Freightrain

Now that's a classic picture!

Hmm, looks pretty nice shape still.

I've seen that truck run at QuakerCity a few years ago when the Diesel drags were still "Big". Had a few exhibition trucks making LOTS of smoke! Can't recall what that truck has two Cats? or cummins hooked together. Smith Transportation had a couple V12 DD running(one COE, one long hood). Seems they went 12.0's in the 1/4 mile. I have some video of them. Should get them to Youtube.

With all the BIG changes and improvements(if that is what you want to call them) that they have engineered into these new trucks/motors I'd be skeptical to buy anything(if I could afford one). Even the Ford had issues with the 6.0 when it came out. Seems they got that figured out and changed it again. Duh, more problems. The ol 7.3 was a dead reliable engine, but with tree huggers and the like spouting off, they had to change things. Our '99 7.3 PSD has 220K on it and still nothing but oil changes and one clutch(not bad for a shop truck with idiots driving it). You know as well as I, the old dawgs still like to hunt(run) as I use mine every weekend. I'm not afraid to drive it anywhere, though my back isn't so fond anymore LOL!! If I could alter it to the way I want it, it would be better(air ride). It needs a bunk also, as the g/f is a real trooper when it comes to 3 hrs bouncing in the passenger seat and trying to stay wake and sit upright. Where's all the free stuff I need? LOL!!

"It's just an old broke down firetruck" is the mentality they have about it. That's too bad, but in their defense they have much more important things to worry about(whatever that is). I couldn't fathom coming to find anything of mine "missing". Guess that's why I'm so paranoid about leaving stuff anywhere I can't see it daily, constantly. I lock my stuff up sitting in the garage! If they get in the garage, they'll have to work at getting into the vehicle too. There are MORE crooks then good guys anymore, sad fact. I hope in some way you can get back something on your loss(either money or you know what).

Remember........"Trucking, it's not a job, it's an adventure". "It's like a full time vacation, just drive and enjoy the sites" LOL!!!

Tom..............like I tell a guy here at work(the typical clown/jokester)........................"You need to find a job that keeps you more active" LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ya, this was the meeting place for the photo op. I did get to talk to Dr. Bill shorty as I was crawling around his W model as he walked up. He graciously told you to get in and take a look around. Told him I hadn't seen the little GMC since the ATHS video.

I used to put 15w50 Rotella in mine, but found 30w instead this year. The oil pressure seems to say a bit higher and stable with it instead of dropping off as much with the multigrade. Still pulls 50+ psi running down the road.

Depends on which side of the pond you're on as to which side what stick is on. Not sure the reason behind which stick being where. Duplex compound it's on far side(passenger seat), where Tri and Quad it's near driver(this being American trucks) The difference in the quad boxes has alot to due if it's a double overdrive or not. This cuts the gear ratios back a few as you don't split 5th(since it's OD). Get the model number off the drivers side of tranny and that will determine what the ratios are. TRQ-72 or TRQ720(double over), plus plenty other variations.

Glad you had a great time Mike(and Bobby). These shows are quite the sight to see. Never ending stuff to look at and people to talk to. Just no way for me to go that far. Here's the ATHS group photo from Syracuse in '03.....(has it been 6 yrs?) back: Stan walls, Dennis Wells, me, ?, ?, Dan Bruno, Indiana Bob, few hiding, Terry Tombaugh, Mike Harbison, Tony Weston, Bob kneeling: Rick, Dean, ?, ?(tip of my tongue) Mike, I have 4.62's in my truck. Gets you 65 on the highway up on the gov'r. Love to get you mine, as I'd like to get an air ride 4.3ish for mine. Not sure, if ever it will happen...........but a guy can dream, right?

Love to come to any truck show LOL!! Not sure I can fit most into my racing schedule. Dagnabit.

Well, your honor is safe with us.....................LOL!!! (not sure about the trucks?) Hope you have a safe trip, don't forget to put gas in the truck. We know how you like to run them outta fuel!

