mattb73lt

Great results from some hard and dedicated effort. Beautiful!

These are pretty rare. Out of all the B80 series I've see over the years, only a handful have had this tank. Do you need a replacement or are you looking to see if someone has one like it? There are a few different sizes for the different engines that were offered, this style I believe for the largest engines.

Most L model parts are pretty rare. A lot of my searches were fruitless, causing me to fabricate and get creative to solve issues. I shared almost all the parts I had accumulated with people restoring L cabs when I had my cab done, Dean can attest to that. What I had helped about three other restorers with their projects. Even my go to for parts, Matt Pfahl, said "Good luck!". He was only able to help me with some minor door and vent window parts. One of the FaceBook pages I'm on had some NOS parts posted for sale and they were gone almost instantly and for some insanely expensive prices. A NOS lower back panel that was still in the factory shipping crate went for $1K, A brand new LT hood for $3K(!!!) a stack of NOS floor mats for $500 each. Passenger side door skin. I've never soon anything like that before and I did and still do a lot of searching for L parts.

Mark, that horizontal line just goes over the top to the other side, just behind the radiator and in front of the cowl. Scroll back there's a pic of it fixed that way.

21 hours ago, Mark T said:

Almost seems like there should be something with the  corners (like instead of just a plain right angle ?)  Personally, I like the fenders with the little thingy over the wheel center. a small one of those over each headlight ?? 

I was back and forth on that, too. But it seemed simpler and more straight forward with the right angles. The first draft had radius' in each corner of the lower door panel.

Damn, that's going to take some effort to close up that void, but one repair/problem at a time will get you there!!

Those look very workable and certainly better than what you were starting with!!

I don't think I'm going to do that. Over time it'll get used and would be much easier to touch up or respray if needed to keep up appearances with out the added expense of re-striping it.

Really, it's on the label and I've seen it referred to elsewhere. It's an option and a very close match of the original shade, with a modern and usable paint code. It's his dime and choice of what he wants to use.

This is the paint code for Mack "Fleet Red", it crosses to American LaFrance Red. I got this from Matt Pfahl and it's what he uses. It's PPG Concept, which is no longer available I'm told. The paint code is still good and would cross to other manufacturers.

I'm with mechohaulic with a higher tension return spring. It sounds like a driver induced osculation. If you're hard on it it's smooth, but with a lighter touch or partial throttle your body movement is causing it. I've had it happen in cars, especially my little BMW when it's cold. Tried taking off a few times and it coughs, throwing me forward and then back harshly. So I'm pumping the throttle in 1st gear laughing my ass off for being in a rush. 

I've also had some pilots I was training do that. Give them the controls and have them do a maneuver, like a slope landing or trying to hover over an external load and the aircraft starts hopping around, getting progressively worse. I take the controls back and it smooths right out. Give them back again and it starts to build again. I'd take the controls again, then tell them to reach down and tighten up their seat belt because they're hopping around in the seat. Actually gave me a few laughs messing with them that maybe the aircraft was about to come apart catastrophically and we're all going to die.

I did a quick Google search for 28-30' Mack roll backs and had numerous hits. Newer tandem ones are certainly available. Average price is $100-150,000. Cheaper ones could be found, I'm sure. If your looking for something vintage, like the one posted above, the pickings will be pretty slim and you'll probably be looking at building something to suit your needs. Also, while convenient for loading and unloading, roll backs can be tough to load fire trucks due to the distance from the axle to the end of the tailboard which is usually pretty long. Cribbing and ramps will help soften the angle when the body is up. A lowboy trailer and tractor arrangement might be another and cheaper option.

1 hour ago, mack31 said:

Yes they are little harder to find. Will definitely need a tandem rear. This will be for moving antique fire apparatus. 
 

Was the 80s R a tandem? I am continually looking every day. Auctions, truck paper, Facebook etc. 

Prefer a Mack that a reasonable price. 

Yes it was. I can’t recall the length, but it looked in pretty decent shape. 

28-30' is a long roll back and not very common. 20-24' would be more common.  I've seen numerous ones mounted to R model chassis over the years and the longer ones are usually tandems. They're out there if you look. I did see a Weld-bilt mounted to an 80's tandem R in PA a few weeks ago for sale. Being more specific in your wants and a geographical area of you search would help in your search?

The more this comes together, the better it is looking!! A really unique paint scheme is coming to light and some history along with it. Much better than it all being one color, too!

I few places come to mind, eBay motors, several pages on Facebook for mack truck parts. Just by posting your needs there you may get some interest from someone who has what you need. I would think also, that any reputable upholstery shop could do a decent job replicating the cushion. Bring your good cushion with you for a materiel and pattern match.

That's going to look fantastic!!

Paint looks awesome. I love that combination. It sure will be unique to see it all together.