Popular Post SkippyMack Posted October 28, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2021 On this night exactly one year ago, I was draining the nasty, rusted-out fuel tank. Tonight....WAIT FOR IT... WE DROVE THE TRUCK!!! We put the old wheels and tires on her for the first time since October 2020 and drove her out of the shop and around the block a couple of times--My husband did the inaugural driving to test everything out. He says it shifts beautifully. She definitely wants to run more and needs some tuning, but we got her through all low and high gears. I can't wait to get behind the wheel. All of the lights and gauges worked, brakes worked, air horn is the loudest ever--sounds like a freight train! We may have pissed off the neighbors 😏 She looks completely different with her wheel and tires on, definitely gave her a bit more attitude! Now to find some better (used) wheels and tires. I will update pictures and video tomorrow. Super exciting!!! 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 Congratulations. Let’s see the video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 Great!!!!! I know you must be proud.. Quote Brocky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Licensed to kill Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 Great news. Very much looking forward to seeing the video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Im gunna be waiting for the pictures and video lol Great to get a result Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Right on man thanks for sharing your exciting experience…. I drive mine around occasionally but it still looks like shut… yours is better lol have a ball little girl.. bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 That first trip out fo the garage is always the best! Its all dowhill from there. Congrats. 1 1 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SkippyMack Posted November 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 4, 2021 I know I promised pictures and videos...and they are coming! It's been one helluva of a week getting ready for winter (we had our first snow today). Turns out the truck ran terribly last week after I last updated. Idles like a kitten, ran under power like shit...and we had a few depressing days, BUT tonight we made big gains and I think we're down to some ignition work and we just might have something truly drivable! Scored some wheels and tires this week, too!! I'm nursing an exhaust fume headache-so I'm calling it a night-but do stay tuned for those pictures and videos. I promise! 😁 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarite send me some ambition along with that I’m still trying to put my mini bike together … ahahahahaha good luck . Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SkippyMack Posted November 15, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 15, 2021 Friends, Today was a big day! I drove the truck!! This girl sat behind the wheel and took a big breath and double-clutched through the gears - not so gracefully, but no grinding! I have a good teacher in my husband who was extra patient. So, let me rewind... In the past week we narrowed down final running issues to the ignition system. With the correct cap, rotor and related parts she's running like a charm. Takes quite a lot of time to get her up to temperature here in the cold north country. Because the pneumatic louvers were trashed when we got her, we've covered the radiator with cardboard and experimented with cutting holes in that until she holds appropriate temp. Might not be an issue in the warmer months when I plan to drive her anyway. We suspect our custom exhaust header also contributes to it taking longer to heat up. All the folks I've watched on YouTube complaining about their kidneys when driving these old Macks have never driven or been a passenger in a '74 International 4300 Transtar bobtail! 😆 That is my point of reference for how any old truck rides. So, in comparison, we all feel the Mack rides like a dream. Really, no where close to what I expected--in all good ways! Ya'll were right in terms of just being patient shifting. Can't be in a hurry. But no real issues getting through the gears. She seems to like starting in 2 low and going up through 5 low then shifting to 5 high on the paved roads (happy at 35-45 MPH). 4 high is a great back road top gear. It was a humbling experience to drive her. As a teen and young adult I thought I was a real "hot shot" for driving a standard. Well, that skill is helpful, but as you know it doesn't all transfer over. My husband kept reminding me, "This is not like driving a one ton truck–this is a tractor." I guess I should have volunteered to work more summers on my grandparent's farm growing up! (I had brothers for that). Anyway, I think I'll get the hang of it with practice. You might remember we took the governor off last year because it was broken. Any ideas about what this engine was governed at originally? We're going to install a tachometer. Want to make sure I'm not exceeding the RPM range this engine needs to stay in. I'm assuming it's quite low. I think she'll be super happy with a little weight on the back–we'll work on a bed over the winter and my husband wants to put his portable welder in the back. Snagged 6 wheels and tires this week and will be working on getting those on this week, that will help, too. The tires she came with are mismatched and shot. I guess I'll have to upload my videos somewhere else and link them as they are too big to attach here. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 That first drive must have felt amazing after all that work. Thanks for the update. Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 Oooooooooooo my god…….. I missed this one glad you got it running good . I’m really excited for all of you …. I’m sure I’m a lot older but I broke in on a 15 speed 2 stick at 20 haha real good progress and thanks for keeping us posted … bob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 Oooooooooooo by the way love your hat… bob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRJordan Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 The spirit you have shared with us during the restoration of your Mack has been inspiring. Thank you! My brief experience with driving Macks dates back to the mid-1950s. There were only two lessons: "That one shifts like this"...with some quick hand motions. And, most importantly, "Keep your thumbs out of the wheel!" That's all I can contribute. I spent a lot more time in Vermont than I did in Macks, but I enjoyed both. We look forward to further word of your successes. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdump600@yahoo.com Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Hi skippy Mack my name is Tom Nine from Smithfield PA I plan on going to my country this year hope you and your family can make it there really really enjoyed your post all the way through building your truck Hope to meet up with you there or somewhere in the coming years congratulations on a great job keep up the good work and keep us posted God bless and stay safe 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdump600@yahoo.com Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Macungie PA show dang auto spell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdump600@yahoo.com Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 i was wondering my country????? just where the hell are you???? lol.bob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdump600@yahoo.com Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Dang auto spell I meant Macungie thanks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 19 hours ago, mackdump600@yahoo.com said: Dang auto spell I meant Macungie thanks Spell check is for those of us with very little stress in our life, it brings your stress up to normal levels. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SkippyMack Posted January 31, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2022 Friends! I made it through the holidays and and a brutal case of COVID and am finally "upright" again. Since November by husband has put together three classic motorcycles and brought a Lund fishing boat back to life! Now the word is "we gotta get this truck finished!" I'm tickled to tell you we're really close. My Christmas present was a load of steel 😆💋–which is now a custom flat bed with stake pockets. I finished painting it last night and decking goes on this week. The bed really changed the stance of the truck in a good way. This will put me down to a few little cosmetic details and wheels/tires (which we have in stock). Happy to keep you more regularly updated from here on out. Hope you all are well. Pictures are updated (most recent load first): https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/ Starting to feel real!! 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SkippyMack Posted January 31, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2022 Since I'm the camera person, no one got a video of my first drive, but it happened right after this one! I need to take the passenger seat out and reinstall with some rubber or nylon on the back to eliminate the squeaking. 😁 FYI: This was back in November. We've since installed the doors! https://drive.google.com/file/d/13wqIeXRIuBSVX4_xMgvtGSrBEoe24R1M/view?usp=sharing 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 Glad to hear from you again, looking real sharp, bet it was a little breezy with no doors!! terry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 You all have come a long way in the last few months, well done It sounds very quiet inside, even with no doors, quieter than my truck with doors Great stuff and thanks for sharing Paul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkippyMack Posted January 31, 2022 Author Share Posted January 31, 2022 1 hour ago, mrsmackpaul said: You all have come a long way in the last few months, well done It sounds very quiet inside, even with no doors, quieter than my truck with doors Great stuff and thanks for sharing Paul Paul, We were so surprised how quiet it is (especially now with doors!) and how smooth she rides. If I can take care of that squeaky seat, we'll be golden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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