vanscottbuilders

Spent today cleaning and polishing the interior of the 379 Peterbilt. Even though I think the truck is a little too gaudy for my tastes, if I was going to spend any amount of time on the road in a truck - it would be a good way to go. The big Ultracab bunk with the queen size fold down bed and the nice seating, refrigerator and TV are sure a lot nicer than any truck I've ever driven. It's got closet space and plenty of interior lights. I was pretty impressed. Anyway, the prospective buyer is coming here on Monday from Oklahoma, hopefully to close the deal. The B-67 cab project is coming along. At least the pieces are being put together, rather than being cut apart. The donor cab parts are all in the sandblasting booth tonite. And, so far, I'm pretty happy with the results. It's March in western New York. Got about seven or eight inches of heavy, wet snow then a full day of freezing rain and now the wind is picking up and it's supposed to get quite a lot colder overnite. Should make for really nice icy, sloppy, greasy roads. Tomorrow looks about the same. So does Monday and Tuesday. Think I'm going to crawl back in my hole and hide for a few days.

We should know better than to fool with computers. Go to the neighbor's and see if you can borrow an eight year old kid. Let him do it. Paul VS

Yup - it's www.oldmacksrus.com and you should find all of that info. Paul Van Scott

Black Smoke's not funny is right. Unless you're just having fun, and you don't mind paying for that fun! I think that, today at least, the solution for fixing the expense of fuel is really pretty simple. A little less driving, a few more miles per gallon, and simply using your head would go a long way to cure our cost of fuel by reducing our dependancy on the Arab world. And that has to be the ultimate goal. We have got to use our own products. Let them sell their oil to China, Japan and India for $150.00/barrel or more. Let China, Japan and India have some real fun figuring out how to deal with that. And maybe they could even have their own little Middle East wars! Or, at least, help us a little. Highway vehicles are certainly one of the major users of oil - but not the only one. As a country, or as a group of countries, (USA, Canada and Mexico) we might be better served using alternative energy and alternative fuels in our power plants, rather than developing a new infrastructure and distribution system for highway use. And the plastics industry would do well to research and develop methods of producing materials from recycling and the use of vegetable (plant) based oils to a much a greater degree than currently being employed. The power plants and the industries that use petroleum to produce products are also major users of crude oil. Coal and oil burning power plants probably have a greater tolerance for minor fuel inconsistancies than the relatively small and finicky automobile and truck engines. The fuel is not metered as precisely, and the power plants can, and do, use a less refined fuel than gasoline or diesel fuel as we know it. And the cracking (refining) of coal for the production of multiple products is always a possibility, rather than simply burning the raw material to generate electricity. This isn't rocket science. A few simple measures will fix the situation. And, believe it or not, the tree huggers have very little to do with the problem. For now. They have their own issues, which we can cure on another day. Human nature and the need to make a profit won't allow us, or the corporate world, to change until it hurts in the wallet too much. Unless we all can get together and make it happen. I'm starting to feel like a preacher!! Paul Van Scott

Black Smoke's not funny is right. Unless you're just having fun, and you don't mind paying for that fun! I think that, today at least, the solution for fixing the expense of fuel is really pretty simple. A little less driving, a few more miles per gallon, and simply using your head would go a long way to cure our cost of fuel by reducing our dependancy on the Arab world. And that has to be the ultimate goal. We have got to use our own products. Let them sell their oil to China, Japan and India for $150.00/barrel or more. Let China, Japan and India have some real fun figuring out how to deal with that. And maybe they could even have their own little Middle East wars! Or, at least, help us a little. Highway vehicles are certainly one of the major users of oil - but not the only one. As a country, or as a group of countries, (USA, Canada and Mexico) we might be better served using alternative energy and alternative fuels in our power plants, rather than developing a new infrastructure and distribution system for highway use. And the plastics industry would do well to research and develop methods of producing materials from recycling and the use of vegetable (plant) based oils to a much a greater degree than currently being employed. And the cracking (refining) of coal for the production of multiple products is always a possibility, rather than simply burning the raw material. Coal and oil burning power plants probably have a greater tolerance for minor fuel inconsistancies than the relatively small and finicky automobile and truck engines. The fuel is not metered as precisely, and the power plants can, and do, use a less refined fuel than gasoline or diesel fuel as we know it. This isn't rocket science. A few simple measures will fix the situation. And, believe it or not, the tree huggers have very little to do with the problem. For now. They have their own issues. But, human nature and the need to make a profit won't allow us, or the corporate world, to change until it hurts in the wallet too much. Unless we all can get together and make it happen. I'm starting to feel like a preacher!! Paul Van Scott

