Rob

I'd join you but would also like to see working R700 series trucks. Rob

I assume you prefer Tuna that originally lived in the water and not made famous by journalism? I never liked the smell myself. Rob

Don't lick the swatch after comparing the reading. Rob

Got the seat remounted to the baseplate in a much better arrangement than original. I plan to go with an 18" steering wheel, (truck has power steering) which should allow me to not have the seat all the way back in the tracks. This will allow me to reach the pedals without the blocks glued on. Rob

Damn, I forgot about that engine and I'm sure it's in the way where it is stored. I need to work this weekend to finish up with contractors on the radar facility, but need to start buring off vacation time before the end of the year and maybe I can get over that way. Call me with your working hours so we can plan. I'll have a lot of time due me within the next couple of weeks. We are not going on vacation this year and I'm over 150 "use or lose" vacation hours already that need expended or donated to someone sick/deserving of them. Rob

A 3" piece of pipe works well for forming that radius at the bottom of the cab on "E", and "A" series trucks. Rob

I have the comedy album that quote is from. Rob

There are no ready made "patch panels" for the areas you speak of I've found. The stiffening lines you mention that lend character to the roof to cab back panel transistion will need to come from an unrusted donor cab, or be fabricated locally. I have cut the areas from other trucks where they are not rusted in small sections and blended them into a repair with good success. Rob

That is the early designation of the California spec E9 series engine with "Dynatard" built prior to 4/1/1980 if memory serves. Never had one so just a guess from seeing it in a book. Rob

If there are no plans I'd be interested in the C&C. Have wanted a Superliner for sometime to install one of my spare engines into. Rob

You are quite welcome. Rob

Tonight, being fully frustrated by the radar job after being informed a US senator will be visiting my radar site that sits on the appropriations comittee for funding these things; I decided I needed some uninterupted "Mack Time". After arriving at the shop and turning on the lights, but before opening the overhead doors as usual, I left the doors down, locked the personel door behind me, and shut the cell phone off. I then decided to do something to the R612. Earlier over the lunch break I ran to Mutual Wheel in E. Peoria and picked up two window kits for the Stemco hubcaps mounted on the steer axle. After installing these, I decided to remove the driver's air seat and relocate it further rearward in the cab utilizing new holes in the baseplate. The seat is a Bostrom Taledaga 915 and in nice shape, but was much too close to the steering wheel and my overhanging gut kept rubbing it. With the seat all the way back and touching the back of the cab structure, I have enough clearance to clear the steering wheel, but can't reach the pedals comfortably. I'll make another set of blocks to glue to the pedals and all will be good. Also found a bad cell in one of the batteries. Oh well, I like fresh batteries in what I'm driving anyways so I'll order a couple new ones to go with the other two last month and I'll be set on this truck. Rob

Your Pete was already seen by the eyes of mine as I'd seen photos of it on other places. I was actually contemplating one of em back in 2000 when looking for a crew cab for long distance towing but came to my senses when priced out....... The one Bob was driving is not his. He was shagging it from an auction is Philly, picking up another auction purchase in KC, MO to tow behind this thing, then off to his home base in TX. This is what he's been doing for work lately. Trouble is the past few runs have not been very smooth, being problematic. This thing is to be shortened and a bed similar to yours installed, then resold. Right now the dealerships seem to be sucking the profit potential out of the venture. Rob

I like Texas. Went part of high school in Waco, and was right at home. In a lot of ways, sure wished I'd stayed but had a young family to raise. Rob

Two injectors later and with two marginal remaining, off to KC he went, arriving on a hook. Seems the truck quit once again just short of the mid trip destination. Frustrated, he purchased a plane ticket and flew to Dallas, then had his wife pick him up there. I don't know the disposition of the truck at this point and am reserving unbiased judgement on what I would do with it. Rob

Oil coolant? I would try the oil temp sensor first if the change in temperature is sudden with all other parameters remaining the same. Rob

Who did you use for the work? I've got to head to St. Louis Spring in the near future and would like to have both of my RL's radiators looked at for integrity. The Peoria market is out. Rob

Tuna?????

This link of the story sent to me by a friend. http://hiphopwired.com/2010/11/05/man-refuses-to-perform-oral-sex-because-of-horrible-vaginal-odor-threatened-with-knife/ Rob

The 5th wheel sets 4-6 inches higher than the rear fenders on this truck. Assuming king pins are never recessed into the neck of a trailer, I should be alright as far as clearance. Thanks, Rob

There is nothing to hold the 5th wheel stationary in any level or plane. It is also not a sliding setup. The truck was put together new to haul a folding neck trailer and I'm told it was dedicated to this job only. Rob

Ran the truck back into the shop this evening with another brake chamber leaking with brakes applied. I bled down the air, removed the clamp and backer plate for the service chamber but could not find anything wrong with it. Went ahead and put the chamber back together and it doesn't leak at all??? Must have been not centered on the flange when it was put together last. I then moved to adjusting the brakes. I have discovered a sizeable wear pattern to the drum friction surface amounting to about 1/8th-3/16 of an inch. I would estimate the brake shoe thickness to be somewhere around 40-50% remaining on all corners. The "S" cams do walk around a bit in the rears, but the fronts are stable. Never have changed a brake drum on something like this and don't know yet how difficult. Also tried to remove the red rubber caps from the "Stemco" front hubcaps promptly breaking both plastic windows. However, all the screws readily removed so I'll get window kits tomorrow. Had to bring all ten tires up to 100psi also. Some had 60, some 30, and some didn't read as my gauge only shows 20psi and above. None however were completely flat and all reached 100 psi without fanfare. Another thing I noticed is that with 125psi in the receiver(s), and the engine shut down to listen for leakage, I could hear air escaping through the new last month governor around the pressure adjustment screw. Didn't have any soap solution handy so will progress further with this later. Still seems like a check valve is not sealing to allow complete air system bleed off. Am planning to replace the dash air control valves as they are "sticky" to operate but haven't as of yet. Also measured and there is near a 3/4" sag in the rt. side of the truck as opposed to the left. It looks as if the spring shackle bushings are probably shot in the rear of the front springs as they look off centered in their respective bores. All of my truck rated jack stands are under other trucks so I can't unload the suspension to check yet, but they're on my Christmas list. Rob

Must be talking about using a hammer to drive a Pete???? Is it really that bad??? Sounds plausible to me. Rob

Hi David, this is a valid concern as I've purchased a 13"6" furniture van on air with 17.5" tires in Grand Rapids, MI. I don't know if it is set up for the taller, or shorter 5th wheel height. I only have this one truck that is any kind of shape to go to work so this is a concern as I really need to get some things wrapped up before the snow flys. A furniture van is of really no use to me other than storage but the suspension under it is what I'm after to build a trailer fitting my needs. Rob

I'm looking at an older 45' single drop on spring that is in nice shape but needs a floor. The guy went to low profile tires due to height differences and lack of clearance on his rear fenders with a newer tractor that is on low profile rubber. I'm wondering if I could pull it home without problems. The trailer is in Carbondale so not far. The guy is wanting to do some horsetrading for the trailer. Rob