Andy Wright

Ron Wow, and I thought you'd finished her! Mine's a bit scruffier than that, currently looks good from about 50 metres away, get closer and you see all of the dings in the paint, the worn areas, spot rust etc! Ah well, makes it interesting and fun! She'll be black and yellow one day and I won't notice her! Hood scoops? Really?! In that case, I guess the twin air filters on the Mad Max Coolpower might have been an "Australianism", depending on how age of the engine. Thanks again Ron! Cheers Andy

Ahhhh, as in tip turbine fan! Onya Ron! Btw, that's a sweet B you got there too! Cheers Andy

John Good thing you bought a fire truck! Cheers Andy

Trent Yep, the Mack in Mad Max was a Coolpower. My impression of the Coolpower (and I've never had it explained well to me!) was that it was an Econodyne with a few mods for use in Australian conditions. From what little I know, the head had an aftercooler attached to its side. They also added a fan to increase airflow over the aftercooler which I'm guessing is a standard practice. The cooler air would have increased power and, given the distances trucks travel as a norm in Australia, improved fuel efficiency. I think they were also characterised with 2 air cleaners but in Oz, this is common for most long haul trucks, plus the high rise attachment of course! I was under the impression that it was a standard Mack engine designation or nickname. Would love to know more as it is a popular option in Bs and Rs down here. Cheers Andy

Crikey that's a good looking fire truck, John! What a find! Cheers Andy

ThaddeusW Again, far more knowledgable guys will anwser but, yes, Macks engines were essentially Scania-Vabis engines. I know this was true from the early 50s but I seem to remember that it was also the case well before that. Hope someone can fill in the large gaps! Cheers Andy

Hi mate There'll be other guys on here that'll answer your request more precisely as they know a heck of a lot more than me. My 2 cents though is that she almost looks like a tractor that has had the dump body tacked on later. That's probably a pretty obvious answer that you've no doubt worked out for yourself. With regards to putting more modern engines in to a Mack like that (I reckon she's an LJ of some sort, late 40s, early 50s), ultimately, I don't think anyone would begrudge you for getting another old Mack back on the road. It sure would be a lovely thing to see barrelling down the highway! It will depend on your budget and your skills. Sure, it'd be great to keep the original engine and trans but if they prove uneconomical to repair....there are plenty of B Models getting around with 300 Coolpowers and more modern engines (and you should be able to find exact replacements for whatever it's got in there, if that's what you want to do). The cool thing about trucks, Macks in particular, is that they just keep working so they are bound to wear out engines. I've come across hardly any unrestored old Macks that are still 100% original but it is always a pleasure to see an old Mack, modified/updated or whatever. All the best with trying to buy her. She looks a cracker. Btw, I'm 28 and there are a few guys on here in their 20s so don't worry about being a "youngster"! It's never too early to own an old Mack! Cheers and good luck! Andy

Guys Just noted that the new BMT has gone over the 1000 post mark! Way to go and thanks as always to Barry for all the behind the scenes stuff that you do! If there was a Chrome Bulldog Award, Barry, you'd be receiving it! Cheers Andy

Guys Just found this listing in the classifieds of the "Agricultural Review" May 2005 issue. Thought I'd post them here since I'm not the one doing the selling (wrong hemisphere!)! They're probably all gone or someone already posted or....might be of some use to someone I hope: B61 Macks, yrs ‘55-’65. Bob Costner, Morganton 828-438-8788 Cheers Andy

Mike Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. I figured that the C and 711 would be more or less the same externally just couldn't be sure as I was only working off pics of mounted engines and hadn't seen one in the flesh for a while. I think you're right about the trans in respect of the lower gearing on the RR, she used to be a yard truck and still has a rather meaty hitch welded to the end of the chassis, looks set up to pull a trailer on a dolly, maybe for carting 2nd or 3rd trailers to a road train assembly area (still working on her history). This'll be coming off in good time, it's not the best of jobs in all honesty! In terms of the air cleaner, she still sucks her air through the external barrell. This is piped to the cleaner under the hood which lies on its side. I'm not happy with this arrangement as it bounces around something chronic when we're moving. Also, by moving the cleaner proper to where it should be I have one less hose/pipe under the hood. Keep it simple and less cluttered! Thanks again, appreciate your advice to a rookie and always enjoy the various pics of your stuff. Hope the family is well. Cheers Andy

