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vanscottbuilders

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Blog Entries posted by vanscottbuilders

  1. vanscottbuilders

    Still Moving

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Still packing and hauling stuff to the new shop.
    Spent today sorting and packing up hand tools.
    Most of the big pieces are all gone, except the steel
    benches and the steel sheets and pieces for fabricating.
    The crane's all down and loaded. The trucks are all moved.
    Time to re-organize and decide what goes where in the new space.
    I'm really looking forward to it. This should be a more permanent
    arrangement than we had, so we are planning to really set up a
    nice, workable shop, rather than treating it as a temporary area,
    like we have been doing.
    I've been thinking about my project list and the order for completion.
    The B-67 is first, then I'm thinking about my little Ford Golden Jubilee tractor,
    which shouldn't need too much except cosmetics. Then probably the R-600, just
    because it only needs some body work. Along with those things, I need to get my
    little lowboy trailer cleaned up and painted, and new tires installed.
    That pretty much accounts for the next year. Then we'll see what comes next.
    Probably the H-63. I just today was given a running END-673 which gives me
    more replacement options for the bad engine in that truck.
    I can only concentrate on one project at a time, but it's good to look ahead
    to gather the pieces required for the next project.
    Speaking of tires - Tom (Other Dog), have you used any of the take-off tires
    from your company before?
    I'm thinking that's a great idea for the R-600. It needs to switch to tubeless radials
    and won't get any real miles. It's not a show truck so new rubber isn't really
    necessary. Thought I'd ask around up here and see what I can scrounge up.
  2. 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.
  3. 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?
  4. vanscottbuilders
    B-67 Periodic Update:
    This week I got the rear end disassembled (for the 2nd time) to fix
    a nagging little leak between the carrier and the axle housing.
    Next time I'll know better than to try and skip this step. There was no other
    need to take the carrier out, so I didn't the first time around.
    And I didn't know it leaked. Oh well.
    And at the same time, I got to do a super cleaning out of the axle housing.
    I'm really happy with the apparent condition of the rear end in general.
    The gears are all perfect - no wear marks, no high spots, nothing! Just
    shiny clean patterns with no sharp teeth. Looks like it always was cared for pretty well.
    Got the rear end reassembled, and the front end completely reassembled and got
    the frame flipped over to right side up. (That's easier said than done)
    Putting together the clutch linkage now. That took a fair amount of machining and
    fabrication. It was really all botched up. Works good now, though.
    Gathered up all of the necessary hardware, bolts, brackets and assembly stuff to
    start the air system plumbing this week.
    It feels good to be moving along.
    I'll get some new pictures on my gallery ASAP.
    Bought my tickets to Huntsville this week.
    The building business is actually doing quite well, at the moment.
    We've got a lot of ground to make up, but at least we are actually making some up, finally!
    Still I can't help but wonder about the long range economic picture. Automakers and other
    large industries going BK, car dealers forced to close, big and little farmers going out,
    continued heavy borrowing and increased government spending just don't paint a real nice rosy picture.
  5. vanscottbuilders
    Taught myself some new swear words trying to disassemble and reassemble my B-67 tie rod ends.
    They are the adjustable and rebuildable type. But getting the nut out from inside the tube on each one
    after fifty years is a lot easier said than done!
    Used a four foot pipe on a long breaker bar with a 3/4 drive straight head socket and still had a lot of trouble.
    About a quart of penetrating oil and two cans of WD-40 later, I finally had them apart. But I had broken the
    socket in the process.
    I gathered all brand new replacement parts from Beam Mack and a friend of mine who had NOS rebuild kits.
    Now having a tool custom for the job after breaking another socket trying to reassemble the ends.
    The rest of the front axle has come together pretty nicely.
    New bearings, special sleeved seals, new kingpins, a little remedial machine work, and it's all reassembled.
    (Except for the g---***--ed tie rod!!) I'm actually excited about driving it. Should be pretty nice.
    Although the B model trucks were the first heavy duty trucks I drove, by the time I was driving them it was early
    in the 70's, the trucks were all pretty much used up. Most of them were in pretty rough shape, so I never drove a good one.
    Some advice for anyone wanting to rebuild those old adjustable tie-rod ends: Don't bother. Just change to the new replaceable
    style unit. You will be much happier in the long run.
  6. vanscottbuilders
    I'm leaving in the morning for the Spring Carlisle car show.
    The opportunity came up to go with a couple of friends,
    and I haven't been in ten years or so.
    Mostly looking for colors for the B-67, and just
    checking on current pricing of different older cars and pick-ups.
  7. 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.
  8. vanscottbuilders
    I commented yesterday on the life span of a Ford Jubilee tractor, or for that matter, any of the old tractors.
    With proper maintenance and occasional work as needed, these pieces of equipment will run a long time.
    That's one of the things I like about heavy trucks.
    You can take almost any of the common older trucks and update it with safer brakes and plumbing, freshen up the diesel and do normal maintenance work, and it will serve you for as long as you want it to. Then you pass it on to the next owner, and it keeps on working. It is pretty unusual to find a truck that is so far gone that it cannot be saved, unless it has been parted out or wrecked.
    New trucks might be faster (maybe), or might be more fuel efficient (unless the electronics are acting up), and they could be more comfortable - but - they are a lot more expensive, and unless you are working it hard every day, the new truck probably can't match the financial efficiency of the old one.
    Recycling in the most pure form!
  9. vanscottbuilders

