vanscottbuilders

Sometimes we forget that we actually can do something about "the way things are". We don't have to take it all the time. And it's really easier than anybody thinks. One of the founding premises of the Declaration of Independence was that we have the right, and indeed, the duty to change any government that becomes oppressive or overbearing. It gets harder to do when the majority of people seemingly don't care. But at least we can take some satisfaction in knowing that there are some of us who are willing to do something to solve the overlying problem. That Sloppy Joe part of it sounds pretty good too.

Some of the people on this forum say "Volvo Sucks". No they don't. Indeed they build really good vehicles. Volvo, like so many other foreign manufacturers, are simply responding to market conditions that allow them to buy our businesses, build and sell their products in our country, and to profit from doing so. And then take our money away. If we simply continue to do the "same old, same old", we will continue to get the exact same results. What's the definition of insanity? Something about doing the same thing over and over - and expecting different results. If we don't stop the madness, then the madness will continue. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure it out. Everybody can do their part - no matter how small. For instance - stop supporting Mobil, Sunoco, BP and other oil companies who buy overseas oil. Instead - Use Quik-Fill or companies that use US petroleum only. Not sure? Ask them. The good guys are quick to tell you they only buy American oil. Stop buying cheap Chinese junk from Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, and hundreds of others. Check it out before you buy, and buy only US products, whenever possible. It's simple. Just think before you get out your wallet. You might not even buy anything, if you stop and think. If enough people do it, the problem will solve itself. There's nothing wrong with Volvo, Toyota, Honda, or any others. Indeed most of the products are darn good. And, they are playing by the rules that we put in place. You want change - so Change. Stop complaining and just Change. I personally am buying only local groceries. And buying only US made clothes and shoes, if possible. And only US made vehicles by American manufacturers. And US gasoline whenever possible. My observations are that the groceries are better - a lot better, and a little more money. The clothes are definitely more expensive, but generally better made, and better warranted. They last longer, so I don't buy as much. As for the vehicles - well two out of three isn't bad. Our big three manufacturers are being way overcharged for labor, and are far too interested in their shareholders, rather than quality, to really produce a good vehicle. But I still support them. I think we have to in order to survive as a country as we know it. How many people know that the US government borrowed the money for your latest Economic Stimulus check from the Chinese government? Shocked? It's 100% true. Hundreds of millions of dollars up in smoke. We just sit back and let it happen. Then we complain. I sound like a broken record - but, Wake up America. Wake up while there's still time.

Volvo is in business to make money. Hard to argue with that. If we, as a country, finally get angry enough about selling off our businesses and our assets, maybe we will do something about it. But until we can come to grips with the greedy unions, and the greedier government, and the simple arrogant greed of many businessmen, we cannot and will not make any progress toward regaining our place as a real world superpower. Volvo is just doing what we allow them to do.

Pictures to follow - I promise. I'm just not too sure how to get from the camera to the web page. Finally got all my parts for the B-67 loaded on a trailer yesterday. Other than two spare engines and transmissions, the entire 53' high flat is completely covered with one B-67. And that's with no wheels or tires! (As soon as I got it loaded - it started to pour! It didn't look good for all of my bare metal pieces. But it only rained for a short time, then hot & dry again, so no real damage done) Anyway we backed the trailer into the new shop for temporary storage. We can pull it out while the crane is being assembled in that space. Also got the W-900 out of the shop and I got some pictures of it too. It shouldn't be too long before Jimmy has it back in running order. I love that truck. Of course I've only driven it when it wasn't running - but one can always imagine. Moved the H-63 into its' new home inside the new space. It looks good there. That's a funny old truck. I never get tired of looking at it. And everyone who sees it likes it. All in all - a pretty productive weekend. Took about half of the crane down and moved it. I have a nephew who works for the crane manufacturer setting up automated warehouses and large industrial cranes around the country. He made it possible for us to get this equipment in the first place, and was nice enough to offer to reassemble it for us in the new shop. Working with him has been very interesting. Rigging and lowering the 40' steel beams from 20' in the air is really an art, and it has been a lot of fun learning some new tricks. We have one 40' rail beam, two header beams and the four posts to come down yet. We were able to move the bridge beam with the crane hoists in place. Saved a lot of time. The rails are coming down with the trolley assemblies and motors in place too. Should go back together pretty well. Next I hope to fire up the R-600 and actually drive it around town a bit before putting it inside. I want to put some heat thru the exhaust of the old girl to see what I will actually have to do to use the truck in regular light duty service. Anyway - the building business really stinks for us this year, so I need to have the relief I get from my old trucks. If we can hold on until better times, I think we may sell the construction business, or possibly just close it. But that's a story for another day. Everybody have a good week.

