Jump to content

vanscottbuilders

Pedigreed Bulldog
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    921

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    4

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by vanscottbuilders

  1. 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.
  2. 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?
  3. 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.
  4. 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!
  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
    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 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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!
  10. 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.
  11. 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!
  12. 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!!
  13. 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.
  14. 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
  16. vanscottbuilders
    Interesting week.
    Weather is getting steadily better. Snow's almost gone.
    I like these days - you can really feel the change coming, even though it's still only
    15 or 20 degrees at night. It gets to 40 or so during the day. And when the
    sun shines, it really seems to shine bright.
    Not much Mack truck news this week. But we did get paid for the 2000 379 Peterbilt,
    and got a pleasant surprise when a fellow from Indianopolis showed up, like he said he would,
    and paid for, and took, a road worn 379 Pete that we inherited with a bad engine last fall.
    I like it when guys show up with their own wrecker - it's a good sign!!
    Got some bad news this week, coupled with some not so bad news, and ended with pretty good news.
    1st - we learned that we are losing our truck shop space. Some of you know that we rent the space from a
    good friend on a month to month basis, with the understanding that the adjacent business may expand at some
    point in time. Well - I guess it's that time! That's the bad news.
    Hard to believe that I have been in that space for about three years.
    When I took it, I told Gary I needed it for maybe three months to restore the B-67. He laughed. He must have known better.
    Anyway - we are moving around to the back of the complex to a bigger and even better lit space, on the same temporary basis.
    Should give me plenty of time to finish my B-67 and get the lowboy sandblasted, redecked and painted.
    That's the not so bad news.
    And the good news is - This little truck hobby is pretty fun, and it's working out okay. So we (my Uncle Jim Schreiner and I) have
    decided to start the process of acquiring some land and building our own building.
    And it looks like we have several options. All of the land choices have direct access to a state highway and are within a couple of miles
    of a NYS Thruway exit, so the heavy haul equipment can go with us for economy's sake.
    Hope to get the back axle sandblasted and primed this week. And get the cab surgery moved along so I have just one cab to look at,
    rather than a couple of cut apart pieces.
    Onward and Upward.
  17. vanscottbuilders
    So, I didn't mean to be all that sarcastic yesterday with my blog entry.
    If I offended anybody - I apologize, as long as you haven't called me about the Peterbilt and promisd to send a deposit!
    Anyway, I picked up my springs from the spring shop today for the B-67. Brand new rear springs and re-arched front springs. Pretty nice. Apparently the center bolt holes were all rotted out in the old back spring stacks, and several leaves were broken. Got new U-bolts and nuts too. At the age of my truck, new nuts are a good thing.
    Hope to have the air suspension cross member this week, and I can start to reassemble the frame and axles. Then it's on to the air system, fuel lines and wiring on the frame.
    The transmission is epoxy primed and ready for the covers to come off and get a good inspection. It was out of a working truck and wasn't making any weird noises or leaking, so I hope it's OK.
    The engine is all pressure washed and ready for the motor magician to give it a good once over. Same situation, I've had the engine running several times up to temperature. No leaks, no oil in the water, no water in the oil and no oil from the breather tube. Runs smooth with no knocks or noises, so I hope it's alright, too. Then it heads to the paint bay. Going to try epoxy primer at the recommendation of the paint rep.
    I'm going to need to do cab surgery soon. Been putting it off for a long time because it doesn't look like any fun. I need to replace the concave back cab panel or at least the rear window opening. Apparently the rear window seal has been leaking for years. And the right rear cab corner has been jacknifed some time in its life, and is pretty toasty. Got a perfect back panel and roof from Kevin All at AllMacks. Now I just need to get up the nerve to cut them.
    Another day.
    Paul Van Scott
  18. 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.
  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
    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!
  21. 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

    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.
  23. vanscottbuilders
    My old R Mack is covered with snow and ice. Probably won't go for another ride until spring.
    It's the only one thaty had to stay outside this winter, and I feel bad about it.
    I'll pull the batteries out of her this week for charging and store them in the shop. so they don't freeze.
    Just another case of the PreChristmas Blahs.
    On a Brighter Note:
    We got the H-63 inside Dennis' heated barn, so it's good until spring. We did get all of the Mack Museum
    info on the truck, along with a shop manual reprint. That's always such a cool service from the Museum.
    Turns out that the truck was sold new in Tennessee to a Mack dealer as part of a ten truck "stock" order.
    Apparently early in its life, it went to Georgia, where it remained until this past summer. We have the name
    of the most recent Georgia owner, and will try to track the ownership history back one step at a time.
    The B-67 should go under the knife next week for the cab roof and back panel transplant. Then it's on with
    the reassembly. I'm getting anxious to put that together. Right now, my cab is on a wheeled wood frame, so
    you can move it around the shop and on or off a trailer with just one person. The rear end should be finished
    next week, and the front axle should be sandblasted and primed in a few days. Just need to take the springs
    out to a shop for some normal work and replacement of several broken leaves in one of the rear stacks.
    I do think I will use the Superide air suspension crossmember, which lets me use the original springs and rear end housing.
    I'll rebuild the front axle and brakes on the truck - I just want the truck back in one piece as soon as possible.
    It looks like my Eager Beaver 25t lowboy is sold and leaving right after Christmas. So I am seriously on the hunt for
    an affordable drop deck flat bed. Apparently there just aren't any cheap, decent lowboy trailers around, and this is a good one.
    So it sold to the first person who came to look at it.
    Interesting that I just got a good line on a B-61T from a local freight company who used Macks for years. The truck
    is complete and was running within the past few years. It's another single axle diesel tractor. If I can get it to answer
    to a whistle, I'll see if it can come home with me.
    And Tom - After cooking up a fresh turkey last Friday, I tried my own version of Turkey Hash.
    Onions, celery, potatoes and carrots with the broth from boiling the bones and scraps for two nights.
    Used some of the broth to make stuffing which I put in the hash along with a couple pounds of chunked up turkey meat.
    So it wasn't very soupy, but really moist and tasty.
    Fantastic! Thanks for the idea.
  24. vanscottbuilders
    I stopped in to the truck shop today. I was pretty well prepared to see the roof of my B-67 cab cut apart,
    having gotten a phone message from my welder/body man the other day.
    But - what I found was my old cab with no roof at all, no cab back panel and no windshield posts!
    Holy smokes - the shock set in big time.
    Even though I got a really good donor cab roof and concave back panel from Kevin All. And I've known this had to happen.
    I took some pictures for posting ASAP.
    Anyway, after my heart rate went back down a little, I looked it all over and thought about it.
    This was the right thing to do, if I wanted to correct the old jacknife damage and get rid of the rusty roof corner and
    back window opening. All of the cuts are at the factory seams, and should not show at all when we're done.
    The cuts are all done with Zip-wheels so they are real neat and straight. And the welder's work is excellent.
    It sure does look pretty serious when you look at it from behind with no back or roof. Just the doors, cowl and
    floorboards all bolted down to the rolling cart. By far the most serious body surgery I've ever been through on
    one of my projects. And I'm sure the end result will be fine. (I hope)
    I'm just way too old for this kind of excitement!
  25. 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.

BigMackTrucks.com

BigMackTrucks.com is a support forum for antique, classic and modern Mack Trucks! The forum is owned and maintained by Watt's Truck Center, Inc. an independent, full service Mack dealer. The forums are not affiliated with Mack Trucks, Inc.

Our Vendors and Advertisers

Thank you for your support!

Mack Related Links

Popular links

BMT Forum Logo

HTML tutorial
×
×
  • Create New...