masterwelder

7 hours ago, BOBWhite said:

The only proper place for a Volvo is behind a Mack! 

Not to derail but I've read that E-Techs get hot if the cam keyways wrong but I don't understand why. 

I believe the E-Tech cam gear can have three possible positions based on the key used. 

Pre CCRS:

Low HP 275, 300, 310/330 offset left. Red color key

Mid HP 350, 355/380, 400 straight key no color  

High HP 427, 460 offset right. White color key. 

CCRS engines uses the same cam gear key on all HP  

Just a couple of deg timing can help with the overheating.

Corrections welcome. 

7 hours ago, yarnall said:

Nice photo.  Where are you located?  

Just west of Albany in Amsterdam NY. 

Wind has been non stop for about the last week. 
 

Like they say, March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb. 

This thread is useless without pictures!

Welcome aboard. 

Another lowboy hung up and hit….

https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/tractor-trailer-hit-by-train-in-spartanburg-co/

I would check the grade and type of the bolts for starters. 
From the factory I believe Mack uses a special bolt where the shoulder of the bolt is more or less a press type fit when drawn down and through the frame and mount.
On the trans side, should be grade 8 in there also. I’ve seen the trans side  helicoiled. 
If the shop used grade five they could have sheered in an accident or fractured over time. But loose or striped bolts should have been caught during regular pm. 

The question is what will the seals hold?

That may be the weakest link. 

17 hours ago, Licensed to kill said:

How long does it take to make such adjustments?? The driver did go to the trailer neck but quickly had to abandon whatever it was he was intending as the train was right there. 

Engage wetline, get out of cab, push lever up…. Under normal circumstances, not running or jumping, around a minute to raise neck fully and walk back to raise rear I would estimate. 
 

Could I have gotten the trailer raised and out of the way of the train in the video??   I don’t think so…. The train was on him fast according to what I saw. Then add the fear and adrenaline…. Looked like he had less than half a minute and I think he was trying to start a pony motor on the trailer to raise the deck, that takes even more time. 
 

Back in the late 90’s early 2000’s I worked directly for the railroad in the 2nd largest rail yard in the country and today as a contractor. In the yard we could cross a hundred crossings in one shift, not to mention vehicles sharing a tunnel with the trains- had to back out quickly a time or two!  Seen some unbelievable and heartbreaking things. The power and mass that is involved is hard to covey to the common person. My saying is “complacency kills”. Just when you think you don’t have to think, you will be reminded usually in a bad way.

I hate to speculate with out knowing all of the facts but being in a rush or not knowing your equipment or both cause a lot of trouble. 
 

It also looks to me like a lot of excavator for 5 axles. Not sure if that played a part. 
 

Glad it appears just the equipment was damaged and no one seriously injured. That poor man will probably never get the sound of that trains whistle out of his head. 

If I have any doubt at all I raise the neck and rear. 
 

Some trailers and especially the older ones needed blocks or wedges added to support the neck if you had to temporarily raise, and spring suspension didn’t give you much to work with as far as raising the height in the rear.  But any newer, modern, well built trailer has several settings on the neck, and generally the same on the rear with air suspensions these days. 
My Fontaine has at least five height settings on the neck and five in the rear. You can get a pretty good ground clearance if you have to. 

Train looks ok… truck, trailer and excavator…..

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/train-collides-with-semi-truck-stuck-on-tracks/vi-AA18d3zn

Here is another link to it. 
 

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/mar/01/subtext-oh-no-oh-no-video-shows-train-plow-into/

23 hours ago, theakerstwo said:

I installed one of these in one of my trucks few years back.Mine was for 44000 and its heavy.no way you will wear it out.

I have one also on my RD. Agree, the truck will dissolve around it. 

Trunnion stand that is installed from underneath. No need to remove x members, pintle plates, bodies etc. 

Pic from Stengel bros website.

I would go with the 18 to be able to split the bottom especially with you rear gears. 
 

I have done this a few times.

Easy way is to get the vin of a similar truck that came from the factory with a 8ll, 13 or 18. Use that vin to verify and potentially source the correct transmission bell housing and or frame mounts for the Eaton going in. If I remember correctly the frame side mounts may be ok and the transmission bell housing mounts needs to be changed.

You will need a bell housing for Mack that has the spot to bolt the mounts to. 
 

Drive shaft length will probably need to be modified. 
 

You may need a different top cover for the Eaton to get the shifting lever in the correct spot. 
 

You may need to make or modify clutch linkage and or brackets. 
 

Spedo sensor location on the tail shaft has worked.  
 

I think that covers the big stuff, may be a few other small things- reverse switch, trans cooling lines…

49 minutes ago, Mackpro said:

What the model and last 6 of the VIn? I can look the actual specs up of your truck/engine. The 355/380 has the same torque as a 427. On some year models of the 355/380 just adding the 427/460 injectors ( possibly turbo as well) will boost the Hp over 500. The 355/380 usually have smaller injectors but the software/data file manipulates the  EUP’s for a larger fuel charge to get the 427 like torque readings. Bumping up to the larger 427/460 injectors really improve things. I have to find my notes on this when I get to work. 

Not to hijack… Mackpro would your statement hold true on a 2000 RD688s last six of vin: 055316? I’m thinking about injectors and turbo upgrade for a little more snort. 

Thanks. 
I can wait to get a load on and give it a good workout. The 400 pulls good but I’m thinking of Rochester stage 2 injectors and a little bigger turbo.  I’m the only driver and I’m not looking to win any races but a little extra HP will help with some of the heavier stuff. 
 

3 hours ago, fullfuel01 said:

Do you want to sell your repto?

Yes. 
Can’t see having a use for it myself. 

Me too!

New trans and the removal of the REPTO. The REPTO is kinda heavy- 3 good size gears plus several bearings and it took two oil lines. Aluminum housing but it all ads up. No doubt took HP to turn even if not connected to anything. Hope my oil pressure comes up a little, I was on the lower side when hot. 

I wanted the REPTO out the day I bought the truck. When the 9ll started to occasionally slip out of 3/7 gear I took the opportunity to get rid of it and slip in the 18. Turns out the clutch was in need and the rear main was leaking so I would of been in there soon anyway. 

I got the correct mounts in Wednesday, shop told me this afternoon truck is ready. 
 

I’m planing on road test Sunday. -4 here at the moment, Sunday it’s supposed to be 45. 

10 hours ago, Onyx610 said:

Better off with something like Nexiq Pro-Link

I have the nexiq pro link and was always told anything newer was difficult to use on VMACK. 
Sounds like nothing has changed. 

Thanks Terry. 
 

Great way to keep Mikes legacy alive and share with others. With a little bit of Mack education also!

You making a midnight diesel run is hilarious!