BC Mack

Oh, now you gone and got me all upset...... temper tantrums and pouting will commence. that "turd" was the king of European highways in its day... F88 was its name and it ran at 88mph..!!!! hmmm, could be an F89, even better..!!!!! One of the first trucks I road tested when I got my HGV class 1 licence, syncro box, loads of power, used to leave cars standing at the traffic lights..!!! ok, it was the UK of the 70's and high horsepower was a 1500cc Ford Cortina.. Volvo of the 60's and 70's is not the Volvo you know today..... very technically advanced in the day, 52 tonne gross where legal, and a comfortable sleeper cab given the length laws that still dictate cabovers as a means of propulsion. Parked beside the Leyland product of the day it just looked fast..!! Volvo and Scania ruled the roost from Ireland in the west to Iran in the east.... dealer support was top class... parts were always in stock. OK... I know you were kidding..... and you are forgiven, I've called off the hit.... but some of us actually like older Volvos and Scanias.... if there was an F88/89 anywhere in North America I'd be after it with chequebook ready... yes, I'm a fan..!!! pic is one I found of the company I worked for, taken about 1976. 'New Volvo USA' I would not touch... not impressed to say the least... BC Mack

maybe they were hearing about this..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTTXKtqKRxc we have discussed this in the past, just can't find the thread... Don Fairchild of Bakersfield CA is the guru behind this or, it could just be "trucker talk"... BC Mack

Easy there JTF.... seems like you've got the "Green leaker fever"... I recognise the symptoms, bought one 8V71 and now I have three.. Doctor told me to go buy a Mack, which I did... now I've got the "E9 fever" and want more.... which isn't a bad thing here on BMT.. BC Mack

I'm thinking what JTF is thinking... I think... excellent concept... but... you need to tie it down correctly, a rear strap and leaving it in gear will not do.... morally or legally... dot will consider it as a "load" and you will need to prove to them the provisions you have made will meet the regs whether it is private or commercial. Imagine rolling the truck, your load falls off into oncoming traffic... Imagine you rear ending a semi and your "load" tapping you on the shoulder....engineer the tie-down system as that is a lot of mass you need to control.... been there.... headache rack saved the day. cheers BC Mack

Hi Guys, I have a buddy looking for a project truck to rebuild, or even a nice one to polish, he's getting some runaround with the usual channels and asked if I would post a request on this forum... this is what he is looking for... Ford model AA truck, 1928-29, 131.5" whelbase please PM me with any contacts or leads many thanks BC Mack

found it.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/31486821@N02/3070097392/ BC Mack

you're right there Bob... for Kingsley, Buursma and Ryler Bulk told the previous owner I'd have him in the cab if I get it finished and run it over to one of your shows... I'm sure someone will lend me a B train loaded with lumber... BC Mack

one day Bob, one day..!!! I'll bring the MH over to the Island, we can load her up to 63,500kg and go find a hill for you to video from..!!! BC Mack

Yes Vinny, E9-500... Mack 12 speed Mack 44 rears Simard twin steer conversion Stinger boom, 92ft, 23.5ton max capacity BC Mack

For a small show it certainly packed in some very nice trucks not often seen in the US.... organised by the closely related Hayes and Pacific owners clubs it was well located withing a large tent structure next to a town park, a blessing given the strong sun and temps of that region... there are a few on here that could give a far more exact description and history of these trucks but the one that stood out, for many reasons, was the 55 LT motorhome... or, dare I say it?... a one stack Mack with a shack on the back...!!!!!!! enjoy BC Mack

JT found the reference.. http://brandon314.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/detroitdiesel_lube-oil-fuel-requirements.pdf section 3.2... high temp shear, IIRC, the 15w40 was taking out pistons in the ring area... Chevron have a Delo100.... Walmart up here in Canuck land have a 30wt, but we do live in igloos..right? mine's melting right now.. BC Mack

Agreed.... Never use 15W40.. even if there is a label on the engine saying so... Detroit rescinded the bulletin approving it (I have it somewhere at work).... went back to straight 40 or 30 depending on ambient temp, and it must be CF-2 low ash... however....... and there is always one of these..... I have spoken to operators of coaches, 8V92's, who still use 15W40 as it is easier and cheaper to buy in bulk, but they realise the oil breaks down quicker and therefore have halved the mileage between oil changes. your mileage may vary..!!! BC Mack owner of three green leakers..!!!

Saw this truck again..... another truck show, this time in Chilliwack BC.... and he brought a friend. BC Mack

there is an approved repair, but it has to be done by a shop that is set up.... first they will magnaflux, then grind the worn area down and build up with chrome... however, there is a max limit for the chrome. Looking at the photos it looks like bearing may have been loose and spinning, or constantly overloaded... there seems to be a ridge too... not the worst I've seen but it needs fixing... how did the bearings look coming off?. The seal sleeve is a simple job, part requires warming to install, usually inductive heat. we do similar repair to MAN and Rockwell spindles at work, most are repairable at below the cost of new... but for a hobby truck you may want to consider used parts if the shop quotes you high. BC Mack

