Memories for us old truckers

DMiller · Oct 13, 2017

The old Allisons built on the Merlin pattern were not bad engines, weren't they the preferred for the 51? The old multi-stack radials as in the F4U Corsairs were some mean machinery! My pop was a WWII Navair Radioman/top turret man in PB4Y's was a aircraft mechanic after the war where I learned a LOT about aircraft and those engines a LOONNG time ago. Dad's first work company was Slick Airlines.

Most do not realize the old plywood PT boats were Allison equipped. Avgas, 110 octane WOOHOO!!

BSAA65LB · Oct 14, 2017

The Allison was a separate design from the Merlin. Allison had a heavier bottom end and a bit more robust valve train than the Merlin. But, the Merlin had a much better supercharger and supercharger drive.

The original P-51 had the Alllison. Switching to the Merlin turned the P-51 into the long range high altitude plane that was used so successfully in Europe.

They both sound amazing!

The PT boat engine was actually an older Packard aircraft engine. It was basically obsolete for aircraft use, but was a perfectly serviceable boat engine......X 3! The sound they must have made!

DMiller · Oct 14, 2017

Oh yeah, forgot about Packard, was one of the last wooden PT Boats on display YEARS ago in San Diego it had the Packard's in it.

old-iron-habit · Oct 15, 2017

Does anyone know if the PT boat that used to set at the boat museum a couple miles south of Rio Vista, CA. is still there on the east side of the river. When I left the area 30 some years ago they were restoring the boat. If I remember right it did run then.

Truck Shop · Oct 30, 2017

Had a few hours waiting for the next truck so I decided to take a drive. And found these two engines, a two cylinder Le Roi and a Gray Marine.

Truck Shop

crane operator · Oct 30, 2017

I don't know what grey marine is, but the first two letters are G and M, and that sure looks like a 6-71....... but I'm pretty young.

The old trucks kind of got somehow to airplanes and PT boats, so I'll just bring it back. This is in Dmiller and my territory.

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/hvo/d/359-pete/6339874723.html

$22,500

1978 359 peterbilt with a factory kt19 Cummins the truck has 11r24.5 tires all the way around 400,000 original mi. Rto12515 transmission call with more questions

Truck Shop · Oct 30, 2017

That KTA is one expensive engine to rebuild And heavy. That steer axle is at 11,000 plus lbs with that setting between the rails. A separate cylinder head for each cylinder.
The KTA's would put out power but hold on to your wallet on repairs. 45,000 to do a complete rebuild. Price is slightly high even with the KTA. Plus that transmission is under rated for that engine.
Thanks for posting.

Gray Marine went out in 1967. And yes that is a two stroke with a two valve head.

Truck Shop

crane operator · Oct 30, 2017

Truck Shop said:
45,000 to do a complete rebuild

\

I've heard they're expensive, but what's all the cost in? Rebuild each head? Pistons/ liners/ bearings are all getting obsolete, so big $ from mother cummings? Probably no aftermarket available either.

Junkyard · Oct 30, 2017

I used to drive for a guy when he was short handed. W900A with a KTA, 6+4, double frame, 65 rears etc. BADASS truck. It was always plant moves or short hops across Tulsa. I don't know what kind of HP it made but it damn sure wasn't stock. There's a hill on the high route west side of town, really hard pull. Short but hard. It's claimed many a driveline and numerous big loads have spun out climbing it. I've climbed it well over 200k and at any time I could slip the drives if I got a little heavy with my right foot. It had fuses in the driveline which I never managed to test

.

If you gouged on it, it was like an eclipse! Last I heard a full OH on one was pushing $60,000. That's nuts!

RZucker · Oct 30, 2017

Truck Shop said:
Gray Marine went out in 1967. And yes that is a two stroke with a two valve head.

Truck Shop

Good chance that's even the old "low block" with a one piece head gasket. I do remember the 2 valve heads with external fuel lines in the rear of old TS-24 scrapers.

mitch504 · Oct 31, 2017

Grey Marine is a marinized detroit.

DMiller · Oct 31, 2017

And that old Driptroit Grey has a coveted 6L71 alloy blower on it that the old street rodders would just die for. Machine the hanging lip off, reset the lobe clearances OPEN more and attach to a Edelbrock blower manifold with twin double pumper Holleys and any old GM small block on a long duration cam would turn on like it was fed dynamite, some did grenade but sounded awesome with that set up!

DMiller · Oct 31, 2017

Pitts Dozing is just up the highway from me, about 14 miles. Would be a snag to get that but 60K for a overhaul OWIE!! He has a lot of newer machines, most cat powered now, newest truck is Detroit equipped.

Truck Shop · Oct 31, 2017

Not to be an a$$ but if you look at the photo of the valve cover it says Gray. And those engines used a 6-71 block if I remember right.
The upper end of a KTA/K19 is where a ton of money goes on a rebuild. I noticed they called it a K19-no K19's were factory installed as far as I no.
There was a K19 on CL Spokane that they were asking 40K for with low hours on it a ways back.

Truck Shop

DMiller · Oct 31, 2017

Chances are in a 1978 Pete is a KTA1150 not a 19, Is correct is 19L by Cu In conversion but still that old is a KTA.

And yes Gray was its own entity but used the 6L71 base engine as their premier boats engine. I imagine Detroit supplied the basic engine Gray supplied the attachments.

Truck Shop · Oct 31, 2017

A large Le Roi engine

Truck Shop

Truck Shop · Oct 31, 2017

This Pete is a 1954 I knew the owner, he owned it from 54 till 1997 when he passed on. I took the photo of it with the load of hay. Then found this photo of it on
line with the KW some months back. It had a 262 Cummins with 4x4 boxes. He hauled timothy hay from Ellensburg Wa to Santa Anita race track back in the early 60's,
truck-trailer

Truck Shop

DMiller · Oct 31, 2017

Old bubble noses are so cool looking, just NOT to work on.

old-iron-habit · Oct 31, 2017

Junkyard said:
I used to drive for a guy when he was short handed. W900A with a KTA, 6+4, double frame, 65 rears etc. BADASS truck. It was always plant moves or short hops across Tulsa. I don't know what kind of HP it made but it damn sure wasn't stock. There's a hill on the high route west side of town, really hard pull. Short but hard. It's claimed many a driveline and numerous big loads have spun out climbing it. I've climbed it well over 200k and at any time I could slip the drives if I got a little heavy with my right foot. It had fuses in the driveline which I never managed to test .

If you gouged on it, it was like an eclipse! Last I heard a full OH on one was pushing $60,000. That's nuts!

2 Saturdays ago a KT Cummins in an International lowboy tractor sold for $2,700.00 at a local estate auction. The owner used to haul my D8 for me just so he could play. 8 years ago he turned down $8,000 for it. The new owner drove it out sounding good.

Junkyard · Oct 31, 2017

old-iron-habit said:
2 Saturdays ago a KT Cummins in an International lowboy tractor sold for $2,700.00 at a local estate auction. The owner used to haul my D8 for me just so he could play. 8 years ago he turned down $8,000 for it. The new owner drove it out sounding good.

And you didn't buy it? Dude?!?! I'd have let you double your $$$!

Memories for us old truckers

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