Vladislav

Seems opposit to me. When I write I have time to form my phrases. Also I'm able to keep attention to grammer. And after all is written I read over and put some corrections (I also do that when type in Russian). When you speak you put ready phrases, no time to think on how to use a word. That's why I prefere to write correct. I'm getting used to correct forms so when time to talk I could do it automatically. Another story is prononsation and recognizing people's answers. Real communication is required for that but I don't have much of. On the other hand language is a tool you should have a reason to use. So if I live in America or talk with people every day I would try to put my speach to perfect level. And as long as I just travel ocassionally and exchange letters with friends some fluent grade of English satisfys me. Actually English is a part of my hobby which makes the life more interesting and helps to see things wider. So i just enjoy it without putting extreme efforts into.

Yes, many of them. But there are areas which look different. Mostly were the ground is sandy.

Actually Soviet Union restricted plenty of people's rights and abilities of what we at modern times count as normal. I just cannot imagine how really things were bad before and during WW2 since a lot of blood was spilled and people were killed without a court or just ordered to actions followed to death with no chances to survive. I didn't live those days so only try to figure out the truth from modern publications because local propoganda was always doing perfect job of stating how beautiful life in the country was and is. Of what I remember very good of living 14 years until the end of USSR people were ordered to live along Socialistic rules. Every man MUST be employed to government service, being not employed for more than a month or two was a crime. Women were exception, could provide household job but the most preferred to work. Education was for free (and still is in many cases) including colledges and universities. But there was a point. If a person got hight degree it meant he was not allowed to work for a "worker" job. He must be an engeneer, scientist etc. He couldn't work with a lathe at a plant, drive a truck or operate a showel or doser. The matter was the state spent efforts for his education so he must pay back. And that makes sence on my mind regardless was limiting man's rights. Basic work time was limited to 8 hours a day 5 days a week and 28 PAYED days off once in a year. Men got retirenment in 60 and women in 55. The size of retirenment payment depended on the time the person was employed and was actually sufficient. At least during 80's years when I was informed on that. People were allowed to travel all over the country's land including Socialist republics such as Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Kazahstan, Latvia, Litva etc. Exception was multiple "closed" cities which were different "strategic" facilities where production of military materials and equipment was located, space industry and so on. People lived there as in normal cities but the territory was fenced with guared gates to enter and exit. Those who were inside could go outside with no limitations (but usually didn't need that much). Others couldn't go in without special permission. There are still some areas of such style (for example submarine bases) but much less in number. Travels outside of USSR were impossible. Including Socialist countries like East Germany, Poland, Yougoslavia and others. Those were behind the USSR border. In fact a person needed and exit visa to get off. Sure some people went to foreign countries but that required such visa and must be reasoned. For example my dad made 2 trips to Cuba and 2 to Poland. But those concerned his job. He provided development of Laser equipment and side products (the main sure was for military) were medical setup for eye surgary. Soviet government supplied that equipment to those countries so he was ordered to go there and provide start and run in to operation. The duration of stay, location and amount of money changed were strictly controlled. Lucky people were those who had long term job in foreign countries, especially Western ones. Those people could import high quality goods into SU including clothes, cassete recorders and cars. The problem of shortage of common goods in the country was a follow of main efforts put into military production, space research and other strategical means. Now i think there was a reason of studieing a WW2 lesson so that made sence. But the issue was Socialist economy was the government economy and actually was in many cases inefficient. Interesting that nowadays many mostly older people complain about current layout and say that it was much better at SU times. But it seems to me that those saying that are who by some reason felt themsef very good because they got good position or were able to steal and satisfy their needs (and those latter kind ones were many in number). Or another possible reason is (as it seems to me) people remember time when they were young, healthy and active as their best part of life. And Socialism or Capitalism gets a role of a side matter.

