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vanscottbuilders

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  1. vanscottbuilders

    Friday

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Friday nite, and just leaving the office for home.
    I think I finally have most of the big pieces for the reassembly of my B-67 frame and axles.
    I did go with the ACE Superide air suspension crossmember. Thought about what Tom Gannaway told me
    about making my own, but I couldn't get comfortable with pulling a loaded trailer. And he agreed that his design would need some reworking for pulling a trailer.
    The springs are being re-arched and getting new center bolts and U-bolts. and a couple of new leafs in one stack.
    And, with any luck, I will get my brake shoes back tomorrow with the third set of new linings. Hopefully with no
    cracks this time.
    The front axle got sandblasted and epoxy primed this week. The brake cans on the front axle appear to be solid and in good working order. So I think I will just replace the diaphragms and the springs, and paint them up well for protection.
    Got tires and wheels ordered this week, too.
    Going with new Goodyear G-244's on the drive axle. 12.00 x 22.5 tubeless radials. It's the tallest 22.5 tire I could find that would fit the wheels. Will need to go with 4" spacers I think, if the wheel studs are long enough. Steers are also a Goodyear tire.
    Doing the math, at a 43.5" tire height, with my original 4.28 gear ratio and the overgear, the truck should be good for about 75 mph in high gear at 2100 headed downhill. Plenty for a comfortable 65 to 70 mph highway cruise speed at about 1850 or 1900 rpm. With the duplex nine speed, rather one of the triplexes, the truck will probably be suitable only for very light loads.
    And, I guess at 45 years old, that's okay.
  2. vanscottbuilders
    Nice day here in Upstate NY. This is a good time of year for us.
    Just got the news that one of the tracks on a rented Fiat Allis dozer just beat the tractor to the dirt pile. That's not usually too good. Apparently the chain broke. Turns out the owner knew it was worn badly - and just hoped it might work for another day. Cheap So and So.
    So, before I go out to the job and lose my cool - I thought I would relax and post another blog entry.
    It's hard to get too mad at my operator. Fred is a retired union operator with more experience than I can even imagine. And he is as trustworthy as the day is long.
    The machine, on the other hand, probably shouldn't have been rented at all. And I can't say anything too nice about the owner right now.
    I've leased a new tractor for Tuesday, and life goes on.
  3. vanscottbuilders
    The new kingpins are finally installed and
    the bushings reamed to size on the B-67.
    It's the 1st time I've ever actually seen it done.
    And, I think we got a really good result.
    A long-time friend of mine has a tremendous
    amount of experience with heavy front axles,
    and he sure did make it look easy.
    I replaced all four of the bearings and races (cones),
    after finding that three of the four had problems.
    The backing plates and brake shoes are all painted and
    ready to be remounted, and I have most of the parts new.
    The tie rod ends are apart, and I have gotten the pressure
    springs from Mack. They were both broken.
    The socket pieces look perfect.
    Got two new return springs for the original, small front brake cans.
    They look better to me than the new style larger cans.
    I'm using the original dash mounted front brake limiter switch.
    It's good to be making progress.
    On another note - the building business is showing a tiny bit
    of optimism. Not too much, mind you, but a little at least.
    We now have six to eight weeks of work in front of us.
    Nothing of substance, but enough to get us to Spring.
    I should be able to put together a couple of deals between now
    and then to keep the wolves from the door.
    So, we're feeling better.
  4. vanscottbuilders
    I got to rambling on one of the BMT forums tonite - and it occurred to me that forum probably was not the place to ramble.
    I'm not a very active political rabble-rouser, but day by day I am becoming more concerned and more confused with where we are going as a country.
