Re:Journal Packing

I remember that day very well. Learned a valuable lesson on spring rigging. You don't try to jack up the truck journal as all that does is transfer more engine weight to the truck. After all, that's what equalization is designed to do. We learned the hard way that you have to place the jack(s) under the engine frame, not the truck. That keeps the engine weight off the truck and you can proceed to change out the waste.
And we also learned (as has been mentioned) why it is necessary to soak the waste for a long time in oil. What started that whole mess was putting fresh and unsoaked waste in the journal box, and then adding oil on top. Not good. The waste has to act as a wick which carries oil from the bottom of the journal box up to the bottom of the journal, and unless the waste is thoroughly "seasoned" it ain't gonna happen. Result: A hot box.
Lesson learned.
CJ