Cruiseliner Transformation

[cruiseliner64]

Hi all,Iv been meaning to do this for a few weeks now but just been too busy.The transformation of our Cruiseliner to how we want it began about 8 weeks ago.We got the use of a machinery shed on a farm through a friend of a friend and work on the truck is going on at a break neck speed.We working every hour we have to spare on the truck.....So what have we done??? So far we have reconditioned the rad and Intercooler,new wheel seals,checked over the brakes,steering,removed a homemade hitch off the rear and remade the frame to original lenth,rebuit the 5th wheel,striped the frame back to bare metal and repainted it along with a thousand other small parts and painted the engine and gearbox and fitted new alternator.....My brother who is retired,my son and myself are exhausted!!!!! We have use of the shed for another few weeks and hope to get the cab painted and chase down a few electrical faults....Heres a few pics...

Paul

[Joey Mack]

Awesome!!🍻

[cruiseliner64]

15 minutes ago, Joey Mack said:

Awesome!!🍻

We will need those beers soon!!!!

Paul

[mowerman]

Wow you guys are busy… I had no idea you were going thru all that thanks and yes you need a break and lotta beer

[mrsmackpaul]

Great stuff, you blokes have been as busy as a one armed wall paper hanger 

It's coming up really well, no time for beer yet, only a few weeks left in the shed, plenty of time for beer after that ha ha ha 

Keep us all posted 

 

Paul

[cruiseliner64]

We have been busier than a one legged man in an a$$ kicking contest....So can anybody tell us how thick are the brake shoes when new? Im asking because we have been told by previous owners that this truck has very small mileage but nobody can prove that.When we stripped the brakes the shoes are a half inch thick on all brake sets.So what you may ask,well all the brake shoes are date stamped 1982, the year the truck rolled off the line.....In fact the rad,intercooler,spring hangers,alternator,diffs,water pump,thermostat houseing,wheels,injector pump,springs and Dayton spokes are all stamped with dates in 1982.....just how original is this truck????

Paul

[Joey Mack]

Do you have pics of the shoes? Modern shoes are nearly 25 mm thick in the middle and thinner on the ends. Mabey 12mm. Im guessing, but i bet im close.. what is the shoe number? 4515 or 4707QP ?? On the drives.? If so, them im about right.. 

[cruiseliner64]

Joey,shoe number is 3222 G 973.I dont have pictures but I think my son has.The shoes are 13mm in the middle a little less at the ends.We are just trying to get an idea of the Mileage...If these are the shoes it came with how worn they are might give us a clue to the mileage The clock says 154,345 Km which is around 98,000 miles.The hours clock shows 2,234.We are just looking to somehow prove the mileage...

Paul

[Joey Mack]

Those  are some low numbers.  Shes near New for an old girl.. 

[cruiseliner64]

Yeah,the previous owners swear she done very little work but we are trying to prove it.On average how many miles would a set of shoes last? I know lots of things vary brake wear but if these are the orignal shoes and are say half worn then maybe we could get an idea if the click is right...  It's just a hunch....

Paul

[Joey Mack]

I have no way of knowing. I never paid attention to mileage on shoes.  Using the engine brakes and gearing down help save the shoes. 

[Mark T]

Really unlikely that has 4707s or anything like that on it   they're probably the big aluminum shoes you change the brake block on.  Doesn't sound like they're worn out by those numbers. 

[mowerman]

from what I remember,  brand new shoes or  linings are about a half inch when brand new

[mechohaulic]

'82 = would those shoe still be solid hole anchor pins or / Q's ??  can't still be old school 3/8th bolt on's.   tapered block shoes should be 3/4 in in the center if memory correct.

[mechohaulic]

37 minutes ago, Joey Mack said:

I have no way of knowing. I never paid attention to mileage on shoes.  Using the engine brakes and gearing down help save the shoes. 

driver in the seat makes a major difference also. terrain being run ; over road VS construction operation . many variables

[mechohaulic]

29 minutes ago, mowerman said:

from what I remember,  brand new shoes or  linings are about a half inch when brand new

1/2 on tapered block would be on cam side; 3/4 in middle / 3/8th +- on anchor side.

[fjh]

1 hour ago, mechohaulic said:

1/2 on tapered block would be on cam side; 3/4 in middle / 3/8th +- on anchor side.

I would like to see a picture of your shoes I am curious because Mack at one time made their own stuff!also factory brake lining is historically hard ! It eats drums for breakfast!my bet is your drums will be over the wear limit!

also the afore mentioned driver can make all the difference! In my final years at the truck shop I I mainly did truck inspections I had fleet customer that brought trucks to the shop he had bought three new western star trucks he had one driver that used I assume his trailer brakes all the time! The paint was still on the drums after three years and 200000 kms so they are out there!Just few and far between!