    Every single person in this country has to be committed to some small change in thinking. It's not even very drastic.
    Our total dependency on foreign oil, regardless of the price, is completely fixable. We have to reduce our oil consumption by about 50%.
    Some ideas: Think about your driving habits. Could you take more than one person to the same place? Could you combine the errands into one trip?
    Could the kids ride bicycles to school activities? etc, etc. It would be hard to believe that every person couldn't make some real savings without adversely affecting their lives. You have to come to grips with the fact that this is your problem. Blaming someone else does not make it go away. But working together makes the problem go away quite easily.
    Alternate fuels have a real future, particularly as fuel prices rise. Research and development costs become more feasable.
    Bio-diesel has some promise, as does ethanol. Both are good for the American farmer, too. Hydrogen has shown some real progress. The GM hydrogen vehicle research center is local to me, so I watch and read the local news on their progress.
    Just as important as the oil situation is the rampant buying of cheap Chinese junk. And it is almost all just cheap junk. Certainly not necessary to our everyday life. Yet we can't seem to get enough of it!
    Indeed, as a society, we seem caught up with buying the cheapest stuff we can find. I see it every day in our business. Hard to believe the things that people will do to achieve the "look of success" and cut all the important corners for a well built home. Their normal response to my question is "we are only going to be here for five years or less." I cannot get my arms around that attitude.
    Short story: I like to buy Filson outer wear. It's made in the USA, and very heavy duty. It's expensive, no question. Several years ago I had my first Filson work jacket. I'm hard on jackets and pants - real hard. Anyway after about two years the sleeves and bottom of the jacket began to fray and show wear.
    That wasn't right, so I took it back to the little store where I got it. Walk-in and surprise - the owner knows my name! Try that at WalMart. I explain the problem, he gets on the phone while I'm standing there, has a short conversation with Filson and hangs up the phone. He walks over to his rack, selects a new jacket just like mine and hands it to me. He says "Filson wants you to have this, no charge. Your jacket should not be showing wear yet, no matter how rough you are." Now - I challenge you - TRY THAT AT WALMART. Yes this is a $150.00 work jacket, but I only need one, and it will last longer than three cheap ones. In fact that replacement coat is now five years old, and going strong. Did I pay too much. I think not. And Americans worked to make the coat.
    Meanwhile we are concerned with the massive influx of Mexican and Central American illegal immigrants. Face it - why shouldn't they come here? We don't want to do the work that they do ourselves - we might get our lily white hands dirty. Or worse - we might not make a huge wage doing those menial jobs.
    And God forbid that perhaps someone collecting welfare might have a job opportunity. It's just easier to stay home on the couch.
    So we give the immigrants benefits, take in their children as citizens and make it easier and easier for those people to simply ignore the system. That's not right, and we have only ourselves to blame. Let's look at the system and figure out why these people choose to ignore it.
    Let's not forget, many of our own families all came from elsewhere to work here for a better life. The only thing different is that they did not ignore the rules. In fact they were proud to follow the rules. Seems like this is a fixable problem, without having to build a fence on a river!
    If we can all make an effort and a commitment to a change in our thinking, we can rebuild our country to greatness, and we can live very happy and free lives. If, however, we continue to simply blame others for our troubles, we will continue to get weaker and weaker.
    We will probably suffer through a recession over the next couple of years. I'm no economist and I don't really know what that means, but it doesn't have a real nice ring to it.
    The solution is with every one of us as a united country.
    How's that for rambling?
    Paul Van Scott
  5. vanscottbuilders

