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vanscottbuilders

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Blog Entries posted by vanscottbuilders

  1. vanscottbuilders
    Those of you who have seen the pictures of my 1966 R-600
    know that the rocker panels and the rear cab corners are shot.
    Not too unusual with this cab style. The rest of the truck is pretty nice.
    I have brand new inner and outer rocker panels from Mack by way
    of Kevin All for the truck. But the cab corners have eluded me. And
    all of the parts trucks I have looked at have a little ridge in the cab corner that
    is not in the early trucks.
    So I needed a fix. And - low and behold, two fixes fell in my lap.
    I found a parts man at our local dealer who was willing to actually spend
    some time with the old books and microfiche, and found out that Mack still
    shows new sheet metal parts, including cab corners, for the early R cabs in stock.
    Then - to cap it all off - Kevin Heidrich found a parts R model in Texas that he
    wants the engine and transmission out of. I agreed to buy the adjustable fifth wheel,
    and he is going to cut the corners out of the cab and send them along on the pallet.
    How nice is that?
    Gotta love this truck stuff.
    BTW: Freight from Dallas, Tx. area to Rochester, NY area from Yellow Freight
    for one non-haz pallet of about 400# was just over $340.00. Not bad at all.
    You can't ride your bicycle from Dallas to Rochester for 340 dollars.
    Let's not forget about the common carriers for bringing home our parts.
  2. vanscottbuilders
    We had a rude awakening this week about the high cost of
    acquiring old truck projects.
    Jimmy had an early 70's Brockway. High mount cab, long frame
    tandem axle. An old concrete block truck with no body.
    We had taken out the auxiliary transmission to keep for another
    project. Anyway, there wasn't much left of the old girl. It had been
    parked right next to the railroad tracks, and all the glass was gone,
    the hood was off for years before it came to us and it didn't run.
    The opportunity came along to sell it a while ago for $500.00 to a local
    guy with a few other old Brockways.
    The fellow never took the truck out of our yard. So Jimmy offered to
    haul the truck for scrap and split the money with the new owner.
    Now for the rest of the story -
    If that truck was really worth $500.00 is really questionable.
    But, it brought $2,700.00 as scrap!
    No wonder we are losing a lot of good restorable iron every day.
    So - How do we fix this problem?
    Makes me feel really good about asking $3,500.00 for my R-600.
    It runs and drives perfect. You could drive it home easily.
    But, using the same junk price, it would bring over $2,000.00
    as scrap. And no hassles.
    No, I'm not scrapping it, or anything else I own.
    But it does make you think. And, being the extremely
    kind and patient person that I am, I'm sure I'll exercise
    real diplomacy the next time someone tells me my
    price is too high.
    Cars have been being crushed for years. There are a lot more cars
    than heavy trucks, however. And the collectible cars are worth a lot
    more money as projects than as scrap. So the threat is minimized.
    With trucks it is really sad. The inventory is small, and the scrap value
    is at an all time high; and a lot of history is being lost as we speak.
    My own suggestion is to gather up any projects you might want,
    and hold onto them, at all cost. The good stuff is going to skyrocket
    in price very quickly as the inventory dries up.
    Just think - your wives and girlfriends might even thank you for making
    such a wise investment! And you'll have a toy that very few others can have.
    Case in point-
    A few weeks ago, we had a coal train derailment in Palmyra.
    About 22 loaded coal cars, almost all in "light rollover".
    (1,000,000 pounds of coal)
    The salvage company immediately banked up the coal for
    reloading. Then they cut all the trucks off of the rail cars,
    and proceeded to cut up the hoppers right onsite!
    According to their foreman, at today's prices, it is much more
    economical to scrap the cars rather than send them in for rebuilding!
    That's unbelievable to me.
    Anyway - that's this week's rant.
  3. vanscottbuilders

