I went to Rich's house yesterday to take a test drive in the truck while I could still shift. The following was done to the truck:
Engine was replaced with an 8.3 Cummins turbo diesel engine (250 HP)
A 7 speed Spicer overdrive transmission replaced the Autocar 5 speed
A Ross power steering box replaced the manual steering unit
The radiator was recored
The rear breaks were changed to maxi breaks
I was very happy with Rich's work. The amount of fabrication it took to make this work has to be seen to be believed.
The truck starts right up and idles great. The transmission shifts smooth and is fully synchronized and is so much easier to shift than the old 5 speed. You don't need to double clutch each gear like the old transmission. It's like shifting a modern pick up truck.
The power steering makes a word of difference. Big Melvin's tires are over 4 feet tall. Steering it going down the road was an adventure with the manual steering. They were almost impossible to turn when the truck was stopped. Now you can turn the steering wheel with one hand.
The amount of power the engine puts out is crazy. I drove the truck a lot when I first restored it. The 501 Autocar gas engine was rated at 145 HP when it left the factory in 1948. You had to shift a lot of gears on any hill you came to. The 8.3 Cummins is rated at 250 HP. I pulled a hill in 6th gear with the aux. transmission in high that I would have used 3rd gear and the low side of the transmission with the old engine.
The engine is also fitted with an exhaust break. This holds back pressure in the engine and slows it down when you let off the gas. Although it doesn't have a loud bark like a jake break does,it does make pretty cool hissing noise.
I only drove it a couple miles and look forward to getting it home and completing it.
I've added some new pictures. The engine needs detailed before show season.
