In the Beginning
It wasn’t a very pretty sight. Been sitting for quite a while in the weeds, maybe 6-7 years. Both tanks had diesel fuel in them that was more gum and sediment than fuel. A total of 5 tires on the rear tandems. A few rats nests here and there, including the mattress in the sleeper. Driver side window was down and would not go up. No brakes. Lots of rust. Everything rubber had gone south for the winter and stayed there. Pretty typical of an old truck that had been put out on the back lot after it got too expensive to maintain and run.
First View – 1976 White Freightliner Cabover. Model: WFT 8664 T
My first real life view
A 1976 White Freightliner Cabover. Model: WFT 8664 T.
Cummins 350 engine. Eaton 13 speed transmission, Twin screw. Sliding fifth wheel. Twin 150 gallon fuel tanks. and factory air conditioning.
This was the first real life view I got of the truck. All others had been on the internet. David McNeil struck me (accurately) as being as honest as they come, so I agreed to buy the truck sight unseen.
Then right after Christmas, I drove to Louisiana to help David get the tractor into running shape. I had dreams of driving it back to Texas. In the end, David loaded it on one of his flatbeds and hauled it to Texas for me.
Note the three rear tires you can see. All different sizes. Only two on the other side. Rear one flat. I ended up buying some wheels and tires from a friend of David’s.
This truck has originally been owned by the Louisiana highway department. They purchased it new. Manufactured in the White factory in Pomona CA.
I love this picture. It is like bringing back an old friend from the grave.
Cummins NTC 350
The engine looks a tad needy. Fuel pump did not work. Air intake fell off. Fan was missing one blade.
Note that green wire. A new one. That is the starter wire. Still there today.
While we never did get it running while I was visiting Louisiana, once started the oil pressure came up quick and it idled like a kitten.
The White’s Former Home
The empty spot in front of the Kenworth was the home of the Freightliner for many years. David couldn’t remember how long.
Gettin Some Fuel
The fuel in the Freightliner tanks had long ago gone bad. Not much in there except gum, varnish and water. So David borrowed some “good” fuel from this truck. I’m still not sure why the fuel in this truck was the “good” fuel. Somehow I don’t think DOT would have passed this one on the road….
David was a laugh a minute. Always had a great, “can do” attitude. He knows his trucks.
A few of David’s Collection
A few of the treasures David keeps handy.
I spend half a day out here in the yard looking at these. David had a story for each one. They were obviously his children and he was proud of every one.
Ratchet
David was on the ground under the truck reconnecting a fuel line. I was on top getting the loose end.
I knocked off the 1/2″ ratchet laying on top of the transmission. It fell down, around the transmission and hit David smack above the right eye. Blood was everywhere. As I recall, he said “darn”.
After you do something like that, you feel so helpless and foolish. Wishing it had been you rather than him.
He refused to go have it looked at, although later that nite after I went back to my hotel, he did go to the hospital and they put a few stitches in it.
After that, my nickname was “Ratchet”.
Wild Woman
David and “Wild Woman” Sherry. Quite a pair. A lot of fun to be around. Good people. Good friends.
It was in late December and just above freezing. Sherry kept us supplied with hot coffee.
The wrenches just about froze to your hands.
White Freightliner
I love this emblem. This too will be a restoration project some day.
Lots of drivers have stared at that emblem for lots of miles in the early days of trucking.
It is actually an electric horn button, but the “electric” and “button” are not functional. What WF called the “city horn”, the electric horn, I found dangling by one wire under the engine. To the scrap heap.
End