    Shop Ready

    By vanscottbuilders,

    The new shop is finally ready for use.
    Just got in this morning and finished up some heavy duty pallet racks for my parts.
    Now we can unload the two flatbeds that are backed in the shop, and get a little organized.
    Should be fun getting the old B-67 set up for reassembly.
    Might change up my thinking a little - I had been thinking that the B-67 would be my restored
    driver with the mods to make it a little more useable, like the air suspension, Jake brake and
    Maxi brakes.
    Now I'm seeing that this probably isn't the truck for regular use. Just too uncomfortable inside.
    So - I'm finishing it as a very original truck, with all the new stuff like wiring, springs, air lines,
    plumbing etc., but no modifications except Maxi cans for safety. Even the bias ply rubber stays,
    unless I can reasonably buy radial tube-type tires for the original Dayton wheels.
    I'm going to put the mods on my R-600 because it is more comfortable, and it runs like a watch.
    Plus, if needed, one of my higher power Mack diesels will fit in it. Not so in the B-67.
    At least not with an engine brake that requires valve cover spacers.
    We moved the Dolomite AC Mack into its' place in the shop this week. Nice to have something finished inside.
    Changes your attitude about working on what seem like endless projects!
  10. vanscottbuilders
    Looks like I am going to be able to acquire a B61 diesel tractor to add to the fleet soon.
    This truck is interesting to me in that, like my R600, I know the entire history of the truck from new.
    The unit belonged to Louis Johnson Trucking based nearby in East Palmyra, NY. It spent its life in service to New York City
    and Milton, Pa. I'm kind of excited about this one as the Louis Johnson B-Macks were my 1st exposure to big trucks as a kid.
    I've also found a fifties vintage Fruehauf tandem axle stainless round nose trailer to put behind the new B61, or my B67.
    Things are looking up!
  12. vanscottbuilders
    I've been working on a project in Honey Harbour,
    Ontario, Cananda (A couple hours north of Toronto),
    and I have driven back and forth a couple of times.
    Just some observations:
    Boy, do they ever use a lot of axles.
    And axle spreads of all different sizes.
    I'm guessing that is for the health of the highways.
    I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of Mack
    cement mixers and dump trucks.
    A lot of the mixers have tandem steering axles,
    again, I'm assuming for the per axle weight.
    The multiple trailer combinations intrigue me also.
    Nice to see new stuff.
  13. vanscottbuilders

