First order of business as arrives HERE, is to get loaded into workshop, start unbolting hood pivots and unplug Hood harness to situate OUTSIDE.  Then engine tear down from stage is currently in to determine which is best alternate to go with it.

Some Pics:

As saw it Last

As currently situated at Buddy's shop in OK:

Fuel tanks will be resituated(Original Location) to Under Sleeper, Tool Box beneath Drivers Door and a Battery Box beneath Passenger Door as was built.  Stack will remain OFF until can be placed Outside my Shop(Not enough Door Headroom).

As to towing a Trailer, works Tandem Or single, retains resale value Tandem.  Just a lot of moving hardware for dragging a Empty!!  HOWEVER, as get it done are Dealers with recent trades for Actual Toters, have been in contact with a few where this truck is a Worthy trade to a slightly Newer Toter Crew Cab with air ride ad air brakes but Automatic.

For the price in trade goods, I am NOT complaining if use as is for a Toter.

Fuel tanks were repositioned on original purchase for Drop Axle for Heavy hauling, has all the original take off parts.  May strip back to a Single fuel tank if Keep it.  Could strip back to Single Rear Differential if Keep it.  

BIG Weekend, took load of Materials and left overs from house down, we removed pusher axle, chain rack and associated plumbing.  Loaded up a crap load of odds and ends with the bad head and its associated internals.  Will download and minimize the photos later, only recently returned and off loaded all I brought back.  Looking at 2-4 weeks to a weekend available to drag up the project.

End result of weekend, truck is now currently on its own shoes, the L Rr has been swapped and all brakes are 'Caged' so can roll on/off a roll back trailer for when gets here.

Old wagon is filthy but viable so far.  Even if engine block is trash are available Used engines all over for this and not bad pricing for age/miles.

That is a project I know nothing about, interesting though. I have never driven a big truck like that either. I dont have a CDL Looks like it would be fun to try.

Used really hard engines as this one get to 600,000 really easily, modern diesels can make a million without overhaul anymore this one bit the dust due to a serious overheat with oversized load.  Was running heavy equipment hauling thus the removed drop axle.

I have driven multi stick trans set ups(Not all that well) air splitter 9,10,13, 15 and 18 speed, where all are a five speed main with abilities to split several times, even driven straight gate 7 and 8 speed trans set ups(awkward), this one is a pretty common 550hp Cat, 18 speed Fuller/Eaton(five speeds each split able) in low side four speeds in High each one split able (so essentially 10&8 gears), has the heavier bushing stronger double frame rail 46,000+lb capacity rear eight bag air ride suspension so will ride well and handle anything placed on it I can muster.  46,000 Eaton air locker differentials where most heavy trucks have a lockable Power Divider(Differential between the two rear ends) this also has a air shift positive traction lock in each differential, No single wheel slip will occur in the rear.  Brakes on older semis as this are drum, 16" diameter, 7 or 8" wide blocks on shoes and uses a spring application "Maxi" Brake for positive parking security.  Old style slack adjuster brake adjustment devices have advanced to auto adjust and are inspected but require little attention generally as well are Externally mounted so easier to change, Brake Drums are Outboard on hubs so just pull tires and remove drums.  Air brakes CAN leak, just little mess and easier to fix than hard tube hydraulic brakes.  Truck weighs in at a modest 18,000# sits on 11R24.5 tires on Aluminum pilot center single lug nut Rims, the old twin lug Budd sets are about obsolete now.  

A LOT of instrumentation in the cabs, much of which is Eye Candy unless pulling serious loads.  Trans and Axle temperatures, Engine oil and coolant temps, some times fuel pressure along with oil pressure. Air pressure for brakes, indicated air on suspension for loading, speedo and tach, lots of switches for obvious lighting and accessories, can look daunting but once acclimated is pretty simple.  Do have pretty well standardized power steering, really good AC and Heaters well insulated cabs for temperature and noise controls.  Sit REALLY High so great visibility.  Rear Mirrors are Cab mounted these days so no longer swing with the doors and doors need not be fully closed to see to the rear, vibrate much less.  Engine services tend to be done like our modern cars, to a mileage indicator that takes in driving style, abuse, severity of demands.  Most large trucks change oil and filters at 15-20,000 miles

Tire average life kept aired properly is 100-125,000 miles, brakes in my use may last life of machine, air bags on suspension die from repetitive cycling as do the diaphragms in the brake chambers, aluminum cabs and sleepers may last a few decades no more than normal attention.

Is not readily discernable but the Pin on a Fifth Wheel Camper is the same dimension as a Semi Trailer for product hauling, will mate directly into the Semi Truck Fifth Wheel.  Pin Height is roughly the same for both trailers as well.

