Merle Coggins

I used to use a twin burner Mr. Heater propane heater. It would warm up my 1 1/2 car garage space fairly well. And you don't get the fumes associated with kerosene. I could work in there all day without needing to vent the space (unless I was running an engine). But now that I've closed in the celing and insulated everything, and added a small 240V electric heater, it is a very comfortable work space. Unforutnetly it won't accomodate my truck project. It's pretty much a motorcycle shop.

Here they use Calcium Cloride. (same stuff used in hydro-inflated tractor tires) It is sprayed in liquid form and has a much lower freezing point than the salt (Sodium Cloride) that has desolved into the ice/snow. A lot of our municipal salt trucks are rigged up with a tank of that stuff that sprays out over the salt as it's spread. As Norm stated, they tend to try to melt it all away instead of plowing it unless it starts getting heavier. (then they do both) It's depressing to see the roads a couple days after a snow storm. There won't be a trace of snow showing, except along the sholders edge, but the road surface it whiter than the snow covered ground from all of the salt.

OK, now take one of those tally marks off from behind that 3 and your closer to what we can get. 3" is bearly enough to fire up the snow blower.

I've been dealing with 24 volt systems for years in heavy equipment. I've also heard that the auto industry would be going to 48 volt or higher to run electric servo steering and brake systems that can be computer controlled. A complete drive by wire vehicle. I don't know when or if that will ever come about, but it wouldn't supprise me when it does. And yes Tim, 300 volts would knock you on your @$$ PDQ

6 volts wouldn't hurt. Even 12 volts is only a tingle. But 24 volts will get your attention

OK. I stand corrected. I knew my formulas were correct, but I didn't think all the math through. Tim's findings would be right.

Actually, you got your formula wrong. the The current in a circuit will have an inverse correlation to the load and voltage. The correct formula is E (voltage) = I (amperage) X R (resistance). If you are calculating amperage it would be I = E/R. Pushing 12 volts through a 6 volt motor will draw fewer amps, even though it'll spin faster. Merle

Looks like the cars used a round axle verses the I-beam type on the trucks. Ed's description of his axle sounds like mine. This isn't a close-up of that area, but you can see it.

Good story, Tim. And by the way... I chuckled at the first one too.

The only problem I can see with this theory is that both the engine and cab are rubber mounted. There is no mechanical metal to metal connection. There are some incidental connections, as Brad points out. One I can think of off hand would be the park brake cable. At least on the trucks with under dash pull cable park brakes, the cable housing is bolted solid to the cab and is clamped to the frame and attached to the trans. this could provide a path for electron flow, but I'd rather give them a dedicated path to use. Merle

I agree with Reg. That's how I have mine. But I often wonder if I'll need to add a ground to the frame or body so that the lights will work. I don't remember having to remove one when I disassembled the truck. I suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to add one, but what is correct for these trucks? Merle

Yup, sure looks like a 3.9 Cummins to me.

If you can find a B-Series Cummins it would probably fit nicely. We have equipment running the 3.9 liter 4 cylinder versions that are producing just over 100 HP. If a 5.9L - 6 cylinder would fit you can get well over 150 HP out of them.

You mention "dollop" and now all I can picture is a dollop of whipped cream on a slice of that pie.

On that second one, he should have just said, "For Sale. One over priced basket case. Buy it sight unseen and come get it." He says that he'll get some pictures by monday, but the auction will be almost done by then.

Do your self a favor and pick up this book. It explains all of the different options and changes made within the Pilot-House series of trucks. A GREAT book to have if you are working with these trucks. For parts sources, click on the "Return to Pilot-House.com" at the top of this page. There is a nice list of parts suppliers. Also don't leave out your local parts stores. Several parts can still be sourced locally at Napa, Checker, Advanced, Auto Zone, etc. Good luck, Merle

8" difference with the Pilot-House trucks. 1/2 ton = 108" wheel base. 3/4 ton = 116" wheel base. I've also heard that the 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks had a different wheel bolt pattern too, but I've not confirmed that. 16" wheels were standard on the 1/2 ton's and 15" on the 3/4 ton's like earlier stated.

The "Standard" cab has no corner windows and no vent windows in the doors. The "Deluxe" and "Custom" cabs have the corner windows and vent windows. Looks like a 48 or 49 Standard Cab truck to me.

Yup, that explains it. Good one Dennis.

Like James said... you'll need to use a press. Once I rigged it up in a press, it came apart quite easy. Use the press to install the new one too. Hammer impacts could do damage to the bearing internals. Merle

That was my first thought when I read it, but I was trying to keep my mouth (fingers) shut about it. I got a chuckle over it. Nice play on words.

Mr Belvedere's story reminded me of one I heard from some friends a few years ago. They were on a motorcycle trip. Somewhere in the southwest desert area they came across an area where Tarantulas were crossing the road. They said the road surface was pretty much covered and made for an interesting experience. Apparetly the "Little Misses" in the back seat didn't much care for it.

Once while driving through Nebraska one night, the Firefly's were so thick that it sounded like I was driving through a hail storm. We had a luggage box on top of the car and I could see the front corner of it through the side mirror. It was glowing yellow from the Firefly guts. So was the front of the car, along with all the other cars on the road that night. I never experienced anything like that before or since. Merle

Rat Rods do nothing for me. I can appreciate the work and engineering that goes into them, but if they'd put some nice paint on 'em and finish them properly, I'd be all over it. Interesting truck though, Merle