irishflyer97

Did you ever get it figured out?  I see PDQ is longer in business, and I never did get to buy a 200 for my 99.  

I've lurked here for awhile, finally found a 99 CH613 with low miles.  Needs to de rusting around the back part of the frame, but looks good underneath the cab, engine, etc.  355/380, T2090.  Bought it from the second owner. Runs decent, fuel leak around the back two cylinders area, haven't looked at that yet.  Only thing that might suck is the rear diffs are 4.11 Im guessing from the RPMs, tire size, transmission OD.  But Im pretty sure the E7 doesn't mind running around 1600 rpm.  Anyway, Ill post pictures when I get some...

That makes sense!  Definitely has the wood.  My brother-in-law is a cabinet maker.  He said if I wanted to upgrade the dash to a high quality wood, he has the equipment to make it look like a Mercedes...😄

Well, I ended up finding a 2000 CH613 that will work better.  It has a Super 10, a step up from the Gen 1 Autoshift. 

  I did notice that Super 10 RTLO1610B is the same length as a RTLO16913B and the 18 speed....🤔...😀

I had been an o/o from 1995-2014.  My Dad passed away in 2013, who had become my business partner.  I took a break from it, and did various jobs from oil field work to computer repair.  My biggest expense hands down (other than fuel) was workman's comp insurance I had to pay for my drivers.  It always was more than maintenance.  (Nebraska sucks for the pool rate).  I have always stuck with pre-emission equipment, spec'd for the job at hand.  In this case, I need something for 15% off road, and Mack fits that bill. I will be running three weeks on, one week off.  I will be doing any maintenance work in that week. 

Hey, I welcome all opinions on here.  Each situation is different.  I guess I didn't realize there was an ongoing situation.  Maxidyne brought up some good points, some that might apply in my situation, but he doesn't know me personally, and the job I am taking on, so it's hard to cross over different applications.  But I never felt like I was being flamed or anything.  The amount of passion people have for the Mack brand is good to see, old and new models.    This will be my first Mack, but my eighth overall.  I am soaking up all the information given here without a jaundiced eye..:-)

Just curious, the CH613 gauges that had the yellow background and needles, was that a special option of some sort?  The 2000 CH613 Im looking at buying has the yellow gauges, and Ive noticed older models that had the standard black background with white needles, and the yellow ones.  There doesn't seem to be a year divide on what has what.   What was the rhyme or reason behind it?  I even tried my general search kung fu to search this site, but nothing..lol.  Just curious is all.

4 hours ago, Mack Technician said:

Why not run the Super 10, that's a decent trans to drive 400HP through?

Just personal taste.  A small concern on gearing; with the 24 talls, probably 3:73, gears, I have to check to see if a Super 10 has low enough hear ratios to operate on sometimes soft dirt.  I'll probably find out the first gear of the Super 10 and the T2180 are the same..lol.  The tires could stand a chance, and maybe switching to 24 low pro would be enough to leave the Super 10. 

6 hours ago, terry said:

good move where in Nebr. are you?

I am out by North Platte.  In the Sandhills.

Very true.  One of the reasons why I am thinking Mack.  Overheads, etc,  look easier to do than on Detroit. Injectors certainly cheaper and easier to replace.    I am still dubious about the EGR systems, but it appears the 06-07 models had cooling enhancements, so could be worth looking at. 

OK, talked to Tidwell Transmissions in Dallas, the big guru on these contraptions.  He states that the Gen 1 can be converted, it needs two holes tapped on the case to mount the high low, and the interlock pin boss needs sleeved and finished to do it right.  He has done some of them.  This is the Gen 1, not the later ones.  Cost could exceeed 1,000, so easier to get a used  FRO 10 speed and call it a day..lol.  Or, fjh thinking is the same as mine, a Mack 18 speed would look nice in there.  That might have to come later on.  But anyway, thats what I have found.

On 11/11/2019 at 6:35 PM, Outbehindthebarn said:

Glad to know I'm not the only one to find the search function on this site to be as worthless as tits on a boar hog.