Doug I think we all wish that! Sorry bout getting the numbers a** about, that's what I get for having more than one website open at once! Cheers Andy

Dan (I think it is!) That would have to be the find of the year so far when it comes to ol Bs! Is the steering wheel original or do you think it may have been a replacement? Could it be thinner due to a different dash layout? Actually, that wouldn't be much of an issue now that I think about it! Looking forward to seeing your progress with her. Sounds like a call to the Mack Museum may reveal all! Love your username too, very fitting. Cheers Andy

G'day Doug You've got a couple of pretty rare Bs there! I checked the B Model Registry and found that there were only 1463 833SXs built and only 216 62SXs!!!! The rule with diesel and petrol (gas for you guys) Bs is that those with odd numbers (B83, B61 etc) were diesel powered and the even ones (B62, B80 etc) were gas. The B fire trucks though, were a whole other story! I've got a B61T and we all know how many of those are around! Still, a B is a B and is more than just a truck! I also noticed that you are not listed on the May edition of the Registry. I hope you're on there now, Tom'll love you for it! Cheers and all the best with the 83....and the 62! Andy

LOL, reading that has made me rather happy too! Cheers Andy

Guys My 61 is on its 3rd engine from what I can work out. She originally came to Oz with a END673 of 170 hp. When I bought her the licence papers said she had a 711, but I soon found that she actually had an ENDT673C motor in her. That's why I reckon she's on her 3rd engine. I have noticed that the area behind the radiator has been shaved in places to allow for what appears to be a larger diameter fan. Did the C motor have a larger fan? What else is different externally on a 673C to a 711 (layout, dimensions etc)? She also has a 15 speed RR hooked to the engine. Would there be any reason for this besides the owner wanting an "easier" gear change? She originally had a duplex, could a duplex "handle" a 673C? There's also a dry element filter under the hood mounted to the left inner fender although I still have the external oil bath barrel on the right. Is a dry element particular to the 673C (doesn't really matter, Donaldson make a dry that looks like the external oil so that's what I'm using eventually)? The answers are probably really obvious! Cheers Andy

G'day Rod!!!! How are ya?! Was just thinking about you the other day as I'm trying to get back in touch with all of the Mack guys that I used to chat to. Have left the truck driving on the mines (which was way more fun than working down south in an office) and am working in Perth. I'm afraid I'm not going to the Alice. Since we last spoke, I've got engaged and am getting married in Greece in September!!!! Neither of is Greek, we just thought it'd be a cool thing to do. Jodi even understands old trucks! Not her passion, but she understands them! We've bought a house and are enjoying being home every night instead of 1 week out of 3 (fly in fly out on the mine we were at, where we met). However, there's a heap of guys going from the West. Most that I know aren't taking trucks though, they're doing the caravan thing. I do know of a guy who I met a couple of years ago with a B61 who was hoping to have her finished for the Alice. I think she'll be a black bogie drive, the guy's name is Batty Napoli. Should give him a ring, methinks! How goes your old banger? Not much progress on mine since we last talked, hoping to get back into her after the wedding, replacing an air line at present so not much happening. Bloody great to hear from you. My emails are andreww@downingteal.com and andywright@westnet.com.au. Have a great trip....and give all of the Macks there a pat for me! Love to see that A model that's going.

I have a 673C 250 hp and have had her banging away for long periods on some pretty hot days. My foot was no hotter than the rest of me! I run with a 15 speed RR and have some pretty good insulation on the firewall.

Thanks Barry. Just saw your post for the newly arrived B hub caps. Ehhhhhxcellent! I'll be getting some after my honeymoon, all funds going into the trip at present! Then it's all systems go!

Vinnie She's magic mate, absolutely magic! One of these days I hope to own a fire truck, hopefully it's a Mack. Don't have too much fun with her, you'll make us all jealous! Too late!!!!