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vanscottbuilders

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Blog Entries posted by vanscottbuilders

  1. vanscottbuilders

    Catching Up

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Just an update -
    I listed my 1959 Willys for sale on E-Bay this week. 1st time for me trying E-Bay.
    Nice experience. What a great way to advertise your stuff.
    The truck did not sell, but I think it was my fault. I put the reserve too much above the starting bid.
    In the end, though, I think the truck will sell to one of the two high bidders with a negotiated sale.
    And if it doesn't sell - I will use it as ground transportation at the truck shows next summer.
    Got my prize package from Barry today - free stuff is always good.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  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
    Another week gone by too fast. Seems to be a pattern.
    Anyway, we are reviewing all of our building options, including taking a long term lease on the
    new space available to us where we are currently located. There are some real advantages there - we get
    free use of the huge paint bay, the sand blast facility and whatever help we might need for
    assistance and specialized shop equipment. The complex is basically the home of Pooler Enterprises,
    which is a huge excavating and site development company.
    Their heavy equipment shop is right next door. The guys love our old trucks. (or they think we're really nuts!)
    And these guys are excellent mechanics, so it has worked out really well.
    The expanding business that wants our current space is a tenant of Pooler's in the complex.
    I am also doing all of my homework on what type of building would be best, and how would we
    configure the structure, if we were to go forward with building plans. I looked at several parcels
    of land this week. It's a good time to buy land here right now, with the depressed real estate market.
    The 2000 Peterbilt 379 that wouldn't leave finally did leave late last night. So my Mack can spread out again,
    all over the shop floor. I should be able to get some fresh photos this week. And I guess I need to change
    my avatar on the forums, as the truck in the picture no longer belongs to me.
    Like the man says - Nothing but Fun!
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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" .
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. vanscottbuilders
    I have just contracted with Yellow Freight to bring a 450# pallet from Minnesota to Upstate New York.
    The overall cost is $237.00. I can't drive to Minnesota one way for $237.00!
    As hobbists, I guess my point is that we should not overlook the obvious way to get our parts around the country.
    Common carriers are everywhere.
    Faced with driving out to Minnesota, I probably could not have justified the purchase, even though I really need the parts.
  13. vanscottbuilders

    Catch-up

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Been a few days since I was here last -
    Funny how time goes by and so much happens that we take for granted.
    I'm another year older. My puppy became a national champion last week. And last, but not least, I got my new gearset from "Thermodyne diesel" in Minnesota. That's got me very interested. The rest of the stuff is just stuff - it happens all the time, then you die.
    It's a bit unknown to me how the engine/transmission combination will react to the new ratio. Going from a 5.46 gear to 4.28. Wondering what will happen to my pulling power with the 673P diesel. The direct drive duplex transmission has been replaced with a .86 overgear triplex, which should help with the bottom end, and help with road speed at normal cruise.
    Very few people understand - but this has been a very entertaining project.
  14. vanscottbuilders

    Cecil, Pa.

    By vanscottbuilders,

    There is a dealer in Cecil, Pa. who has several R Macks for sale on E-Bay.
    These trucks look to be fairly priced and pretty decent for anyone who might be interested.
    I still think that there is a fair business to be had for someone who specializes in reconditioning
    and guaranteeing these vehicles on the used truck market.
    We have some inquiries for trucking loads to various parts of the country - so I will post truck
    availability for moving antiques or parts as we get confirmations.
  15. vanscottbuilders
    Check out Photo #34.
    (In the state of New York - we give everything numbers -
    since our governor took the title of Client #9)
    Anyway - check out #34 in the ATCA - Macungie photos that
    Barry posted the link to last week.
    It's exactly what my R-600 looked like as a new truck.
    And - it's where I'd like to go with it. After the B-67.
    I probably would not use the fender mount spot mirrors.
    Sorry I missed Macungie this year. Looks like a great turn-out.
    Got my sights set on Barry's show in the Fall.
    Nice thick T-bone steaks last nite slow cooked with a bourbon BBQ sauce.
    Outstanding!!
  16. vanscottbuilders
    So it has occurred to me that the R-Mack has not been as collectible as some others.
    It seems, I believe because it looked essentially the same from the mid-60's up into the 80's,
    the truck lacks a desireability that might exist with a B model or an L model Mack.
    Perhaps in the next generation, when these trucks actually are considered "old", they will become
    more attractive to the collectors. I wonder which of the power trains will be most sought after?
    The R Mack as a work truck, however, is a very different story. The truck has a lot of good features,
    and a simplicity that lends itself to being a really dependable, tough work vehicle.
    The cab has great visibility out of the windows, plenty of room for us "size challenged" operators and
    good heat and venting.
    The engines were all rock solid - especially the early Maxidyne series (237, 285 etc). The Maxidyne lent
    a new dimension to operating a Mack, with the extremely wide torque band.
    I'm wondering about a new business that specializes in reconditioned and guaranteed R model Macks
    for sale as reliable work trucks. Seems like it might work. Especially if I can guarantee the performance.
    I am looking for info on persistant problems, if any. And what to look for in the cabs as far as rust damage goes.
  17. vanscottbuilders

