1975 Atkinson restoration

Sarge :-X wrote: you are doing great stuff oilman, keep breeding them, you will be fleet owner in no time....

Yes Dear, I put 2 trucks next to each other and they had babies. That's why we have 5 trucks now... :whistle:

I wasn't planning on painting the engine just yet but still waiting on the sandblaster and it had to be done sometime anyway. Spent the best part of a day degreasing, steamcleaning and then wire brushing the block over the weekend. Painted the block and bits and pieces today. The color of Gardners seems to vary a lot, so just used some dark gray that I had on the shelf. Need to clean up the alloy bits and get some gaskets before I can put it all back together. Also removed the clutch while I had the chance. Looks OK, so just need to replace the pilot bearing and I can put that back together. Not sure how I will go without an alignment tool.

Use a piece of dowel wrapped in electrical tape.

Wrap the dowel rod o suit the pilot bearing, then the clutch plate and it should all be very close.

Did this recenetly to get out of a tight spot an it worked well.

I've also machined up some dowel to suit but that's overkill.

I’ve never used an alignment tool, I have always just done it by eye. I tighten the pressure plate bolts just enough to hold the friction plate, and look down each spline tooth and try to get them lining up with the same spot on the pilot bearing. Then when she’s spot on, nip up the bolts. Looking good otherwise.

The 16" twin plates arent too hard to do like that,but with the 14" the flywheel is deep,and you cant get at the plates.......an old RR mainshaft is what I used,.......but..what kind of clutch is it......the flywheel looks a bit like the big Borg and Beck 17" single plate.....I used to line up SPs by eye,now I cant even read the numbers off the end of a pinion without glasses..................I remember the Viets next to my yard ,didnt know how to adjust an angle spring,kept fitting and removing S/H plates from Wanless Wrecking.........but it is amazing how many owners cant adjust an angle spring.........and they start slipping real quick if they get out of adjustment.

I don't know much about truck clutches so I guess now is as good a time as any to ask some questions. It is a 14" Dana Spicer twin plate clutch. The plates, flywheel, splines etc are all OK so it will be going back together. Need to replace the pilot bearing. Not sure if the thrust bearing needs replacing. How do I remove it? The bushing that runs on the input shaft looks worn - is it possible to replace this and should I while it is apart? Not sure if the clutch brake is OK - haven't looked at it yet and not sure if I'd know when I do. Also how do you adjust this clutch?

Clutch linkage may B different to Mack

cya
§

You want to remember that the shovelfull of dust in the housing is likely asbestos....Although I ve done clutches on 3 axle dennings ,and you have to get very closup to the housing infront of the tag axle.....and i havent died .....yet.

Well my 2 weeks of Xmas holidays are over and while I did some work on the project most days I don't have much to show for it. The sandblaster is holding me up, but I guess every job I get done is one less to do when the time comes. Some of the little jobs done included:
* Dismantling the door handles and making up a good pair from all the spares I had. Need to get two new oversize pins turned up in stainless.
* Painted lots of parts inluding the gearbox
* Had the brake drums turned up
* Removed the old brake linings from the shoes
* Made new brackets to hold the air horn (not a simple set up on the Atkinson)
* Had the alloy parts on the Gardner vapour blasted (waiting for gaskets so I can reassemble)
* Removed all the air hose ends and cleaned up for zinc plating.
* Wire brushed all the copper pipes and brass fittings.
* Removed some of the parts I need from the 'spares' truck

Sounds good to me

Dunno if you know or not but brake linings go on a certain way as in "anchor" on the end the shoe pivots on and "cam" on the S cam end
It is written on the sides of the new shoes so even fools like me can't stuff it up lol

Paul