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RE: Might have found that 100% American made truck
A Volvo an American made vehicle ? My 1962 Volvo PV 544s was made in Gothenberg, Sweden....but it was cranked out in '62. I guess things are different now. ;)
Hey, I had one of those PV544 Volvo while in Germany, not sure of the year, had dual SU carbs..big stick shift...ran pretty doggone good car..passed on from one GI to another for years as far as I know.....
I also lived close to the Volvo plant when I worked at Radford Army Ammunition Plant.. The Volvo place was a good place to work from what I understood...
My '62 had the B 18 engine...1800cc...twin SU's...quick for a 4 banger. Handled very well and best shifting vehicle I've ever had and/or used.
Back in the '60's think a lot of American and Canadian troops stationed over in Germany bought VW's, BMW motorcycles....from the factory.
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05/22/13 08:33pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Made in America?
Remember when those vehicles had sticking accelerator petals. Toyota blamed it on the stupidity of their customers. NEVER will I trust that company.
And the domestics have never had recalls? Remember the Pinto? or how about the Exploder? Look at the top 10 most infamous recalls list. One from Toyota and one from Honda. The rest? Ford and GM.
The sticking pedal issue was an isolated case that got blown out of proportion by the media. It caught on and all of a sudden they were happening everyday. Coincidence? Funny how it happened as Toyota was set to become the largest auto maker in the world and the domestics were needing bail outs. Also funny was how quickly it stopped happening once Toyotas' reputation was hurt.
Sound like a PR man for Toyota.:)
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05/22/13 08:30pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Might have found that 100% American made truck
A Volvo an American made vehicle ? My 1962 Volvo PV 544s was made in Gothenberg, Sweden....but it was cranked out in '62. I guess things are different now. ;)
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05/22/13 05:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: engine mods
I wonder about a 400 small block Chevy crank in the 350...which would give you a 383 cube V8. Also an RV/tow truck cam ?
You can call different cam companies and their consultants can advise and this is something I would recommend.
Or check out some GM crate engines...not all are hot rod engines.
You have to be careful though....all this can add up and unless you can do the work yourself...it could be costly.
Maybe not cost effective.
I'm not an expert and many of the other guys offering advice aren't either. So wise to review different ideas with someone who has expertise.
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05/22/13 05:19pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Here is something to chew on.......
My Chevy is a POS and I am ready to sell it, buy a MH and a Toyota pickup for a toad. We have owned 7 Toyotas and 1 went in the shop at 72000 miles and Toyota put a new engine in i t for free. I can't even get Chevy to pay $940 for the glowplugs which were under warranty. I wrote to Chevys president and they just blew me off. You buy a $45000 truck and you get crap. The hoses from the transmission to the cooler are potmetal, pressed to rubber back to potmetal and tey all leak, leaving puddles in the driveway. You have to remove the fender to replace the fuel filter. Stupid Engineering. I had a 7.3 Ford but the new ones are just as crappy as Chevy. The Toyota Camry has dethroned the Ford F-150 as the "Most American" car,To add insult to injury, Toyota was ruled the most "American" auto manufacturer, beating out Ford. What does GM mean? Government Manufacturing?
Two worst cars I've had since I began buying vehicles were Toyota's. One a '73 Corolla and a '07 Matrix. Both bought new, both multiple, expensive problems. Best vehicles I've bought over the years, with the exception of a '76 Chevette....GM.
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05/21/13 09:12pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Class act by Canadian hockey fans...
I've never been very good at remembering words to songs. Also don't have any rhythm...don't know why.
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05/21/13 10:43am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: New heavy duty truck
Cat is building on road trucks again. A bit of overkill for rv but it gives you guys something to talk about. I had to move one this past weekend and all i can say is it was nice.
I don't recall Cat ever building on road trucks....Cat built diesel engines for on road trucks of other manufacturers...yes....but not on road trucks.
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05/21/13 10:41am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Anyone know about the Chevy 409 truck engine ?
