Rob

Yes it could have, however; more than likely the rotor winding in the shift motor either shorted, or there was a mechanical bind precluding it's proper operation. As you know this would be called a "locked rotor condition". The resultant of high inrush current causes rapid heating of the windings in the motor, interconnecting wiring, and switches within the circuit until either a current protection device, (fuses, circuit breakers, thermal links, etc.) open, stopping current flow. Every component that makes up an electrical circuit has resitance to current flow and this causes heating no matter how small. I've not seen switches "short" myself in this application but it is entirely possible. I have seen them come apart internally but not cause problem(s) mentioned, because it usually causes the motor to cease functioning due to the travel limit switches incorporated in the rear axle assembly. Of course if the mechanical function is "frozen" or unable to travel from lack of maintenance with oil, or rust, the limit switches will effectively be out of the circuit. The motor will try to switch positions unable to complete it's stroke. The switch is a single pole, double throw encapsulated affair operated via external plunger and very simple in operation. At least I think it works that way. Rob

Ain't nothin like putting a fox in charge of guarding the hen house now is there? I am NOT full of BS. Greg just likes to pick on me. Welcome to the site! Rob

Hi Nick, the last two speed actuator motor that I purchased was about $79.00 for an Eaton axle. It is not complicated to install as it just unbolts and there is a fork to engage, then top off will oil. It will work as is and you can safely operate the vehicle but the transmission ratios are very wide to where the two speed keeps the engine in it's proper torque band. With the switch smoking in the cab, I'm sure you would want to replace it also and they are not expensive. Be sure to check the innerconnecting wiring for shorts, or burning. This problem is fairly common so I don't think it's anything you can't handle. I would get yourself a service book as it will easily answer many questions you may have. Rob

Figured so. Confirmation of my suspicions. They ARE out to "get me".

Typical of Rob, and the obscure way he does things, I have always ran diesel rated oil in my gas engines that were older than 1986 or so. This is based on when carburation became more of a thing of the past. I still have two full barrels of older diesel engine oil in the shop that meet the specification of "CD" and no further to give example of age. In my 68 Plymouth I always ran diesel rated S.A.E. 30wt oil in the warm months, and diesel rated S.A.E. 20wt in the cold months. I never was much on multi-grade oils until I was older and laziness set in. This particular car I drove till 314,640 miles on the odometer and it had never been apart for engine work other than a water pump, timing chain and a couple of mechanical fuel pumps over it's lifetime. I received the car from a neighbor that purchased it new and it had all of 61,000 miles when I got it. I ran the living SNOT out of that thing and it would not give up! Anyway on the way to work one morning, (July, 1996) it really started to hammering in the valvetrain. Later that evening I pulled the intake, and rocker covers off, (still had Mopar cork/neoprene gaskets) to pull the lifters and look at the cam and what I discovered surprised me: There was very little "dishing" to the underside of the lifters where they ride the cam, and the cam itself looked almost new. Something else I noticed was a little bit of an aluminum flake material beside one of the cam bearing journals. After removing the cam, I discovered that there was no babbit material left on any of the cam bearings and they were all shiney copper! I further thought, "Damn, this ain't natural"! I then proceeded to pull the engine out of the car and rebuild it at this point. Here's the point I'm leading to: I sent that cam into a competent machine shop and it it still within manufactures' specification as far as lift, duration, thrust face, etc. I know the early 340 Chrysler engines were cast in the marine foundry lines, but know nothing about the cams other than the 68 four speed cars had a different profile than the automatics, and the 69 and up cam profile. I had it polished and it is going back into the engine whenever I decide to finish it. I think using a diesel rated oil for all those years prolonged the service life of that engine for many more miles than normal. I've always purchased oil by the case, (when a case was 24 quarts, in cardboard cans, with a metal lid) and barrels, and kept to a rigid 3500 mileage drain interval until fuel injection. I now drain at 5000 mile intervals. Even to this day I believe changing oil routinely is "cheap insurance" if you plan to not have a car payment, (which I don't). I believe in taking very good care of what you have and it will take care of you. Oil quality is something I don't skimp on and the reward has been handsome, (unlike me). It is the same routine I follow in my old Macks including the A-40. Guess I'm a creature of habit. Rob

Thad; How'd the final go? I woulda failed miserably had it been me. Rob

What kind of NavCom? Rob

It is not hard at all. The polyester cloth type is available in a multitude of colors and will stretch over existing fittings, then shrink back to original size. One is basically unable to tell it wasn't placed over the bare tubing, then the fittings added. The reinforced cotton/asphalt based type that is original to the truck would require the flare fittings be removed as it does not stretch near as much. The actual name of the product is wire "sleeving" Rob

Unable to dispute. Also just about 1/2 bubble off plumb. Rob

As usual: "YOU DA MAN BARRY"!! Rob

usually I can see all the replys in order but not today. There is a window at the bottom that is difficult to use that lists the replies to the post(s). Is it just me? Rob