    Dmm-800

    By vanscottbuilders,

    I just "inherited" a truck that I know absolutely nothing about.
    Somehow, I wish that was unusual, but it's not. I've never even seen it.
    As a compensation for a Mack engine that I bought from a local company that had a cracked block
    which was unknown to me or the former owner, I have been given a Mack DMM-800, less the rear ends.
    The truck has a brand new Mack certified 350 hp engine and an Allison ---750 transmission and a retarder
    (once again - I don't know anything about it).
    So - now with Jimmy retired - he's thinking that this might be a good candidate for his "retirement heavy tractor".
    Doesn't everybody need one of these? And don't you like how he just assumed ownership.
    We have a customer that he has moved buildings for, for thirty years. They have several DM-800's with the rear-ends intact. Those trucks are pretty much shot, but the rears are alright - sooo....
    The building movers are in a little bind with Jimmy threatening to quit for good - can you smell the wheels of creation turning?
    Stay tuned.............
  4. vanscottbuilders
    So - we are into September. Summer's pretty much over and the leaves are changing.
    We are making nice progress on the B-67 project. Fabricating mounts for the air tanks
    and air valves. Installing the radiator and all associated pieces. Got the shutters working
    nicely. The cab is coming along real good. It's in the body shop paint booth now (finally).
    We hope to have the cab back on the frame within the next few days.
    With the radiator installed, we should be ready to fire the old girl up for the first time in
    a long time.
    I broke down and bought myself a little project this week. Found a decent 1953 Chevrolet 1/2 ton
    pickup just around the corner from my house. Been looking at it for a while, and it finally wore me down.
    It's a rod project - no engine, been outside for a long time, getting pretty rusty in the floors etc., etc.
    The old truck needed a new friend, and it adopted me. It should be quite happy inside a warm garage after sitting in the weeds for a long time.
    The overall cab is good, the doors are good, tailgate and box are pretty nice. All cab glass is good, including the curved corner windows. The dash and instruments are nice. Both bumpers and the grille are OK. SO, there's enough there to start with.
    The intention is to make this our shop truck and parts hauler. With a new independent suspension front end, a little small block and automatic transmission, decent brakes and a completely stock body, it should fill the bill nicely, with the logo on the doors.
    "The Fishers Truck Company, Inc." is finally an official entity. We are looking into perhaps selling a line of truck APU's for auxiliary bunk heating, cooling and electric power during rest periods to reduce engine idling time.
    I think we are talking with the best of the APU companies right now. Along with that, we have talked to some manufacturers about selling weight scales for individual axles. And we are looking for any new ideas to help defray the cost of our antique truck addiction.
    And we are finishing up the process of becoming a New York State retail vehicle dealer, which will allow us to buy and sell heavy trucks and trailers. It's an exciting time for our little truck business.
  5. vanscottbuilders
    A while back I stumbled on a 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee tractor for sale by the side of the road.
    You can guess what happened next ....
    Anyway - the tractor turns out to have a Sherman three speed auxiliary transmission, which was a dealer installed
    aftermarket option. Pretty handy.
    My brother has my grandfather's original Jubilee. It has been used and abused by all of us for most of our lives.
    As kids we all learned to drive on it. Some of us did our level headed best to make it go much faster than it was ever meant to go.
    Now it's getting tired. So, we have decided to bring the tractor into the shop over the winter for a major restoration.
    The plan is to split the tractor, rebuild the engine, put in a new clutch, pressure plate & throw-out bearing, radiator, belts and hoses.
    The tires are pretty new, but the brakes need help. And there is a lot of other work to do.
    When it's all ready, we will prep it and paint it in original colors.
    Using these two tractors, and an Oliver HG42 crawler that I have, in the woods for firewood has been a blast.
    These are a real tribute to American ingenuity and engineering. The amount of work these little tractors will do is fantastic.
    With the rebuild complete, the Jubilee should last for the rest of our lives.
    Pretty amazing in a throw away world.
  6. vanscottbuilders
    Moving along on my B-67 project. Ready for new wheels and tires, and then it will roll again -
    for the first time in about three years!
    Nobody ever said I was fast.
    Anyway, I'm real happy with the way the frame and running gear are coming together.
    And I'm very appreciative of my uncle, Jimmy's, work to keep the project moving forward.
    The cab also is coming along really well. Although I'm not doing that part of the work at all.
    The body man is doing a great job and is priming this weekend, after a month of more welding
    and dent pounding. That was after I thought it was ready to paint!! It really looks nice.
    I am disassembling the green R-600 for the donor engine. Being real careful with the dismantling
    so as many parts as possible are salvaged for future use. This was the truck with the double frame
    rails that had pretty bad rust jacking and rail separation. It still breaks my heart to take it apart.
    The old girl did everything an old truck should do, and did it all very well. The rust got the cab and frame.
    But, I will have a perfect R model hood, all interior parts for the early series, wheels, tires and axles,
    radiator and perfect shutters, doors, latches and all operating window hardware, headliner, instruments,
    dash panels, glove box door and anything else except the old frame available for anyone who might
    need early R-600 parts.
    Looking forward to taking delivery of two long wheelbase Macks for a near future project I've got in mind.
    One is a B-73, the other is a B-75. I'm planning a B-73 with Cummins power for myself. The B-73 has the
    original 220 Cummins in it, and we'll wait and see if that will work or if more power is needed. The B-75 has
    the straight frame rails that will allow a fairly easy rear air ride conversion.
    This project won't start until the B-67 is delivered, but I'm gathering ideas now.
    The learning curve of the B-67 total restoration has been fantastic. Now I would like to kick it up a notch,
    and use what I have learned to get through a project with fewer distractions and fewer "wrong turns".
    Still thinking of a complete disassembly, total restoration and updating. But with a much better upfront plan
    and a better understanding of what is needed as far as parts, pieces and costs are concerned.
    Kevin All had a beauty of a B-73 or B-75 a few years back. Black with red frame I think. That's kind of
    what I'm thinking of. Something that can pull any of our trailers, anytime and dependably.
    New company slogan: "OLD, SLOW TRUCKS..... SLOWER, OLDER DRIVERS"
  7. vanscottbuilders