As a side note, big diesels also generally come with an Exhaust Pressure Brake System(Jakes), these work by solenoid operation where as the cylinder comes up on a compression stroke and just as the Unit Injector goes to cycle the exhaust valves are Popped Open, that is what causes the Thrumming noise from the exhaust, the engines are turned into a large compressor and use that pressure force to slow the truck saving brake life.  Switch operated on the dash, disabling switches on throttle and clutch pedals.

Can be intimidating but are just machines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVmRCPSVQrM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVmRCPSVQrM

This is so when air leaks too heavily or not available can release the parking side and move the machine.

I MAY trade the truck upon 'Wife's choice' should she not wish to ride a Semi pulling a RV!!  Does not bother me and is not all that Huge to me as it is to her.  Most Semi Tractors are as short or shorter than Crew Cab Pickups used for this.  Is  bit overkill for weight capacity, but the price puts it at affordable,(TRADES and Overhaul cost).  A Reasonably new Crew Dually is still above $50,000 for one I would trust for any length of time, this truck refurbished is worth close to $50k as a trade or outright sale as well.

Dually Crew cabs are roughly 270" OA Body Length, this truck is only 4' longer overall where Pin point of Trailer is within 1.5-2 feet on chassis.  Truck itself is only 9'8" tall top of Air Horns, trailers are over 12'6" top of AC Units so actually decrease Trailer Nose Drag as see with a Pickup.  Both this or a Dually are 8' wide.

Had a pot on a grain trailer that I couldn't get a cage bolt in because it wouldn't line up, never seen that before.  Ended up changing the pot.

Dave, when you change out a pot do you split the pot or replace the entire pot and rod?  I was showed how to change a pot by splitting it and have done it that way since.

My Uncle did what your doing, he had a old 4 door dually duramax that he got rid of and just uses a semi to pull his rv.  Said he would never go back to a pickup because the truck just makes everything a easy pull, obviously.  I suppose if you wanted to unhook and drive around maybe a pickup would be better but in his case he has a toy hauler and him and his wife have motorcycles they ride once they're where they are staying.

New Maxi Chambers the diaphragm is not serviceable so the 3/4 chambers just go away when leak.  This truck will receive four New Chambers and service diaphragms.

You are fine, just trying to keep it correct as these can be dangerous.

Did have a Good laugh the other day as to a CDL, friend is a trooper in MSHP, Latino tried the old game on this State Trooper issuing a ticket in a accident, Trooper was reading the ticket to the Truck Driver and asked if he understood, got a "No Habla Englis" back, still had his license and asked if he could speak English, Got the No Habla back so KEPT the license, had another Trooper take him to jail for Fraudulently received License.  Prereq, MUST Understand and Speak the English Language.  Company had to come get their truck, Latino MIRACULOUSLY Learned English once arrived at the county lockup where he was FINED Again for lying to a State Trooper!!  STILL Lost his License. 

OH OH OH, And From Chitcago TOO!!!!!!

A little more progress this morning after voted, picked up a damaged Right side Tool Box will have to replace bottom and back stretch it 6" in length(Aluminum Sheet).  Two triangle plates at bottom are lower Step supports.

 Hey Dave,,,no doubt,,there are a great many of us all over the country that just cannot seem to accept the way the sitiation appears to be. I'm gonna hang with President Trump cause I know he is gonna fight this until there ain't no more can be done,,,,, and he's got an awful lot of money for attorneys.

 I'm gonna keep my hopes up for AG Barr until that either produces or fizzles out,,,,,,,

Started off cleaning away the Extra Sprue along the Die Formed end caps and getting ready to reposition the Lid retention bolt brackets.  The Box manufacturer made their own and are pretty well worthless as to being EVEN Close enough to Use a Factory Lid.

And the Cutaway chunks

Then I stopped and worked on the Tool Box as Tins came in for it.  Cut away the bent up parts and fitted the side panels to a New Floor, awaiting Huck Fasteners should be here Tuesday or Wednesday, Huck Gun came yesterday.

Currently sitting with 1/4" bolts holding together as alignment pins.

Box is true and square, the Trial fit of the lid all fastener holes lined up.

Today was off to Battery Box Remodel.  The box itself was less than $500, where new End Caps for a basic box are $300 EACH and then still have to purchase or build the Battery Tray Floor.  So I am opting to Remodel a poorly constrained product.  Began by Squaring the Left Side to the Floor, The builder ALMOST missed Both panels with his drill.

Next up Determined location for OEM Style Cover Stud Brackets as bolting holes too far inboard of edge for cover, found less than a full hole off so Pilot Drilled for New location, Welded the OE Holes Closed, as cools and gain more time will dress the welded ares down and complete drilling the New locations.  Install the Stud Brackets and test fit the Cover then disassemble, configure for battery hold downs then sand and paint of BOTH boxes.

