leversole

I searched the forum and found nothing, but I read about this somewhere?!? Anyway, on the first drive I got the compound shifter hung up...dont know what gear it is in, but I cannot change it. How do I "unjam"? Other than that, I realize I got lucky last night, shifting this thing at speed is going to take some serious practice! Thanks

I am just down the road about a mile from the truck stop!

Unbelieveably cool! My truck showed up after dark tonite... I had it all planned out, we were going to unload across the street from my house at the big church parking lot. I was going to putt around there getting used to the truck and learning to drive it as I have never driven a truck bigger than a 3/4 ton pickup! After I got comfortable, I would attempt to run it up my steep driveway and park it behind my house until morning. Well...I met the driver at the I-80 exit and led him towards my house...big truck and BIG trailer! I talked to him on the cell phone to find out how he had to unload it, front, back, seperate the tracktor/trailer, etc...he said we need to get completely off the road...well...the church was having thier big Halloween party! Completely full parking lot! No Go! We ended up going to a bar parking lot about 1/2 mile from my house. My son and I helped him unchain it and set up the ramps, he unloaded it and parked it (I guess the maxi spring brakes are trust worthy, they hold it on a hill!) Okay, the moment of truth...with only one headlight, no tailights, I gotta get this monster home. I feel around on the floor to figure where the brake and throttle are (it was completely dark in the cab) I put it in 2nd lo-split and released the brake, off I go...the only thing I know about shifting this behemoth is from watching the twin stick videos about a 1000 times! Anyway, no traffic so I cross the highway onto my road, Man o' man this thing is cool...accelerate and shift the compound to direct with just a blip of the throttle, hey, this works! Okay, slowing down for a sharp curve and about a hindred church goers coming the other way and back to lo-split...accelerate again, blip, shift, cool! Got into what a pilot would call "Pilot induced ocillation", truck is jerking, my throttle foot is jerking, back and fourth, hey, I am going to 3rd gear...this is one of the coolest things I have ever done! Okay, gotta slow down a little...WTF? Somehow both sticks are in neutral! I read somewhere this was bad! I tried a few gears and various RPMs and finally got it back into gear! Anyway, swing wide and turn into the drive way, stopped and put it into 1st and direct and crawl up the driveway. Parked it, let it idle for while, I was shaking with excitement...this is going to be soooooooooooooooo cool...I wont sleep a wink tonight, but at first light I will check the fluids and continue my education on the backroads! This is going to be fun, fun , fun!!!! Now, she is home, sleeping, and quiet (no air leaks) awaiting the beginning of her next life.

If a person had only one day...would it be better to come Friday or Saturday? What time will most people arrive Friday? Thanks

Looked at the pictures from the Watts mack show (2009)... Does the Red B?? Model with Zimmell (I think) named Miss Betty belong to anyone here? What a beautiful truck! I was looking for more pictures if a member here or if anyone knows where other pictures might be... THanks

Wondering if anyone can help me... I need a quote to haul a <14000lb Mack tandem from Cairo NY to Milton PA...mileage is aproximately 233... Thanks Leslie

All good info! Thanks... This goes along with the ratios listed for the TRTL 72 in my only B-61 brochure which lists 5Direct as 1.00 and .85 ratio for 5 Hi Split. Would the others be the same same ratios for all years of the same model transmission? Thanks All

Thanks all....I found out it is a TRTL 72...now I just need to figure out what gears it has! I assume the museum can tell me given the serial number... I have a 1961 B-61T brochure that lists the ratios for a TRTL72, just wonder if they are the same as a later model...

Let me say first I dont have the truck here yet or I could answer my own question... The truck had been listed as a triplex. When I was running the engine I noticed the shift plate (and the chassis record) say quad...on the compound stick I could not find or select LO LO, which made me think they changed the transmission when they changed the engine (to a 1973 I think ENDT675). However, it struck me this morning that maybe there is a physical lock to prevent shifting into LO-LO unless the main is in 1st? Whilst looking for LO-LO with the engine running, the main was in nuetral. Just trying to figure out if it is 15 or 18.... Thanks

As I dont have any service information yet, what is in this air cleaner? Is the bottom bowl full of oil? "Holy" screen inside? Or a filter? How do you check and clean? Thanks

Are the splines on the slack adjusters pretty standard? Are the modern ones the same size as a 65 B model (38K tandem)? Interchangeable between brands? Thanks

I stand corrected! I guess not all had the little V8 emblem on the hood...

Didnt ever have power steering...dont think it had a V8 either, but I will know more once I get my hands on her...I took some pictures under the cab, it doesnt look like it is raised 2"...

Thanks for making me feel welcome...I have been reading post after post after post trying to learn! Truck should be here Friday...After making sure the brakes are adequate, I will drive around a big parking lot across the street from my house...then take it out on the back roads till I get comfortable and think I can safely make it up my driveway! Gotta buy some chocks and a fire extinguisher first...then spend the next few days getting the cobwebs and "farm" stuff/smell outta the cab...followed by a good under carriage steam cleaning...then the fun begins... I know I will need 3/4 drive sockets...big impact wrench, bigger compressor, sand blaster... ...wait, this is gonna get expensive! ;-) I am sure I will be asking plenty of questions! Thanks Leslie

In looking at many B model interior shots, I have noticed two different ways the steering column is mounted in the cab. Some are like the top truck in the photo, and are close to the bottom of the dash, and exit the floorboard farther forward than the bottom photo. Mine (bottom photo) exits the floor further back and has a L shaped spacer locating the column a couple of inches away from the bottom of the dash. My questions are, why would they be different (both B-61, though mine is a B615) and more importantly, Can I shorten my upper bracket and tilt the entire steering box forward to gain a little clearance? Thanks

I have read a few posts about putting new bendix spring cans on to replace the maxi setup, but have some questions.... Which brakes will fit? I have 38K lb tandem rears. Are the mount holes standard for all trucks? Can these be salvaged from a late model truck? Do you put them on both axles, or just one? Front or rear? (I think the Maxi setup only runs to the rear tandem) Thanks

Knew about the rust, hopin they were stainless as I could clean them up pretty good... SOS pad and water? Do people send these out for rechrome or buy new? THey all look like Stewart Warner guages.. Thanks

Are the original guage bezels stainless or chrome? Thanks

Just purchased a 1965 B615...will take delivery by next Saturday! (hopefully) Once she gets here, expect tons of questions! Everything I know about old Macks (not much) I learned here in the last two weeks. Leslie

Thanks...it all makes sense....the truck I am looking at is indeed a 1965 B615 It was repowered with a "237", which until now I did not know was a ENDT675 Nw if I can just figure out how to use the NY registration to get a PA title I will be a happy fellow!

I dont think it has a registration currently...Dennis said it came off of a farm...

I looked around on the DMV website and cannot find any info... I am thinking of buying a B615 from Dennis @ OldMacks...when I spoke with him he said there is no title but I should have no trouble registering in PA, does anyone have any experience with a situation like this? I want to be sure I know what is involved. The plan is to register the truck as historic Thanks Leslie

Thanks All...

Was 1965 the last year for the B model? Also, was 1965 the only year for the big square external radiator on the B-61? Also again, any info on the "237" engine, what years, and what it was originally installed in. Thanks Leslie