    The New Shop

    By vanscottbuilders,

    The decision was made, and Jimmy and I are in the process of moving into our new space.
    In the end we took the adjacent rental space to our current shop for a couple of reasons.
    Not the least of which is that our crane will fit. And we are out of sight of anybody passing by.
    And we continue to have use of the onsite sandblasting and painting facilities.
    We measured the space yesterday; we have 58' x 70' x 24' high. Two overhead doors at one end.
    (one each 12' high and 14' high x 12' wide). Great lights. Eight large HID units at the ceiling,
    then a continuous row of flourescents about 12' up the wall all the way around the area.
    Bright white walls and foil reflective ceiling panels.
    It's really nice and bright. (Good for a half blind guy like me)
    Lots of wall outlets, three phase power, water and good floor drains.
    And we are surrounded on three sides by heated space, which should help our heat bills in the winter.
    We are in the process of making deals with a couple of our truck friends to store their hobby
    trucks inside to help with the rent.
    So the old truck past time looks pretty good for the next few years.
    If anybody is in the area - give me a call and stop by.
    I'm looking forward to getting more organized and getting some benches and racking set up
    to handle my parts. And I'm really excited about all three of my Macks inside next to each other.
    Actually, all five of the project trucks are going to be inside for the 1st time.
    Although Jimmy says he is going to finish the new radiator install in his W-900 and get the truck
    sold before it moves in. (late 70's KW W-900A long hood w/ fresh Cummins KTA-525, 15 spd. OD, 36" bunk and air ride).
    Nice truck, and I hate to see it go. I had hopes of acquiring it sometime. Ah well - So many toys - so little time.
    I know he really wants to get moving on Morgan's old Peterbilt 351, and we can't concentrate on more than one thing
    at a time. (Something about chewing gum and walking)
    All things considered - a pretty good week!
  8. vanscottbuilders
    Been an interesting past few days.
    For the 1st time ever, I am sharing a project with a friend. A friend new to trucks.
    Although his dad drove a Selden years ago delivering coal.
    It is surprising to me how many people are interested in these old trucks.
    And people from all walks of life. Kind of cool actually.
    I've got a top notch hot rod builder doing sheet metal work for my B-67. He's more excited
    about this truck than any rod in his shop!
    Those people who think these trucks are reserved for those of us with "background" or experience
    are very small-minded and will actually hurt the the hobby in the long run.
    Hopefully we have covered the bases well enough to avoid the pitfalls
    that can come from misunderstandings in a partnership.
    We bought Kevin All's H-63 with the intent of doing a complete restoration.
    Keep your eyes open on the BMT forums for Dennis "Cherry Picker" Christiano.
    I know he has tried to join, and may have had some difficulty getting in.
    Anyway, he'll be here soon.
    As I said before, we are looking for any information about originality,
    particularly with the interior detail.
    The exterior is complete with all moldings and emblems, so that should be pretty easy.
    There probably will be some concessions to usability; like maxi brakes and plastic air lines,
    but we would like to keep the original power train, wheels and exterior details,
    and keep the inside as it was new. (OK, maybe an air seat, but one that could be
    changed out quickly)
    Next on my list of "Mack wants" is something with an "L" cab and a small sleeper.
    Ideally an LT series truck. But a B series with the bigger L cab would do fine.
    I've seen a couple of possibilities, but the time is not quite right. Need to finish at least
    one before I bring home another one.
  9. vanscottbuilders
    Spent today cleaning and polishing the interior of the 379 Peterbilt.
    Even though I think the truck is a little too gaudy for my tastes, if I was
    going to spend any amount of time on the road in a truck - it would be a good way to go.
    The big Ultracab bunk with the queen size fold down bed and the nice seating, refrigerator
    and TV are sure a lot nicer than any truck I've ever driven. It's got closet space and plenty of
    interior lights. I was pretty impressed.
    Anyway, the prospective buyer is coming here on Monday from Oklahoma, hopefully to close the deal.
    The B-67 cab project is coming along. At least the pieces are being put together, rather than
    being cut apart. The donor cab parts are all in the sandblasting booth tonite. And, so far, I'm
    pretty happy with the results.
    It's March in western New York. Got about seven or eight inches of heavy, wet snow then
    a full day of freezing rain and now the wind is picking up and it's supposed to get quite a lot
    colder overnite. Should make for really nice icy, sloppy, greasy roads.
    Tomorrow looks about the same. So does Monday and Tuesday.
    Think I'm going to crawl back in my hole and hide for a few days.
  10. vanscottbuilders