Girl in the pic? She's my "track groupie" LOL!!!! (or is that "crew chief"?). It surprised me I could even get my girl friend to stand in the picture. She hates getting her picture taken. Thanks all for the kudos. It was a good fight, no gimme's all day. Had to work for all of it. Jim, got some extra cash in my pocket now, so it's looking better for showing up for Gasser Reunion. Let's hope for DRY weather!

LOL!! Creepers are the DEVIL LOL!!!!! I constantly have to lift my head BEFORE any movement of a creeper LOL!!!

LOL!! ya noticed that too? LOL!!!! I'm not getting taller, my forehead is LOL!!!!!!

Ya, you always "wish" you had MORE whatever, but then when you come along someone with real problems it kinda humbles you. All that "important" stuff all of a sudden isn't. I could have used that money for something, but I'll survive without it. I'm square with the world and got a roof over my head so that's good for me.

Ya, Terry Tombaugh calls me hippie.........he buzzed his off a few years.

I just got to reading this post(late to the party again). This whole deal goes right in line with something in my life the last few years. The fellow that runs the UMTR(racing group) had prostrate cancer, and beat it last year. His wife got cancer last summer and lost to it a few months ago. It hit Dave(and all of us)pretty hard as she worked at each race and did alot to support Dave. With both of them sick, loss of work their funds were nill. There had been a fund set up at 5/3rd bank that was done by another racer to help out. My girlfriend and I have donated to it previously. When I went to pick up my winnings Saturday(cash), I counted out $200 and stuck it in Dave's shirt pocket. He said, "Well, I'm too tired to argue" and graciously thanked me. I told him that back a month or so ago(just after his wifed passed) that I told myself I was going to come and win this race for HIM! and then give a portion of the winnings to HIM. He hugged me and got teary eyed and thanked me. I told him that some people need it more then I do. I consider myself to be blessed well enough to afford to give something back. If I'm lucky enough to win again, I'll give again. A quote from our forums: "Thanks to all of the racers and pitcrew members for another great race and show. A special thanks to Larry Kortkamp for dedicating his win to my wife Nona. Larry, thank you for what you done for my family. Director of race operations UMTR North"

I had a serious farmer tan growing from riding the bike to work all week, so I thought I'd move the tan lines up a notch. I was putting lotion on all day, but it was brutal out. There is NO shade at Quaker but my trailer/awning. They drag you to the lanes, then let you sit there for an hour to roast. Gawd, I hate the place. I'll take the money though.

Had my first stick shift race on Saturday and took home ALL the marbles! It was a long,hot, sunny day(got pretty red), but after 6 rounds of eliminations and all the dust/smoke cleared I came out on top. Good start for the year, as I'll be #1 in points and of course now I'll have a BIG red X on my back as everyone will be gunning to take me down Life is good. grey haired hippie driver.............. Might have to use some of my winnings to go to Gasser Reunion this year? How about it? Two weeks away, though I have a race at Marion County this Saturday(3 hr drive).

Like I mentioned about my '67 I ran std Valvoline 10w40 in it. It had 150K miles on it( I put 50K on it) and I didn't worry much about wiping a cam out due to the weak valve springs. After 35 yrs, it was worn in and don't think the additives are all that critical at this point. Your old Flathead would probably survive on used cooking oil, let alone a low additive new oil.

Hmmm, was she adopted????? Does she resemble the mailman?

The last few years has wreaked havoc on the hot rod crowd and failed motors(due to additives, or the lack of). Now everone seems to know the real reason why and takes precautions. My old 67 F100 ran fine with the newer oil, as the valvetrain was so weak it didn't see the wear a "big" cam puts on it. ALL my hot rods get VR-1 Valvoline 20w-50 since it has the proper additives to allow life with flat tappet cams. Never had a failure in all the years. Hope to keep it that way.

Crap!! That's alotta snow!!! (when it's tall as a freak'n train engine........that's ALOT of snow) Only thing we ever had around here was the storm of 1978. Nothing like that, but was the "Big one" around here. Rob: you needed a generator to keep the frig running to keep the food cold?? Did ya notice the snow outside?? LOL!!! (ya, I know you want it cold, not frozen).