[cruiseliner64]

I do understand that different drivers and what the truck is used for will affect the brake shoe wear.Im just trying to get an idea if the mileage on the clock is in any way genuine.The brake shoes have 1982 stamped on them and theres no sign of wear on the drums,no lines or no wear lip,the drums are also date stamped 03/17/1982..Thats on all of them.The truck drives great with the brakes being sharp ,stopoing the truck quickly and no drama or shakeing....to be honest I didnt measure them as I wouldnt get new drums in the time frame we have and the way the truck stops I dont think it needs them....

Paul

[Adkat]

Paul,  one truck i service that runs 10k Kms every 3 weeks, 550k Kms and brakes look like new. Runs Line haul

Another truck , 2005 model 1.6mil Kms.  original drums, all but one set of shoes original. Only changed due to diffs out for overhaul. Not worn out by any means. Runs line haul

Another one,  100k kms everything knackered, farm pick up milk tanker.

All comes down to the job description/ driver.

You blokes are doing a cracking job, keep up the good work. Won't be any chance getting the fingers knicked by that fan blade😉

Keep the pics coming.

Adam

[Vladislav]

Big job! Keep on going!

I'm pretty sure the result will offset the efforts. And as you do it it will be seen very soon on my mind

Of the brake shoes and drums my way would be keeping them in place and forgetting about them for at least 50,000 upcoming kilometers. You will doubtly make that much driving to shows and other events for fun. So those shoes have very good chances to serve for the rest of the truck's life. Maybe even more

[terry]

2 hours ago, Vladislav said:

Big job! Keep on going!

I'm pretty sure the result will offset the efforts. And as you do it it will be seen very soon on my mind

Of the brake shoes and drums my way would be keeping them in place and forgetting about them for at least 50,000 upcoming kilometers. You will doubtly make that much driving to shows and other events for fun. So those shoes have very good chances to serve for the rest of the truck's life. Maybe even more

If all them date coded things you said are correct, i don,t think i have ever heard of a truck with so many original factory parts.   terry

[mechohaulic]

20 hours ago, fjh said:

I would like to see a picture of your shoes I am curious because Mack at one time made their own stuff!also factory brake lining is historically hard ! It eats drums for breakfast!my bet is your drums will be over the wear limit!

also the afore mentioned driver can make all the difference! In my final years at the truck shop I I mainly did truck inspections I had fleet customer that brought trucks to the shop he had bought three new western star trucks he had one driver that used I assume his trailer brakes all the time! The paint was still on the drums after three years and 200000 kms so they are out there!Just few and far between!

know all about those Mack brake shoes ! 3/8th brass bolts . no easy way to remove old blocks. large screw drivers =even 3/8 drive ratchet with flat screw driver end P I A. smash the block and hold bolts with vise grips. then the cleaning-- grinder/ file and straight edge all before paint. the Q brake shoes factory reline made life easier.

[cruiseliner64]

5 hours ago, terry said:

If all them date coded things you said are correct, i don,t think i have ever heard of a truck with so many original factory parts.   terry

Yes all the parts are date coded 1981/82.The truck rolled off the line on the 6th of May 1982.All the parts are date coded in the 6 months before that.Im thinking its super original...We have been told by the previous owners that the mileage is correct but would love some way of proving it...  The first owners son told us they done heavy haul where the truck done in a week what most otr trucks would do in a day.The second owner told us they used the truck for recovering trailers after an accident/ breakdown.They said they might use it for a week then it might sit in the yard unused for 3 weeks.The 3rd owner was a farm tractor dealer who used it to bring his vintage tractor collection to shows and the 4th owner,the guy we bought it off, used it for shows only.Actually his dad owned it and when he passed away it sat in a shed for 14 years.We would love to prove the mileage as it has to be one of the lowest mileage Cruiseliners around.....

Paul

[Brocky]

Not only low mileage but with so many parts date coded it must be about the most factory original antique / historical vehicle that has been worked around. I have heard about some cars which were bought new and put away. The green Louisville Ford in the Background of this picture only has a few hundred miles on it as Erv Bickford bought a fleet of these and never put it in service.

[fjh]

3 hours ago, mechohaulic said:

know all about those Mack brake shoes ! 3/8th brass bolts . no easy way to remove old blocks. large screw drivers =even 3/8 drive ratchet with flat screw driver end P I A. smash the block and hold bolts with vise grips. then the cleaning-- grinder/ file and straight edge all before paint. the Q brake shoes factory reline made life easier.

The bolts are usually brass!

quick and easy way is with a long chisel and a hammer!knock the nuts off!