    Better Days

    By vanscottbuilders,

    So - Spring is upon us and it feels really good.
    Although I did stand on top of a six foot pile of old snow in
    Star Lake last week to photograph the roof of a building!
    Probably the last one of those for a while.
    Without counting any unhatched chickens - our building business is looking better by the day.
    We have done what we had to do to cut the expenses and get the ovehead down.
    And we have gotten very aggressive with finding new work, and leasing our unused properties
    to get some cash flowing.
    Interesting unexpected twist unfolding right now....
    A friend of mine called a couple of months ago inquiring for a friend of his, about buying an old Mack.
    (gotta love these "friend of a friend of a friend" stories)
    The buyer lives in Florida. I told him to look around Florida.
    There are several pretty nice B models that I know of in Florida. So I sent them searching.
    The story goes quiet for a couple of months.
    Anyway, my friend called last week to ask about buying my B-67 project as a completed truck.
    Now, I'm not usually speechless. But I was close there for a minute.
    Seems his Florida buddy wants a finished truck. (Smart Fella) And, he thinks he wants mine.
    Supposedly flying here on Sunday. We'll see..... could be a whole new venture.
    Ah the webs we weave.
  11. vanscottbuilders
    Hard to imagine how fast summer slips away.
    All of a sudden, the days are shorter and cooler,
    and the nights are still dark.
    Anyway, I got a new clutch, rebuilt pressure plate
    and had the flywheel cut this week. Got new throw-out
    and pilot bearings too. Time to join the transmission and engine together.
    This old 711 should look and run with the best of them I think.
    All new Aeroquip hoses and ends. New gaskets and seals done.
    Everything cleaned and painted and ready for re-installation in the frame.
    Got new tires and wheels too. Should be rolling around in my new go-kart
    in no time!
    We went down to the annual Steam Pageant and old Caterpillar equipment
    show yesterday. I haven't been to that show in more than twenty years.
    It is absolutely fantastic!! I had no idea that it had grown like it has.
    First of all - it's huge. Acre after acre of old steam, kerosene, gasoline and diesel
    tractors, construction equipment and early farm equipment.
    Literally, hundreds and hundreds of pieces.
    Second - the rarity of some of the equipment is amazing. Stuff you've never seen
    before, or even knew existed. There was a Rumley self-propelled plow. Three bottom,
    about twenty five feet long, engine and steel drive wheel in front, controls at the back and the
    plow offset for use in the field. It was built in 1912, if I remember right. Pretty cool.
    Third - the stuff all runs, all day long. They do work with the steam engines and the Oil Pulls,
    they have tractor pulls for the different antique tractors. The construction equipment is all
    running and moving dirt.
    It's really nice to see kids about six or eight years old driving the huge old steam traction engines
    with their grandfathers walking alongside or behind just keeping an eye on the boys.
    Those kids are hooked for life now!
    Fourth - the flea market is so big, you can't possibly see it all in one day. Lots of fleas.
    This is a great event. It would be a great event to couple up with a truck show.
    It looked like there was room enough. And some of the haulers were pretty nice.
    There was a long nose single axle "A" series Autocar updated with an 855 Cummins
    and a ten speed that had moved a D-7 tractor for it's owner from New Jersey.
    It was a real beauty. And there was a nice high mount cab Brockway moving tractors.
    Last, but not least - I knew Other Dog was slow. I never said anything to anybody.
    But now the plants are growing right over his truck from going so slow.
    Someone should really help him out. It may be time for a walker.
    He had a good title for a blog, though!
  12. vanscottbuilders

    Mack H-63

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Well my trip to Kevin All's place last week got more expensive today.
    I became the proud owner of a pretty straight and decent H-63 cabover Mack.
    Single axle diesel tractor with a duplex. Pretty standard stuff. Needs a total rehab.
    Given the rarity of the truck, I will be looking for any information as to originality.
    Things like interior details are going to be fairly important to me. It is a cool old truck!
    And it looks to be very complete, except as I said, the interior is missing some of the finishing touches.
    If anyone has any knowledge of these old cabovers, I would sure be appreciative.
    We probably will not do too much to the old girl for a year or so. I need time to complete
    my B-67 and get the R-600 in the shop and painted.
    But I will probably put it on a trailer and take it to the Watt's Mack anniversary party using one
    of the other old dogs to haul it. At least then I will have a bunk to take a nap in!
    Maybe I could rent the bunk out to other tired show-goers, by the hour?
  13. vanscottbuilders

