doubleclutchinweasel

This was my VFR and a friend's ZX7 on a trip to the famous "Dragon's Tail" (AKA: the place I grew up and learned to drive!). This was May 5th, 1998.

Yeah. But we didn’t have them!

Looks like a VFR? I used to ride a VFR-750. Very sexy bikes.

He said, "Hammered"..

Personally, I never loved the 5-speed and 6-speed Maxitorques. Had to pull them way too far down before downshifting for my tastes. Of course, that WAS the whole idea! The Maxidyne engines pulled hard down low. I just never warmed up to it. Still remember the deal on the OD models...go through the first 4 gears pretty quick, wind fourth to the rev limiter, pull it into neutral, eat a sandwich, and then put it into fifth. It seemed like a week went by waiting for the revs to drop enough to hit fifth! I remember one particular truck we had with the 237 Maxidyne and a 10-speed RoadRanger. Not sure if it came that way or got swapped out (no shift plate anywhere on it). That one I loved. Could keep the revs up or let it pull down...your choice. I was happier when I got back in my Quadruplex truck, though. Felt like "home". I guess that's the masochist in me coming out! LOL!

Welcome to The Dog Pound! From the sound of it, you must have the overdrive version of the Maxitorque. That's where you're getting that high interstate speed. There are direct drive versions of that same transmission out there that would have a smaller drop between 4th and 5th gear, but you would probably be maxed-out at about 60-65 MPH (depending on rear gears), Of course, there are a variety of options for you. Macks can be set up with an Eaton RoadRanger or a Spicer transmission, but there is a lot of parts swapping needed to make that happen. And, of course, Mack has built a lot of transmissions over the years that would give you more ratios, and would probably be a lot easier to swap in. You will get LOTS of different opinions on here as to what will be your best bet. But, there are guys on here who have done much more involved swaps than what you are looking at. Those guys will be able to steer you in a direction that will suit your needs. I would suggest giving as much information as you can regarding how you use the truck, so they can help you select a suitable box for your needs. I look forward to seeing some of the responses on this one. Should be an interesting thread. And, again, welcome aboard.

Sorry. I lost the picture where I could see part of the shift plate.

I figured as much. I don't do Facebook. Wife does. She contacted the seller and sent me the stuff. I had no way of knowing if it worked or not. Seller would not tell us where the truck could be seen. When I run across something that is only accessible through, Facebook, I generally just keep right on moving. I watched the startup video. It sounded a little rough initially, but smoothed out. Well, as smooth as a V8 diesel gets. I'm betting it's an R615, with the normally-aspirated V8 in it. Looks like a Duplex from what I can see on the shift plate. Light rear springs (no overloads). Does look like a double-reduction carrier. Frame does not appear to have had a 5th wheel on it, unless I am missing something. I can't tell WHAT it has been used for. I would love to have had that single-axle chassis when I had my ST. Would have put that light, single rear under mine.

Got some response. Had one video of it starting and running. Posting what I got. Might work, might not. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1208157969832910/

I have only seen a handful of steel-nosed R model over here. I think they are more common down under. The only ones I remember were from the oil field industry. Suppose that's why some folks called them "oil field fenders"? NEVER saw a single-axle set up that way. I gotta say, I like it! Would love to see it after somebody like Matt Pfahl or Mickey Delia got their hands on it.

Throwout bearing stuck on the snout, or the cross shaft stuck in the housing. Either way, should free up pretty easily. Wouldn't you think, Bob?

When I first got my 611, I put in fresh fuel and filters. It still didn’t sound exactly “right”. I had been adding a little 2-stroke oil to the ULSD fuel. I got a jug of Opti-Lube XPD, and dosed it on the next fuel stop. Within a half mile, it smoothed-up. And the idle went up 50 RPM. Probably the injector cleaner in the XPD. Made a real difference. You’ll get it sorted out. I have no doubt

The Mack just always felt “normal” to me. Never had an issue with snEaton, though. Of course, all my Mack experiences had 2 sticks!

That's my biggest gripe with all the new "eco-friendly" crap, whether it be a lawn mower or a new truck. The best way to protect the environment, in my opinion, is to make stuff LAST A LONG TIME. When you have to make new crap because the old crap melts down, there is a much bigger footprint to that than most people know. You have to dispose of the old crap, mine new materials for the new crap, ship the materials for the new crap, manufacture the new crap, package the new crap, ship the new crap. It goes on and on. But, I digress. Rats...they got sharp tails.

Double-Clutch, Float, whatever! Still have to do it right! I'm just glad he didn't have to start spending money on that thing!

Oh no! Don't tell me we were trying to learn how to double-clutch that one! LOL! Glad you figured it out!

Yep. If it's a 24V starter, pretty much need 2 12V batteries! And, like you said, the wiring and Series/Parallel switch has to be good. I have wired 2 12V batteries in series using jumper cables to test a 24V starter before. That starter spun fine. Ended up being the wiring going to the starter on that one.

It couldn't possibly hurt...

Like this ring, right here???

One thing I learned about Macks, back when I was a little guy riding around with Dad, is that a lot of the minor parts could be bought at a hardware store! Later, when I was trying to keep mine up, I fixed as many things from the local hardware store as I did from the parts store. They did a really good job of using "common" parts that were easily sourced. I remember, at one time, the ignition switches were from Briggs & Stratton. Makes Mowerman's avatar even more appropriate, doesn't it?

Sent a message. Got no reply. I'm moving on...

First thing I did on mine was replace every air line on it, the slack adjusters, and the brake chambers. Got rid of the rotten hoses on the frame and replaced with DOT air line tubing. After that, I felt a lot more comfortable driving it! With all the collective knowledge of the guys on here (you know who you are!), there's not much you can't find out on this forum. Keep posting pictures! We love pictures!

Pans are a “deep draw” product. The metal can pull extremely thin during the manufacturing process. That is a common cause of cracks in the thin areas.

Yeah, I got through to Jeff earlier too. I see he already got back with us with an update. Classy guy.