Posted by Mike up north in Canada on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 2:26PM :
Hi!
First post here but regular lurker. I have learned a lot in the last weeks from all of you.
I am looking at buying a restored (body-off) 1957 K6-W300 FFPW and would like to pick your brains on a few things.
Background: I was raised on a farm were my father had a PW but it has been about 30 years since I rode in one. I am very mechanically inclined but have limited experience with FH6 motors.
Situation: The vehicule I am looking at is for sale at 15000 CAN$ and has been restored extensively (body and paint, oak bed floor, rubber seals, clutch and pressure plate, brakes, leaf spring and shackles, tires (9x16 STAs), interior, etc...) and a 1951 MU-2 winch was added. The 230 motor does not look original since no serial number can be found thus probably a crate engine. The rest looks original short of diamondplate running boards.
Issues: I went to test it in a parking (no high roads) and have identified the following points I would like your comments on:
1- Compression in PSI when warm: #1:100 (110 with oil added), #2:130, #3:130, #4:120, #5:100 (100 with oil added), #6:130. Spark plugs are new and show signs of soot but the vehicle has been in restoration for the last two years and has only run for short periods at a time. Oil pressure when hot: 40PSI. Comments?
2- The driving shafts show very minimal play in the joints but the pinion gears show almost 25% play (the driving shaft can be rotated about 1/4turn). Can this be adjusted or does it mean the pinions and ring gears need to be changed?
3- On the driver side, the frame shows a slight bulge on the side right where the cab and box meet. The top and bottom edges show little warpage. I did not have a straight edge to compare both sides. The rest shows no rust trough but some pitting. Is this area of the frame weak and prone to troubles?
4- When I drive it (only been able to get in second gear given the size of the parking), when I press the clutch and brake to stop, I can hear like what sound like U joint noise (rattling) coming from under the truck (could be between tranny and transfer case or the shaft to the front axle). Comments?
I look forward your comments and suggestions and if all goes well I should be joining you in the PW owners club.
Regards,
Mike
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