vanscottbuilders

Tony,

Herb is right - check the front engine mount and the transmission

mounts. The rubber donuts are probably shot, causing the reduced

clearance issues.

The exhaust on our H-63 is 3.5", and the original had a horizontal

muffler under the truck. I don't think that should make any difference

in the pipe diameter, though.

There won't be any more clearance than you need, but things shouldn't

be hitting each other.

Paul Van Scott

I run the cap tires, never had a problem with them, i ran the bandag 4300 cap on all bridgestone for a long time, Im now trying something different

these are michelin casings with michelin caps, the caps are very identical to the xzy2 tread on a new tire, i only cap my tires 1 time, i then sale my casings, a friend of mines buys new tires uses them and i then buy them from him, these michelins i payed $90.00 each i then payed $168.00 for the cap total of $258.00, last set of front tires i payed $445.00 on sale (michelin) thats why im going to keep running caps.

Now witch do i like best? i think i like the set that im running right now because the michelin's side wall is softer witch makes the truck ride alot smother, and with the bandag cap there was a zom zom noise when above 45 50 mph.

Pedro,

These are actually a recap done by Michelin?

Can you give us the supplier? - It might be common

knowledge to others here - but not to me.

Thanks,

Paul Van Scott

We had a couple of jeeps, we called them "joe dogs", and the tractor glad hands connected to the jeep, and the jeep had separate hoses and glad hands to connect to the dolly with shut off valves on them.

I think it's for pulling doubles. Before they figured out you could pull one trailer behind another one, they used a pintle hook with a spreader bar to pull two trailers side by side. Thus, 2 sets of glad hands. 3 for pulling triples, obviously. This set-up was only used for a short period of time, as the problems with pulling 2 or 3 trailers side by side were many. And you couldn't see a thing in your mirrors.

Tom,

Are you sure about this?

If they had triples side by side - did they only use Interstate four lanes?

Seems like toll booths might have been a challenge too.

You might have been outside in the cold too long.

That treadle valve is most likely a Bendix E-6 style.

It would be prior to anti-lock plumbing I think.

Rob is right - don't monkey around, take out the original,

get it to someone who knows and exchange it for

a fresh one.

You can usually find these valves on E-Bay at pretty

reduced prices - just be certain you know what you need

and what you are buying.

Paul Van Scott

Joe,

Just relax. The DOT examiner is just doing his job.

And - don't do too much downshifting. You shouldn't

be going that fast anyway on the test.

If you make a mistake, and you know it, admit it.

He'll probably let you do that part of the test over,

if it's necessary.

I think if you don't admit the error, they wonder if you know

that you did it. And I think that's worse.

Everybody's nervous on a test like that. Believe me,

you aren't the first guy the examiner has seen who

might be a little tense.

You'll do fine.

Just think over and over - "if Other Dog can do this,

I should be able to do it also"

Good Luck!

Paul VS

I'm in your position Rob - I will need a bunch

of new tires over this year.

With the heavy trucks and trailers, Jimmy uses new tires always.

So I thought I would use all new virgin rubber too -

but that idea quickly went away with the realization of how many tires,

and how much money I was really talking about.

I will still use virgin tires on the steer axles, as mentioned here.

But I think an easy rolling tread pattern in a recap will fine for the drives

and trailers.

My lowboy came to me with eight brand new matched Bandag 15" recaps.

They even still have the little nubs and printing on the tread!

But they are eight years old, and although they have never been used,

they have been out in the sun, and are all dry rotted and cracked.

Makes me sick to take them off and throw them out - but I don't think

there is any real good choice.

I agree with the comments about Bandag. I've never heard anything

but positive comments about their products.

Paul Van Scott

Rob,

This is the exact same system I have purchased and fit for my B-67.

It is literally a bolt-in operation using the original springs as

locating members.

It looks pretty well made, although I can't imagine that it would be

much good for a tandem axle truck.

(Jimmy had to grind off a couple of "Made in China" signs - made him mad)

It seems to me that Neway made a rear suspension for Mack and it was

available as an option from Mack on most of the R model tractors.

Obviously the advantage is that you would have air ride on both axles.

The Neway is a nice set-up with the long travel arm, and yields a

really good ride. If it were mine - I'd start looking in that direction.

The Super Ride cross member, although fine for a hobby single axle,

is really just a toy compared with a real air ride suspension.

You may have some holes to plug weld, but the retro-fit should not be

too bad.

Paul Van Scott

I still think he's an Obama body double, and has

had to attend the inauguration festivities for the

big guy!

The truck story is just that - a big story.

No Peterbilt would ever attempt such a journey

without backup mechanical staff and a well

planned schedule between repair stations.

And you can tell him I said that.

Anyway - it's good that he's working.

Things are looking up a little bit here, too.

Looks great Jim-

I like the tail light idea for

a very period looking light housing.

Paul Van Scott

Quitting the smoking is the hardest thing I ever did

in my life!