    Catching Up

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Finally ordered my new wiring harness for the B-67.
    Working on my shopping list of plumbing and air valves for the brakes.
    Hopefully I will be underway with frame plumbing and wiring in the next week or so.
    Still waiting for my rear axle to come back with the higher gear ratio. That's what I get for telling
    the mechanic that "I'm not in any real hurry"!
    I guess that what I'm going to do is fit everything on the primed frame, then disassemble it for painting.
    Hopefully it will look pretty good that way.
    The concave back window opening is a pretty rusty and dog earred, and the cab corner where the exhaust bolts
    is pretty well shot from rust and the vibration. So, after more time thinking about, I have gotten a really nice concave
    cab back panel and a nice roof for a transplant. Given my lack of welding skills and the high visibility of the repair -
    I won't be doing this myself. I know better!
    Going with a frame mounted exhaust stack, so the cab corner will really show.
    Paul VS
  14. 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.
  15. vanscottbuilders
    Learning all about kingpins and front axles this week.
    Took my B-67 front axle apart to see what I need.
    Going to put in new kingpins, bushings, tie rod ends,
    bearings and seals. But - the good news is that I don't
    need to put on new brake linings. The old ones look new.
    They should be - it's obvious that the front brakes haven't
    worked in a long time. The shoes are rusted on the pins solid,
    and neither brake can was working.
    Our W-900A is sold. It's going back to the person we got it from,
    albeit in good running condition. We got what we needed out of it,
    and everybody is happy.
    That's how it should be the week before Christmas.
    And Jimmy bought himself a new toy for Christmas ---
    He's a big fat guy and looks like Santa Claus anyway.
    He found a really nicely restored W-900A (See a pattern here?)
    with a Cat 3408 and an 18 speed overdrive transmission.
    So he's like a little kid who just can't wait any longer for the gift.
    As for the building business -
    We have landed two contracts that will keep cash flowing for now.
    So the huge scare is reduced to a more manageable level.
    Something will need to happen, and soon.
    But I think we can be rational about looking at all of our options.
    Best wishes to everyone here for a safe and happy Holiday season!!
  16. 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.
  17. vanscottbuilders

    Fall Turkey Season

    By vanscottbuilders,

    We are headed for Fall in Upstate New York.
    The leaves are beginning to change. Nights are
    getting a little cooler.
    The politicians are all dressed up and hurling barbs
    at each other.
    So Turkey hunting season can't be far away.
    I'm no sure why - but one always reminds me of the other.
  18. 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.
  19. vanscottbuilders
    Some of the people on this forum say "Volvo Sucks".
    No they don't. Indeed they build really good vehicles.
    Volvo, like so many other foreign manufacturers, are
    simply responding to market conditions that allow them to
    buy our businesses, build and sell their products in our country,
    and to profit from doing so. And then take our money away.
    If we simply continue to do the "same old, same old", we will
    continue to get the exact same results.
    What's the definition of insanity?
    Something about doing the same thing over and over - and expecting
    different results.
    If we don't stop the madness, then the madness will continue.
    It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure it out.
    Everybody can do their part - no matter how small.
    For instance - stop supporting Mobil, Sunoco, BP and other oil companies
    who buy overseas oil.
    Instead - Use Quik-Fill or companies that use US petroleum only.
    Not sure? Ask them. The good guys are quick to tell you they only buy American oil.
    Stop buying cheap Chinese junk from Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, and hundreds
    of others. Check it out before you buy, and buy only US products, whenever possible. It's simple.
    Just think before you get out your wallet. You might not even buy anything, if you stop and think.
    If enough people do it, the problem will solve itself.
    There's nothing wrong with Volvo, Toyota, Honda, or any others. Indeed most of the
    products are darn good. And, they are playing by the rules that we put in place.
    You want change - so Change. Stop complaining and just Change.
    I personally am buying only local groceries. And buying only US made clothes and shoes, if possible.
    And only US made vehicles by American manufacturers. And US gasoline whenever possible.
    My observations are that the groceries are better - a lot better, and a little more money.
    The clothes are definitely more expensive, but generally better made, and better warranted.
    They last longer, so I don't buy as much.
    As for the vehicles - well two out of three isn't bad. Our big three manufacturers are being way overcharged
    for labor, and are far too interested in their shareholders, rather than quality, to really produce a good
    vehicle. But I still support them. I think we have to in order to survive as a country as we know it.
    How many people know that the US government borrowed the money for your latest Economic Stimulus check
    from the Chinese government?
    Shocked? It's 100% true. Hundreds of millions of dollars up in smoke.
    We just sit back and let it happen.
    Then we complain.
    I sound like a broken record - but,
    Wake up America. Wake up while there's still time.
  20. vanscottbuilders

