vanscottbuilders

I can't help but wonder if the guy who started all this conversation ever sold his truck? Actually, he probably forgot about it by now. PVS

You see Champ - you need to know the whole story--- These aren't really pictures of Other Dog's garden. We all know that - but he's harmless, so we just humor him. PVS

TL - I would start by listing the truck, with photos, here on Big Mack Trucks in the "For Sale" forum. I would also advertise the truck in the ATHS "Wheels of Time" magazine. The description has to be honest and accurate. This is a very small community of old truck enthusiasts. E-Bay and/or Craig's List are also OK, if you can deal with all of the flakes and bad bidders. At least we don't have any flakes here. Some really strange folks - but no flakes. Definitely start with a listing here - it's free, and you never know - someone might be right close by you who would buy the truck. Good Luck, Paul Van Scott

Well, Huntsville is over, and I'm low on excuses for not working. Jimmy has the B-67 frame coming along nicely, and the air suspension is fitted and ready for me to pre-paint before final assembly. The clutch linkage is all rebuilt and re-bushed and new bearings installed. (Like the rest of the truck - it's way overbuilt and almost indestructable, if cared for properly. But, you do have to take care of it!) The body work is progressing nicely. A lot more welding and straightening than I thought, but still coming along really well. Got a nice idea for an A/C condenser mounting from a really nice B-53 in Huntsville. And learned a new trick involving heat resistant expanding foam insulation for the cab. If all goes fairly well, we should be putting the cab back on the frame in early July. I'm sandblasting and painting a lot of parts this week. (The steering box, column and linkage, the clutch linkage pieces, radiator frame and support etc., etc.) And taking the 711 engine out of the old R-600 as the donor. It will get cleaned up and painted, then it gets new hoses, filters etc. for service in the B-67. Moving along good. Indidentally - I do have a lot of early R model parts that I would sell, if someone needed. All of the hardware, instruments, glass, doors, seats, duplex TRD-72 transmission, rear-end and front axle, etc. This was a very complete and good running truck. The cab and the double frame are pretty badly rusted, but if someone needed, they are available too.

You need to keep the soil warm to grow the baked potatoes. It's best if you sleep on the garden during the the cold nights. I would thin the basil into a couple of other pots. It's pretty hardy stuff, and it should take a transplant with no problem. PVS

The very best place for the info you need is the Bendix website. They have systems diagrams, descriptions and functions outlined with parts details and part numbers. Everything you could possibly want for information. When you get to buying parts - watch for "knock-offs" and imitations by the Chinese. There are some other good manufacturers, but Bendix is the best. Good Luck - Paul Van Scott

That basil is going to get big - you might need more room for it. I usually make the pesto out of my basil, but it's really good served with fresh tomato slices and fresh mozzarella cheese too. Is that parsley behind the basil? and what's in the pot to the right? Looks like chives and something else. PVS

Just kick back and watch those tomatoes grow!! Life's too short to work all the time anyway. And - keep your eye on the mailbox for your stimulus money --- any day now, any day.

This story isn't just sad because the truck was stolen - that's bad enough by itself. It's also sad because of the social statement the whole affair makes. The fact that stealing and selling someone's property has become so commonplace and is widely considered to be acceptable behavior in our society is remarkable. This really reinforces those people who are prone to being paranoid! They have good reason after hearing these stories. And, just for further irritation - When did all of the sub-standard performance that is produced by the government, and all of it's employees, including the police departments, become acceptable?? If the officers involved here had been even a little alert, this probably would have a different outcome. Somehow, we have all forgotten that those government employees, every single one of them, works for us. Is poor performance, bad behavior and questionable ethics going to be OK with us? TIME TO WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry for your loss, and even more sorry that it happens everywhere, everyday. Paul Van Scott

MAN - THAT'S ONE UGLY PERSON IN THAT PICTURE. Oh - wait a minute, that's you isn't it!! PVS

Kind of a dangerous spot for that snake to be hiding out!