    Gold Parts

    By vanscottbuilders,

    So, I finally got my kingpins and all the front axle bits and pieces for rebuilding.
    Took a couple of weeks before the local Mack dealer was able to locate what
    I needed.
    After seeing the bill, I understand.
    Gold kingpins and platinum bearings are very hard to find.
    Wow!!
    The front axle parts were almost as much as I paid for the entire truck.
    And about double the cost of the parts for the rear axle, which was rebuilt from
    hub to hub.
    If I ever sell this B-67, it will be without the front axle. I'll be keeping this one
    to use under any old Macks that I own in the future.
    On another note - I am going to parts out my 1966 R-600. There has been no interest
    in the truck in one piece, and all of the components are in excellent condition. (The front
    axle even has new kingpins, bushings and bearings as well as new brakes - go figure!)
    If anyone wants the engine and transmission, drive shaft and rear-end as a unit, I would
    be glad to talk to you. If not, it will power our H-63. We know it is in perfect operating order,
    and the engine even has the original lead seals on the fuel pump. I can either leave the unit together
    for someone to run and drive, or I can put the engine on my test stand for someone to run before
    purchase.
    The hood is perfect, just needs paint. No cracks or stress marks anywhere. Hinges are excellent.
    The radiator is perfect. Glass is very good. All of the hardware, badges and trims are excellent.
    Rob started a vicious rumor that the bulldog was missing - he's right. I've got the base and a good
    replacement, if someone wanted.
    It's got new 22" re-caps on the drives, and excellent virgin rubber on the steer axle.
    Doors are in great operating order, with all hardware. The doors are a little rusty around the bottoms
    but very repairable, if someone wanted. Fifth wheel is in good operating condition.
    James has already expressed an interest in the instrument panel, so that's on hold. Otherwise, the
    rest of the truck is available at very reasonable prices.
    I'll cut up and scrap the remainder.
  6. vanscottbuilders
    Got a phone call today from the fellow that bought the big
    power Peterbilt from us last spring. You all might remember
    that it took him forever to close the deal. After he finally took
    the truck, he called us for about six weeks asking us if we wanted
    to buy it back. Meanwhile the bottom was falling out of used truck
    prices. Especially big, thirsty ones.
    Anyway - he called me from Buffalo on a trip from his home in
    Oklahoma to tell me that everything is going great!
    Apparently he just started to run the truck about five weeks ago.
    (Hard to imagine that he let a $50,000.00 plus purchase sit in his driveway -
    but to each his own)
    He's got the truck pulling a flatbed for a specialized equipment vendor in
    Pennsylvania, I think.
    I was very surprised to hear he is averaging around 6.0 mpg, with 6.6
    being his highest trip average. Pretty good for that C-16 Cat. He must be a
    very conservative operator.
    Really nice to hear that he is doing well. I wish him the all the best.
    Meanwhile - back at the ranch -
    I've been thinking about what to do with my little R-600.
    The building business could actually use a good single axle dump truck,
    and that might be a great candidate. Except no power steering. Might have to fix that.
    A low mileage truck like that could last us the rest of our lives with a little care.
    And it would be great promotion for our business.
    The shop move is going very well. The crane is reassembled and operational.
    Most of the new electrical work is done. The new roof is going on next week.
    Then I can untarp and unload the two flatbeds that have all of my parts on.
    It sure will be nice to get that stuff organized on shelves. (The worst roof leak
    is right above where I want the parts racking to go)
    It sure is nice being to able to put all of the trucks inside.
    Might have a local customer for the H-63. And he would like us to do the restoration.
    That would be fun.
  7. vanscottbuilders
    I had a very pleasant experience this past Friday.
    I went to Harpersfield, NY to meet with Kevin All, the owner of All Macks.
    Nice day, nice trucks, nice people and very fair pricing.
    Kevin has a new web page - www.AllMacks.com
    He also has a really good selection of used Mack, mostly B and R model
    parts and whole trucks. Pretty well organized yard - and a lot of good stories.
    People like this make the sport very enjoyable indeed.
    Try them - I think you will like what you find.
  8. vanscottbuilders