As we all know necessary reproductive items such as sperm cells are created in the testicles; And we all know what happened to mine after Momma got finished with me!! Now bikini briefs fit like "long johns", with room to spare. Not a concern any longer. Rob

They are the only style I've seen on the older trucks. They are the same used on the "B" series of trucks also. Rob

The basic rules: E/R=I, I2R=P, IE=P, P2/I=E. With that basic knowledge, you can get by most basic needs. We won't go into reactance, (both capacitive, and inductive), transformer action(s) due to iron or ferrite core, saturation, rectification, filtering, squarewave or trapezoidal waveform benefits and detractors, phase loss corrections, power factors, etc.... Damn, now I'm lost. I'll bet you know quite a bit more than you give yourself credit for. I'd rather have a new teacher just out of college as they are quite fresh on theory usually. A side benefit, (and personal favorite) is they are easy to ridicule. The old "hats" are a little wiser to everyday occurances and behaviors. I'm going to a new radar school starting the end of this month and will be gone most of June. It is really "out there" in theory due to being completely digital in detection, and filtering of actual "targets", (aircraft), and weather patterns. I've never been around a radar set that is optimized for tracking weather patterns before so this is of interest to me. Shit, I better get back to autobody work cause I know a little about that. Rob

Are they the little boots that are flared like a wide bell? I've only seen them at a Mack dealer, and PAI industries sells them, (or did) and they are available at a lot of heavy truck parts suppliers. Rob

Thanks to everybody. This has been difficult. The studies have been veterinary related in both large, and small animals. Her ultimate goal is to start a mobile veterinary lab to be available on call to those in need. My remaining part in this ongoing development is to finish her 1957 B-61, which she has christened "Remedy", and get a custom trailer built for the mobil "horsespital". Besides sick, injured, deprived small animals, horses are this girls primary interest. Education is never a bad thing. Definately required in this world we live in. I'm still of the old school where hard work and dedication to the job has worked for me, but that is more the exception than the rule any longer. Nik has my attitude towards life in general which is "Do the best you can with what you have"; Then move along if not happy to greener pastures, trying to not step on anyone along the way. Now that the base education is finished, hopefully we will have time to bring the dream to "life". I repositioned her truck in the shop last evening to get started. Rob

I don't know the layout of the HVAC in the newer stuff but sounds a bit like a problem in the ducting as suggested. There are modulating, and posioning motors in most newer stuff that could be bad. The problem could be a cable or mounting ear snapped on an actuating door in the airbox also. Most likely you will need to take things apart to inspect for damage. Rob

Don't know how I got off on that tangent..... Just broke a camelback suspension apart earlier in the week for rehab and was thinking of the rubber spring ends for some reason. Thanks, Rob

Spring insulator cap. Rob

Our daughter Nikki graduated college last evening. She is relieved, as is Momma. Lots of late night studying from both Momma, and Nana with just a little help from me. This makes Momma, Colby, (our son), and Nikki, holding college degrees. I'm too damned stupid to even make attempt. No thanks to me as all I did was work two jobs for close to 18 years to help make this happen. Didn't want the kids starting out with education debt so we made sure the expenses were covered. Yes, I am proud, and relieved. Congratulations to Nikki!! Rob

I use a pair of 5 ton hydraulic "wedgies" bearing against the frame, and rim. With controlled force pushing, and rapid impacts as Herb mentioned, something usually gives. The penetrating oil method works well also but if you heat the center of the rim until dull red, remove heat and let it cool for 15 seconds, then apply a liberal amount of penetrant, the oil will be sucked into the stuck area easing your pain. Rob

1250-1400ft. pounds sounds about right off the top of my head. Rob

Keep it up. I'm evaluating your proposal for final implementation as the "suspension of hostilities" currently enacted around here is temporary at best; So I need to plan for the future. That 64 cubic foot residence in the back yard is a little cramped for guy my size. Rob

I remember it well, too well. It was followed by ice that did not go away for three weeks taking the power with it. Every three hours round the clock filling up a small generator that was on the house to keep warm, and the food cold; I remember it well. Rob

A father watched his young daughter playing in the garden. He smiled as he reflected on how sweet and pure his little girl was. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought about her seeing the wonders of nature through such innocent eyes. Suddenly, she just stopped and stared at the ground. He went over to her to see what work of God had captured her attention. He noticed she was looking at two spiders mating. 'Daddy, what are those two spiders doing?' she asked. 'They're mating,' her father replied. 'What do you call the spider on top?' she asked. 'That's a Daddy Longlegs,' her father answered. 'So, the other one is a Mommy Longlegs?' the little girl asked. As his heart soared with the joy of such a cute and innocent question he replied, 'No dear. Both of them are Daddy Longlegs. 'The little girl, looking a little puzzled, thought for a moment, then lifted her foot and stomped them flat. 'Well, we're not having any of that shit in our garden' she said.