1958 F.W.D.

Hello everyone, new member here. First I apologize, I attempted a search on this topic but could not come up with any results. From lurking around for a while, you folks really seem to have your stuff together, and in my opinion, this forum appears to be the absolute best one out there for antique trucks. Though I dont own a Mack, I did grow up in the right hand seat of two F-Models that my father owned as an owner-operator, I have a deep appreciation of all things Bulldog, especially firetrucks! I own a 1958 F.W.D. model F-725, 750GPM firetruck, with a 140GZ Waukesha (THUNDER PUMPKIN!) gasoline engine, mated to a 5 speed Clark transmission through a 15" Lipe-Brown Clutch. The clutch has grown quite tired, and is in need of rebuilding. All of the wedges have been removed. If you are on even the slightest incline, and start out in second, she slips big time. Or upon reaching a steep grade without a good running start (read: momentum!) she slips (Taking her to Macungie in 2005, E/B on I-78, at the junction for Rt.309 where the steep grade is, I had to drop her to second and was doing 20mph on the shoulder! Not Good!) The time has come to rebuild the clutch. Myself and my Father will remove/install. Problem is, that I can not find a vendor in/around the Lehigh Valley or Philadelphia Metropolitan area that wont rebuild it for less than $500 bucks (I have been quoted anywhere from $500 to as high as $800) Now understand that I am not a tightwad, but I do have two anklebiters and a mortgage payment (blah blah blah) I dont have a money tree outback. In doing research, I found Fort Wayne Clutches, Inc. (www.fortwayneclutch.com) in Hemmings Motor News. On a whim, I called them, and the guy I talked to really seemed to know his stuff, and gave me a price of $250, not including shipping. Has anyone out there ever dealt with this company and can you tell me about your experience with them??? Good? Bad?? Second Question is, Are there any vendors in the Lehigh Valley, Metro Philly or even New York City area that could rebuild this clutch for a reasonable amount? What would you consider a reasonable amount to do this work???? Any advice anyone is willing to lend is greatly appreciated! Thank You in advance! -Randy

Hello everyone, My name is Randy, I live in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, a short distance from Allentown, Pa. I have a true fondness and love for all things Mack, as I grew up in the right-hand seat of two F-Models that my father owned when he was an owner-operator. His first F-Model was a single-screw 1974 I believe, with a 300 and a 5-speed, all he did was haul new Trailmobile Trailers out of the factory in Lansdale, Pa. leased on to Charles Danbury, Inc. Later on he graduated to a twin-screw 1980, with a 350/10-speed when he leased on with Southwest Freightlines, Inc. with another gentleman who then went on to form what is now an extremely large 48-state LTL carrier. My primary love, however is firetrucks, especially Mack "B", "C", "L" "R" and "CF" Firetrucks. Dad and I are both volunteers in Montgomery County, Pa. I currently own and operate a 1958 F.W.D. Model F-725, 750GPM pumper, which is the first firetruck I ever rode on. It originally belonged to our volunteer department, and Dad took me to a parade in Bridgeport, Pa. in 1976, when I was three and a half. The truck was sold to a company in Gloucester County, NJ in 1978. I purchased it from them in 2002. It is powered by a 140GZ Waukesha (THUNDER PUMPKIN!) mated to a Clark 5-speed trans, with a Lipe-Brown 15" clutch. F.W.D.'s are pretty rare these days, and firetrucks especially so. Not only do I own a rare truck, but a sentimentally valuable one as well- my two sons went to their first parades on board this truck as well! (With Grandpa in attendance!) I had the truck at Macungie 2005 and 2006, but due to the clutch getting weak, I had to forgo this year. Someday I hope to own a Mack pumper, ladder truck, or even a tractor of some sort to park next to the F.W.D.!