I mentioned 25 years since things got a big change overhere after Soviet Union collapsed. In relation to our subject I would admitt 1st the end of Cold war which meant greatly improved flows of import of different goods into the country including commercial vehicles. And 2nd reason I explained before is Socialistic economy meant prohibitation of any commercial property for citizens. State had a total monopoly on all production facilities. You could buy a car but not a truck. You could buy a garage to store your car but couldn't open a shop in it and start commercial repairs. That way nobody here owned trucks in the past. And since that just a few people have hobby trucks now - because not many old ones were saved and also because there's no culture of private trucking so no interest in collecting its artifacts. Speaking of the time the first Macks found their way to Russia I don't have quite corect answer. My suggestion they might be imported in very beginning of 20th century - before WW1. I haven't found facts so far but for example there were FDW trucks supplied to Tzar army about 1914 or 1916. Also I have a documented source of Hurlburt trucks sold in Russia in 1917. So importing Macks into the country during the same times seems quite possible. That later there was time when Bolsheviki had wide cooperation with American companies during late 20's and 30's for supplys of different industrial equipement and technologies. One of the most well-known projects was a newly built Ford plant which took a name of GAZ factory in Gorky (Nizniy Novgorod). So also too possible on purchasing heavy trucks including such famous brand as Mack. I read on some Russian technical web-site about Mack ladder firetruck in service in Moscow before WW2. Unfortunately no documented proof survived. And there's info of the same state of truth of some AC dump trucks supplied for oilfield service. in early 30's. That's true indeed about Lend-Lease suppliys. The fact is about 700 plus military Macks of model NR were shipped to Soviet Union during WW2. Unfortunately no detailed info on those supplys of were they shipped new as PKD sets of used trucks which transported goods through Iran. The most probably both ways. Also not really many documented facts describing that story but there's sufficient artifact as one such truck which survived (only one known) and it is mine now Telling further during the times some single units of L and R-models were imported during the Cold War times mostly to provide road tests and than later take apart to investigate technology and materials for reasons of local automotive industry. And much later, after opening Soviet Union border (nobody could go outside of the country before 1990 excepting those who had government missions or served state contracts) some used Mack trucks (along with plenty of different vehicles) were imported into the country by private persons and companies. There was a latest times remarkable page of Mack history in Russia. About 2009 or 2010 a company in the city of Saint-Petersburg (Russia) started importing Visions (actually Pinnacles with MP8) on a wide basis. They supplied about 100 or 150 trucks during 3 or 4 years. Those trucks were new and the company had official distribution from Mack. Unfortunately drop of oil costs in 2014 made that business inoperatabe and import cancelled. They still have 3 unsold trucks made in 2013 and many sold ones cruise Russian highways so you can see them down the road from time to time.

That's a good way of things Paul. If I were searching something for decades I wouldn't miss a chance to make a 5000 km trip to grab that.

That's a pretty interesting fact. Thanks for sharing on here.

This is an option with a kind of hard nose, like B-81 or 87, not the big aluminium radiator.

You spotted them clever man LOL! Some while back the truck had four headlights which were close to the original setup. The guy I bought the truck from said he installed those Lada's for better light since old American beams are blind indeed relating to European pattern. He gave me leftowers of that set and I sure will keep my final MH truck look factory.

Robin?

I also noted the position of the door handle in the manual doesn't look the way I would put it on. Some while back we discussed that matter and got to idea of mutting it different than at that factory pic.

An easy reason - you don't sleep in a sleeper ... And sure I don't lock a door when sleep in a tent

Many thanks! One more project to plan.

As always, simple reason. As long as no Macks in the country there are no Bulldog mascots too. So such a shiny chrome plated figure is a dream toy to any boy here. And probalby to many already grown up boys. So someone got the original dog off the truck. Even possibly it was done by some of the previous owners for memories. Than at a later time some loving owner of the truck put his hand on that half-dog (catched what he could) and attached it to the grill. When I found both of my R's I was too surprized both trucks still had original dogs. Suppose the main reason was R-model has the dog attached with screws from under the hood. So difficult to steal. Green MH had the bracket only and that blue MH doesn't even have the bracket. Both my "Syberian" captures had trace in the paint only and military Macks didn't have any dogs from the factory. Actually nowadays anybody here could buy a dog from e-bay. Or order in American truck parts store if knowing the part#. But 25 years back it was absolutely impossible.

