1988 Pete 377 w/ Cummins Big Cam 4,update

I havent posted for awhile, but just a followup on the Pete 377 I bought a couple of months ago. It wasnt in as good as condition, as described to me. Guess you should always inspect personally, before you buy something such as this, but , guess live and learn. Anyway, motor is probably in good condition, despite some oil leaks. I did replace the pan gasket, which took care of the majority of the oil leaks. The other oil leaks are coming from the whole assembly where the power steering pump is located.(also leaks ps fluid). Mechanic I asked about those leaks, said it is probably seals, gaskets, etc, but to fix them the whole assembly needs to come off from the front. Not expensive for the parts, but, if I remember correctly, he said about 10 hours worth of labor(10 hours x $75 hr, think I will just monitor the leaks!)(lol). The more indepth I had him inspect the truck, the more items he found that needed some attention.

Just received his bill for repair of some of these "items". $2475 worth of repairs, with $1400 of it being labor! I really wasnt expecting it to be "that" much! He replaced a few hoses, belts, fan blade, engine fan, clutch brake, a rear brake seal, etc. Something that I didnt have him replace,l he pointed out to me. Can't remember what you call this, but it is on the rear suspension(this is a spring suspension), some "arms" go from the springs back, and there are bushings in each end of these arms. Well, a couple of bushings are completly gone. He told me you had to buy the whole arm, not just the bushings, and the arms were $900! Ouch. I am still on hold on them.

I was trying to fix a few things myself on the body. I was thinking I would paint it if I could have someone fix a couple of BIG cracks in the fibreglass cowlings, right in front of the steps. I have never attempted to fix fibreglass, so don' think I want to start now. I do have a question. I was wondering if a person could find the whole step assembly, cowling, ect, at a salvage yard, and just replace that whole assembly. This is just on the passenger side where behind the steps is a big crack, and in front of the steps they is a crack, and some previous owner put a metal strap on it to hold it together. Plus the front cowling, in front of the steps, is half worn off. The lip is gone, so you cannot help support the front cowling, as there is nothing to hold a bolt in. Kind of a mess. We have another '88 Pete 377, and that whole assembly is the same. I wonder how many years, they would all be the same size? If I could find one in a salvage yard, it might be in as bad or worse shape than mine, so who knows? Any Peterbilt salvage yards anybody know of?
thanks,
coadman

 

I am sure I will probably have some more "financial abuse", in the future with this truck. I own a farm, so all of my hauling is local stuff to the elevators. I could have changed hoses, belts, etc myself, but didnt have the time, as I was trying to plant corn. Now that the truck has been worked on, it has rained for about 3 weeks straight, and I now have "plenty" of time.(lol). When it gets mid summer, I'm not normally too busy with any farm items, I may try and tackle the rest of the leaks in that power steering assembly.(If I can find a manual telling me how to replace the parts I take off!(lol). My shop labor is not near as high as the mechanics that do this for a living.

 

Being on the farm, we normally fix all that we can with equipment, before taking it to town to local shops. We have a nice shop, we can get everything in, that needs to be serviced. I call for a lot of "assistance" from service personal, but most I can get done if I have something to look at. That is why, I think I could probably get my other oil leaks fixed myself, if I have the time, and a good manual would help. I imagine I can go to Cummins or Peterbilt in Wichita, and have them look up the parts, then print me out picture of where things are to go.
I wouldnt mind putting some money in this truck, if it was air ride suspension. This spring suspension rides awfully "rough"!(lol)
coadman