    Out Of Touch

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Looks like I'll have to leave for a while in the interest
    of making money.
    I'm going to Texas on Sunday and expect to be working there
    for a month or more.
    Part of our business is writing estimates for the repair of
    damaged buildings. Especially larger damages and historical structures.
    And, after a careful polling of our qualified people, (all three of them)
    all of whom must be better at winning arguements than I am -
    guess who gets to go to Texas to look at hurricane damages?
    It may take me a little while to get the lay of the land -
    but rest assured - if I can, I will be out scouting for trucks and
    trucks parts, too.
    I'll be starting in Houston on Monday. Probably coming home two
    weeks later. Then going back to Houston, Galveston or Beaumont,
    depending on where the losses that are contested are located.
    Won't be doing too much posting for a while. Mostly, I'll be brushing
    up on my "standing in line at the airport" skills.
    And brushing up on my Tex-Mex eating skills.
  18. 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.
  19. vanscottbuilders

    Early Fall

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Well it's another very nice day here in Upstate New York. This is a great time of year for us, as I have said before.
    My experience with E-Bay so far has been excellent. Several people from further away than I would have imagined
    have been here to see and drive the old Willys. And a lot of people have asked good questions on E-Bay about the truck.
    The auction ends tomorrow about noon EST, and I am getting anxious. This money will fund the completion of my B67 and the
    lowboy trailer I intend to use behind it.
    Speaking of the B67 - I have started re-assembly, finally. If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will.
    The frame and all attached parts are sandblasted and primed with epoxy. The cab has new floors and door sills.
    The rear axle was delivered to a friend's shop for conversion to a 4.28 final ratio and a general re-build and check-up.
    I am going with all new shoes and drums, and all new studs in the wheels. New tubeless rims and radials will complete the rolling picture.
    The plan has been to convert to an air suspension, but now, at the eleventh hour, I am thinking of taking out some of the rear leafs
    and staying with springs. It's a whole lot easier than fabricating up new saddles and hanging new, non-stock, brackets and plumbing
    for the air. Reality is setting in - just how much do I really think this is going to be used, anyway?
    The next big purchase will be a wiring harness from Top-O-Hill.
    It's getting exciting.
  20. 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!
  21. vanscottbuilders
    Checked on the truck shop this morning.
    The cab reconstruction on the B-67 is actually
    progressing nicely, finally.
    The welder is a really talented guy - just hasn't been too
    focused.
    I'm happy with the work, though. And I doubt anyone will be
    able to tell what was repaired.
    So, all in all, it might have been worth the wait.
    Back to Pa. on Monday, and probably done with that project
    in about two weeks, if all goes well.
    Had to cancel out of going to Macungie for fear of divorce court,
    after being gone for two weeks and leaving again in two days.
    Some people just have no understanding.
    Anyway - best to all and have a good week.
  22. vanscottbuilders
    OK - 1st day of summer - Everybody look quick!!
    Actually it's been really nice here since April, if a bit
    unusual.
    I should be finishing up in Pennsylvania this week, and
    back home to continue the B-67 progress next week.
    There is a man with an early R model Mack single axle dump
    truck that I have posted about before near Beach Lake, Pa.
    Goes by every day empty one way and loaded with dirt the other.
    Great fun listening for the old girl, as the property we are working on is
    in the middle of nowhere.
    That truck sounds like it runs like a clock. And it sure does get a lot
    of exercise.
    I'd like to catch up with the owner just to say Hi.
    Anyway - hope everyone is doing well.
    Have a good week.
  24. vanscottbuilders

    Quality Built

    By vanscottbuilders,

    I had some time this week to completely disassemble the front axle of my B-67.
    It's actually fun to take this truck apart.
    Everything just cracks loose with a wrench, then unscrews by hand!
    It looks terrible. All rusted up and nasty looking.
    But you just snap it loose and twist off the nut. That simple.
    I am really interested in the simplicity of the design and
    the quality of the machining and the castings. But what really
    has me impressed is the assembly. Everything is fine machine threads,
    and tapered where necessary to draw tight, and hold tight forever.
    Even the frame bolts with exactly the right length of threads,
    and just the right amount of thread on each bolt to get exactly a full nut of coverage.
    Really nice stuff. And probably not duplicated anywhere today, even in the high tech stuff.
    And these were "just trucks". No wonder they work forever with proper care.
    On another note -
    I took my older (1966) R-600 out for a ride down the road today.
    No plates - so I took it nice and easy. This truck really runs like a
    sewing machine. Pretty neat old unit.
    Every light works, the heater and defroster work, door latches work great,
    windows work great. No smoke, no bad smells or noises.
    Stops good and drives straight.
    The tires are square!! Really square!! But even they smoothed up after a bit.
    Pretty lumpy there for a while though. (Old bias ply, heavy duty rubber)
    I'm ready to sell this one, and just wanted to be sure everything was OK.
    Great Fun!
  25. vanscottbuilders

    Old Mack Country

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Just got home from a week of work in Wayne County, Pa. (Northeast Pa.along the Delaware River)
    It's a pretty rural area, and still enjoys a lot of small logging companies, excavating contractors
    and dump truck operators.
    Guess what they use?
    I saw more active older B & R model Macks being used every day than I have seen in years.
    There was a beauty of a single axle R600 going by our jobsite several times each day loaded right to the boards with
    topsoil. You couild hear it coming from miles away as it growled up the hills and around the curves. Very cool!
    At another time, I saw a pretty battered B model single wrecker with a very new and disabled import car in tow.
    Seemed like a little sweet justice!
    Several loggers in the area are still using old R models every day - and the old dogs are still earning their keep.
    A pretty enjoyable week!
    And I delivered my old Willys to its' new master last weekend. I hope they enjoy it as much as I did.

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