The journey begins - purchased a truck.

"Sawmill's Shadtreey Chophouseshop and Wrench Services" has a nice ring to it.

 

No. Parked it last September after blowing the head gasket 800 miles from home. Engine hydro locked while I was sleeping. Wouldn’t start. Thanks to @BoxCarKidd I made it home. He talked me through how to bar the engine over and squeeze the coolant past the rings into the pan. Got it freed up, Fired it up and headed straight home. I’d been trying to come up with a plan that keeps me near home. That experience made my decision easy. Too much going on at home to be stranded far away. Between uncertainty of the Industry, my own potential health risks, decided enough is enough. Next time may not be so lucky. Just don’t need the added uncertainties right now. It’s all become more of a burden than a welcomed challenge. Like so many things in life, there’s no perfect way to end things. Sometimes you just have no choice. My stubbornness, indecisiveness and overall dislike of change has always been my worst enemy. I don’t know when to quit. Only so many things are in our control. That’s not always a bad thing. As it turns out, it’s a good thing I’m home these days. Priorities have changed drastically. Everything’s gone upside down. Thank God for people like @BoxCarKidd. I can’t thank him enough for his time and help. He’s helped me a few times when I was in over my head with his knowledge and years of experience. Also with his wisdom about living life in general. He’s a rare breed. I’m truly humbled. The Truck would probably still be sitting in NC with a storage bill higher than its value without his help, had I not reached out for his advice. No real plan right now. Just dealing with things on a daily basis. Same as always, just different circumstances. I’m satisfied with delivering 2064 Loads over 19 years without a single claim. Nothing left to prove to myself in Trucking. Most of my questions have been answered. Proof you can do anything if you have the desire to make it happen. I can’t complain.

 

Some real good people on this Forum. We are very lucky to haveTTR.

 

Had the same thing happen to mine only it was the line going to the air compressor this winter, ended up replacing everything that had a hint of yellow paint on it, and being done with it

 

Would be running cooler……

 

Mine (2000) started leaking at the block in 2014. Cheap repair. Replaced all the seals. Decided not to replace the cooler. Why? Because I figure I have a good one. Lol. My 92 WS w/cat failed in 1997. 99 Classic 12.7 failed in 2005. It’s been 10 years now. My Mechanic tried to convince me to replace it at overhaul. Nope. Had planned on replacing the actual cooler and seals again myself, painting it all up. Have yet to do it. Prices online for new cooler are expensive. I’ll keep the old one. It works great. Keep coolant good and shouldn’t corrode. Last one I changed was leaking at a small nick on one fin. Obviously caused by packaging, shipping, or installation. One of those things that may outlast the “new” replacement. Not a major deal if it leaks. Except for the added cost of replacing coolant these days. A couple flushes with Cascade or Ajax dishwasher soap does the trick.

 

I thank a shadetree mechanic maybe very good but short on resources. A shady mechanic maybe very well equipped because they have the extra money from taking advantage of people.
Used to do a lot of off road field work. I preferred to work in the shade any day. In the sun on blacktop is a sob.

 

Thank you for the kind words. That is a very impressive record you have. You know we have a lot in common: Stubborn, dislike change and don't know when to quit. Never thought I did much but you have helped me as well. Be strong my friend.

 

While I'm about 3 months behind on entering any numbers from the sad pile of paperwork on my desk, I'd venture to say you're still an inspiration lol.