1st start in 35 years

Yep, just make sure there isn't anything flammable near the outlet, a fire ext wouldn't be a bad idea.

Ear plugs might not hurt either.

Just curious what you found out.

Just got in from the shop. Clogged exhaust. Good news! Guess I should have known from the beginning the exhaust should come off since it had something nesting in it. Purrs like a kitten. I giggled like a school kid.

That is awesome. To be honest I kind of had my doubts but glad it was an easy fix. Good work.

Symptoms reported were classic for a plugged exhaust.

A friend of mine was trying to start an old truck one time, it chuffed and puffed and then all of a sudden blew a nest of live mice out the tail pipe!

nrowles, Good news on your engine. You must have completed your wiring if you are up and running. What fuel pump did you end up going with? I read on another forum that you were having fuel issues earlier. I used a Carter available RockAuto on mine. Seems to work as intended. SD240
have fun
Dennis

nrowles, Good news on your engine. You must have completed your wiring if you are up and running. What fuel pump did you end up going with? I read on another forum that you were having fuel issues earlier. I used a Carter available RockAuto on mine. Seems to work as intended. SD240
have fun
Dennis

Yep good news.

All of the wiring is routed to where it goes but a lot of it still needs connected and I had to buy some new lights and etc.

Good news on the fuel front as well. When I dropped the fuel tank right after I brought it home I remember blowing air through the fuel lines. Apparently that wasn't enough as the one piece of line was about 50% clogged. Replaced the line and now the new aftermarket mechanical fuel pump is working.

The only other major issue I'm aware of at the moment is there is a lot of water coming out at the water pump and I don't know yet if it's the pump or the seal.

That's good on your success so far. My wiring is complete except the light wiring is not connected to anything yet. Still working on fenders and sheet metal.
On your water pump. No sure how bad it is leaking. Probably the seal which I think is a shaft/seal assembly type thing but give it some run time. After sitting for years the seals dry out and may quit leaking in time. The water pump was about the only thing I didn't repair on my engine and sure enough it leaked. But, after about four hours running the leak quit and all is good, at least for now.
Carry on and no stress, it's suppose to be fun.
Dennis