I hate being reminded that I used to have hair. But sometimes it's fun to go back and look at where we've been. Paul VS

Interesting stuff! Did anyone check out the route and delivery site before ordering the beams? Looks like it could have been a concern if it were any tighter. Had a Mail Pouch tobacco sign on a barn at the end of my road, just like that one in W.Va. until just a few years ago when the barn was repainted. I like those reminders of days gone by. Paul VS

Nice to be busy! PVS

Rob - I've meant to say something to you for some time - Jimmy spent about twenty years and close to a million miles behind a DD 12V-71 with twin turbochargers in a W-900 Kenworth. I can give you his e-mail, and his phone # if you want. I'm sure he'd talk your ear off about the various characteristics of the engine in heavy use, and the common problems he encountered along with the solutions he used. The project seems to progressing through the "design & planning" stage nicely. Paul Van Scott

It seems hard to believe that one little single axle B-67 is going to fill a 50' drop deck trailer. This will require pictures for anybody to believe. I tell people all the time that I have the biggest truck in the place because it goes from one end of the building to the other. Now I can prove it! I've got all my parts for just this one truck all strapped on pallets for the big move. (from the front of the building to the back of the building - maybe a 400' drive) And I've got eight pallets of stuff plus the cab, and the axles, and the frame all as separate pieces. It's going to take the whole trailer. Had a great day today just organizing and sorting my parts. All by myself in the shop just monkeying around all day. Loved it. Reminded myself why I do this stuff. The move is going well. And, yes, for those who have asked, we are definitely going to advertise and sell the Kenworth W-900A. After talking to a number of guys who own these big KT series Cummins engines, we are pretty sure that we have it priced right at $25,000.00 And it is a pretty nice truck "as is". It would be really, really nice with some restoration work.

Yeah - just be careful what you're smoking when you listen. Ooohh - did I say that? PVS

Joe - being young's OK. You just don't have any music to call your own. Now that I'm thinking about it - it's really hard to believe that the music I know is all 35 to 45 years old. That's a sobering thought. But at least it is the best music ever written. They can put that on my headstone! Anyway - the moving continues from the old to the new shop. Good for the soul - it lets me reorganize and sort out the junk. Have a good week. Paul VS

Glad to know I'm not alone in my home criticism. Thanks Rob- I didn't know about the difference in shutter count. Are the headlight panels the same in the whole B-model line with the radiator shell vs. the exterior hard tank style? And the radiator is the same (at least it looks like it in the photo) as my B-diesel radiators. This looks like a nice piece. Paul VS

I love these really big trucks and the even bigger loads of logs. There are some great pictures of huge log loads around. Probably not many of the really, really big trees left. They built our country. Paul Van Scott

It's worse than I thought - You mean to say your father was born in 1960? Tom & I will talk - But we may have to disown you completely. Although that might not be very smart. Having a youngster around to do errands is pretty handy.

If the TEC brake won't work (call Barry), you might try a PAC exhaust brake, which could be very effective on this engine, and a lot simpler to install. We've had some real good discussions on this forum about exhaust brakes. I think the long and the short of it is that the valve train needs to be healthy before installing the brake or you run the risk of piston/valve contact, which is rarely good. Paul Van Scott

I'm no expert - but you don't seem to be getting much help with your question - so I'll wing it. The front sheet metal appears to be from a small B model. (B-20, B-42, B-52 etc.) It probably is interchangeable with the B-61 and B-67, though I really have never tried it. The radiator support, radiator and shell are fairly common - but don't forget - new ones cannot be had, so they do have a value. The ornamentation looks pretty straight, and is indeed getting harder to come by in good condition. This looks like it might use rechroming to be show quality, which is very expensive. The passenger side headlight panel is pretty nice. The driver's side needs some work, obviously. Now for the really big guess, I might ask $250.00 or $300.00 for the parts, with the offer to palletize and assist with loading on a freight carrier's truck. The buyer should pay shipping. Someone, somewhere probably really needs it. The worst that can happen is no one buys it, and you rethink. If possible to do, I think these things sell better at a show where we can see and touch the part. Retailers call it "impulse buying". Our wives call it something else entirely different. Good Luck. Paul Van Scott

I need to add - the clutch is brand new in the KW. I didn't realize that Jimmy had done that before we took the radiator out of the truck. For a big guy, he's pretty fast. Or else I'm not very obversant! Actually, the clutch was done at the Cummins shop when they did the engine work. And no miles since then. Incidentally, all of the paperwork for the engine and clutch is here and goes with the truck. Paul VS

I forgot a very important bit of information. I cooked two really nice thick Sirloin steaks this weekend for Kathy & I. First I pan seared them for about five minutes per side, with a little flour and salt on the outside, then took the cast iron frying pan with the meat and put it directly in the oven for maybe ten minutes at 500 degrees for a beautiful rare steak you could cut with a fork. It was a downpour outside, and grilling wasn't an option. I read this someplace, and it really does work.