    New Possibility

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Driving home from an appointment this morning in Pultneyville
    I spotted a very straight and solid looking B-61 tandem axle flatbed
    parked in a row of the farm's fruit hauling trucks and old tractors.
    Occurred to me that I have seen it there for a number of years.
    Just never thought about it before, I guess.
    So - I'll have to go and introduce myself .................
    We'll see what happens.
    PVS
  22. vanscottbuilders
    Well, I feel old this week.
    I fell down on the ice two weeks ago - a real classic, total surprise, feet straight in front of me, airborne crash.
    For a couple of days, I felt fine. Then all of a sudden, I became a cripple for about a week. Had to cancel my
    trip to Lake Placid this week (work) because a six hour car ride was definitely out of the question.
    It's getting better - but real slowly it seems.
    Anyway - because of the new found time in my schedule, I went searching for all of the seals and bushings
    for my B-67 rear axle and brakes. All of these parts are obsolete from Mack.
    What an education. And - surprise - total success!
    Found an excellent local Mack parts guy at the dealer, after a disappointing first meeting.
    And got some stuff from Barry at Watts. And FleetPride is in the mix too, for relining the brake shoes.
    Whatever parts the local dealer (Beam Mack) could not get, they supplied me with a list of dealers nationwide
    who showed that particular part in inventory. List was complete with contact names and phone numbers. Nice!
    So, by Monday we should be back in action with the rear end assembly.
    And, maybe I'll be able to move by then, too.
  23. vanscottbuilders
    Took a little ride to Central Ohio last Thursday
    for purposes of picking up my Uncle Jimmy's
    new Kenworth W-900-A.
    It's a very well maintained 1980 model with
    a Caterpillar 3408 and 6+4 transmissions.
    It has a custom built air to air intercooler fit
    for a little added oomph.
    Pretty smooth ride. Kind of like the big truck
    equivalent of a Harley Davidson Electra-Glide.
    Nice Toy! Just sort of oozes down the road.
    And he looks just right sitting up there too -
    Big guy with bright white long hair and sunglasses.
    We talked by phone on the way home - he says with
    the cruise set at 65, the engine's just turning 1600 rpm.
    Probably as economical as one could expect a big motor to be.
  24. vanscottbuilders

    Ramblings

    By vanscottbuilders,

    We got a new forklift in the truck shop today - I think it's a sign of old age. It was a nice surprise, though.
    I share this shop space with my uncle, and it is strictly hobby space. So the lifting equipment is really a luxury.
    We had a large (24' x 40' x 20' high) bridge crane installed with a 6000# hoist a while ago so heavy parts could be moved about the shop easily.
    But it wasn't good enough. The forklift is to move those parts not located under the crane area.
    Like I said - I think it's old age. We don't lift anything ourselves anymore.
    Anyway - I am in the process of disassembling my original 5.46 single axle rear end to rebuild it with the new 4.28 gears and carrier I got a couple of weeks back. The springs needed to come off anyway, as ithe axle will be rehung on the truck with an air ride suspension.
    The suspension will require some serious thinking and some fabrication before its done.
    I've also decided to put the B67 back together with the original Dayton hub front axle. The axle has brakes and, although I will rebuild it, it seems to be in excellent condition. I like the look of the Daytons too.
    The B67 is really a test bed for my B61, which will follow later. I am keeping my best parts for that truck - like my Jake brake, the fresh 711, the Budd hub front axle and some other little treasures that I have saved.
    Getting to this point in the restoration has been a lot of fun. Now I'm ready to start seeing some of the pile of parts fit back together.
  25. 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.

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