True indeed, I try my best. But it' turns out always 2-3 more out of the stable

James, thank you for respect to my English. I hope ideed I write suitable but difficult to figure that out myself. Another story is talking. Much less practice than typing on BMT and another trouble is to recognize speech. So always a wide field to increase your skills Yes, that's true. The most people in Russia drive on the right side. Just excepting those who do it really drunk

Ok, I promised in the past to do that and I will. Unfortunately not so many scenic wievs along the roads I usually drive. Central Russia is mostly flat with many fields and forests. Also a trouble I do many trips alone in the recent years. So difficult to steer and catch a camera at the same time. I took this road shot in this past summer. Just a common Russian highway, followed to Belorussia in 20 or so km.

Mike, your right. I tried to hide that when talked with you but you count me out anyway Actual idea was to complete my first MH with parts off this truck and than later build a Superliner using 2nd chassis. So now I'm on a slow hunt for a good RW2 hood.

Really nice! Is that one your uncle's WS? So if they did a notch in the sidewall what would you use of modern materials to fill into if you do it yourself? Seems like not a big trouble to cut sich strip.

No I think you better try prying the shifter when in neutral. Honestly I never tilted cab having the lever in any gear expect neutral. There's a pin or so with a small sphere on the end as I said above sticking out (down) from the cab part of the shifter. It gets into the alu cap on the chassis part and it gets straight into the centre hole. Suppse neutral is the best position since the hole is lined up with direction of lifting the cab. In fact it should be lined. If not enough it could be the matter of your issue. Just get under the cab and investigate. Nothing really complicated (if not broken down). Unfortunately I don't have any pics handy.

Contact PG Adams in VT for a quote on new rail sections. Since it's a double frame you cut outer rails shorter than inner ones. Than you weld new sections to the inners and another pair to the outers having overlap. Also check out this. Looks like not too far away from your place.

A couple of pics of Southern Russian environment. I followed the truck driven by the owner when we went to the city to make registration to my name.