Kind of ironic that as young-uns most of us had high horsepower,gas guzzling,4 speed cars.Most of us made minimum wage,like what,a $1 or $2 an hour,put gas in the car,hit the soda fountain,fast food places with a date,not to mention the guy at the tire store was always standing outside his store with floor jacks and new tires every time he heard you driving down the road, and still had a few $$ in our pockets.
Now we make in an hour what we made in a few days,and we worry about gas mileage.
Where did we go wrong? Was buying the camper the straw that did it. Sure can't be the house,wife and kids.:B
I know what you mean. In the late '60's I was just out of high school. I had a '67 Camaro RS coupe, 327, 4 speed Muncie, marina blue, red line wide ovals, rally wheels.
A buddy had a '70 Nova SS 350, 4 speed Muncie, Hurst shifter, another a '68 Super bee...383, 4 speed.
Before that we had fast motorccyles.
After all this...we had Vega, Pinto, VW, Toyota, Datsun (not Nissan back then)....4 cylinders, wives, kids and responsibilities....:D
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05/20/13 08:12pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Good bye V10. What should be next?
It seems that no matter what the subject is a bunch of folks say go with F 350.
Ya got me.
Generally the people that recommend Ford, drive Ford. GM guys recommend GM, Dodge guys recommend Dodge.
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05/20/13 04:17pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: squirrels under the hood
Son-in-law had squirrels chew up his wiring harness to the tune of $800.00 dollars. He put out the live traps and captured them and then released them about 20 miles from his house. He wanted to just shoot them but daughter said no because it was not legal to shoot firearms in the city limits.
Hope they don't come back. Have heard that wild mice and rats can make their way back within that kind of distance.
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05/18/13 07:53pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Anyone know about the Chevy 409 truck engine ?
I recall the Rat motors. First one I saw was in the spring of 1965. It was the 425 hp...396...in a silver Corvette, with outside exhausts.
My father bought a new '69 Impala to tow the family trailer. It also had a 396...but the 2 bbl. low compression version, (L 35 if I recall) with 265 hp.
Thanks for the info. I believe the 409's had forged crankshafts (?) and were quite beefy.
I didn't realize the 409 had a problem dropping valves. That could be expensive.
As you say the valve covers are scalloped....in the shape of a W....I've always thought they were unique in looks.
From what I understand they were only available as high performance engines (I include the 409/340 hp version as a high perf, engine) in full size cars. and medium duty and heavy duty trucks. No pickups as far as I know. But I could be wrong.
My 409 valve covers are different that those sold in the states. In Canada there was no Chevolet bowtie emblem stamped on the cover...as in Canada the Pontiac line used Chevy powertrains....including the W series. I beleive the GMC line also used Chevy powertrains in the 50's and '60's.
So, my understanding was that Chevy engines in the Canadian market did not have bowtie emblems stamped on valve covers...as they also went into Pontiac and GMC's up here.
As an aside and off topic, but still about Chevy commercial trucks... I do recall a guy I knew that used to be a manufacturer's agent for a meat/sausage company back in the 1960's.
His work truck was a Suburban style body (seemed to be 3/4 ton)...long body....panel truck delivery style with panel truck back doors. Think it was around a '65...had a 327 cube 4 bbl V8 with a 4 speed transmission.
He had duals installed...that had a nice V8 rumble. It was a vehicle I wouldn't of minded having after it's work life was over.
Never did get it though. Ah well.
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05/17/13 05:41pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Anyone know about the Chevy 409 truck engine ?
I don't really know anything about them other than driving dump trucks that had them. What I remember is they used lots of gas.
Truck Engines
"Year Used Cubic Inches Bore Stroke Horsepower
@RPM Torque
@RPM Compression Carburetion Special Notes
1965 348 N/A N/A 220@4400 325@2600 7.75:1 4 bbl *See note 1 below
1965 409 N/A N/A 252@4000 390@2400 7.75:1 4 bbl *See note 2 below"
"*Note 1: Big muscled standard engine for Series 80. Features four barrel carburetion and heavy duty components for top performance. Also available as an extra cost option in Series 60 and 60-H models."