Next in process, sanding and readying to repaint this box, cleaning and readying for paint the Tool Box.

Will see, between the virus, weather, machine faults and illnesses/distractions has been impossible to get into a schedule.

So every opening to haul has blocked, every chance to get it here has failed so I am throwing in the towel.  Done..

The Lord has spoken, I am listening this time, it just figures is time to stop and grow old then die, projects are ended.  Passing Mid Sixties, not enough time left to get this here with Winter setting in, then fix it and have it viable by Summer.  Running out of days physically functional with effort and will power to stay at it.

Guess can sell much of what have accomplished and just write this escapade off.

This is where the chalk mark got placed as stop point.

Beginning to suspect this is as close as the KW will ever get to here.

Believe it or Not, cooling system is in top shape, new radiator last year, 366 is as strong as I have found one, brakes are like new, just the cab is crap and bed about to rust away even as scissor lift works great.

Hang in there! Came to check on you as the big truck thing is way out of my comfort zone of projects. But you have the skills and knowledge. Yes we are not getting any younger. You have commented many times in my shop thread. Some days I feel similar as to being almost 70 what the heck am I thinking! I think a lot of us need projects to do and to keep us active, even as health and age start to limit us too. 

I personally am wishing you the best on you project with the KW. To me it looks like a big fun expensive project. But remember I am not a good judge of these units. So it sounds like your going to get a Christmas present! I believe the Lord works in many ways. 

BTW that new step/ box looks good to me!

Couple questions too.

-  How tall is the yellow dump at the clearance lights?

- And how do you like the steel liner panels on the walls?

Regards,

 Chris

I am thinking the old Chevy is around 7'10" top of cab, be a struggle to get into a 8' door.  Where not certain would chance even trying.  My GMC 7000 is just at 8' same year just not as tired.  KW will be a Challenge to get inside as is just under 10' with air bags deflated, being as will be backed in cab and sleeper will be inside before steer axle rises onto floor as my Shop Doors are 10'.  Same with coming out as has a Suspension Dump Valve for the rear bags.

This is looking at the GMC, the little shed has 80" door but also has around a four inch rise to the front of the GMC as sits

 Regards,

 Chris

Fills the shop pretty well Full.

Looks like you got the worst of the job done, now for a bit or restoration work!

It just fit, knew that starting in!!  Yes the hood will come off so have good access and still warm inside.

Today will be light work, get cab emptied of component parts from the original failure, then clean much of where I will be working around.  Have the 180 to return to the barn, have to move my Bush Hog and a few odds and ends in the barn, get the arrangement where I can keep the tractor and the old Chevy dumper as much out of weather as possible for now.  New owner of the GMC will try to make a run up here during late winter thaw, pick up the Chevy and the old Planter.

What is your project scope for this truck? What are the main issues? And how do you plan to use it? 

Can end up one of two directions, running functional, all together and pass state inspect, take to dealer and trade or check value where if low keep and use for myself.  It is overkill in so many respects but doable for light duty reserve it back for more heavy work.

 Sounds like a good plan! Great looking truck! What is the year?

Regards,

 Chris

Drained engine oil and fuel tanks, removed the add on battery box, pulled pan and got this far.  The piston/rods are out, will need to inspect the mains and then pull sleeves to inspect the block.  List keeps growing as to what needs done as I go.  Two rod bearings were rough, but journals appear good.  

Merry Christmas!

I got hard after the machine this morning, after the wife tried to destroy her four year old Explorer, blind corner going to work, 8" dia tree fell across road, she ran over it, both front struts, right lower control arm, three bent wheels and three damaged tires so far.  Is at the local body shop/tow service.

Dropped the three mains I wanted to inspect, Front(Receives side load from Belts), Rear(Down pressure from Flywheel/clutch) and Thrust.  ALL looked good for age so confident of bottom end, still have to pull sleeves.

Last photo Rear main and #6 Rod journals, 1&6 should readily polish up.  Hex on main cap bolt is 1 5/16".

 Our Condolences to you and your family. Good you went to see him! 

Truck project will for sure keep you busy! 

Regards,

 Chris

These are APTIV/Delphi connectors

Need to procure the Battery/Tool boxes rear mounts and get the tank hanger spacers then can await the sleeve puller.

Also need to stop by Fastenal and get more 5/8 x 2 1/2 and 3" bolts washers and lock nuts.

 Looks like a lot of my projects! Something has to get dirty or demoed before it can start to come back to life! Thanks for the updates!

Regards,

 Chris