I didn't say grown up - I just said old! I'm a long way from grown up. Paul VS

Tom, Don't tempt me. I need to get one done before I can even think about getting any more! And I have a few more projects waiting for their turn in the shop. Although I would like to have a tandem tractor....... Seriously, it really does look like a decent project for somebody. I've kind of got it in my head to build a B model straight truck with about an 18' van body. In the van I'd like to put a mobile shop with a generator and air compressor, long (18' x 2') bench with a compound miter saw; set up a table saw at the same height as the bench; maybe a planer too, put tool storage cabinets under the full length of the bench, and lumber/ladder storage racks above the bench; install a lift gate and use the whole thing as a onsite shop for my brother and myself. It would also be a fantastic advertising tool for us. And we wouldn't need the gas guzzling pick-ups just to go back and forth to work. It's actually a pretty realistic idea. We would like to shrink the company a bit, and go back to being more "hands-on". Getting smaller - an idea that is looking better every day, is our idea of getting back to having some fun with our business. Think about it - wouldn't it be very cool to have a real nice B-67 with a lowboy and maybe a flat trailer to move the larger stuff; and a really nice straight truck to move the tools and smaller equipment needed onsite everyday for construction. Then maybe a single axle B model dump truck to round out the fleet. Can't get any better advertising - people would identify the trucks with your business immediately, And - as long as they aren't broken down on the side of the road, that's a good thing. Have a good night!

I stopped in to the truck shop today. I was pretty well prepared to see the roof of my B-67 cab cut apart, having gotten a phone message from my welder/body man the other day. But - what I found was my old cab with no roof at all, no cab back panel and no windshield posts! Holy smokes - the shock set in big time. Even though I got a really good donor cab roof and concave back panel from Kevin All. And I've known this had to happen. I took some pictures for posting ASAP. Anyway, after my heart rate went back down a little, I looked it all over and thought about it. This was the right thing to do, if I wanted to correct the old jacknife damage and get rid of the rusty roof corner and back window opening. All of the cuts are at the factory seams, and should not show at all when we're done. The cuts are all done with Zip-wheels so they are real neat and straight. And the welder's work is excellent. It sure does look pretty serious when you look at it from behind with no back or roof. Just the doors, cowl and floorboards all bolted down to the rolling cart. By far the most serious body surgery I've ever been through on one of my projects. And I'm sure the end result will be fine. (I hope) I'm just way too old for this kind of excitement!

Tom, That looks like a pretty good B-61. Any idea if it will run? Or what it might be bought for? Paul VS

$4.50/gallon for diesel is going to become normal very soon. And probably higher than that in the near future. Gas will get to $4.00 very soon too. And $5.00/gallon soon after. This isn't going to go away until we do something permanent. And it will affect every part of our lives with the increased cost. Unfortunately for the truckers, you are going to get hit first and hard by working for the same pay, albeit at a much higher operating cost. It might be cheaper to just park the truck, or let the bank figure how to operate it. But that's probably not the answer. It just sounds good on paper. Eventually, I think that the prices of goods will rise, and after that the money required to operate a truck will catch up and become better than today. And maybe - just maybe - when the country has finally had enough, we might do something about it! That may be a long way off. Hopefully it will happen before it's too late. Not a very pretty picture. And believe me, no politician, congressman or presidential candidate has a clue how to fix this. Nor do they care, as long as we don't care. This solution is up to each of one of us. Some small changes in our daily lives, and some creative thinking about alternative energy sources can fix the problem rather painlessly, if we don't wait too long. Paul Van Scott

I don't the going to get tough to take a nap! And - I think we should all do what we are good at doing - and I'm good at taking naps, so.............. Paul VS

It was a good race at Daytona. Hope you got to watch it. As much as I don't care for it - Toyota is going to change the face of NASCAR. And the new cars have some really good handling characteristics that will make them a lot safer and faster. Should be a really good couple of years for the superspeedways. The short tracks are still a bit unknown for the new cars. PVS

I'm always impressed, too. Your weeks seem to end up as productive and organized trip logs - even though I know it can't really be all that smooth! And I know that the company has to be happy. I'm curious - about how many miles do you average per year? Paul VS