    New Day

    By vanscottbuilders,

    I realized today that I haven't posted in a while.
    Not much to report.
    Good progress on my B-67 frame. The rebuilt rear axle is
    mounted and lined up, with the new springs and maxi cans.
    The front axle is mounted and lined up, but still needs rebuilding,
    to include king pins, bearings, tie rod ends and seals.
    The clutch linkage is this week's job. New bushings thru the frame
    are probably going to have to be made. Mack doesn't have any, and
    the original shaft is pretty worn. So I thought I could true up the shaft,
    then have bushings machined to fit exactly.
    Not much money to spend on the cab right now, so work on the frame will continue,
    and the cab will have to wait for the building business to get back in gear, or some other
    source of funds becomes viable.
    Interesting times.
    I run a small 60 year old family owned building business with an outstanding reputation.
    We have never been out of work - until now. My pride has kept us afloat at times like these
    in the past, when a smart person would have filed for bankruptcy and just closed up.
    This time, however, pride isn't going to cut it, and we are in deep trouble.
    By mortgaging our homes, I think my brother and I can satisfy all of the debt,
    but we will probably have to close the doors. And that just plain sucks.
    And it means I'm in the job market for the first time in thirty years. Scary stuff.
    I have never collected unemployment or assistance of any kind, and do not intend to start.
    I am working on a bunch of ideas, and have a number of offers. Some better than others.
    Funny how fast things change.
    One of the ideas that has really just become an option is the buying and selling of used equipment
    and old trucks from our shop. I would really hate to lose the shop, and am ready to do anything
    necessary to make it pay for itself.
    I am ready to sell all of my Mack stuff, trucks and parts, except my B-67. I've got some pretty rare parts including
    diesel engines, transmissions, B model power steering unit, new engine brake kit for the 6 cylinder diesels, and a bunch
    of miscellaneous pieces.
    And we have a Caterpillar 3412 with a big generator that can go, along with a KW W900-A with a big Cummins
    KTA-525 in excellent running condition. Also have a Walters Sno-Fighter with about 32,000 original miles
    and a very rare supercharged Cummins Iron Lung diesel in it, and a big Michigan loader with a 318 Detroit,
    and some old tractors including an Oliver HG-42 in beautiful original condition.
    Lots of good stuff.
    I'll put the inventory together and post it ASAP.
    Kind of a sad time in a way - but looking ahead to something new and different.
  14. vanscottbuilders

