Keith Pommerening

James I will tell you my experiences: Worked at Marvin Windows in the mid to late 70s. They bought a whole fleet of them from Min-Dak Mack in Crookston, Mn. As I recall the cabs were very good and comfortable,a good looking truck. They were equipped all Mack. They had the straight five speed transmission which were quite novel then. My biggest dislikes were the steering, speed while backing and dependability. Would turn the big steering wheel a whole bunch and the tires would angle over a little. Surely would not call it turning. When backing up to a dock, the damn thing would go like a raped ape. Had to fight the slow turning and ride the clutch so one could keep-up and not slam into the dock. Every year or so they would loose power and smoke like the old ones. Had to drop in another turbo. Remember one time we had to drop the trailer next to the lake. The rear axle was on the way out. Were able to bob tail back to Spokane Mack, if my memory serves me right. Was able to pull into the shop under its own power. Would catch a cog every once in the while and lurch in. Probably not a smart move but not my call. Lead driver made the decision. The company was using a special differential oil, some Texas brand stuff. Think they had less trouble with a different lube. Spent a lot of time sitting at Min-Dak Mack waiting for repairs to be made. Well James that is my experience with the Cruiseliner. Thanks, Keith Those big steering wheel horn buttons were engraved with "Built For Marvin Windows" on them. Thought that was a nice touch.

Drove them, did not like them.

Not sure which would be my favorite but drove Cruseliner cab overs in the late 70s. What a p.o.s. Turn the steering wheel to beat hell and the best you could hope for was the steer axle would deflect, sure as hell wouldn't turn. Damn thing went 25 mph in reverse, steering would never keep up. Dropped turbos yearly. Differentials would give it up often. Pulled into Mack shop in Spokane with one cog that would catch occasionaly. Left trailer by the lake and limped it in. Cab was nice and comfortable as I remember. Bought a gold bulldog, had plans to mount it on the toilet. Every time you flushed you had to grab the dog. Was not happy with those trucks. Never mounted it but still have a gold dog new in box. Company bought them from Min-Dak Mack in Crookston Mn. Spent many hours there waiting for repair work to be completed! Remember the local freight company, Stordahl Trucking, had the classiest trucks when I was a kid-B models.They always had the look-like a truck should. Have a 1952 A model now. Like the looks but think one would have to be 5'6" or less to drive it. My problem is I am 5' 16" and don't fit.

Need an chrome "A 40" badge that mounts on hood side panel. Driver's side if it makes any difference. Measures 7/8" high and 3" long. Two post out the back to slid into hood side panel.

The young are the ones who can who can least afford her. Who do they think is going to make the sacrifices and pay back the debt all those "give- aways" will in cure?

You lucky dog. Looks like a nice one. Just found a source for engine gaskets if you need some. Welcome! Thanks, Keith

Hi Andy; Neighbor is moving and gave me his A. Been sitting in the woods for a while but looks surprisingly complete and straight. Am new to the group so here goes. The plate on pass seat riser says it is model A40H 8470.The number on the block. EN377-62-43. Was unable to find frame # behind spring mount. Don't know what year. Can you let me know? It has a gas saddle tank with a Mack brass plate. Model R40, serial# 52 3. No box or 5th wheel. Probably used as logging truck. Has a single rear axle and air brakes. The rear diff is the common vertical ring gear, not the horizontal Mack style I thought was common. Thanks, Keith Update 6/14/15 Was able to talk to person who last worked the truck...39 years ago! His name was hand painted on the door. He thinks it is a 1952 model. Said truck had been in the iron mines at Hibbing, Mn before he bought it. He used it to pull a lowboy trailer for his excavating and gravel business. Have been working on freeing up the engine for the last month. Pulled the spark plugs and have been squirting various magic elixers into cylinders. Tried diesel and ATF, acetone and powersteering fluid, and Marvel Mystery OIl with either acetone or diesel. Has not worked yet. Have a chain wrench on drive shart near a yoke, with a five foot pipe cheater. No luck. Step on clutch and pipe falls so clutch and trany should not be the problem. Thought since the air compressor is bolted to gear case on front of engine, it might be stuck. So put "Magic Potion" in that too. Would think if engine was loose it should atleast rock enough to take up gear slack. Pulled starter and drive gear is well worn but ring gear looks O.K. Looked up part # in Delco-Remy site...yep big red discontinued. Looked in inspection plate on front of tranny. Back side of clutch and throw-out bearing look great. Put plate back on. Asked a friend about the "non-Mack" looking rear diff. He asked me if the Bulldog was silver or gold. It is silver. He said it must have been order w/o mack diff. If it was purebreed Mack it would be gold with Mack engine, trans and diff. Since I'm a "puppy poster" I can be uninformed and ask dumb questions. Wonder what this thing is worth? Anyway, having fun wasting time and getting dirty! Update 2/12/16 Received some info from the Mack Museum. Said the truck was delivered on September 30, 1952 to Mesabi Supply and Service in Hibbing, Mn. through the St. Paul branch. Doug said the truck was built with a single reduction RAS400 rear differential, the CRS76 had a 6.86 ratio. The two speed rear is a change that was made later. Now, all I have to do is wait two months to get the full package from the museum. Took a shot in the dark and sent an e-mail to the Hibbing Historical Society asking for more info on the business. The ultimate goal would be to get a picture of the truck as it was originally used. Worked with the last owner and we were able to get a title and plates. Had to take a picture from all four sides and had him sign the lost title form from the state. Licensed it as a 15,000# farm truck. License bureau lady said if I titled as a farm truck for the first year, collector plates would be much cheaper when purchased later. What should I license this as, how heavy.... Not sure if a collector plate is the way to go. Suggestions? Thanks, Keith