vanscottbuilders

The cab, fenders, doors and sheet metal are being delivered to the paint shop this week. Decided to send that out to a very professional shop. My own brush and roller techniques are highly guarded secrets, and since the truck is going to a new home, I didn't want to let any secret information out. Meanwhile the frame and running gear are ready for final painting. I'm thinking I'll do that myself. Everything's been sandblasted and epoxy primed some time ago. Painting it all "Chassis Black" shouldn't be too bad. Even for me. I bought all of the air valves and lines, air dryer, fittings and air tanks this week. Lots of boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. All new stuff. Not a bad buy, though. Fleet-Pride ended up being the best value, even beating the cheap Internet vendors. And, no waiting. Everything was in stock.

I like the tin foil idea. A lot of people pre-cook the ribs a little in the oven before they put them out on the fire - but I think that method loses some flavor. Does the sauce carmelize in the tin foil? And- how many grasshoppers does it take to get a good meal for two? Northern grasshoppers tend to be skinnier than Virginia Mega-Hoppers. PVS

Those cabbages look pretty good! The rabbit fence must be working. Got my tomato plants today. I'll try to plant them tomorrow. Before I go up to the neighbors carrying some "secret" meat rub and Virginia BBQ sauce to show him how ribs really should be done!! Can you get away for Macungie or Huntsville? I think I remember three blimp barns in Akron. I have seen them several times from the air when I was flying my old Piper PA-12 out that way years ago. Memory is not too good - but I remember them being really big, and I think you are right - they held (or might still hold) some record for clear span structures. I was always in trouble out that way - it's a really narrow VFR "passage" between controlled airspaces and they just plain don't like Cub pilots, especially the ones like me, who are down really low and slow and looking at all the sights. I never paid too much attention to the radio, and the poor controllers would go into mild panic trying to contact me before I realized that they were even trying to talk to me! How about Air Force One doing a low fly-by in New York Harbor, breaking almost every rule along the way, and, by the way, spending almost $400,000.00 to do it!! Where the hell do we think we're going?? This outlook looks more foolish every day. But we keep on paying for the entertainment our government sends us.

The build sheets that I have show the axle weight ratings and the gross vehicle weights on the 1st page of the order near the bottom. I checked two of them to be sure. I just got the State of New York to accept that info, with the Museum logo on the cover sheet as good enough info to license the old girl. I didn't have any paperwork or registration for the truck. But I had my Museum copies................ Seemed pretty lucky to run into a rational minded DMV person, who was willing to listen to reason by actually reading the factory build sheet!! Who says New York is all bad???????? The replies here that say the axle model numbers are on the sheet are correct too. And a Mack dealer can take those model numbers and get you a lot of information on the units, including the weight ratings, bearing and seal info, kingpin info etc. Good Stuff! Paul Van Scott

Personally, I think it might be a whole lot simpler to trade the manual box for an air shift unit. You are going to put lots and lots of time and effort into a questionable project. Been there - done that too many times!! Paul Van Scott

Mike, We are planning to have one of Jimmy's W-900's in the show - it's in the paint shop now. It's big, it's blue with a white Seminole paint design, and it has a 3408 Caterpillar engine, that I'm pretty sure he will be showing off to anyone who even glances sideways at it! It will probably be carrying one IH Emeryville for a friend of ours, and potentially, our antique Walthers Sno-Fighter. I will be flying down probably Thursday and staying Friday and Saturday, leaving early Sunday morning for home. If the weather doesn't allow our flight, we will drive down with about the same schedule. I know Kevin All will be there with couple of his trucks also. As we get closer - if you want to try to pick a meeting spot onsite, I think a lot of members might be interested. Maybe not so much to plan an event, but a place to meet one another and come and go as everybody pleases. (At Macungie, we might use Watt's Mack's booth, for example) Hope to see everyone there. Paul Van Scott

Factory Five Racing, one of the industry's finest kit car manufacturers' can no longer sell their cars in Massachusetts, although they are based in Wareham, Ma. unless the engine and driveline for the car is from a registered "donor car". If you buy a new crate engine or transmission, you need to find a new state for registry. Seems you need to vote for a Republican state government and kick out the liberals and free-spending Democrats who seem to think they know way more than you and feel the need to tell you so! It's really gotten way out of hand, and it's time for every one of us, as Americans, to stand up and take our country back. Enough of the "Law of the Week" mentality. Paul Van Scott - and Proud to be American!