Tom, I sure do understand the importance of a benefit. Especially for a good cause. You might tell them that the cool breezes don't necessarily go well with the togas, if you know what I mean. And, when all the whining fails - go to the Toga benefit. We'll figure this out another time. And Joe - you are far too young to understand the importance of Jethro Tull, Cream, Pink Floyd, and the Airplane. And a lot of other great bands. Too bad to, because you missed an entire generation of the best music ever put on paper. Paul VS

Thanks Joe, You get ready and I'll be sure to have a truck for you. How are the boys? Paul VS

Maybe you could just change the hood ornament to a bulldog. Who would know? Then you could park right in the show, and we would look just like we knew what we were doing! Did you see we have a Jethro Tull fan with us as a new member? (Locomotive Breath) Gotta love us aging rockers.

It's a pretty low mileage, very original W-900-A with the rare big Cummins (KTA-525). The engine has had the top end just recently done by Cummins, and the engine has a clean bill of health. Jakes work great. No leaks or blow-by. This was a factory installation, and we have known the truck from new. The radiator and associated pieces will be brand new. We currently have the radiator out, and the new one ready to go in. It's a brand new KW part. Not reconditioned. Clutch and transmission are in good working order. (Fuller RR 15 spd. overdrive) The power divider works as it should. The frame is excellent. Should get the torque rod bushings replaced. Tires are fair, front wheels are aluminum Budds, rears are steel Budds with chrome covers. I think it's all virgin rubber. Interior is excellent and the instrument panel is perfect. Has the upgrade gauge pack that was common with the big engine; two axle temps, Pyrometer, transmission temp, and a couple of others are extra over the standard package. Body is great - no cracks, dents or other damage. This might have been the last year for the cab mounted mirrors, which I think is a really nice feature. Could use paint, but not necessary. The chrome on the grille is all there, but a bit rusty. The glass is all good. The bunk is very good. It's a 36" factory sleeper. The lower bunk doors work, but one needs a latch. The truck has a large reservoir wet line system that is perfectly functional. It has KW's 8 bag air ride, and is working great. (We have put in a new ride height valve) In running condition, and fob at our shop - we will ask $25,000. for the truck. Delivery is available, but I would just come on up with a license plate and drive it home. If we keep it - it will become our toy hauler after a complete resto. But - we have several other projects in line in front of it. Thanks for asking. Paul VS

I'm sure Barry will let you park the truck on the grounds, if there is room. They might have you throw a cover over it is all. Keep me posted and we'll try to get together down there for dinner or something. Paul VS

Call Barry at Watt's Mack. If the engine is a two valve Mack diesel, they have a TEC brake for it. TEC makes a duplicate of the Jacobs engine brake for these engines. Jacobs brakes are out of production for them. If it's an R-400 with a Scania diesel, however, the TEC brake may not be the answer. Good Luck, Paul Van Scott

Definitely go to the OldMacksRUs site for a ton of info. In a nutshell, the B model Mack was among the "post war" improved trucks. It was a new design and used air brake systems still in use today. All the things you are familiar with are in the truck with the possible exception of spring brakes (Maxi brakes), although many have been added to the old trucks. There were two primary braking types available, wedge brakes and cam operated "S" cam brakes. (Cam brakes are more desireable) Power steering was an option, and quite often the trucks do not have it. Radial tires certainly help that situation a lot. As per Mack's reputation for toughness, the trucks typically were way overbuilt, oversprung, and underpowered. What they lacked in raw torque and horsepower, they made up for with gears. Transmissions in combinations up to 20 forward speeds were common. Rear end ratios typically in the high 4.00's to mid 5.00's were most common, with ratios into the 9.00's on very heavy duty off road trucks. Truck drivers were definitely much smaller then, as the cabs are not exactly spacious. But they feel like an old shoe. Very comfortable. As for pulling modern trailers - why not? Depending on the job, you might consider more power. It's pretty common for a later Maxidyne engine of some ilk to be retro-fit. Some folks think it's best to swap the transmissions out also. I don't necessarily agree. "Drive it like you own it", and you shouldn't have any issue. The most common of the original diesels was a END673, which, depending on the year, made something aound 170 to 180 horsepower. A Dodge pick up with a Cummins makes a lot more than that! The same engine was turbo- charged, which made it up to a whopping 250 hp. But - don't forget those gears. These old trucks moved an awful lot of America, one load at a time. This is an antique that you can use. It will turn heads and makes a great promotional tool for your business. Guys here on this forum use the B models to pull race car haulers, lowboys, dump trucks and all sorts of other uses. You just cannot lose sight of the fact that the newest B model was built about 43 years ago. So - the message is - Jump in, the water's fine. Paul Van Scott