vanscottbuilders

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

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

We're all into old trucks. And we think they're great fun to drive. Of course we don't go anywhere. Just think what your big trip would have been like say, in 1958 or so. Two lane roads, an old B model, maybe 180 whopping horses, and a nice hard spring suspension with bias ply rubber on a good set of wobbly Daytons. No bunk, unless you were really high class, and no air seat. Man - those guys really earned their money! Imagine doing that day after day. No wonder they were all skinny. The fat just shook off. I might be onto something -- All you fat ladies listen up -- Lose the weight and get paid too. I think it could be a new use for my fleet!!

In my mind - the best trucking is still a long haul. Especially to places you haven't seen before. But as I've gotten older - the work has to be on my terms or I don't want to do it. The equipment has to be really good. If the weather's bad - I'd like the option of parking the truck for a little while. If I feel like a motel room once in a while - I'm doing it. If there's something wrong with the truck - I want it fixed, right now. That might be asking too much, but still would be really good. I guess it's easy to see why nobody wants me as a truck driver. The changes over the years in "workable hours" probably have had a good effect on the morale of the drivers. I haven't tried it in a long time. When I did the long hauls - it was just a day after day test of a driver's endurance. Usually done with underpowered and poorly maintained equipment. (The fuel crisis of the mid-70's was the root of the small engine syndrome for many freight companies) Dispatchers, some of whom weren't really sure what a truck actually looked like, would give you orders that were literally impossible. But, being young and naive, you were always willing to try. When you couldn't make it - it was always your fault. And you were dead tired, usually sick, dirty, scared and broke to boot, just because you tried to keep the schedule. When you did finally arrive - some simpleton on the loading dock wanted you to bribe him so your trailer could get unloaded - and you could leave to pick up your next load with an impossible schedule. Looking back - I guess that job really sucked! But - I'd do it all again - and for the same reasons. It's good to see the country and visit with people from everywhere. And travelling in a truck just seemed to make it better. I was even friendly with the DOT and scale house cops! Other driver's would actually get mad at me for that - but they were just doing their jobs. And I very rarely had any real trouble with anybody like that. Anyway - that's enough preaching for one Sunday morning. PVS

Took a little ride to Central Ohio last Thursday for purposes of picking up my Uncle Jimmy's new Kenworth W-900-A. It's a very well maintained 1980 model with a Caterpillar 3408 and 6+4 transmissions. It has a custom built air to air intercooler fit for a little added oomph. Pretty smooth ride. Kind of like the big truck equivalent of a Harley Davidson Electra-Glide. Nice Toy! Just sort of oozes down the road. And he looks just right sitting up there too - Big guy with bright white long hair and sunglasses. We talked by phone on the way home - he says with the cruise set at 65, the engine's just turning 1600 rpm. Probably as economical as one could expect a big motor to be.

I think more than one person here would agree that you are really lucky not to have seen any nasty weather around the mountains! Sounds like a great trip though. It's fun to go off like that now and again. And - it's fun to come home.

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

The new kingpins are finally installed and the bushings reamed to size on the B-67. It's the 1st time I've ever actually seen it done. And, I think we got a really good result. A long-time friend of mine has a tremendous amount of experience with heavy front axles, and he sure did make it look easy. I replaced all four of the bearings and races (cones), after finding that three of the four had problems. The backing plates and brake shoes are all painted and ready to be remounted, and I have most of the parts new. The tie rod ends are apart, and I have gotten the pressure springs from Mack. They were both broken. The socket pieces look perfect. Got two new return springs for the original, small front brake cans. They look better to me than the new style larger cans. I'm using the original dash mounted front brake limiter switch. It's good to be making progress. On another note - the building business is showing a tiny bit of optimism. Not too much, mind you, but a little at least. We now have six to eight weeks of work in front of us. Nothing of substance, but enough to get us to Spring. I should be able to put together a couple of deals between now and then to keep the wolves from the door. So, we're feeling better.

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

So - people are starting to talk, and it isn't all good. They want to know why, at the time of the new President's inauguration, did Other Dog go missing? Speculation is rampant. Are they body doubles? Is he Secret Service? Or, have they finally caught him and locked him up? Did he hurt himself working with that hammer? What's Up? Does anybody know?

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

So, I finally got my kingpins and all the front axle bits and pieces for rebuilding. Took a couple of weeks before the local Mack dealer was able to locate what I needed. After seeing the bill, I understand. Gold kingpins and platinum bearings are very hard to find. Wow!! The front axle parts were almost as much as I paid for the entire truck. And about double the cost of the parts for the rear axle, which was rebuilt from hub to hub. If I ever sell this B-67, it will be without the front axle. I'll be keeping this one to use under any old Macks that I own in the future. On another note - I am going to parts out my 1966 R-600. There has been no interest in the truck in one piece, and all of the components are in excellent condition. (The front axle even has new kingpins, bushings and bearings as well as new brakes - go figure!) If anyone wants the engine and transmission, drive shaft and rear-end as a unit, I would be glad to talk to you. If not, it will power our H-63. We know it is in perfect operating order, and the engine even has the original lead seals on the fuel pump. I can either leave the unit together for someone to run and drive, or I can put the engine on my test stand for someone to run before purchase. The hood is perfect, just needs paint. No cracks or stress marks anywhere. Hinges are excellent. The radiator is perfect. Glass is very good. All of the hardware, badges and trims are excellent. Rob started a vicious rumor that the bulldog was missing - he's right. I've got the base and a good replacement, if someone wanted. It's got new 22" re-caps on the drives, and excellent virgin rubber on the steer axle. Doors are in great operating order, with all hardware. The doors are a little rusty around the bottoms but very repairable, if someone wanted. Fifth wheel is in good operating condition. James has already expressed an interest in the instrument panel, so that's on hold. Otherwise, the rest of the truck is available at very reasonable prices. I'll cut up and scrap the remainder.

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

That's a very studious look you have there with that hammer. Obviously there's something really important going on in the carpenter's head. Like "Which side of this thing do I use?" And how did that board get that short? Don't quit your day job.

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.