Well - interesting stuff to say the least! The B-67 is sold, and I have the money (so I know it's sold!!). It's sold as a completed truck to be delivered in ninety days. Going with original colors red w/ black fenders and running gear. Using one of my 711's and a TRD-720 - 9 speed OD duplex with the original 4.53 rear end ratio. The same way I was doing it for myself. Full rear fenders and the air ride too. So, it's going to be a busy time around the shop. And we are going to welcome another new member to our BMT site - with a pretty nice B-67! About the same age as Other Dog and I. Another old bast--d. So - I'm scouting around for the next project for myself. Got a couple of choices. There is a mid-60's Peterbilt 351 tandem day cab tractor that Jimmy would part with in our yard; or a tandem B-61 I know of that needs a good home; or I might just look around for a while. There is a nice rust-free B-73 with the L cab available close by that has had some recent updating. That's a possibility too. And there's a little single axle B-61 tractor that I've known since I was a little boy. Who knows - it's a big world out there. It's occurred to me recently, as I looked longingly at the Kenworth W900A in our shop with the big Cummins KTA engine, that a truck can really get too big to be a useable toy. The KW really appeals to me, but the little Mack is so comfortable to drive around just about anywhere, and it's funky enough to draw attention from all sorts of people. Everybody likes the B Macks. Great for getting girls too - if only I wasn't so old, bald, fat, married and --- oh well forget it. I guess it's probably going to be another old Mack! Just for other reasons than the girl story.

One of the good things about this deal is that, whether or not it even happens, I'm making record time on the project. Maybe a little kick in the a-- isn't too bad! The cab and all of the sheet metal is ready to head out to the paint shop. The frame and axles are ready for painting and plumbing. The engine is ready for detailing. Then it's on with assembly. This truck might even turn wheels under its' own power this year! Whoa - then what?? Too scary to even think about.

Really makes you wonder - just where are we going? And why are we letting it happen, if we don't want to go? It's way past time to stand up and say "ENOUGH". "This is our country and we have rules and beliefs. If you don't agree - go find your own country." One of the little things I've noticed about these new liberals is that everything is absolutely beautiful, until you disagree with them. Then you are automatically a no good bigot SOB. Same when they get caught with their greedy little hands in the cookie jar. Or when they "forget" to pay their taxes. OOOOh -Not their fault. Not ever. Something's gotta give. And Soon! This new attitude of laziness and greed is causing the government to grow out of control, costing us a great many liberties and putting control in the hands of extremely greedy businesses and politicians. It's BAD. REALLY BAD!!

Trent, The Bendix manual (available online) has several diagrams that outline brake systems for a multitude of different uses. (straight truck, single or tandem axles, trailers etc.). The diagrams are available in color, if you have a color printer. That makes life a lot easier, if you are planning modifications. They provide a good starting point and give you the valve names and part numbers. It's probably the simplest way to go, and still get a properly designed system. You can easily eliminate the plumbing for your front brakes per the diagram. Good Luck. Paul Van Scott

So - Spring is upon us and it feels really good. Although I did stand on top of a six foot pile of old snow in Star Lake last week to photograph the roof of a building! Probably the last one of those for a while. Without counting any unhatched chickens - our building business is looking better by the day. We have done what we had to do to cut the expenses and get the ovehead down. And we have gotten very aggressive with finding new work, and leasing our unused properties to get some cash flowing. Interesting unexpected twist unfolding right now.... A friend of mine called a couple of months ago inquiring for a friend of his, about buying an old Mack. (gotta love these "friend of a friend of a friend" stories) The buyer lives in Florida. I told him to look around Florida. There are several pretty nice B models that I know of in Florida. So I sent them searching. The story goes quiet for a couple of months. Anyway, my friend called last week to ask about buying my B-67 project as a completed truck. Now, I'm not usually speechless. But I was close there for a minute. Seems his Florida buddy wants a finished truck. (Smart Fella) And, he thinks he wants mine. Supposedly flying here on Sunday. We'll see..... could be a whole new venture. Ah the webs we weave.

Looks to me like Other Dog and I have our first customer when we get the mixer set up as a rolling slow BBQ cooker. Paul VS

Glad you liked it! I only make the pesto when the basil is fresh, and I keep it in the refrigerator for months. Haven't gotten sick once!! (It'll probably keep us both alive) Actually I think the secret is to cover the top of the pesto with olive oil to seal out the air before you close up the jar. That's what the old Italian cooks do. It keeps the stuff from turning black and losing the flavor. Here's a little discovery - Mix up equal parts of tomato catsup, Heinz Chili Sauce and your BBQ sauce for a tremendous quick sauce to put on top of any roast or meatloaf. Really nice peppery, but not hot, after taste. Have you got any suggestions for slow cooked Pork shoulder roasts? I've been thinking about some for the last couple of days. Probably this weekend's project.

