m16ty

The only thing I take issue with is not letting the truck idle for more than 20 seconds. That's a good way to cook your turbo.

I know where there are a couple of R model parts trucks sitting. I'll start there.

You know, back when they were new, I hated the things. Loud, leaky, and just plain nasty. Now that they've become a "vintage" engine, they are starting to grow on me. Partly because they are just such a unusual design.

The truth is, even though they leak oil everywhere and sound like a nest full of bumble bees, they will usually run forever.

1958 FWD, I was always told that you needed to slam your hand in the door so you would drive the truck like you were mad at it. You have to keep them old two strokes wound up tight to get any power out of them (no low end torque). That usually meant your foot to the floorboard and a lot of gear shifting.

As much as I hate it,I see why so many R models get exported. I've turned down 5 buyers willing to pay my price in cash,

They weren't from Nigeria, were they?

Ya'll already got snow in Iowa?

Making research in the net I found out that it's impossible to weld ANY cast iron by ANY way.

There was an article where a man analized phisical and chemical matter of that fact.

So stitching seems the only way. I don't know how it's good or bad either.

I just had a 318 Detroit head welded up by a company in Chattanooga,TN. They claim to stand behind their work, and offer 100% money back if it doesn't. We will see.

I know for a fact you can weld cast iron, I've seen certified and x-ray tested cast iron welds. Now weither or not it will work on something as intricate as a head is another matter.

Cast iron welding is not something most welding shops are set up to do but it can be done with the proper equipment.

Just don't run those M939 trucks in low range/reverse or you'll be replacing a bunch of transfer cases.

I've had a couple of M939 tractors (M931 and M932) and a M936 wrecker that I took the wrecker bed off of and installed a lime spreader bed.

I currently have a M35A2C that I put a dump bed on to use around the farm.

I just read a piece over on the EPA website that states they are fixing to start regulating trailers also. They claim that because the trailer is part of the truck/trailer combo, they can regulate it. Most of it is aerodynamics but also low rolling resistance tires. I don't know what "low rolling resistance tires" are but they sound expensive. All in the name of reducing our "carbon footprint", If you believe in that hogwash.

I've seen rebuilders re-use the case and that should be ok.

If they are somehow re-using the plates, I'd steer clear. There are several people and products that claim to make the old plates as good as new but it just won't work long term.

Gliders are going away - EPA will not continue to allow them. Gliders have been flying under the EPA and congressional radar for years but not anymore. I have customers that have bought them - they are not cheap (nearly the price of a new truck) and the reliability and fuel economy are suspect. Most dealers will not take them in trade - can't imagine what a glider will be worth in the future but guessing the values will be low and demand poor.

I do understand the EPA will eventually crack down on them, I'm actually surprised they let it go this long. They are the price of a new truck but they are more or less new also if you use remanufactured components to finish the truck, the only difference is you get a proven powertrain instead of a tier 4 engine that won't be nothing but a headache.

I figure the value of gliders will hold value and will still be going strong long after these new trucks have been sent to the scrap heap. Used trucks are going up in value also because people are just fixing them up instead of buying these new plies of junk.

Does anybody honestly think any of these new trucks will still be going 50+ years from now like the B models?

You can still get new trucks with old diesel technology and the old transmissions, it just won't be a Mack.

Check out Fitzgerald trucks. They will take a new KW or Pete glider and put a remanufactured Detroit 60 or Cat and a remanufactured fuller in there. I don't really know how they are getting away with it but they are selling new non-emissions trucks.

There's a local company that has just bought 4 of the Fitzgerald 389 Pete with Detroit engine and 18 speed Fuller.

Very nice- does clock work and if so what does it show for mileage? National Guard-kind of like buying a used fire truck -no miles, washed frequently but better than a fire truck- no pump hours on it!

I don't recall the hours but it's showing 26,000 miles. I do remember the hours seemed to match the miles so I believe them to be correct.

I've got a bunch of 1960-1970 pics of some Mack trucks heavy hauling on a CD if I can find it.

Switch the glad hands around, sounds like they are backwards.

This could be right. looking at the front of the trailer, the standard is red on right and blue on left but every once in a while you can find them swapped on old trailers.

You could also have the same problem I experienced just the other day on a trailer. It had been sitting awhile and something had built a nest inside the service glad hand. Truck started rolling fine but when I hit the brakes, the trailer brakes locked and wouldn't release. The nest had allowed air to go to the brakes but wouldn't let the air release when I let off the brakes. Took the line off the transport valve back at the trailer axles, blew air through the line, and the nest came flying out.

There's a fairly large segment of our population that would like nothing better than to take our old trucks off the road so do be surprised if they try to.

I think CA already has laws that older trucks have to be retrofitted by 2014 and by 2023 no truck will be allowed on the road that is over 13 years old. I would assume this only applies to commercial operators and collectors are exempt.

Honestly, I could care less about the VW "scandal".

If I were in the market for a new diesel car, I'd take a serious look at a VW. They are sure to have some good deals right now and I couldn't care less if my emissions worked or not (no emissions testing in my neck of the woods).

I now own the truck Superdog was talking about from the TN National Guard. I'd love to find more info about it.

http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/42258-rd822sx/

My RD822sx doesn't have air-ride cab and with a beam suspension, the cab could use the extra cushion.

My brother has a RD688 with air ride and after looking at it, it looks like all you have to do is replace the back bushings with the air-ride bags and associated parts.

My question is, will the air-ride work with the metal hood? I'm just not sure there will be enough flex between the metal hood and cab for the air-ride to operate.

Model RD822SX

VIN -1M2P193Y7FA001100

Hello everybody, I'm new to the forum and just bought a 1991 RD822sx. V8 Mack engine, Mack 12 speed trans, 65k rears (I think), 22k front (I think), walking beam suspension.

The truck came from the TN National Guard. I'm trying to find out more about the truck but when I call the local dealer with the VIN, they can't pull up anything on it. It does have a standard 17 digit VIN but I wonder if there is something about it being ex-military as to why the VIN isn't in Mack's database?

Any help would be appreciated.

We usually run half fenders on our trucks. They will pretty much keep stuff off the cab, even pulling a lowboy. We would run full fenders but our drivers just tear them up, they are bad enough on the 1/2.

1/4 fenders are about worthless.