BC Mack

Fellow Mackavites..... I'm getting confused with too many part numbers for a new lower battery box for my MH613... here's what I've got so far... PAI catalogue has what looks correct for my truck, at least by picture and dimensons, probably for an R model but I can see no differences.. PAI # FBB-4986 which they cross over to 32MK397 which I can get out of Alberta for 220cdn plus freight... went to my Mack dealer, they said that Mack part number (397) has been changed to 207SG2 and will sell it to me for 299cdn no freight... in the end, just a few dollars more to buy it locally... all went well until the manager turned up... he said.. nooooo... your MH needs part number 32MK3104M for 403cdn... all confirmed as lower box, no lid... so.... questions... will the PAI part number really fit my MH? does Mack limit parts so they fit many models? why did the manager give me the need to spend another 100 bucks?? is the manager correct and the MH has a slightly different dimension?... on-line or ebay is tough, damn border, freight getting expensive for large items... so, I would like to buy from the local dealer but do I really need to take the manager's advice??? pic added of the good box from the other side, note, it has the angle reinforcements of the HD box in the PAI book... thanks in advance for any help before I spend precious dollars BC Mack

ksc2.. I know you are right... but... the more I look and think about it mine was most probably converted 24-12 and not factory12 but the proof of the conversion has to be in the reliabilty and with 4 type 31 950 batts with doubled up (0/2?) neg cable on starter and two block heaters it has held up very well over the years... I have discussed reliability issues with previous owner and with our temps only getting down to -10C I'm quite happy with the set-up.... it has been suggested that I drop two batteries but I'm not going to do that. I also have a 12v only alternator... I can see only one issue and that is undersized cables going from 24-12... they need to be upgraded for 12v... as I have all my wiring stripped right now with the clutch out I am going to hit the data books and make sure that was done correctly.. I assume the two neg cables on the starter are suitable, but will check. BC Mack

84superdog pic of the data plate... is this what you need? 11 teeth... used my squinty eye for that, hope I got it right IF... you understand the data on the plate... is the info 92J04 mean that my starter is a 1992 unit???... if so, my 93 MH was built with 12v not 24v start.. cables all look original.... hmmm reminds me... gotta hit up the museum for my build sheets, just keep putting it off.. BC Mack

I can check mine on Sunday for you.. will try and photo the tag BC Mack

saw it at the Chilliwack BC Truck Show in 2011.... BC Mack

digging this up again.... with the solution..!!!!!! now that spring has sprung I can venture outside without freezing or drowning... last fall I had the exhaust, tanks and batts off in preparation for the removal of the trans this year... made myself a trolley to sit the trans on and roll it back (no heavy lifting stuff outside just a car engine hoist and a bottle jack) and it came out real easy.. so, theory #1... input shaft stuck to spline didn't pan out.. pulled the cover off and found the front disk well and truly stuck to the centre plate... took some effort with a heel bar to pry them apart so I'm pretty sure driving it would not have shifted it... new clutch assy to be ordered.... any recommendations or opinions from you guys..!!! old one is a genuine Dana, el cheapo Chinese stuff abounds here but want to keep oem, anyone bought oem lately???? BC Mack

bad dog I can only give you the BC twist on things.... maybe there are parallels, but Canada is as uneven as the us states when it comes to fitting between the cracks.. no need for a CVOR for me... but what does your vehicle registration say? Ontario, like Alberta, may not have moved towards the info below... not saying BC is advanced, but I think they understand. BC accepts the concept of private tractor units that are now exempt from commercial testing... http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/ctpm/com_circulars/2011/110405_comp_cc_05-11_amendment.pdf ICBC, the government overlord for licencing and insurance, has a rate class for this purpose and the tag and insurance is based as a private truck at whatever gvw you ask for, the minimum is 1.5 x truck scale weight... next angle... collector plate... (antique also available but restrictive) http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/collector-mods/Pages/Collector-vehicles.aspx trip or multiple days permits are available and based on how the truck is registered and rate class... I think mine is $35 for one day incl basic 3rd party insurance. driver licencing for a 'non commercial' vehicle.... regular class 5 car licence will do but must have 'endorsement 15' if airbrakes involved trailer... depends on type and brakes http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/types-licences/Pages/Towing-a-recreational-trailer.aspx but a class 1 (semi) will get you covered for everything... I think icbc now understand the RV guys using former commercial trucks to pull the big 5th wheels and CVSE at the scales understand, but I am going for a collector plate just to eliminate all the explaining to cops.... no logs, no pre-trip, no inspection decal (mine says expired in 2004!!) can get the rcmp twitchy, especially the freshly minted ones..!!! was this of any help?... can't answer for your province.. BC Mack

nah... that's a Vancouver container driver, see him every day..!!! :-) BC Mack

dissapointed...... was expecting at least one of the Winfall Bunnies to say "Happy Easter" to BMT what, with all the publicity they get on here just sayin'... BC Mack