After shopping on the Internet - and finding prices and manufacturers from all over the world, I found the most consistant and competitive prices on genuine Bendix valves from the local FleetPride store. And they have access to most of the valves as "reconditioned" which saves some money too. Note that the part number may change if the unit is reconditioned by someone other than Bendix. Good Luck, and avoid any off brand (read "Chinese") imitations. They are everywhere. Paul Van Scott

Interesting concept - opening the cowl vent to slow down! Probably a reasonably cheap approach to auxiliary braking. As I understand it, TEC Brake makes a kit that is designed for all two valve Mack diesel 6 cylinder engines. I have one that is brand new, and I checked the instructions that come with the kit. They don't really say. Barry at Watt's Mack should be able to confirm the compatability with the 237 Maxidyne, but I believe that the TEC brake will work on that motor. I was told when I purchased the brake that it was designed for the 673, 711, and two valve Maxidyne engine series. The TEC Brake kit is essentially a duplicate of the original Jacobs brake that is now out of production. I understand that most, if not all, of the parts are interchangeable, although I cannot confirm this to be true. Best to talk to Barry. They have access to these brakes in limited quantity. Paul Van Scott

The hood looks real good. And the fence should do the trick as long as you don't stumble into in the middle of the night in a drunken stupor. Just put some of your bbq sauce on a meatloaf. Fixed the old meatloaf right up! PVS

Tony, Call or e-mail Kevin All at All Macks (K-All here on the BMT site) for an original air horn set up. As a general rule - Macks, Autocars and Brockways were really mostly East Coast trucks in the 30's, 40's and 50's, being made in Pennsylvania and New York. The Peterbilts and Kenworths were the popular West Coast trucks, and both were made in western states. The Midwest had Internationals and Diamond-T's. Each of the manufacturers catered to their particular market needs, hence the short B-67 or single axle H-63 for the restrictive East Coast length laws, or the "concave" back cab panels etc. for the same reason. Meanwhile Peterbilt and Kenworth made trucks with long hoods to fit generally bigger power for mountain use. Clessie Cummins developed the first engine brakes for mountain use, and diesel power was used more out west for the long climbs. (Although they also used the massive Hall-Scott gas engines too) Eventually of course, it all blended together as the highways improved and interstate traffic became commonplace. There were many, many good truck manufacturers of note, but Mack, Brockway, Autocar, Peterbilt, and Kenworth seem to be the most geographically distinct brands that we most often hear of. That's today's history lesson. Get your truck done - and show it off out there! Paul Van Scott

A round trip on a dedicated trailer is normally $2.00/mile or more each way. Someone coming North empty will do the job for much less, but may be hard to find. Obviously you probably need a lowboy or a low step deck trailer. As Rob said - getting on a brokeage site will help a lot. When you post your ad - be sure to include the vehicle dimensions, particularly the height overall and the bumper to bumper length. Weight is also good info, if you can get it accurately. The ATHS National Show in Huntsville, Al. might present some opportunity for you to get on someone's half empty trailer coming toward you. Check it out. Paul Van Scott

You need to talk to Doug Fetterly in Harrisville, NY. He has both plain steel and polished stainless steel original style B model bumpers and the grille protector kits in stock. Sorry for the lack of contact info - but if you call information for the 315 area code and ask for Doug Fetterly you will get a number. (I think it's South Shore Road, Harrisville, NY) For a good used bumper try Kevin All at All Macks. (K-all on this site) I don't know where you are located but, If you were going to Macungie, either one of those guys might deliver you one to the show, if you ask. Paul Van Scott

Larry, It looks like the early R model front axle has just the right brackets for mounting tube type shocks on the B model. I'll know in a few days. If it works, it will be a pretty easy fix with parts available pretty readily. I'll keep you posted. Paul VS

Thanks guys, Larry, I made new rods too. Made from "U-bolt" stock and just threaded the ends like the originals. Matt Pfahl had some NOS ends, so I bought what I needed from him. Then I realized that taking apart the friction units might not be too smart without some advice. I'll try one and report back now that I may not really need them. I like Rob's idea, and I'm going to try it on this truck. It looks like the axle mount for the original shock rod might work for the lower telescoping shock mounting without much modification. Although to use it - I may need to build a bracket that holds the shock away from the frame by a couple of inches. I'm going into the shop this afternoon to study the R-600 axle. It has tube type shocks from the factory, and it uses a top bracket. With the new king pins, springs, radial tires, air ride rear and new front shocks, this truck should drive pretty well. I might just quit driving cars!! (and I might have to - if I keep dumping money into the truck!) Paul VS

Tony, Two small observations for you - A) You are moving at tremendous speed for a part-time restoration project. A professional shop would require a year or more to finish that truck. Give yourself a little credit. You started with little or no truck knowledge, you have no shop and no steady help. I would say you are doing very well indeed. Your cab, based on the photos you sent me, isn't going to require that much surgery. Rust is a fact of life in fifty year old vehicles. The steel in the Mack cab is excellent. Welding is a pleasure on the old truck, once you get back to clean metal. And you live in Hot Rod Heaven; there has to be somebody out there who can bring that cab back to life reasonably. The crowd's appreciation of the old truck is pretty normal at car shows. The trucks are unique, and seem to bring out the best in people from all walks of life. Keep plugging, and we will share your pain, if we can share the glory too!! Paul Van Scott

HOW?? How could you possibly eat that thing? It looks like three or four double cheeseburgers all piled on top of each other. Nice to hear about a good old fashioned truck stop. The big chain restaurants just aren't that good. Paul VS

NICE JOB KEVIN!! It looks even better than I expected it would! Paul VS