    Happy Easter

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Good News -
    Picked up my rebuilt rear axle yesterday and brought it in the shop.
    Then I organized all of the big pieces so I can begin reassembling the frame and suspension,
    and get this whole unit back on wheels.
    The snow's melting and it's warming up, which means that time's running out.
    Gotta get moving!
    Thought I was going to buy a new set of 12.00 x 22.5 drive tires - but now with all brand new stock
    length wheel studs, I'm not so sure. The additional height of the 12.00 tires would be nice,
    but with the overdrive duplex and the higher ratio rear end - it probably isn't necessary.
    To use the 12.00 rubber, I would need to use a longer wheel stud and a wider wheel spacer.
    If I do the math, with the gears, transmission and 11.00 (normal) size rubber, it's built for
    76 mph, which is faster than the old truck should go anyway. And a whole lot faster than the
    old driver should even think about.
    Got the brake linings straightened out, after a good amount of sanding on the cast brake shoes.
    Used a wide belt sanding machine with a flat platen and an adjustable tool stop, so I could hold a perfect
    90 degree angle and get the shoe truly flat. Worked good.
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  12. 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.
  13. vanscottbuilders
    So - It's the end of February. Mud season has issued a warning to us that it's not too far away.
    The snow comes overnite and melts to mud during the day.
    But it feels good. The sun looks different and the light is better somehow.
    Spring is close. It's lighter earlier and later in the day. Everybody just plain feels better.
    And our building business has gotten a couple of shots in the arm. Work looks OK for the spring.
    Still a long way to go to get out of the woods, but I'm pretty optimistic after a really bad spell.
    The Mack hobby has almost taken on a life of it's own. I'm getting numerous calls for parts,
    and have sold a couple of trucks just recently. It's been great fun.
    The driveline choices have been made for the B-67. I'm using an NA-711 from my 1966 R Mack,
    which has 198,000 original miles and runs like a top, and a nine speed overdrive duplex TRD-720
    with the original 4.28 rear gears on tall 22.5 rubber. It should be a pretty good combination for a
    comfortable 65 mph cruise speed at about 1800 rpm, yet have a little low end power for pulling a load.
    My 2nd choice is a turbocharged ENDT 673-C engine that I have acquired. But I don't know much about
    that engine yet.
    I'm not going to install the Jake brake or the air ride rear cross member until I see how I actually use the truck.
    Looking for all of the Bendix air valves and equipment needed to plumb a modern dual brake system in the truck.
    Finding some things used on E-Bay, and getting quotes on a whole list of valves that I have made up from a couple
    of vendors. (The Bendix Air Brake Manual is invaluable, if you have the copy that has the part numbers in it)
    The prices look more reasonable than I originally thought. That's nice for a change.
    So on that note - I'm signing off to go up to bed and contemplate just exactly how we, the 60% of us who actually pay taxes,
    are going to increase our government spending to new lofty heights, extend health and welfare benefits to illegal immigrants,
    lengthen the term for unemployment benefits, increase the unemployment benefits, offer unemployment to part time workers,
    reduce your taxes, give you some great stimulating checks, pay your mortgage for you if you want and reduce the federal deficit
    even though the budget actually increases the deficit by threefold.
    I've never been real good at math, so I will have to think this through very carefully! It must be the latest, cutting edge math.
    It looks a little like magic to me. Or voodoo.
    I've said before that I believe that, although Mr. Obama was not my choice, he is our President, and deserves our full support and respect.
    I hope that he and his administration don't make that too hard.
  14. vanscottbuilders
    This is for Other Dog - who is known to
    carefully follow instructions -
    As I re-read my latest blog entry, I found a
    couple of typos - the result of typing without
    reading glasses!
    Anyway - I will not assume any liability for anyone
    who licks his truck for security. You do what you want to do.
    Just don't do what I say and you should be OK.
    Have a good week-end.
  15. 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!
  16. 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?
  17. vanscottbuilders
    Not to sound greedy or anything - but I picked up all of my seals and bushings, and my brake shoes with new linings on Friday.
    Before I did any Christmas shopping for anyone else. My own Christmas gift to myself. Pretty nice.
    If Kathy knew.... Oh boy I don't even want to think about that.
    Hopefully the rear axle will be ready to install by the end of the week.
    I do have to take two brake shoes back in for relining - they had several small cracks in the new linings.
    It shouldn't be any real issue. I just hope the mice haven't corroded the two shoes so badly that they can't be relined.
    Now I'm glad I didn't do them myself.