Was keeping an eye for an MH tandem tractor which was in service in Southern part of Russia. Actually a city of Novorossiysk - a big sea port at Black sea. It used to tow trailers with containers from the port and do other hauls until got a synchro issue and lost hi range in its T2090 9-speed. Overall condition was poor either and the owner was running out of money and went out of business as the follow. So the truck was put for sale about a year back or so. The price tag was way out of common sence but he made a drop in a month and I called him. Learned some basic facts and put the deal on a back burner. Than this past spring I had a side business in the region so I made a 1600km road trip with a car and checked out the truck in person. Wasn't lucky observing the chassis condition and didn't make any offer. Actually just kicked the tires. Than I took 3 more months having the truck on my mind and finily resolved to buy it since as long as I could figure there were only two MH's survived all over the country. One was already in my yard and that was the other. So I got my breath away, made a call and offered 80% of the last discussed cost. The owner took 2 days and than said Ok. Further story was relatively smooth. I took my former wifey for the company (to drive a car) and she was eager for a travel. Got to the place in two days, arranged all paperwork with the owner in two days more and fixed a couple of small troubles on the 3rd day. After that I asked him to drive the truck myself when still with him to see how the things actually were. He drove 10 or so km, made a U-turn and I continued myself. First trouble was shifting since the shifter was really worn and almost impossible to put it in the top hole. Another issue was me always keeping right too much since I never drove cabovers and didn't use to be sitting right above the left wheel. But further events made me sad. After getting back closer to the place the truck was parked I couldn't shift into Lo (Lo gear of the high range was the lowest since he blocked compound in high range due to the synchro fail). After some more attempts the owner took driver's place and finally stated he couldn't get either Lo or reverse. And his suggestion was a broken shift fork in the main box since he had something similar in the past. I had doubts on that because seemed of not so easy for such brake doing nothing extraordinal to the shift lever. But having no other options we removed the top cover. Good thing cabover has free access to it. To my big surprise we found a half of fork sattling on the lo/rev sliding clutch. Good thing it didn't fall further into gears and another good thing the owner had a spare tranny apart including two forks. He had a brake down in the past indeed but not the same gears. It took us an hour or less to swap the part and put the cover back on. After that I thought to myself to drive the truck home hoping for no serious issues but being ready to call towing service to put it to nearest parking lot or a shop for further suggestions. Actually it was original plan since I didn't expect really smooth way of things from well worn rig. Being at a Black sea coast we took a day on a beach. In fact the woman already spent a day there when I dealt with Mack but I could catch only one. Sure preference of spending time sunbathing or driving a Mack is questionable to some guys so I started the trip back home. Ufff... About no shifting, tire bouncing and smell of transmission oil pretty soon since it started getting off from the shifter on the top cover. All that wasn't really bad since the truck continued moving. Forgot to mention one "nice" especiallity. Probably fuel supply pump was bad or so and the owner installed small electrip pump into supply fuel line. The pump was off injector car but the way of attachment... It was put in between two portions of rubber hose hanging on them between left hand fuel tand and chassis rail (and leaking ocassionally). The wires were a top notch job. One took its way straight from positive battery pole and wrapped over the pump terminal. Another wrapped over the 2nd terminal and than attached (sure just wrapped over) some chassis part. And when you park the truck and going to off the pump you reattach the positive wire off the terminal. And sure if you leave it falling down and catch any chassis part it was making sparks. I could live with that during the trip but in some first 50 km the engine shut off and the reason was that loose wire. The shoulder was empty and it didn't happen again. Further things turned out very well since the truck survived the trip and we got home in two days. I made 600 km on the 1st day (we started about noon) and covered 1000 km more on the 2nd one. Oh, and all that was with tranny in direct so the fasted I did was 80km/h. Maybe that was good.

You have to revise the shifter. It separates when you lift the cab. There's a kind of alu cap at the top of chassis mounted bracket. And the half attached to the cab floor goes up with the cab. That upper part has a pin or so which comes into the alu cap when the cab is back down. I would expect your shifter just got stuck of being not separated for a while. So I'd lift the cab a bit and get under it to the shifter with a small braker or big screwdriver to help getting apart. Very important point is to put some wooden blocks under the cab floor or secure it from sitting down by another way. Do it well and double check. Vlad

Look close to me. https://www.classicparts.com/1947-51-Outside-Door-Handles-pair/productinfo/18-105/# But difficult to judge since I don't have one handy. And having no one "handy" in my case means none of B-model doors for at least 1000 km in any direction

Two lines which are attached to the top cover supply air to the shift cylinder inside the rear compartment. Actually mounted on the inner side of the cover (or even cast together with it). Not almost sure but the rearmost is to shift in high since high range is direct in compound and direct is done via straight connection of both main and compound main shafts. So shift fork should go foward for that and it means air gets to the rear to force it. No matter, I might be wrong. Easy to determine removing the line and check for air pressure. The line which goes from the bracket is supply. There's a plated hose, it provides air from the chassis. The unit on the bracket reduces pressure to suitable figure to switch gears. The line from it goes to your flipper switch on the stick. The switch shifts air to one of those two lines to the cylinder and connects the other one to atmosphere at the same time. T2090 and other transmissions which allow pre-select have additional unit with air lines for locking air flow when the stick is not in neutral. T2060, 2070 and 2080 have just simple 3 line setup as described above. Vlad