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The open cab is simply tradition. The fire service is very slow to change; "100 years of tradition unbridled by progress" is the unofficial motto of many departments. The original horse drawn apparatus were open and the "new" motorized apparatus were ordered the same. There are lots of excuses around for open cabs; the visibility is better for size-up, you don't get too comfortable before you get exposed to the weather conditions, they are faster to get into to leave quarters,etc., but it always comes down to one of the fire service's oldest maxims; it's that way because we always did it that way. The riots of the late 60's were the death knell of open cabs when members found themselves to be an easy target for rioters that threw bricks, fire bombs, etc. For at least a decade after the riots many improvised plywood roofs could be found on rigs and manufacturers started making fiberglass roofs to enclose the open cab rigs as well.

Charlie, Is it the disc style? Carl

The tail lights were the same as the ones they used on Jeep CJ2A's. (Thanks FireMack) You can buy them from any Jeep parts house such as Kaiserwillys.com. Mike, Are the stanchions for the boot rail still viable on the B-85? Carl

Any decent boat canvas shop can make the "bimini" top for the cab. I think they look like hell, but I can understand having been caught in a few storms myself. I'm curious; did the Mack Museum info have the build data with part numbers?

Just keep the dogs penned up unless there is one you don't want around anymore. They love the taste of the anti-freeze.

Great pictures. WOW! and I thought the New England trucks were chromed out. The races look like a good event for the Speed Channe or ESPN to televise.

Randy, Have you contacted the local VFD?

Did you run flush through it while you had it down? It's pretty amazing what comes out of the old iron when the system is flushed. I put a T fitting in the heater hose that has a garden hose fitting on it. Drain it, use flush, drain again, let it cool, flush it with the garden hose through the heater hose with the engine running and the radiator cap off to let the dirty coolant escape. Drain. Refill with the right amount of coolant.

Thanks; Plumb forgot it wouldn't be a Mack with the hemi in it.

What is the model of your transmission?

One of the neighbor's kids was helping us clear brush from the side of the street when he was poked in the face by a piece of brush. As he erupted into tears his Dad told him to suck it up and that from now on when someone said it beats being poked in the eye by a sharp stick he will know for sure now.

Neat pics; It's an Oldsmobile, niot a Pontiac though. Count the letters across the tailgate!

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone made it over the river and through the woods! Be safe.

Paul, I'm curious; was this the case when the factory branch system was used by Mack? Wouldn't a rig of this era have come through a factory branch? Probably Portland, ME, Portsmouth, NH or even Boston. Also I sent you a PM. Carl

Sorry; South Jersey

Al, I know where a set was/is??? I'll have to check the next time I'm in the area. Could be a while. Do you want the two hole or three hole style? Have you checked with Cal Little yet? Try posting what you need here. I know of at least one poster, who I cannot recall, that had a junk LS85 with the stanchions still on it. There is also a vendor on EBay that is advertising a Mack booster reel who claims he is parting out several Mack fire trucks. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950s-Mack-fire-truck-hose-real-PARTING-OUT-300-CLASSIC-CARS-hot-rat-rod-/110964347117?hash=item19d5fd90ed&item=110964347117&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr Carl

You are right on; Remember the purpose of an engine is to convert heat energy to mechanical energy; the lower the operating temp the lower the efficiency. That is why Mack used shutterstats to keep the heat in (and other brands used custom made sheets of cardboard). Before you replace the thermostat try testing it. Place the thermostat in a pan of water on the stovetop using a thermometer to check the temp that it opens at. You can also try a hand held infrared thermometer on either side of the thermostat housing before you remove it. The engine side should be hotter than the discharge side before it opens.

Lot more work, but I can't recall ever seeing one done up as a wrecker.

Looks like a propane tank for a cab heater; similar to those used in crane cabs.

1979 Mack fire engine / pumper. Low miles. Everything works, refurbished in 98 - $15000 (08019) Date: 2012-11-10, 4:42AM EST Reply to: see below 79 Mack fire engine / pumper Low miles 23,000. This is 100% Mack with gold bulldogs. Very rare truck. Looks and runs excellent. Garage kept!! Turbo v8 diesel with tons of power. Engine brake. Auto transmission. Air brakes 1500 gpm pump with 2012 pump certification. Truck was fully refurbished in 1998. Paint and interior in great shape. Great for parades, antique car shows, diesel powered truck shows or it can go to work. Has hoses and ladder. Asking $15,000 obo 6097741781

At least for me half the fun is digging up the history of the trucks. I create a photo album for all of the trucks and I really try to locate as many photos of the rig when it was in service as I can. Even if you don't bring the truck it would be worth the trip to go see what you can find. Besides, southern Maine is a cool place to visit.

4751001, What are you asking?

Albert, Are you looking for the entire set up (stanchions and rails) or just the replacement rails? Carl

Louie, The chrome bumper strips were optional. If they are on the truck now my bet is a collector added them to boost the appearance; the gold leaf may have been added as well. Have you visited Kittery yet to see if they have any in-service pictures? They will probably have pictures of the original fire house it went to at the least and they may be able to hook you up with an old timer that remembers the truck. Being on the job has it's perks when it comes to getting info from other departments. Carl

If you haven't seen it yet check out the cover of the new WOT. Pretty sweet Brockway.