And today they still smell good - even almost twenty years

later.

The only way that I could quit was to just stop - period.

I smoked a pack a day, every day for twenty years,

regardless of activity, unless I was in a bar or at a party,

when I would smoke more.

I would start again today, if I didn't think about it.

And, yes, you will probably gain some weight.

You can lose the weight anytime you want to.

But, you will feel so much better, smell better and,

maybe even look better when smoking is behind you.

And - we, as tax paying citizens, won't have to be paying to keep

you alive with lung disease while you slowly choke to death.

Another little incentive - at least in New York state - cigarettes are

now up around $7.00 a pack, with the latest State Tax.

Kevin,

I've been following this forum, and I'm pretty

impressed with what I see. I would be real

interested in the ride that you get from the

Super Singles. It should be pretty good.

Looks like a great idea for my 69 R-600 that

is becoming our shop and errand lowboy tractor.

We don't carry any real weight, and I have an

air ride crossmember that will be installed on

the rear suspension.

Contact info for the wheel manufacturer,

and the exact wheel dimensions would

be appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul Van Scott

That's the way it is at my house.

And, I've never been there, but....

That's the way it is at Rob's house too,

even if he doesn't want to admit it!!

Paul VS

Top-O-Hill in New England makes a very authentic

headliner for the B model.

Check Wheels of Time magazine for a phone number.

They are nice people to deal with.

The brake light switches that have the removeable top are

typically rebuildable. It's just a diaphragm that contacts two

posts to complete the circuit when air pressure causes the movement.

Rebuilding them is cheaper than buying new.

James,

I second what Rob said - Happy Birthday.

Enjoy!

Paul Van Scott

Steve,

There is no reason that the engine shouldn't go straight up

in the B-61.

I have both styles of bellhousings on 673 engines in the shop.

I'll take a look to see if just rotating the existing housing that

you have would do it. I don't believe that it will, but I'll check.

Paul Van Scott

Hey Andy,

Nice to have you here.

I'm from a little North of you in the Victor/Canandaigua area.

I've seen your truck down around Hammondsport from time to time.

Paul Van Scott

WOW!!

Had no idea you guys had this kind of relationship.

Merry Christmas!

Paul Van Scott

This has been a good forum -

I'm concerned about the lack of lubricity in the ULSD,

and the effect it could have on the antique diesels that

many of us have.

My understanding is that the bio-fuel does have a better

lubricating action.

Anyone here know that for sure?

There are shortcomings, obviously, to the bio-fuel. Primarily

in the areas of fuel consistency and the problem of cold-weather

thickening.

As for being a "green" fuel, I'm not totally sure that's really true.

Rumor has it that it takes almost as much energy to produce the fuel as

there is energy potential in the fuel. Not much return on that, if it's true.

I do like reducing our dependency on foreign oil, but I'm not sure bio-fuel answers this issue.

The fact that the bio-fuel has become so readily available, and in so many mixes, says that

the industry must be reasonably happy with the results that they are seeing.

Interesting times -------

Paul Van Scott

Sounds like a worthwhile project -

Nice to have you here.

What were you thinking of repowering the B-85 with?

Paul Van Scott

Sorry I didn't think of this last night -

You could easily put four tires and wheels on one pallet,

for a total of two pallets, which may be less expensive

on an LTL carrier's trailer.

I would try Yellow Freight or one of the other common carriers.

Put two tires on a single pallet, for four pallets total.

It's still going to be expensive, but the common carriers are

a pretty good value.

Finding someone coming over the big mountains this time of

year, just for hobby purposes, is a pretty tall order.

Another option might be to contact an LTL flatbed carrier,

and ask if they have room on a trailer coming East.

There are a number of message boards online that post loads

and truck availability.

Good Luck,

Paul Van Scott

Glenn -

The B-67 doesn't have the clearance under the firewall.

I could raise the cab an inch or so with spacers - but I don't really

gain that much with an engine brake on this truck anyway.

I do have a new (to me) ETZ-676 (283 hp) that the Jake brake

would be real good on, but I need a truck for the engine to go into.

Thermodyne B63 -

I'll send you a Personal Message right now.

Thanks,

Paul Van Scott

Where are you located?

I have two running and driving single axle R Macks

that you could drive home, and one B-61 single axle

that runs, but needs some work to be roadable.

I would be willing to sell any one.

Contact me by Personal Message here on this site,

or by cell phone at (585) 509-4783.

Thanks,

Paul Van Scott

Have you talked to Barry at Watt's Mack?

They had access to two valve Mack engine brake kits.

If they can't help, I have a brand new (still in the boxes)

TEC kit for the two valve Mack engine that I might consider

selling. It does not fit in my B-67, and I don't have any immediate

use for it.

The actual Jacobs engine brake for these engines has been out

of production for some time. The TEC brake is a direct replacement.

Paul Van Scott