Mack

[mrsmackpaul]

On 9/28/2024 at 6:10 AM, mrsmackpaul said:

If it was me I wouldn't worry about what any previous owner says may or may not be wrong 

I can understand the previous owner doesn't want any involvement, just get it off their place

It is no longer their problem, it is now your truck, your problem 

All of that been said, maybe think about getting a jerry can and some hose and just run your supply and return out of that

If you can make the truck run fine from that, you know the problem is in the tank or the hoses connected to the tank

 

Paul

 

 

This is may of come across a bit harsh

My point probably is badly made

I guess what Im trying to say is, this truck has been a issue for a long time and if the miles shown are correct it has been a problem for a long time

The truck needs a fresh set of eyes, your eyes and hands etc with and whole fresh approach

If you worry about what others have done before there's a real risk of repeating their mistakes and the truck becoming a white elephant for you as well

Your that fresh set of eye's 

If I were you I would assume nothing and methodically work through and prove each system, fuel, air, oil electrical and so is operating correctly  until you find the issue that has caused the truck to not of worked for over a decade

Just some thoughts that may or may not help

Keep at it and you'll get there

 

Paul

[JoeH]

3 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said:

This is may of come across a bit harsh

My point probably is badly made

I guess what Im trying to say is, this truck has been a issue for a long time and if the miles shown are correct it has been a problem for a long time

The truck needs a fresh set of eyes, your eyes and hands etc with and whole fresh approach

If you worry about what others have done before there's a real risk of repeating their mistakes and the truck becoming a white elephant for you as well

Your that fresh set of eye's 

If I were you I would assume nothing and methodically work through and prove each system, fuel, air, oil electrical and so is operating correctly  until you find the issue that has caused the truck to not of worked for over a decade

Just some thoughts that may or may not help

Keep at it and you'll get there

 

Paul

Words of wisdom right there. If the former owner knew what the problem was they would have fixed it.

Edited September 29, 2024 by JoeH

[mowerman]

Seems like if you’ve got the 1500 it would be a lot easier on you to get the thing home. Good luck.

[mowerman]

I had to put a clutch in my DM when I bought it. It was 40 miles from here then I drove at home. Didn’t have too much trouble… bob

[Geoff Weeks]

I second the tow it home suggestion. Cheap at twice the price. You'll soon if not already, exceed that price in trips and hotel bills.

 While it is true that you still have to fix the truck, it will be much cheaper and easier to do at home base.

 I was involved (reluctantly) in a similar rescue of a English double deck bus that had been sitting for decades in a field as a stationary display.

 My Boss bought it "sight-unseen" and re sold it to radio station in Huntsville AL. He came to me (mechanic for the company) to ask what his son should take with him for the trip. I argued that it should be towed to our shop, gone through before delivering to the end buyer. 

 I was overruled, and the son set off for Tulsa,Ok. The bus ran after a fashion but the clutch went out after one trip around the block. Son flew home.  I was dispatched to fly into Tulsa and a clutch was air freighted in from England. I was supposed to install the clutch and deliver the bus to Huntsville. Again I argued against it. 

 I got to Tulsa with a bag of tools and a waiting crate that contained a clutch (turned out to be the wrong clutch cover). I had to disassemble the pressure plate and move it to the old cover and re assemble. The Flywheel had a removeable wear surface that the disk rode on. It was cracked in 1/2 from heat. I finely got them to see the folly of trying to take this bus over the hills to Alabama in its present condition. They asked if I thought it would make the trip to Chicago? At least that trip is more or less flat. I wasn't in favor of trying but at least if it made it part way home it would be in the right direction. I spent the better part of a week fixing minor stuff and getting more or less legal to travel with things like wipers, exhaust and lights.

 Several local trips on city streets, it did ok, but 10 miles out at speed, it seized a piston. I let it cool off and nursed it back to the bus co garage that had sold it to my boss. 

 Finely the bus was towed to Chicago, where a new flywheel wear surface, new piston and rings in one hole, and other things were taken care of.

 Long and short it cost way more than 3x what it should have to get the bus in roadable condition to be delivered. 

 I fear you are following in my (reluctant) footsteps, spending more money trying to save money!

 In my case the rings had seized in the grooves, and while ok at low speed/load when the piston expanded under load, that was "all she wrote", and it was all over! Always a risk when buying something that has been sitting for any time. 

 Your money, your choice but at this point that $1500 sounds damn good way out and the cheapest option as well.

Edited October 24, 2024 by Geoff Weeks

[mowerman]

If you’re talking about the foot valve, I had mine part of around 30 years ago and there wasn’t a whole lot in it from what I remember it was just a piston and an O-ring that’s quite a rig you got there. I’m sure once you get everything dialed in that Truck otto serve you well good luck, bud

[Geoff Weeks]

All I can say, a year later, is the P/O is one of the most understanding I've ever seen. If I sold something and it was still on my property, either you would be paying rent, or it would be re-sold, or hauled for scrap.

Sorry, but I think that must be said. 

About a year ago, you had said you were going to have it towed. 

Put it on a low-boy with over height permits if needed and get it where you can work on it, or cut your losses and move on.

[mrsmackpaul]

Well it appears everything has vanished off the radar here from the original poster

 

Paul

[mowerman]

I don’t think it’s still in the same spot. He did mention something about pulling hills better. Bob

[Geoff Weeks]

On 9/30/2025 at 8:11 AM, mowerman said:

I don’t think it’s still in the same spot. He did mention something about pulling hills better. Bob

From what I remember before deleted, he was driving in the local area where the previous owner had it. The latest from him before delete was he made the 3 hr trip with new batteries, so last posted it was not at his place of business.

[mowerman]

well your guess as as good as mine