Herb, I'm going to have to go check the engine stamping. I'm starting to doubt myself. It's tough getting old! I used to be able to remember this stuff. The engine is in my shop, and on a test stand. I bought it from a large quarry, stone, and concrete company here. It was one of their spare engines and has a zero mile Mack factory rebuild. The engine data is readily available. I don't believe the intercooler has been changed. I'll get the info ASAP. Unfortunately, this engine has a crack in the cooling jacket area of the block. Apparently it was stored with water in it. No sign of any other damage, and no water in the oil. I think it can be fixed. But I'm going to have to keep this one for my own use. It'll make a great engine in one of my projects. Thanks, Paul VS

B-67 Periodic Update: This week I got the rear end disassembled (for the 2nd time) to fix a nagging little leak between the carrier and the axle housing. Next time I'll know better than to try and skip this step. There was no other need to take the carrier out, so I didn't the first time around. And I didn't know it leaked. Oh well. And at the same time, I got to do a super cleaning out of the axle housing. I'm really happy with the apparent condition of the rear end in general. The gears are all perfect - no wear marks, no high spots, nothing! Just shiny clean patterns with no sharp teeth. Looks like it always was cared for pretty well. Got the rear end reassembled, and the front end completely reassembled and got the frame flipped over to right side up. (That's easier said than done) Putting together the clutch linkage now. That took a fair amount of machining and fabrication. It was really all botched up. Works good now, though. Gathered up all of the necessary hardware, bolts, brackets and assembly stuff to start the air system plumbing this week. It feels good to be moving along. I'll get some new pictures on my gallery ASAP. Bought my tickets to Huntsville this week. The building business is actually doing quite well, at the moment. We've got a lot of ground to make up, but at least we are actually making some up, finally! Still I can't help but wonder about the long range economic picture. Automakers and other large industries going BK, car dealers forced to close, big and little farmers going out, continued heavy borrowing and increased government spending just don't paint a real nice rosy picture.

Herb, Is the ETZ-675 a 237 hp engine, or is it a 285 hp engine? My ETZ-675 has the air & water intercooler with the tip turbine, and it is completely different than any of the older 237's I've had. The vintage mentioned here of 1979 makes sense, as my own is a 1980 engine, and sounds like it is the same thing. I've had a little difficulty finding much info about this particular series of engine from Mack, as it was apparently replaced after only a fairly short production run. Anything you might know about it would be helpful. The rumors from the local operators are that this engine was one of Mack's best. Thanks, Paul Van Scott

The garden's looking good. That's some big snake compared to NY garter snakes. Mine are about 16 - 24 inches long, tops. If I was the dog, I would have been scared too!

Don't know yet - my computer at home is in for maintenance. I'll keep you posted. Thanks!

Tom, I got the disc - Thanks! With freight moving slow and so many people out of work, it makes you wonder if you can believe the politicians who are telling us that things are getting better even faster than they expected! I know it might start a war - but I like those Lonestars in certain colors and paint schemes. PVS

There may be some restrictions on using the original copper air lines. I don't know that to be a fact so you might want to check with your local DOT before going any further. If a vehicle is licensed as an antique or "historical", the restrictions may not apply. Just a thought - Paul Van Scott

Rick, Nice to have you back online. Yours is one of the nicest detailed resto projects we have here! It'll be really nice to see it done. Paul Van Scott

James, The data plate is the best way to confirm the engine model, obviously. But - if I were to guess, I think that is an ETZ-675 of some ilk. It could very well be a 300 hp engine, or a 285 hp. Either way, it is a tip-turbine intercooled intake system. And judging by the rocker covers, it is two valve engine. A good Mack motor authority might find this opinion all wrong - so I would try the data plate again. There are also some imprinted numbers on the casting ahead of the fuel pump, I think, that will bear this out. If we can get Rob engaged here, we will get an answer quickly. Paul Van Scott

John, You may have already done this, but - a call to the Mack Museum probably would yield some pretty good information. Look elsewhere on this site for the address and contact info. By way of protocol - We do support the Museum with donations, when we ask for information. Good luck - sounds like an interesting project. Paul Van Scott

We've been wondering where you went Joe. Hard to blame for not posting here though - what with the quality of the comments and all!! PVS

WOW!! Mrs. Duncan must be a very understanding woman. Happy Mother's Day to her from all of us! PVS

Based on the size of em, I'd be concerned about the bugs eating all the cabbage. Then flying around farting in the house. Whoo-ee could get ugly. You might better cook em.

Huh - I didn't think of Rob doing it. Of course, he has a very busy social schedule travelling around the country visiting his fans. May be tough to get him to do a small job. PVS