Can't believe this... must be an April Fools joke... those honest Chinese businessmen would never stoop so low as to steal proprietory, trademarked or copyrighted material... nooo..... they would buy the company with cash, call it a "joint venture", send in the "corporate review team" and then move the whole operation, lock stock and barrel on boats to China..!!!! and then sell the product to the Westerners who no longer have any industry to make one themselves. BC Mack

ksc a better comparison for truckers would be with the 'air cargo' industry, not the 'airline' industry.... outside of the big players with their own fleets, FedEx etc, bottom feeding is the norm when bidding on contracts, and the only way to lower your bid is to cut costs... density is the same issue, bigger aircraft carrying less weight due to Amazon et al, cost of equipment just went up to move the volume but the tariff per flight never changed.. as with trucking, these third tier carriers cut on maintence costs by farming work out to contract mro's and dispose of their own facilities... contract pilots paid by the hour with no future, 90 day leases of aircraft operated on wet/damp lease from lower cost foreign countries.. all legal. take a look at recent crashes, tired pilots, deadheading halfway across the country to fly a few legs, sleeping in rv's near LAX.. all for a career as a pilot as someone told them "there's a shortage of pilots coming soon"... and paid peanuts, same ones you pay $5 for now. heck, even your own government is allowing a Kazak airline to operate out of Miami on local flights... (compare this to recent changes to Mexican trucks operating within Nafta)... ok, so you got an airbase to use on the way to Afganistan... fair trade?. I spent 20 years in the airline industry and am still a watcher.... I agree with you that the airlines charge passengers surcharges for what used to be included in their fares, but if you compare today's fare to pre 78 Reagan fares you will see how cheap flying is today... heck, it's cheaper to fly than taking the bus... Southwest created that model..!!! your point is valid, but the airlines figure that more people want to fly and capacity is becoming an issue, load factors are constantly over 90% due to load management and after years of a "race to the bottom" the loads are getting better so they now realise that they can charge more for their product because the customer will pay, there is no alternate. not enough passengers turn up for a flight to make it economical.. heck, call it a mechanical and put them on the next flight, give them a free sandwich but look at the fuel we saved the shareholders..!!! sound familiar? yes... it's the same industry as trucking but they've got wings... and the same issues prevail, parcels or people it's just they've got "self loading freight"... BC Mack... a Canadian, with the same issues as yoose guys.

Fred, don't knock until you've tried it.... I did some time on a Scania 141 and that V8 rumble will give you a woody that will choke a horse... BC Mack

Setback F700 in Israel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UamMeux5Q6o BC Mack

my employer operates over 150 CNG buses made by NewFlyer... so far to date there has never been a serious fire related to the CNG... two fires were related to alternator and oil line issues... never had any explosions in 15 years of operation. I once watched as a bodyman cut through a wire that he thought was a marker light... nope.. fire detector loop... the roof mounted tanks, and then the whole shop, was instantly enveloped in a halon gas fire retardent even though the fuel tanks had been purged prior to a body overhaul. we a buying three new gazzilion ton ferry boats in BC, made in Poland, and powered by LNG.. it is a precursor to a developing LNG industry being built here to sell all our natural gas for export. is a gas powered diesel cost effective?... not likely, but we are a government agency and as said it keeps the 'greenies' happy. BC Mack

Sealcover before you begin this task of converting the air system you may want to confirm that this truck will be correctly certified for the new combined weight... that will be on the certification sticker on the cab which relates to how this vehicle was originally built. You may need to discuss this with Mack, DOT or an engineering certified conversion company before you add plumbing... is there a hitch already fitted? as the crossmembers and other items may not be of the correct spec for the new gcvw... just asking!!! don't want you to get a non compliance ticket and tow at the first road check BC Mack

If the parent chose to enter, then other than cab-overs, what class 8 trucks from the Scania/MAN/VW menu would meet the desires of the US market...??? on a side note, my employer is dropping Srinters due to high cost of replacement parts and engine issues, coming soon is the new full size diesel Ford Transit... we used to be a dedicated GMC Savana customer.. we also moved away from diesel GMC to gas Chevy 24 seat transits.... seems to be flavour of the day driving the merry go around of fleet purchasing ..!!! BC Mack

Any thoughts about using 3D printers to make these small one-off items? BC Mack

watch for the green truck..... http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=8c1_1421790613 BC Mack

I was told by two former Hayes Truck workers that in the days when Mack F model cabs were used they had to be extensively reworked prior to being suitable.. the underframing was beefed up and the side dash reworked to give easier access to the bunk. An optional feature of the Hayes was the instrument binacle above the driver... oh yes, they also said the cabs arrived in Vancouver "already rusty"... BC Mack

should we ask about the bumper and headlight...?? BC Mack

listing title and detail description has it as an 8V71 turbo... different engine, same oil leak..!!! BC Mack

USA... Harbor Freight Canada... Princess Auto got a Princess 20ton a few years ago for $67cdn on sale.... didn't expect top quality for that price but it lifts great with 90psi, but they get plugged quickly if your air supply has a hint of moisture in it... BC Mack

I now have two Speaker 4x6 for my MH, installing soon.... seen them working on another vehicle and have driven at night with them... can't say enough about the improvement... yes, ditch to ditch lit up like daytime but not burning out the eyeballs of oncoming drivers.. list is $300ish each... so, they are not a casual purchase... try before you buy. BC Mack

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sFH6mKTUEVM

easy fix... formula 1 "push to pass" button... just like the old cable operated ether start bottles helped when you only had 220hp.... BC Mack