I am finding that using a generic search such as "1999 mack etech 400 site:bigmacktrucks.com"  works better than the included search engine, if that helps any.

I think there is a back mount and a mid mount.  These are FRO 10 speeds.  My mechanic thinks it's possible, and has the parts from a junked FRO.  If I go this route, I'll report back.

A top cover and shifter parts can be had for about $400 bucks to convert it back to a manual.  Run a new air line from the box to the shifter, put a plate in the floor, add a boot, and pretty much done.  I have  been reading about it tonight, and found the original Gen 1 could be easily converted to manuals, a selling point to get fleets to try them out.

Fair point, but there are not alot of pre-emission Visions around that are in decent shape.  This truck also is within 8 hours of me, and happens to be about $10k less than anything else I have located to date.   I have some room to modify a bit.  Besides, I haven't seen a Vision with a Mack 18 speed ever, that I am aware of.  I am also pretty sure the early Autoshifts are still RTLO transmissions, just with an electronic shifting cover on it, that could be easily switched back to a manual 10 speed cover and stick.

Gen 1 Autoshift by the looks of it.  So, yep, clutch pedal present and accounted for.  My concern is does the bellhousing adapter for an Eaton setup utilize the same clutch rod setup, or do I just swap everything out?  I am thinking changing the top shifter box and disabling the auto's pcm would be the most cost effective to get going, and watch for a 18 speed donor truck. 

Hello,

  I am looking at a 01 Vision, that has an Eaton Autoshift.  Not my favorite thing in the world.  I was wondering if to swap in a Mack 10 speed, or a 13/18, would I need an entire bellhousing, clutch system, shift rod, to make the switch? (Driveshaft mod is a given).  Another idea is on the Autoshift, to replace the top electronic cover with a manual stick and shift rails, as I don't think the ECM depended on the transmisions info to run properly.  Just wondering how crazy I might be thinking...lol...

Curious, how did it change the ride and turning?

Nice job on the conversion!

I've been an end of life owner when I had trucks before.  When it was just me, it was pre 03 Volvos, with S60 and VED engines.  I dont want a hotrod; I changed the turbo on the S60 for fuel mileage. Maybe Mack e7 stock is the best route for that?  I do some of my own work, a d the older Mack's seem simple enough vs a S60, as far as swapping fuel system components.

Well, looking at getting back into being an owner operator, and looking for my first Mack.  Mechanical E7 vs e tech, one way loaded hauling frac sand, fairly flat ground.  Was their much of a mpg difference with the Etech? (given similar trucks, load, and terrain).  Didn't really want to go newer as oil is a roller-coaster of work, though 06 and up trucks are cheap.  Can emissions deletes make an 07 as reliable as an Etech with the new frame and cooling?

  I plan on modifying any truck I buy anyway with injector upgrade, turbo, and ECM mods to let it work easier.  BTW, the search function seems to be too picky, as I'm not having luck finding a matching answer... Lol. 

I recently lost the engine in my main truck, an 01 Volvo, and it isn't worth touching at the moment. I test drove a Mack, and really liked the way it drove, quietness was on par with the Volvo (or at least a light year ahead of my Century that I am in stuck in now.) I was wondering, after reading all the problems with some of the trucks, if the pre-emission Macks were a lot better than the 04's? I have heard they were. Since I am new, some of these questions will seem odd..lol.

1. Does Mack use individual cylinder fuel pumps? Are these reliable?

2. The E7 engine, are they reliable? I had a Mack dealer tell me once the cam had failed and then updated, you were good from there on out. I am seeing trucks with about 900,000 miles on them, what is the service life of the Mack E7 if good maintenance was used?

3. Is it possible to get 7mpg with an E7, say 427 or 400? I keep seeing problems with the 460's in these forums.

I guess I realize there aren't as many Macks on the OTR scene, so if there are common sensors or stuff that fails, I would plan on carrying one or two.

I borrowed a CH on a trip about 10 years ago, and was impressed on the pulling power and the smoothness. Didn't like the sleeper wall right behind me, but it was a good truck.

So, make me a believer!!