    New Year 2009

    By vanscottbuilders,

    So I'm sitting here thinking about what I can do to make 2009 a
    better that 2008 was.
    And I'm thinking of what the government and the new administration
    could do, realistically, to make the new year better than the old one.
    Can President Barack manage the "national attitude" and create some
    optimistic thinking in Americans? If so, then I think we can start to solve
    our own problems. We really don't want the government involved in fixing
    the problems anyway. When was the last time you saw the government, in
    any situation, do something that was efficient, effective and/or economical?
    Doesn't happen.
    Indeed, I just read that the government bean-counters have already lost control
    and lost accountability of the $700 billion dollars that the banking industry got!
    That didn't take long.
    I believe that we, as Americans, are the only ones who can solve our problems.
    Hopefully we can do that before the problems take over, and we are forced into
    very compromised lifestyles.
    We seem to be deaf, dumb and mute when it comes to controlling our own government.
    And just that issue has led to a series of unprecedented blunders by that government.
    We are not providing any oversight to our elected representatives. They just have free reign,
    as long as we let them. We sit back. Fat, Dumb and Happy.
    Our international position has plummeted, both socially and economically; we are fighting
    wars that we shouldn't be in; and the cost of government has skyrocketed as more and more
    "handouts" are made available to those in need (or not).
    More and more of our core industries, utilities and real estate are being bought by foreign interests,
    as we send more and more jobs away to cheaper producers. We are borrowing money from those
    countries that are now doing our jobs for us.
    And still our demands for energy and consumer goods keep spiraling upward.
    Seems like a one-way street to me.
    I think it's time for some really old-fashioned reasonable thinking.
    Simple things like "You can't spend more than you have, or more than you make" at any level,
    and you have to pay the debts, as quickly as possible.
    Stop trying to force our form of democracy on the world. It obviously doesn't work when we do.
    I think the quiet, tough kid on the block always gets the most respect. Be the quiet, tough kid, and mind your own business.
    When we can't hire a person because they make more on welfare than when they work, even though they are healthy
    and strong, something is wrong with that. Why can't there be a sliding scale for the amount of assistance you receive,
    based on the wage you make? If you could get more total income while working and collecting a fraction of the
    government's assistance, then why wouldn't you work? The government cost of welfare goes down, the people work,
    and can develop self-respect, and that puts the lower paying jobs back here in this country, where they belong.
    All good thoughts, and best wishes to everyone for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
    Paul Van Scott
  15. vanscottbuilders
    Must be the season - the weather is nice and the yard
    work and house chores need to be done.
    So nobody has any real new truck news.
    And besides, Other Dog is busy baiting the rabbits into the oven!
    I think my cab welding assistant has found new and more exciting projects.
    Rumor has it that he bought a parts truck so he could begin the rebuilding
    of his departed father's pick-up.
    I don't really mind - but why couldn't he say something to me?
    Now I'm weeks behind where I thought I would be with the B-67.
    So the answer, same as always, is: If I'm not happy, I need to try it myself.
    That's this week's project.
    The cab is still in two pieces. It looks like fitting it together shouldn't be too bad.
    The doors are hung and adjusted, and I have the old windshields and rubber.
    Hopefully I can make it into one piece again, and everything will fit.
    Most of the month of June I'll be out of town on a project in Beach Lake, Pa.
    So not too much will happen except on the weekends for the next few weeks.
    Driving this truck to Barry's show in September is in jeopardy.
    Maybe I should think about doing the quick rocker panel repairs on the R-600,
    and drive it with my lowboy instead.
    All things considered, it might be a better idea.
    The old R runs well, steers well and even stops well. And I like an R type cab.
    h'mm - I might be onto something.
  16. vanscottbuilders
    Spent today on a new John Deere 650 bulldozer.
    Anybody who knows me also knows that I am not allowed near equipment or sharp tools.
    So it was the first time in over 30 years that I have been on a bulldozer.
    Evolution is a great thing.
    Just two little hand controls. Amazing!
    The last machine I spent time on you steered with two big levers and used your third and fourth hands to
    change direction and run the blade. Then you had the foot controls to keep your feet busy. And after about an hour you were exhausted.
    Anyway - I can't carry a grade any better today than I could then, but it was great fun.
  17. vanscottbuilders
    OK we're about in the middle of summer, that is
    if we get the usual three or four weeks of good weather.
    Finished in Pennsylvania last week. Now back to the Mack shop.
    And - Tom, I did check out Beach Lake on Google Earth.
    You can see the farm perfectly. It's impressive -
    but, kind of scary actually.
    Checked in on the B-67 today. Looks like I will spend the next couple
    of weekends removing dents and grinding welds smooth in preparation
    for painting. After the trouble with getting any work out of the welder,
    the project finally looks really good.
    Everybody have a good week.
  18. vanscottbuilders
    Moving right along, and spending right along too!!
    Anyway - Got the 711 engine out of the old R-600,
    and did the transfer of those "few" items that need changing
    to fit in the short hood of the B-67. Basically, everything on
    the outside of the engine except the exhaust manifold and
    the rear section of the air intake has to change.
    The engine was steam cleaned and degreased. It got two good
    coats of hi-temp enamel tonite, and looks great! I took off all
    of the aluminum water manifold and air intake pieces so I could
    polish them up.
    Bought all new Aeroquip engine hoses and re-useable ends.
    They don't give that stuff away!!
    Also got new upper and lower engine gasket sets, crank seals,
    clutch disc, throw-out bearing and pilot bearing on the way.
    Expensive week for the old wallet.
    I'm having the flywheel resurfaced, and will see if anyone will tackle re-
    surfacing the pressure plate. It looks pretty good, and I'll use it as is,
    if they aren't re-surfaceable.
    Time to get the radiator checked out and get the transmission covers off
    to see if everything's happy inside it.
    Moving right along >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
  19. vanscottbuilders

    Intro

    By vanscottbuilders,

    This is really an experiment for me. I know absolutely nothing about blogging or the theory behind it - but that devious Barry put up some pretty desirable merchandise as prizes for the top Blog.
    I like that idea. So I am hoping this is a successful experiment.
    By way of intro - I am in Upstate New York - the Finger Lakes area.
    I've been interested in all things mechanical for most of my life. I spent a couple of years right out of college driving cross-country tractor trailers for a company now based in Brandenton, Florida. Mostly time sensitive deliveries from York, Pa. to Dallas, Los Angeles or Tampa. The trucks were typically GMC Astros or IH Transtar II Eagle cabovers with high cube van trailers.
    Also spent time driving cement mixers and dump trailers for a local concrete company. First in B model Macks and then in DM's on heavy camelbacks.
    Today, almost thirty five years later, I have a small collection of old vehicles that includes two Mack single axle diesel tractors. Most people would refer to my collection as "junk" - what could they possibly know? Anyway, it is all stored inside a heated shop space or at a remote quarry yard close to home.
    I have run my family's building business for the past twenty two years. We are primarily a management firm, and we do not own any equipment or large trucks.
    We do, however, have a second family owned company run by one of my uncles that provides heavy and specialized hauling nationwide. So my connection to trucking is able to continue. Jimmy owns several heavy three and four axle tractors and numerous trailers of various specification. He also brokers quite a few heavy loads to some dependable Owner/Operators leased to his business.
    All in all - I have really enjoyed my connection to BMT and my business with Watt's Mack. I'm looking forward to the day when my B67 parts all touch each other again, and I can drive it to the shows.
    Looking forward to a free T-shirt and hat.
    Paul Van Scott
  20. vanscottbuilders

