The breather vents look like an alternative for on road use. I kind of doubt I'll be running the truck in deep water but you never know what curve ball life might through my way. Understanding what I'll looking at helps a lot. I already ordered the correct replacement hoses. Got to thinking with those hoses cut it could allow water into the air intake as well as back feed into the air chambers. As a rule of thumb I think I will try to keep the original systems in tack whenever economically feasible.
I did find time to take the truck on the road before my temp expired. I controlled the shifting with the gear selector (1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5). I was much happier with the way the engine/tranny performed when I forced it to hold the gears to higher engine rps. I studied the linkage by the fuel pump with the "slide link" to the tranny. I didn't mess with it and probably won't until I have another temp plate. There will be some trial and error involved to get it the way I want it. The cable to the tranny seems well lubed. It has rubber boots on the ends to keep the grim out. I'm thinking I need to shorten the linkage to make it shift at higher rpms normally. It doesn't look like there is a lot of adjustment at the fuel pump end. I haven't tried to look at the tranny end yet. ......One step at a time.
Sorry for the delayed response. I did't realize the thread went to page two.