    Dennis, my friend and partner in the H-63 has been cleaning and rubbing the old cabover - it looks 100% better.
    He painted the front bumper, too. The thinking was too see what the old girl looked like under all of the mold and
    dirt. We're real happy.
    It will be a while before we bring that truck into the restoration shop - so we have it in Dennis' barn. While we are waiting for
    my B-67 to roll out, we can get a good idea of what parts we might need for the H-63, and work on finding them.
    The cab parts are what concern me. Not too many old H cabs to get parts from. Fortunately, this one is very complete.
    My New Year's goal is to get my B-67 done, and the H-63 rolling so it can go on a trailer and get them both to Watts Mack's event
    in September. Might even bring the old R-600, too.
    Actually I have been thinking seriously about putting the R model to work with a short drop deck flat trailer, and perhaps a 28' pup trailer.
    It runs like a sewing machine with only 196,000 original miles. With paint and some body work, it would look real nice.
    There appears to be a ready market for a cheap, small, local carrier in our area. Everyone seems to have forgotten single axle
    equipment. One less set of four tires, one less set of brakes, plus the efficiency of the old Mack diesel. Not to mention the maneuverability.
    And I have two more unfair advantages:
    #1) Retired truck drivers. We have numerous friends who drove for a living, and now want to work for fun. These guys are careful,
    professional and personable. And Cheap! And their wives want them out from under their feet. It should work well.
    #2) No truck payments. It's hard to beat no payment book!
    The business is probably in moving ATM machines for the banks, moving equipment for machine shops (lathes and milling machines etc.),
    perhaps moving tractors and small equipment for the dealers and rental companies, and moving cabinets and lumber for our own building business.
    There are numerous manufacturers and machine shops in our area, as well as shops that recondition milling equipment.
    I think it's worth a try.
    Even if the old girl could make enough to cover her costs, so that I had a free haul truck for my own stuff, it would be worth it to me.
    Anyway, enough rambling for one night.
    Merry Christmas everyone!
    Paul VS
  18. vanscottbuilders
    Got a big scare this week - Food related. I take that very seriously.
    After buying my wife a new septic system for Christmas (when you need one, it's a very romantic gift), apparently the plumber needed to move my freezer in the basement in order to connect the new waste line. Anyway, the freezer did not survive the move. So, after discovering water running out the bottom of it, I needed to find some borrowed freezer room fast for an entire year's supply of beef, venison and a couple of turkeys. At least it was cold enough outside to box up some of it to store overnight. Glad the yard is fenced to slow down the meat eating varmints.
    Fortunately I didn't lose anyuthing.
    Spent some time this week working on a cedar strip canoe that I started building about nine years ago for my wife. She no longer believes me when I say that the best things in life are worth waiting for. So I better get it done. Besides I could use the shop space.
    I think I will build a temporary spray booth in that shop section to paint the B-67 cab and sheet metal.
    We have used booths like this for years at work to finish large cabinets both in the shop and on jobsites. Nothing very revolutionary about this technology.
    We simply build four wall frames and a ceiling frame from 2x2 lumber and cover them with clear poly. Usually the room size is about 10 x 10 x 8' high. But it can be any size you need. In this case, I will probably make it 10' high and reuse it for the H-63 (Cherry Picker) cab.
    A plastic covered door frame goes in one wall for entry. A 16" x 24" air inlet is framed in one wall with a standard furnace filter cleaning the inbound air, and an exhaust fan drawing the fumes out of the opposite wall. Finally, we duct the fumes out a shop window, if we can. Taped together cardboard boxes can make a pretty good fume duct. We use an explosion proof shop fan unit, but I'm told that almost anything will work, if you filter the outbound air, too.
    I just don't like the prospect of a loud boom with me in the middle of it! Already lost enough hair, no need to burn off what's left.
    The wall panels are held together with old interior door hinges and hinge pins for easy assembly and disassembly, and we set the booth up around whatever is to be painted. The ceiling framing is strong enough to hang fenders and doors from, which makes painting them a lot easier.
    Usually a piece of poly serves as the floor, too.
    The booth cuts down on any dust, flies and bugs in the paint, and allows work to continue elsewhere in the shop while the painting is in progress. And the booth provides an ideal drying room, because it is sealed up pretty well. Just close the door and walk away. When the painting project is done, just take the panels apart and find a place to store them until needed again. (We usually hang ours flat from a tall shop ceiling, so they are out of the way)
    If you spend $20.00 on the booth, you spent too much. Just don't skimp on the fan.
    That's my contribution this week to "How To Restore Your Old Truck on a Shoestring" .
  19. vanscottbuilders