    New Find

    By vanscottbuilders,

    A freshly overhauled Mack 285 hp Maxidyne engine was
    offered to me this week, and I bought it.
    The company that owns the motor no longer uses the DM's
    and R models that the engine was spec'd for.
    The overhaul was done by Mack, and the engine
    is on a test stand complete with a radiator and starter.
    I bought the test stand and everything.
    Hopefully I'll be able to test my old 673's and 711's, too.
    Heck it's the closest thing to a running truck I've got!
    Maybe I'll just bolt on a transmission and rear axle and
    go for a drive.
    Going to need to find a new project though, because this
    engine won't fit in the B-67, and I would like to use my Jake
    brake on it.
    Guess I'll have to apply a little pressure on Kevin All.
  21. vanscottbuilders
    Just wanted to wish everyone here a Happy Thanksgiving.
    Thanksgiving is one of the "feel good" holidays.
    Our economy might be poor, and our concerns growing every day,
    but right now we don't have to think about any of it.
    Just eat, be thankful and be happy.
    And - it is turkey season - so Tom, you better lay low for a couple of days.
  22. vanscottbuilders
    Spent today taking apart my wood pallet racking.
    Some ideas just don't work out. This was one of them.
    Got some used heavy duty steel pallet racking, and plan
    to spend tomorrow putting it together and getting it loaded up.
    Other than my failed attempt at building the racks,
    I am really happy with the way this shop is coming together.
    Once all of the pallets are up off of the floor, there will be plenty
    of room to work on two or three trucks at once, without getting
    in each other's way. And room to store a couple more, with
    room in one bay for a tractor & trailer combination, for trailer
    service, or for crane unloading of a trailer.
    It's been snowing here off and on for a week or so. Cold too.
    Just a reminder of what's coming in the next few weeks.
    For what it's worth - I actually hope that we can have a nice
    cold and snowy winter. Sure beats that icy, slushy, rainy crap.
    And a white Christmas really sets the Holiday tone.
    Plugging away on the B-67 frame and running gear.
    Looks pretty good. About ready to final paint the frame.
    Then we can start the plumbing and wiring.
    This has been a fairly expensive project - I may have to
    apply for a federal bail-out. I'm sending for the forms ASAP.
    Hope everybody has a good week.
  23. vanscottbuilders
    Some time ago I think I posted that I was getting some body hammers and dollies to work out some of the dents in my B-67 cab.
    Well after reading everything I could find on the subject, I started in on beating the s---- out of the poor old cab. Wrong.
    I have found this metal bumping, as the industry calls it, to be a tremendous therapeutic treatment for stress and anxiety.
    Started out wailing away on a dent with the new hammers and dollies - but that approach is useless. It's a little like a Japanese bonsai garden -
    careful, consistent hammering and really careful placement of the backing surface (dolly) actually makes the metal behave like butter.
    The Zen of Mack beating.
    It's not perfect yet, but the cab sure looks a lot better than when I started. And I shouldn't need any more than a very tiny amount of filler, if any.
    Way back, when I started in on these old trucks, Tom Gannaway told me that I shouldn't bother with body filler if I didn't change the springs to air ride because it would never stick. I took that to heart. So all of my repairs are welded metal, and now, reshaped original metal. Slow for sure, but I think it's a better way to do things.
    And Tom (Other Dog) - the key is the dollies. If you can get them to do the work for you, life is much better.
  24. vanscottbuilders
    I've been out to the Oshkosh, Wisconsin EAA air show this week.
    Although I try to go each year - it never ceases to amaze me. What
    a fantastic event. Anything and everything that has to do with aviation
    at all is represented there. There are fighters, antiques, big jets, small jets,
    homebuilt airplanes, custom airplanes, fast ones, slow ones and helicopters.
    Plus all of the parts, supplies and electronics manufacturers.
    Kept looking for Herb's (HK Trucking) Macks in Appleton, but didn't see him.
    It was kind of a strange trip this year -
    Last Wednesday we left in a downpour. About 2 miles down the road I looked
    back at the camping trailer and noticed the window blinds were blowing around.
    Kind of odd since they are inside the trailer. So we stopped. The front window of
    the trailer wasn't there anymore! And to make it more interesting - it looked like it
    was shot out!! No way a stone or road debris could get to it, and no way we could
    have hit anything. So we delayed leaving for a day to fix the window.
    Thursday we left - still in the rain - and noticed that the trailer seemed to be pulling
    hard. The truck was downshifting from 4th directly to 2nd at any little hill or grade.
    (2007 Chevrolet Avalanche) But we went on, thinking it was our error and our
    imagination.
    Got about seven hours into a twelve ride and launched the transmission in a
