similar if helps ! Here in us there are some diamond reos
Little Bastard, I thought you were going to say "bliksem"😂
😂
good work Div and Bare foot mechanic..getting the Reo done...maybe the Reo was an export model from USA and was made up from left over parts ?...like here in Australia with early 1950s Plymouths and Dodges were made of left over parts...we call them Plodges now...hahahaha
Maybe?
Actually looking at all gold comets I could find you may have a one off or possibly rare truck. You are right looks like grill from 1960’s REO and fenders from 50’s REO.Could be a transitional model. Or simply guy who owned truck stuck an early 60’s grill and hood on a 1959 truck because all he could get in South Africa. All kinds of hot rods and muscle cars out there which have different year front ends. Just a thought.
It could be a mix of parts but find it hard to believe that it can be a non factory modification. Everything fits properly and no sign of mod
Looking great 👍👍
Go to your plumbing company and get brass or copper fittings too get reducer
They don't have fittings that size. And it's done now 🙂
Always a rabbit in the hat Boet and Wayne.
Nice, im sure youll make it all match