Rob

Yesterday I finished up welding in the new/donor drip rail across the rear along with numerous patches above the windshields, and along the cab upper rear structure. These pieces/parts are various parts from the donor cab. I still have the roof skin to weld down, and may do that yet this afternoon. I still have a lot to do so this may be stalled a bit further. It can now however go outside if need be under a canvas tarp. Delivered the front fenders, grille shell, brake drums, backing plates, bumper, bumper filler and hooks, breastplate, battery boxes, and a lot of small parts to the blaster yesterday for the B67. These will all be "Mack Red" (as per Herb's influence). I will send the tires/rims over soon as they will be repainted white. As soon as I get this chassis rolling again it will move to the further dissassembly stage for engine/trans/cab removal and further stripdown/rebuilding. I really like this truck and have decided to retain it. If you remember this is the truck that tried to saw my left thumb off 12/12/09 and I've still not had feeling return in it. Several months ago I purchased an NOS pair of stamped steel rocker covers for my 12V-71T and I also got those boxed up to ship to the plater. I shoved that engine into my car wash bay after picking it up at B61 Freds house, buried it behind palletized truck tires, and have forgotten about it for nearly a year. I also relocated three generator sets from my building to a friends barn for the winter. This will grant some much needed room for truck work. Rob

"Smart, Very Smart" (as per Magnavox electronics advertising but perfectly applicable here). Rob

The block heater is in the next hole forward of the one that is leaking. I would like to either reinstall, or replace this plug depending on it's condition after removal. The engine is an out of frame major, but I have no idea the length of time since the work was performed. Rob

Strongly second that procedure. Bad words make my ears burn. Rob

Them turncoats at the parts store would not rat Momma out for nothing today. She has spent a mere fraction of what I have in the joint through the years yet they wouldn't tell me nothing as far as what she has purchased. I called em all traitors as I left!! Rob

Tonight I discovered a small puddle of coolant under the R612. Further investigation reveals the core plug behind the starter motor is leaking through the threads. I'll have to see if the Snap-on, or Matco dealer has the needed tool to remove the plug as I don't have one. How hard are these usually to get out with the engine in the truck? I've removed them before but it's always been on the floor and I've warmed the block with a torch. Rob

so yours is a swing down and pin into position? I was thinking you had a hydraulic thumb installed. Rob

Yup, making a bear squeal with delight is a favorite pastime!!! Rob

Glad to hear positive review. I know a guy that has one through a mutual friend but can never seem to get ahold of him that I understand will be for sale shortly. After speaking with David on the site here I may pursue a level deck, mechanical folding neck type trailer in the near future also. That depends if I can find one in decent shape priced right of course. This is what my R612 was set up for, and did for years. Rob

The "boys" were lost accidently while she practiced swinging a Samurai Sword a few months back, (according to her). Coincidently the act coincided with the purchase of another Mack truck. Rob

Hard to believe the abuse those things take, especially working with concrete or ripping trees. I've welded several over the years. Do you have a replaceable tooth bar, or is you single piece? Keep the pivots greased a couple times a day when in use too. Rob

Really don't have to worry about that too much. She is proficient in use of the firearms already in our possession. It's the Ginsu knives and such I fear in the drawer. Rob

\Hi Gregg, is he happy with that "Kaufman" trailer? I've been thinking of one of theirs for a while now but never have spoken with anyone that has one. Thanks, Rob

I know a guy that can make you a new drum if you desire. Oherwise a 35# jackhammer will get through it on relatively short order. Just be really careful around the sidewalls as it's easy to puncture. Rob

zzzzz

There went the air from my sails......... That would actually be alright too as she willingly shares!!! Rob

I've actually seen that series of engine on a genset in the past. Don't know what series, or horsepower, but it was a long life engine. Rob

Back when cabovers were a large part of trucking in this country, there was a different breed of driver in the seat. Experience was prevelant rather than distant. I can only imagine the fatality rate with many current truck drivers in a cabover. How things have changed. My favorite cabover always was the IH Transtar II with a 8V-71 and an RTO-9513 on 3.70's. The two I drove were smooth, relatively quiet, and quite fast for their day. Rob

Today I found a credit card receipt from my favorite truck parts store buried under some paperwork on the table. Keep in mind that Momma don't much care for the amount, or kinds of things that place sells me so this should be good. The receipt was for $630.00 so I'm just about drooling on myself wondering what she has purchased. She's been given so many clues over the year that I've really no idea what is in store, or what it will cost me when it all shakes out. To keep her from becoming angry with me, I replaced the receipt and went about my business. Ya'll know I don't like to make Momma mad cause she always wants to "whack me off"; and that is not the least bit enjoyable. Rob

I see, but not for me. Rob

I'm missing something. What is a fire hydrant on the catwalk to hold air and electric? I've never seen anything other than a "pogo stick" for this application. Rob

Hi Neal, how early is earlier? I have a 58 B model and the tie rod ends were left and right thread and the same pitch as were my 62 B model. These are both FA-517 axles. Leslie's truck is a 65 model. I'm wondering if his center link is from a much earlier truck? I've straightened a lot of center links through the years. I'd prolly put that one in a press and straighten best as possible, then weld a piece of angle steel to the tube. This will still allow clearance to rotate the link for setting toe to specifications and significantly strengthen the tube itself. Rob

It's not difficult to have a cross tube made if you run out of luck finding and original which will be in short supply. The "dropped center" cross tubes are much stronger and do not deflect from torsional forces as easily as the straight tube type. As mentioned earlier a straight tube type has both left and right threaded rod ends. I've seen dropped center types with both right hand and right and left had thread rod ends but never a differing thread count on each side. Seems your truck has had a bit of finagling to keep it going in years gone past. Don't tell us you're not enjoying this????? Rob

Pulled the sheet metal back forward this afternoon. Not a lot of underlying damage except the a/c condensor is bent. I don't know if it will hold up to being forced back into shape. It does not appear to be touching the radiator core, nor is broken. Ordered a new hood, grille, grille support, bumper, pad, inserts and brackets. Should cost less than a thousand to repair before paint. Rob

She obviously doesn't know the rest of "us".Rob