Rob

If I were the seller I wouldn't let a couple hundred in batteries be a deal breaker. Rob

I seen that a while back. Gonna be time and money heavy if it's not exactly what one is looking for....... Rob

If it were me just starting out and wanting to build a "hot rod" truck, I'd go with a 300+ Mack engine, "Maxitorqe" trans, and "Mack" rears. These will all readily fit into a B model cab with minimal modifications. This combination is as bulletproof as an anvil. Rob

Give them a call, they will make anything you need. Double frames are no more difficult than a single, just more expensive. Rob

Gonna overlap the existing stubs by about 17" which is up to the "splay" of the original frame. A section of the original frame, (not the cutoff replacement) will then become a "glove" to extend the strength and stress points of the assembly rearward. I don't want this to break under winching stress. Here are the stubs I'll be going over: The original frame was cracked, and bent from being overstressed so it is only good in small sections. I'm making the truck about two feet longer than originally was. Rob

"Don't argue with a female; Dicker" was one I had on my truck for years. Rob

Just remember; light even coats, especially in small areas where blemishes are more difficult to hide. Rob

We are receiveing a couple inches tomorrow, and it's getting cold here now. Mid 50's just last week too. Prolly will be glad I waited. Brush fires affect you guys any? Rob

Fly out, personally inspect the unit if uncomfortable with sight unseen purchase. I think the condition of the unit is known and the guy is not purposely hiding anything. Be advised it will not be a "gravy train" restoration. Rob

Doubt the fifth wheel is still installed. I worked at a place and we fabricated those beds. Conversion of tractors to toters was a very common practice but the fifth wheels were removed. Would be easy to go back to a tractor however as all the tractor functions remained. Rob

If your pistons require the "keystone" style rings, you will be hard pressed, (and expensive) to locate. I would go with a more modern style piston/liner combination and cut the head for a fire ring if not already done. Rob

Sometimes it is the simplest of things that matter so much. Rob

Should take the cold start alright athough I don't like to be above 600rpm until smoothed out. I'd replace the immersion heater as you are putting a lot of strain on the starter motor and batteries along with the interconnecting wiring. Rob

The Mack frame rails are shipping tomorrow morning. Excellent service with very fast turn around. Here is the final dimensions and they will wrap over the existing frame stubs. Sketch_A_AutoAffairMac1.pdf Rob

I've had trucks shipped to my place using "uship.com" several times. You can get some reasonable quotes as this truck would make a great backhaul, or partial for someone. If you can get it to my place, I can store it till you can come get it. There are four other trucks awaiting pickup here now from their owners. I'm 20 miles west of Peoria, IL. Rob

You are correct in your assumption with the "fill". What I mean by pulling the tape against itself is: Do not pull the tape away from the paint at a 90 degree angle. Imagine how you applied the tape, pull it off in reverse of the way you applied it. You need a very sharp break point when fracturing the paint film surface. I typically pull the tape back by grasping the tape between my index finger and thumb, and while "dragging" any other finger on the tape that is adhered to the surface, slowly, and steadily pull it back off. This offers a sharp break line between the paint that is on the tape, and the surface rendering a very sharp cut off. Rob

On something that small you are probably going to have a problem with the "step" from the striping color as you are actually adding film build to the base color. I cannot tell you the best way on a small area but the way I do it with automobiles and trucks is to lay the base color, then mask off for striping colors with a vinyl tape called "fine line stiping tape". This is a plastic tape and bends/contours easily to curves. You then mask off the base color where you do not want the stripe color and spray. After this stripe color sets up, pull the tape free against itself to avoid a jagged edge. You now have more paint film thickness in your stripe area than the base color area so the "step" exists. Clearcoat the complete panel or assembly with three coats in the stripe area, and two full coats, (usually) over the complete panel. This is to allow adequate clear coat film build to be color sanded off, and level the surface. I then buff to shine. Again, I don't know about a small area such as you are working but the theory should be the same. Rob

I would start a listing on websites such as you have starting at about $1800.00. The "worth", or "value" of the truck will be determined by the parties interested in the purchase. Be prepared to realize substantially less than your initial asking price of $6000.00 via TruckPaper.com listing. Rob

I have a 1978 RL755LST with a 1693TA Cat engine that is original to the tractor.Rob

Looked just like this except the rims were white instead of silver, and the grille was orange. http://www.drapertractorparts.com/modelDetail.asp?partsModelID=164&partsMakeID=15&partsTypeID=1 Rob

Let's try this: huahuahua.wmv

I'll be damned. I'd never thought about that. I'll see if I can get it fixed to work independent. Rob

You could do that but it is a lot of work. The truck would need taken completely apart and all crossmembers removed to separate the rails from each other and that is a rough job. The rust buildup is like welding them together. When you do get them apart you have to figure that rust came from someplace and it will be readily evident when you look at the pitting and degredation to the rails themselves. One is much better off to rerail, or section a truck and properly treat the members before putting them together. While it is only my opinion for what it is worth, this truck is misrepresented and should be marketed as a parts donor. It is however elevated in price and marketed as a usable truck. I could be wrong too. Rob

See later post. Rob

My boy when little always went without shoes. One day he went running across "Piles Valley", (otherwise known as our back yard) to meet up with his friends next block over. When he, (while not looking) stepped into a large and fresh lump of dogshit extruding this freshness through the spaces between his toes, he immediately changed his train of thought, and headed for the hose. Well this became a bit of fun for me mocking and making fun of him until "Momma" heard me. Now all I can say is it was still worth the pain. Rob