Bringing a W900A Back To Life

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by Lance Barthelemy, Sep 17, 2018.

  1. Lance Barthelemy

    Lance Barthelemy Bobtail Member

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    Hi Guys, Just worked a deal with a gentleman in town and I now own a 1980 Kenworth W900A with a 36" flat top. The truck has been sitting for about 6 years. It has a 400 cummins with a bad camshaft(this is why the truck was parked) all I know so far is when the truck was brand new it was owned by Budweiser. There was one owner between Budweiser and the guy that I am getting it from. The guy I am getting it from drove this truck for 17 years all over the country side. I am interested in putting the old girl back to her former glory. I am going to pick the truck up by the weekend and start from there. I have never posted on a forum like this at all but I am going to give it a try and upload pictures as I go. Hope there is some interest out there I am sure I will need some tips and pointers on the way. I am from Southern NH.
     
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  3. larry2903

    larry2903 Heavy Load Member

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    I’m sure you’ll get lots of help when you need it, lot of good people on here, and we definitely need pictures. Are you going to put her to work once you’re done with the rebuild?
     
  4. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Looking forward to seeing some pics!
     
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  5. tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Hope you have better luck with finding someone to insure you to get it home than what I have had the last 2 weeks.
     
  6. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    I will be watching with interest. I have an 82 with the big flat top I hope to get around to putting back on the road.
    Mine is 300 in wheelbase on pete airleaf, with ss's, but I have a set of 46 rockwells with lockers on international air ride to go under it. Big cam 400 cummins and 15 in it now, I have not made up my mind to stay with that combo or not. I need to do some measurements, to see how much problem it would be to stick a cat or 12.7 in it with air to air. I have a line on a fresh ddec iv and an 18, it also comes with 46 doulle lockers on pete air trac, which would be a bolt in for the suspension, decisions, decisions.

    I have a couple of A model parts trucks, eventually will have some parts once I make up my mind exactly what I am going to do.
     
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  7. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I was going to go the Series 60 route with an 11.1L in my W9A if my 3406A block was no good. I think you'd be able to get an ATAAC in it if you threw the shutters in the trash can. An extended hood (which mine isn't) would obviously have more room to work with though.
     
  8. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    Seen a few W900A with Peterbilt early style ATAAC that has inlet and outlet @ top.
     
  9. Atlaw4u

    Atlaw4u Heavy Load Member

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    I'm looking forward to seeing the progress. Good luck.
     
  10. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    I know it has been done, a couple of different ways, one is to notch the radiator tank on top and use a cooler that goes over the top. I seem to remember that a W900L model radiator is shorter and will work without cutting the tank. If I decide to go this route I will figure what is the best way to go, probably will anyway even if I stay with the big cam, so I could add air to air.
     
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