I like the looks of the mixer, too. Yeah, it probably is a little limited in its' use, but nobody else has one! And, it would deliver crushed stone or garden mulch, or top soil pretty well. If you really wanted to work it a little, you might contact a local landscaping or garden supply company for Saturday work. (Like you need more work!!) The nice thing about working it a little is that it keeps the drum clean inside and it keeps all the parts operating nicely. And it looks really cool. Just a thought - - Paul VS

Actually, I've got two of these old straight trucks on my radar. Guess I'll go look at them both and see if I can bring one home. One of the trucks was a service truck for a local concrete company and is in running condition. There's a method to my madness. I have two spare engines and transmissions, and two spare front axles for the B model Macks, so the restoration process is fairly easy. And I'm getting the process dialed in pretty good. The building business can actually use a straight truck, and it is great advertising for us. I would try to find a dumping flat rack for the body, if possible. With stakes and side racks we can carry a variety of loads from trash to long (16') new materials. And - I just recently sold an older one ton GMC we used for this purpose.

Driving home from an appointment this morning in Pultneyville I spotted a very straight and solid looking B-61 tandem axle flatbed parked in a row of the farm's fruit hauling trucks and old tractors. Occurred to me that I have seen it there for a number of years. Just never thought about it before, I guess. So - I'll have to go and introduce myself ................. We'll see what happens. PVS

Sounds like a pretty good week, in spite of the weather! Those icy, slippery streets not made for big trucks can get plenty exciting. Especially for us old folks. Paul VS

I have had pretty good luck with JC Whitney getting rubber weatherstripping. Sometimes they are a little slow with their shipping, but they have a good selection of shapes. Give them a try. Good Luck, Paul Van Scott

I try to stay out of conversations about how other guys look. But - to each his own. Paul VS

Definitely confused. Could be lost, too. But usually returns to pick up his paycheck. Stay Tuned. Paul VS

Hi Chuck, You'll like it here. We have trucks and parts, discussions and services available. Advice and opinions, whether you need them or not. And, mostly, we have a really good group of people who are into the same thing you are - prerserving our old Mack trucks. Welcome aboard. What part of the country are yor from? Paul Van Scott

Top that title Tom! Anyway, Joe asked how the B-67 was progressing. The answer is quite well, Thanks. We have the ACE air ride crossmember in hand. Nice piece of equipment. And we have the new springs back from the shop. The rear axle is completely rebuilt except for one pair of pesky brake shoes, which the relining company now is refusing to do, although I paid for them. So I'm doing those myself. The engine has to be looked over by a local retired master mechanic, along with the transmission of choice. I believe that both are good, healthy pieces of equipment. The frame, axles and suspension reassembly is underway. Should be rolling within 30 days. Then we will plumb and wire the chassis, before setting the engine & transmission in place. No progress on the cab surgery, although I now have a Plan A and a Plan B. So all in all things are moving along pretty well Joe. Thanks for asking. How are the kids? Paul VS

I think Thaddeus is correct at 23,000 lbs. and the stamped brake shoes make it fairly new. Probably post 1970. Send the info and a donation to the Mack Museum, and I'm sure they will confirm it. Paul Van Scott

Good for you! Looks like a nice project. I love it when they run and drive before you start with the restoration. Paul Van Scott

Spanky & Morgan, I was pretty surprised to see this latest post. I really thought that these two vehicles had come home long ago. It's gotten pretty tough to run around the country and pick up these antiques at low rates, as much as someone might want to. We have made an effort to help whenever possible, but at $3.50 plus per gallon and add in the cost of insurance, permits, truck depreciation and maintenance, trucks need to be paid both ways for a load like this. And at the going rate of around 1.75 to 2.00/mile, you can do the math. I would suggest that you contact a freight broker or flat bed trucking company in Oregon to see if they have anything that might cover your trucking costs one way. Or perhaps a broker might put the load together one way, albeit at a slightly rate. There are numerous internet services that advertise loads for different types of trucks. Check them out. As for the load itself, if Morgan's Peterbilt is still a part of this load, then with both trucks loaded on the trailer, you will fill a 48-53 ft. step deck. And the trucker will need ramps. Just some things you might want to pass on to the broker. It will be less expensive if both trucks can be loaded at the same yard. And if they can be unloaded at one yard, also. That's my two cents. Paul Van Scott