That truck is a fantastic old survivor Jeff. Look forward to seeing the pictures as you work on it.

I spent about 3 hours today cleaning out and disinfecting the cab. It had a strong urine smell and was filthy. I found some good sized petrified turds but no nest which leads me to believe there were cats in it. It wasn't much fun wearing a dust mask in this humidity, I went through 3 shirts today. On the plus side I found all the missing door handles and two containers of something called "fire extinguisher in a can" I also hooked up a battery and found that the low air buzzer and headlights work.












Jeff

Going to be an interesting project to follow.  Finished product should be impressive. 

1986 Peterbilt 359

I do all my own stunts. 

Big and badass. Looks great.

Cabover Nut
In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...Denis Diderot 1752

I think those fire extinguishers were filled with carbon tetrachloride or carbon tet as Dad called it.

It was under pressure and there was a lead sealed dispenser on the top. Dad used it as a water displacer on the wires of his '46 Jeep to start it on damp days. It was also a great decreaser. I think carbon tet has been banned for maybe 50 years now.




Tony

Tony Bullard (8/16/2016)

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I think those fire extinguishers were filled with carbon tetrachloride or carbon tet as Dad called it.

It was under pressure and there was a lead sealed dispenser on the top. Dad used it as a water displacer on the wires of his '46 Jeep to start it on damp days. It was also a great decreaser. I think carbon tet has been banned for maybe 50 years now.



AKA Pyrene, same stuff as was in the refillable brass pump style extinguishers. Carbon Tet was also used as dry cleaning fluid back in the day


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“He, who is without oil, shall throw the first rod” Compressions 8.7:1
Steve Peterson
Central Wisconsin

Follow The Leaders For They Know The Way AUTOCAR

I figured someone here would be familiar with those fire extinguishers !

I have been examining the C2 over the last few days. So far I am very happy with the condition of the truck. The sheet metal is in very good condition, there is very little rust and only a few dents here and there. The wood in the cab is old and weathered, but pretty solid for now although it will need to be redone eventually. The drivers door is sagging and coming apart, with the sheet metal separating from the wood. So far it is the worst part of the truck. It will still open and close with some effort. The passenger door is pretty solid and opens and closes easily. The wood floors are not bad, although there is a little rot in them, probably from the cat piss. The windshields still open freely, and the steel windshield frames are in very good condition. However the supports are missing. The clutch is not frozen, and the transmission and transfer case seem to shift as they should. The hand brake seems to work. The ignition switch is missing and there are no loose wires in the general area, so this may be the first mystery to solve 

There was some damage done to the truck when they were getting it ready for the auction. They tried to lift the front of it with a large wrecker with an underslung lift. Apparently it slipped and broke off the front bumper, and the 90 degree fill fitting on the front differential. The fill fitting is threaded so I hope that is an easy repair. But the bumper mounts to the Cleco air springs and the ears on the castings are broken. I knew about this before the auction but it is a real shame they tried to lift the truck instead of pulling it using the large tow hooks bolted to the frame. I have an idea on how to fix this. 

Fortunately this has only been open for less than 2 months. I have the missing piece.
 

Too bad the wrecker operator didn't understand what frame mounted tow hooks were for !!





Now the good news: I found the camouflaged ignition/master switch !

Jeff

The condition of the engine was a big mystery on this truck. I know it ran in 2008, but not since then. I was hopeful it would be ok. The first sign of trouble was when the starter would not turn it over, although that could be caused by many things. Tonight I found two rusted off spark plugs in #3 and #4 cylinders, leaving a 1/4" hole in the top of each cylinder where water could get in. The rest of the spark plugs are pretty nasty as well. There are 2 in each cylinder. So the engine is locked up, with very likely rust damage in two cylinders. So I'm fairly certain the heads will have to come off, barring a miracle. I'm going to get a borescope and see what the cylinder walls look like and then decide what to do. But I'm afraid the heads may have to come off just to get the spark plugs out. I remember Tony Clemons having this same problem with one of his Whites.

 

Jeff

Keep the faith Jeff.
Get some penetrant into the cylinders and let em soak for a while.
Remember, the object is to get it running well enough to move in and out of the barn for now. ;)

Jeff,
We are so glad that you glomed onto this beautiful Federal to keep her from going back to nature.  We are so happy for you.  Looks like all she needs are the casings pumped up and a quick simonize job. 
Slim