Rob

Think I'll take your word on it. So what you are saying is the "funk factor" of a prior used tampon could knock a buzzard off a shit wagon at 50 paces? Even with low doses and limited exposure times? My, should I ever encounter such a thing, think I'll just let it lay. Rob

The cicada is happy cause his mating call was answered. The wiring is a fine job I might add. The toad, I'm making the broad assumption that just after the photo was snapped, he was on the grille. Rob

The trough routes "spash lubrication" oil back into the case. Seems they had some problems with oil seepage around the shift tower so this blocks the oil throw off from the gearset and drains it back into the sump. Rob

And here is the question that leaves me perplexed: If you find a tampon in a red dyed "off road" diesel tank, how do you know if it's a used, or new, (unused) tampon? Rob

Think I have another to donate. I'll need to locate it however. How are the bases Mike? Rob

Yes they are cicadas. They age in the ground for seven years before emerging and breaking out of their shell. They then dry out, and take flight. Make a bunch of noise during their mating calls too. Rob

My new RTO-14613 trans has an oil trough that is bolted onto the top shift cover. I can't tell if this is just a splash deflector or it actually oils a gear. It is denoted as #4 on the attached drawing. The cover I have is a std. housing where the truck this trans will go into uses a RTOF style cover moving the shift tower forward a few inches. I am planning to use the RTOF style cover from the original RTOF-12513 trans unless I need another cover to support this trough. There is no way to bolt it to the RTOF style cover I have currently. Any ideas if this trough is actually needed on the RTOF style cover?RTO-14613 Shift Cover.pdf Here are a few interior photos of the trans. Rob

You are correct in the sitting of the cab on the frame but the mounting isolators appear to need replacement in that truck. That hood doens't appear to be hurt bad at all, probably 4-5 manhours plus paint to fix correctly. I don't much like mismatched tires when I look at something but this gent seems to be up front with the negatives of the truck.They probably robbed good tires from this one for another in preparation of the sale. Rob

You might also go ahead and replace any older rubber interconnecting lines that are in the fuel system too. These tend to deteriorate from the inside with the ULSD fuel accelerating the degradation of the rubber compound. These fuel lines can collapse internally and this can and will restrict, or block fuel flow. Rob

I like the darker blue myself Barry. I just got a new computer last evening and it's not yet out of the box. I'll give the stainless another look when it's hooked up. I'm hoping it truly is "stainless" so I don't soil my screen in the future. Rob

Double Diamond's old truck? Rob

If the six speed is a Renault BDSL series don't even go about rebuilding it cause it's cost prohibitive. I had two of them and when in sound shape they are a very good unit. This is another you must use the clutch with to shift smoothly. Rob

That was a common transmissiona and should be fairly easy to locate. Putting another trans in the truck will be a bit of a task getting the shifter linkage to align in the cab where you want it. An RT-910 was a very good transmission in it's day with 27% splits, (memory serves?) between each evenly spaced gear. The engines in the midliners would do well with it but fitment may be a problem. Most 910's I've seen use a pull style clutch and all midliners I've seen use a push style. That engine being French, (like everything else) may be hard to get a clutch setup to work that is different than original. Usually that "CM" series trans is a very good medium duty unit. Anybody can tear one up but a good driver will get many, many miles out of one before it needs work. Both Clark, and Spicer "CM's" were direct competitors in the medium duty market for many years with both serving well if taken care of. People trying to "power shift", or "float" the gear such as in an unsyncronized transmission usually did them in on a short timeframe. The trick to longevity here was to simply use the clutch on every shift. I'd rebuild what you have and go with it. Taken care of the unit should last you well. Rob

I can't watch that kind of garbage. Rob

What size are you looking for Brad? My 74 RL797LST has a chrome 16" that is original to the truck. I can get a part number from it possibly. Rob

Check you local scrapyard. All kinds of Peterbilt advice there. Rob

Those "CM" series transmissions are not expensive to overhaul if you do the work yourself. Probably about a buck and a quarter for parts including the brass and bearings. This is of course given no broken gears, or hard parts. I've done a couple of them on the kitchen table, (no kidding) when I was younger and "Momma" was gone, (hence the reason I still breath). You don't even really need special tools other than a general mechanics set. Rob

Is the front gasket between the clutch housing and face of the transmission the same on an RTO-12513, and a RTO-14613? Gotta run to the parts store in the morning and will pick up a gasket if different. Thanks, Rob

I think that truck has more miles upon it than thought. I had a couple of midliners and they were very good units but the paint wear in your photos suggests either a new odometer has been installed, or it doesn't read out past either 100,000, or a million miles. Not saying your truck has anywhere near this amount but the paint flaking experienced is representative of high usage. Rob

Interesting you mention that. Same thing I was saying almost 20 years ago when it was starting out mainstream. This "just in time" inventory will kill us that use/maintain older equipment. Rob

http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/2534286556.html This guy is consistently high on pricing and must be a reseller but comes across some nice trucks. Rob

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/grd/2534505909.html Rob

Yes, I've seen several of them. Don't even know if this one is a tractor, (assume so) or straight truck as the guy is a grain hauler. All the "Valueliner" series trucks I've seen in the past have a multi piece grille shell where my western R models have a single piece stamping. I always assumed Mack switched vendors and went with several less expensive pieces, or ease of repair in the event of damage. Never have known for sure. Also all "Valueliner" series trucks I've seen have been straight frame rail trucks and not splayed at the front. Rob

The shift tower and handle appear to be missing in that auction but are pretty easy to get used or new. There is a regulator on the rear of the transmission and you run an air supply line to this regulator. The rest is handled by what is already there although it might be best to replace the slave valve, and filter/regulator assembly while it is on the floor. Rob

Probably going to need a rebuild. Sounds like either the shift fork is bent, or syncronizer struts have gone bad with the remote possibility of the syncronizer springs defective. The mainshaft, or countergear bearings could be bad such as run low or out of oil at some time. Rob