"*Note 2: Powerful extra cost engine for Series 80 is built for big payload hauling on the toughest runs. It features the finest in heavy duty components to give it the long run stamina needed in big truck work."
Thanks very much for the information. I have been looking for this info for the past few days, without success.
I think the series 80 was a tandem axle (sometimes both axles were drive axles) and I'm assuming the transmission might of been a 5 speed (Clark ? ) with a two speed axle.
Do you recall how the 409 V8's moved their loads ?
Sounds like at the time...they made pretty good horsepower / torque.
Were they reliable and durable ?
Thanks for the info.
BTW, I plan to mount the 409 valve covers on polished wooden board as a background.
My wife tells me it will be garage art....she wouldn't let me display it as house art. :B
Les
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05/17/13 03:44pm |
Around the Campfire
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Anyone know about the Chevy 409 truck engine ?
I picked up a pair of Chevy 409 cubic inch truck valve covers.
I know the 409 is one famous high performance engine in the passenger car....Beach Boy's wrote a song about the 409...'She's real fine'...
But I can't find out much about the truck version of this engine. Things like Horsepower, torque etc.
Any one know about this medium duty/ heavy duty truck engine of 1961-1965 ?
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05/17/13 01:51pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: EcoBoost problems on the Horizon...:?
The "problem" is not new and it's so far anyway been only a tiny fraction of the total built. Some have been purchased back from owners who then have a choice of another Ecoboost or another Ford Engine or take the money elsewhere. 34,000 on mine right now with no signs of any problems. It will have to show itself before I reach the end of my warranty (that's another 66,000 miles) :)
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe you have a 3 year/36,000 bumper-to-bumper and a 5 year/60,000 mile power train.
He might have an extended factory warranty.
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05/16/13 08:28pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: EcoBoost problems on the Horizon...:?
In my opinion, new vehicles need to be tested, refined and eventually manufactured to operate predictably, reliably, safely and with durability for every one who will be driving a particular make/model of vehicle.
There will be a wide ranger of drivers with differing skill and knowledge levels and each manufacturer needs to ensure that any vehicle for sale on the market...will operate well...for this wide range of drivers.
The market won't accept anything less.
Please note....I indicated every manufacturer needs to adhere to these basic standards.
I would also say that vehicle manufacturers do an excellent job in the manufacture of vehicles that meet these standards.
However....and no manufacturer in my opinion is immune...all manufacturer's have on rare occasion manufactured a vehicle...or design...or component... that has some difficulties.
When this happens it needs to be addressed quickly....by the manufacturer.
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05/16/13 03:30pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Chevy or Ford
Unfortunately many of the comments you will get will not be subjective. Some from brand loyalists who will always promote their favourite brand, no matter what.
Some from self appointed experts who gloss over particular vehicle issues...as that's their favoured brand.
What to do. Try each truck out...see which ergonomically is the best 'fit' for you, family and needs.
Then check the manufacturer's towing specs against the weight, size of the trailer.
If you have any specific towing questions....then I would put them in the 'Towing' forum of this website.
Also check out recalls, warranties of the particular trucks you like.
I would also not dismiss Dodge or Toyota from your list for consideration.
Hope this helps separate the wheat from the chaff....response wise.
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05/16/13 03:21pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Trailblazer Successor
If you like the SUV then get a Tahoe. Much better towing platform.
X 2
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05/16/13 03:16pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Chevy or Ford
I'd get the Chevy, not the F 150 with the EB V6. Some issues seem to be surfacing.
The F 150 with the 5 liter V8 would be my preference for a half ton Ford.
I would also consider the Dodge 1500 with the Hemi....in fact I think that would be my choice.
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05/15/13 06:01pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: EcoBoost problems on the Horizon...:?
Yawn. This has been discussed in depth over on the F150 forum.
"Yawn"....I hope your right... ;)....and probably you do too. :)
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05/14/13 06:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: EcoBoost problems on the Horizon...:?
If this becomes a big issue, it will be interesting to see how Ford handles warranty/legal claims.
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05/14/13 05:39pm |
Tow Vehicles
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