My Crazy, Crazy Truck...

**MarkT** · 05-11-2011 08:14 AM

I swear that thing has a mind of it's own, well a computer mind anyway-
The old clutch started to slip and I put a new one in. Now it's starting to slip- I guess I'll have to break down and spend a large chunk of money on a competition clutch for it. I hate that truck sometimes, but I love it at the same time. Didn't mention I pull with it though- yes, I'm a gear head.
Thought some might be interested, maybe not-

**WildChild** · 05-11-2011 09:16 AM

I have over 300,000 miles on my clutch.

**MarkT** · 05-11-2011 10:52 AM

I go through a clutch set about every 100,000 miles or so. Mostly due to heavy loads and tough pulling. The last clutch was put in about a month ago and come to find out- it was a light duty clutch. I drive an F-350 1 ton truck with a 7.5L(460 cu. in.) engine, 5 speed manual and 4:10 gearing. Might be a little on the big side for me, but she's my baby. Only 2 things it won't pass up, a gas station and speeding tickets. LOL- Lots of both I assure you! Starter quit this morning so thank God for manual transmissions and hills. Got my son to school and got back home, now, the clutch $750 for the competition clutch and an entire day to put it in and 15 minutes to change the starter. I dread crawling under that truck, the transmission and transfer case weighs 1,000 lbs as it is and I don't have the correct jack to pull it out with so let the balancing act begin!
Still not going to let any of this get me down today. It's still going to be a great day, my wife gave me the good look this morning so I had better be good today. That particular look I haven't seen in a few years and I like it!!

**WildChild** · 05-11-2011 11:19 AM

If you've got a floor jack that should handle it.
Anyway I hope mine holds out, I can't afford to change it!

**MarkT** · 05-11-2011 11:34 AM

I've got a floor jack and a 4 post vehicle lift with more tools a man ought to have, but I have to work alone and with my history of falling down and the heart attack- my wife doesn't like the idea of me working on things while I'm alone. Maybe I need to put an add in the paper for a guy looking for a guy to hang around with. I don't have any male friends around here and the female friends I have live in other states. I guess that's why I'm on here so much, just no friends. I'm kind of a home body from the IBS and even before it exploded- pardon the pun

**WildChild** · 05-11-2011 05:17 PM

I've never done a clutch, just radiator, water pump, stuff like that. You might check out something like Yahoo MeetUps and see if there are any groups in your area devoted to things you are interested in.

**MarkT** · 05-11-2011 05:32 PM

There are people into the same things, but I can't make it into town most days. I thought about starting a small group of us old timers to talk about the way things used to be. I'm an old soul and have been around old steam engine tractors and such all my life. Might just host it at my home, have a parade of old tractors running around the neighborhood! Wouldn't that be something to see??

**MarkT** · 05-11-2011 05:39 PM

I have built race engines for dragsters(slingshots) and pulling trucks and tractors in my spare time when I was younger. Had an old 64 Ford Falcon Sprint I put a closed port 351 Cleveland into. 4 speed Muncie and narrowed out Chrysler rear differential in, she would dance on the back tires. Set it up for alcohol and she was fast! 5 miles in 2 minutes flat from a dead stop. Average speed of 147. something mph, get your heart pumping fast. Had an Indy car, took it up to 210 without blowing it up. Fast times and good times.
Sorry to bore the daylights out of you Ladies with my car talk

**WildChild** · 05-11-2011 05:48 PM

Some of those old tractors are really cool. I'd love a chance to learn to operate some of them.

**MarkT** · 05-11-2011 05:57 PM

WC, I have a tractor you would love, I think. I'll see if I can get a picture of it on here. 1958 Ford and she runs like a sewing machine, er... a top, yes... a top.