    spectacular fashion!!
    Got it off the Indiana Toll Road at LaGrange, Ind. Found a hotel, and found a fantastic
    Chevrolet dealer in Sturgis, Michigan. (Kool Chevrolet)
    Got in on Friday morning early, and were told that no parts would be received until Monday.
    We explained our situation - and the service people drove to two different area Chevy dealers
    to gather the parts. The mechanic offered to stay Friday night as long as it took to get us on the road.
    Very nice - and very unusual.
    Unfortunately, at 8:00 PM, the truck was started and backed off the lift, only to find that the shifting
    could not be controlled. Now definitely no more parts until at least the following Monday.
    So we were stuck in Sturgis for the weekend it seemed.
    Meanwhile, the service guys put our trailer inside and empty building to protect it, and licked our
    truck inside for security - and gave us a car for the duration.
    We went to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo museum - really nice.
    On Saturday we got the bright idea to rent a car and continue on to Oshkosh.
    So we got to see at least three days of the show.
    Decided to pick up our truck on Thursday so we would be travelling on a weekday,
    just in case we needed another repair along the way.
    We didn't, fortunately.
    Now for the rest of the story -
    Apparently GM has no readily available engine, rear axle or transmission exchange program.
    And they have definitely lost sight of the customer.
    There is no program in place to get a vehicle back on the road, and nobody cares.
    The dealer in this case was fabulous, but his hands were tied by GM warranty policy.
    There was one full day lost to diagnosis and parts locating. A second day spent rebuilding the
    unit. Then the 2nd problem of shift control reared up. A total of a week was lost.
    Meanwhile, we learned from another Chevy dealer that it is common for these repairs to be unsuccessful!!
    And our Ford dealer friend tells us that Ford policy is exactly the same!!
    All in all, if a transmission could have been shipped from a rebuild center to the dealer,
    and the core sent back, we could have been back on the road in 24 hrs. or less. And the dealer
    has said that the combined cost of the repairs was on the order of $5,000.00. Way more than a
    rebuilt transmission replacement might have cost.
    Instead, our vehicle, with just 25,000 miles on the odometer, was down for a week. And no one at GM ever
    acknowledged that two good, loyal customers were very inconvenienced - out of a vehicle, out of state.
    No wonder they are on the verge of bankruptcy. They deserve it.
    They forgot how important the customer is.
    To make it worse - we reserved a full size SUV at Enterprise in Goshen, Ind. through the national
    reservation system. Upon arriving, we found that the Goshen Enterprise rental location doesn't even have
    full size SUV's. We took a Kia Rondo as a last resort. It's a little Korean 4wd SUV.
    By the time we got to Chicago, Dennis said to me "I'm trying really hard not to like this car - but
    I can't". I felt the same way. It was comfortable, powerful, economical, quiet and roomy.
    If that's our competition - GM, Ford and Chrysler have a hell of a long way to go!!
    And - I'll bet Kia hasn't forgotten about the customer, either.
    We, as a country, complain bitterly that Toyota, Honda, Nissan and the other Japanese imports are
    eating our lunch. As I see it - we are giving them our lunch on a silver platter every time we put up with
    an inferior product or poor service.
    Wake up America!! Wake up while there's still time!
  25. vanscottbuilders
    Well, Huntsville is over, and I'm low on excuses for not working.
    Jimmy has the B-67 frame coming along nicely, and the air suspension is fitted
    and ready for me to pre-paint before final assembly. The clutch linkage is all rebuilt and
    re-bushed and new bearings installed. (Like the rest of the truck - it's way overbuilt and
    almost indestructable, if cared for properly. But, you do have to take care of it!)
    The body work is progressing nicely. A lot more welding and straightening than I thought,
    but still coming along really well.
    Got a nice idea for an A/C condenser mounting from a really nice B-53 in Huntsville.
    And learned a new trick involving heat resistant expanding foam insulation for the cab.
    If all goes fairly well, we should be putting the cab back on the frame in early July.
    I'm sandblasting and painting a lot of parts this week. (The steering box, column and linkage,
    the clutch linkage pieces, radiator frame and support etc., etc.)
    And taking the 711 engine out of the old R-600 as the donor. It will get cleaned up and painted,
    then it gets new hoses, filters etc. for service in the B-67.
    Moving along good.
    Indidentally - I do have a lot of early R model parts that I would sell, if someone needed.
    All of the hardware, instruments, glass, doors, seats, duplex TRD-72 transmission, rear-end and
    front axle, etc. This was a very complete and good running truck.
    The cab and the double frame are pretty badly rusted, but if someone needed, they are available too.

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