NHDiesel

Well here I am on my final stages of my Spicer 5-speed swap. Well, at the final stages of parts collecting anyway. The big hurdle, and the part I thought would be easy, is to get a flywheel and clutch. I have the clutch housing (SAE #3 pattern), starter, trans with a fresh rebuild thanks to our tax dollars (from govt. auction), pedal assembly, and hydraulic parts. I even have a divorced NP205 to bolt behind the Spicer to regain my 4x4.

Now, how hard do you think it would be to purchase a flywheel? Well I found a part number, "Replacement Flywheel for Cummins B Series 5.9L with 14" clutch, 173 teeth, thin ring gear. Replaces Cummins #3921263." I also found a clutch that will work with my 1.5" 10-spline input shaft. Prices are right, I'm ready to purchase. I just want to verify one simple thing- that this clutch and flywheel will work together before I drop hundreds on the pair. So I e-mail the web site selling the flywheel. No response after several tries. I tried calling them. No answer, and no return call to my message. O.K., with part number in hand, I venture to other sources. Nobody responded to e-mails, so I called around. For some reason I keep getting the same answer- they need a factory part number. They either can't, or won't, tell me if the clutch assembly I have a part number for will bolt up to that flywheel.

My next try was to ask if they could get me a flywheel and clutch for a Freightliner FL50 with a Cummins. That way they have an application to go by. Again, I get the same "we need a part number". O.K., I guess every Freightliner owner keeps a list of all factory part numbers for his truck.

I got very excited when I found a truck shop in Denver that advertised that they do custom drivelines, and are diesel specialists. Included was info about transmission swaps. Cool! These guys should be able to help me! 1 stop shopping, for my flywheel, clutch, and even have them build my intermediate shaft, and supply the yoke and flange I need for my driveshafts. I called them, and the guy was a complete *****. I told him what I was doing, and his response was "I need a part number." I said well how about looking up a Freightliner application. Again, "Hey, I said I need a part number. Get me a part number, and I'll help you." Wow. Talk about customer service. Shouldn't a "diesel specialist" be able to look up a part number?

O.K., Does ANYONE know of a source for either information about what part numbers work for a Freightliner, or know of a shop where I can buy the whole package, who is willing to actually look up what I need?

Jim