    Mid-winter

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Not much to report in on.
    I've been tracking down all of the little parts for my B-67
    front brakes and tie-rod ends.
    Think I have everything except the little brake shoe retainer
    springs. Going to have to find a spring vendor and match them up.
    I did find an old fashioned clutch and brake shoe re-lining business
    in Rochester. And they think they have a Mack 673 clutch, pressure
    plate, flywheel, throw-out and pilot bearing assembly all re-lined,
    resurfaced and ready to install stored upstairs in their shop.
    So - I've definitely got that on the radar.
    This is the time of year when everything just seems to drag along.
    And with a slow world economy, a slow business environment, a
    wet, gray weather pattern and just plain old grumpiness - it's
    really dragging along more than usual.
    On a brighter note - the sun came out last Friday, and the telephone
    started to ring for the first time since Thanksgiving.
    I now have two new appointments this week to discuss new houses with people.
    All from one day of sun!
    Do you think we maybe don't actually get enough sunshine?
    I've been smiling about that all week.
  20. vanscottbuilders

    Missing Dog

    By vanscottbuilders,

    So - people are starting to talk, and it
    isn't all good.
    They want to know why, at the time of the
    new President's inauguration, did Other Dog
    go missing?
    Speculation is rampant.
    Are they body doubles? Is he Secret Service?
    Or, have they finally caught him and locked him up?
    Did he hurt himself working with that hammer?
    What's Up?
    Does anybody know?
  21. 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.
  22. vanscottbuilders
    Another Monday morning.
    It's pretty nice in Upstate NY this time of year - if you only look at the weather and the scenery.
    When you live here - you become expert in shutting out the thoughts of state taxes, hidden taxes and fees and the extremely expensive and ineffective state government. The weather and the scenery have to keep you happy, and right now they can.
    Anyway - I am still contemplating the used truck business, and thinking of specializing in one or two manufacturers.
    The R model Mack is still at the top of the list for its durability, simplicity and usefulness.
    This is probably a pretty good business to investigate, as I do not believe there is anyone in this area selling these trucks in a reconditioned state with warranties.
    There is a local collector looking at my R-600 and trailer today. Guess we'll wait and see......
  23. vanscottbuilders
    Been a little quiet in the truck shop recently.
    But, for a good reason - I've been pretty busy
    putting together new work projects for our building business.
    It sure does feel a whole lot better now than it did six weeks ago.
    Anyway, I'm still working on my B-67 front axle.
    Gathering up the original B Mack parts is getting harder
    every day. But I've had pretty good success, and a lot of
    good help with finding the pieces I need.
    It will have new king pins and bushings, tie-rod end kits, new bearings,
    new sleeved-seals, new bushings in the brake shoes and everything else
    polished and checked over really well.
    The brake linings appear close to new, and the drums are in excellent
    shape as well. The little compression springs that hold the shoes away
    from the backing plates had to be made and the shoe mounting pins needed
    some attention. The hubs have a little wear from spinning bearing races,
    but nothing that couldn't be fixed.
    With the new kingpins, and all of the rest of the work - I'm hoping that I get a
    really nice steering front end.
    We found springs and diaphragms for the original brake cans and the brake operating
    shaft bushings are in great shape, as well as both adjusters. The drag link is excellent,
    and the tie rod looks like new.
    If you work on one of these projects long enough - it's funny what gets you excited.
    On to Spring.
    Kathy and I are leaving this week for a little sailing trip, and will be back in about three weeks.
    Spring should be in full progress when we return.
    I'm leaving it up to Other Dog Tom to see that this happens.
    Someone needs to check on him though.
  24. vanscottbuilders

    More Parts

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Got a call from Yellow Freight today.
    My air ride crossmember is here from A.C.E. in California.
    Now I'm really getting excited.
    I got the springs back last week. The rear end is still waiting for one pair of relined brake shoes, then it's done.
    The frame, front axle, radiator supports, transmission and mounts, and fuel tanks, brackets and hangers are all sandblasted and epoxy primed.
    Still need to blast and prime the rear end.
    I'll reassemble, plumb and wire, and re-fit and align everything, then disassemble it all for final painting.
    When the frame is done and the engine and transmission are in place, I will start on the final cab work.
    Got a few ideas for noise and sound attenuation. Like spray-on ceramic insulation. (LizardSkin) Got the idea from the experimental airplane people.
    With the engine half in the cab - this B-67 needs all the help with noise and heat it can get.
    The bank account is getting worked over pretty good. So I've got to quit spending money and go to work on the old girl.
    So far I'm real happy with all of the parts and services I've gotten.
    (Except maybe that pair of brake shoes, which are on their third attempt at relining).
    Time to get Dirty!
  25. vanscottbuilders
    The cab, fenders, doors and sheet metal are being delivered
    to the paint shop this week. Decided to send that out to a very
    professional shop. My own brush and roller techniques are highly
    guarded secrets, and since the truck is going to a new home,
    I didn't want to let any secret information out.
    Meanwhile the frame and running gear are ready for final painting.
    I'm thinking I'll do that myself. Everything's been sandblasted
    and epoxy primed some time ago. Painting it all "Chassis Black"
    shouldn't be too bad. Even for me.
    I bought all of the air valves and lines, air dryer, fittings and air tanks
    this week. Lots of boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. All new stuff.
    Not a bad buy, though. Fleet-Pride ended up being the best value,
    even beating the cheap Internet vendors. And, no waiting. Everything was
    in stock.

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