Hi Tim, I'm very familiar with Fishbowls.... the guy in Perris is a collector and he slowly ebay's them off at a price that is a little above market value, about a grand or so above... he's definately not a crook!!! well respected by other collectors but just not in a hurry.... However, these Fishbowls are still in authentic condition, he picks the good ones.... most others that turn up on ebay are trashed or abandoned conversions.... so, you pay a small premium for getting all the "bus trinkets" that are hard to find. if it is the 1972 S8M (single door, eight cyl, manual trans) then that may be a good choice for the future as I would be very scared of an auto with a VS2.... very hard for spares, and effectively a two speed with lock-up... you will make smoke all day but get nowhere. the highway coach interior with hat racks is far nicer than the city transit standee, ask him about diff ratio and top speed, if over 55mph make sure it hasn't got city tires on it, they are speed rated and marked on sidewall. being a 40ft coach you will have trouble shipping, most use a landoll but they are expensive... if you saw the episode of shipping wars where they loaded a Scenicruiser on to an extendable trailer you can see it can be done without a Landoll but it comes with some nervous moments..!!! a friend bought a Fishbowl in Texas and drove it to Vancouver Canada, just took it easy, watched the temp gauge... he did the math and it worked out cheaper than trucking once all the bills were in, plus he got lots of walk-ups wherever he fueled up. for the technicals... only negatives I can think of.... some have a 'fluid' clutch, the bellhousing, manual trans and angle drive are all fed by same lubricant... and the DD3 brakes can be tricky to release if you are not familiar with them... other than that they are fairly basic with parts available from the mainstream bus suppliers. HTH BC Mack

Canada, as explained by these two hosers...eh..... BC Mack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJE3EgTGg9k

I have to agree with your opinion of Scania vs Volvo.... today, Scania is the 'king of the road', well run, great support, excellent product.... should they come to North America in force? well, for their sakes I hope not.... wrong market for their product line, too many trucks to build and sell at too low a margin to gain that 'market share'.... it would dilute the excellent reputation they have taken many years to build... from the days of Vabis they have always had a reputation for quality and reliability... when the first 141's had serious engine failures and buyers were rethinking the brand, Scania supported their product and evolved the engine into what we see today. after watching the videos you posted I had to sit down and take a few pills.... certainly brings back memories.... it is also interesting to note how different we are at operating trucks in N.A... you think you are getting raped with diesel prices here then try EU prices... the aerodynamic cabover with close coupled trailers, lift axles, drawbar units and skirts everywhere shows their concern to maximise the profit margin through efficiency, not pounding the turnpike for $$$ per mile. high horsepower V8 and speed limiters.... some might say that this combination is a conflict, the more I read and understand the philosophy of same speed up and down hills with timed deliveries... it makes sense.... freedom... not so anymore.... the guys that own the load now have you under full control with drops timed to a 10-15 minute window, it's more like air traffic control than the independant owner operator of the US..... or is it????? BC Mack

thanks for the information, I had heard about 143's so that must be him, will get in touch with them for a chat.... yes, there are Scania's in the Toronto area owned by legacy transport of woodstock ontario... IIRC the have 142 and 143 tractors, may talk to DOT and RIV about importing an age compiant vehicle as I can register them as a 'collector car' here in BC . I was trolling the internet a couple of years ago looking for a 3 axle tractor, either an F89 or 141 but the prices are getting too stupid with barn find relics from Greece and Spain hitting the tens of thousands if they still have a tin worm free cab... I do enjoy my MH613 E9 and if I could acquire both of the EU trucks I would be a very happy man... but very broke. BC Mack

RFCDrum... who is this importer, is there a website??? the 141 is now a collectible, hard to find without cab worm..!!! a great truck in its time...but now 35 plus years old and more akin to the Volvo F89 era... however, I wouldn't mind owning one..!!!! I worked on 110, 111 and 140 back in the 70's and the cab was more roomy than the Volvo until the F10 arrived... then the game changed.. if you've never heard a Scania V8 growl I suggest you hit youtube, a great sound under load. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekrIfw9Da6A BC Mack

And to think that not too many years have passed since Vancouver lost Kenworth, Freightliner, Hayes and Pacific production factories... I now work in the old KW Burnaby plant, much modified for a Transit overhaul shop and garage. I bump into Hayes and Pacific past employees occasionally with great memories of 'what could have been'... going to a Pacific guys retirement in a week, one of a small crew that built the very last one after the factory officially closed... it's a modern business park now. BC Mack

Yes, her husband's name is Travis, IIRC... just helping with the urban myth... I still can't believe she is driving a Volvo.... however, if someone said "here's your new FH16..750 I think I would have to, reluctantly, accept it..... drive it down the road, rip off the badges and fit Mack ones... is that an acceptable "badge re-engineering"? BC Mack

Hatcity seems to infer that she came to Canada as a "fur trader"...... beaver pelts??? just sayin'.... BC Mack

Hemmings also reported on it... amazing..!! http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2013/06/03/lifetime-collection-of-mom-n-pop-chevrolet-dealership-going-up-for-auction/ BC Mack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RfrmW7UZF6A BC Mack

I checked my inspection manual for B.C. and also the NSC and CVSA manuals... these will obviously reflect US equivilents as they are trans border accepted. Section 3A.. low air pressure warning. fail test for missing or inoperative lamp or buzzer fail test if "two systems fail to operate below 55psi immediate out of service if.. "a" warning system fails to operate under 50psi" I am an authorised vehicle inspector here in BC and have come across this issue before... vehicle should not have left the yard if it fails any air test during the pre-trip... buzzer and lamp must operate if a vehicle is still equipped with single air system and not modified to 121 dual system then whatever the factory fitted day one must work... any update to the air system must work. a dot inspector does have some room for judgement and that is why rules seem to waver, I don't have that ability, if a vehicle is presented to me for an annual govt sticker and either system isn't working then I fail it and it can't drive away because the first thing I do is scrape the sticker off the window thereby invalidating the current inspection... them's the rules!!! even on the PM's I will exhaust primary and secondary systems individually to check each low press switch. yeah!! I'm anal when it comes to this stuff, but we live in the hilly part and the buses carry 120 people... BC Mack