Rob

Look for me at Lititz. I'll be wearing my turqoise beret and red boots. Rob

Yup. Sometimes I can hardly resist myself. Rob

Hi Grant, that is basically what I've done with my new spare pump. In fact this engine will be a spare itself in a couple of months when I start to working inside again due to weather. Citing I know there are problems with this one, and not liking having items around "needing work", I'm having it repaired, just haven't decided to the extent as of yet. I've never been one to put a band aid on something to be let down later but it is difficult to spend money if not needed. The injection shop assures me there would be nothing wrong with reusing the five original barrels and plungers, but cannot give the same warrenty on the rebuild unless they are replaced. Real "catch 22" here although I'd never drive the 100,000 miles on the engine in hobby usage. Thanks, Rob

It seems like PAI markets that cover also in the aftermarket. I don't have my catalog with me right now but I'll look later today. Rob

I can hardly wait to see the offspring. Rob

That "Rat Patrol" taxi has been around the Peoria area many times through the years. Always in support of some union feeling it is being unfairly treated. Rob

They certainly were the workhorses of their day which ran many years. Nice looking truck. Rob

I can believe the introduction timeframe but don't know about the consistency. I purchased my 72 R model from the original owner and it is/was all Mack with a chrome dog and base. My 77 R795 did not have a gold dog although 100% Mack engine and driveline. I have seen others with the gold dog however. My latest acquisition is from the original owner, all Mack, and never repaired or wrecked, and has a chrome dog and base. The only real consistency that I've seen personally is on the later 80's and 90's model trucks mentioned. If it had all Mack guts, it had a gold dog. Maybe it was an extra cost, or available cost reduction delete item through the years? Rob

Yup, and I agree. I'm no expert on fuel injection, and have never ran a pump that was partially rebuilt. Surely wouldn't want to experience trouble down the road so was wondering if anyone else has done this "partial" way before. Rob

My first inclination was an ex fire department unit. I'm not familiar enough with fire apparatus to make a guess as to what type. Rob

This is just another of my hobby trucks so it's not a service availability issue. Cost is really not a prohibitive issue to repair correctly, but no need to expend the funds unless necessary. What started this is that I couldn't get the truck to idle as smoothly as it should, and was down on power a little bit. When accelerating, the pull seemed "sluggish" all through the power band. I pulled all the nozzles which were rebuilt last year, and ran another compression test both dry and wet with excellent, even results. All eight cylinders are well within 5% of each other. I then pulled the pump and installed a brand new one, (not rebuilt) and the truck idles much better, and smoother. I then shipped the pump to my buddy in Wisconsin for evaluation. I haven't driven the truck with the new pump installed. It's raining now with no paint on the cab, (bare steel). This is the truck that will get the Detroit engine also so I'm at a crossroads. Trouble is that I never know when another truck may come along just itching for a good V8 installation........ This engine really does run well and is a strong puller. Thanks, Rob

Yes, bright red with chrome washes out quite quickly. Some hand pinstiping on the doors and possible gold leaf lettering would wake it right up. That style cab is difficult to downsize and remain correct in ratio and proportion, yet still be able to seat a full sized middle aged person which are about the only ones able to afford such a conversion. I like the D2 dozer, and what appears to be a WD-45 Allis-Chalmers tractor. I didn't zoom in on the photo so guessing to identity. Rob

Right nice shrink to that one. Rob

The brass colored bulldogs came along in the later 1980's to signify a Mack drivetrain including all major mechanical parts. The "Maxidyne" series of engines were gold colored but in the year of this truck's production, it would have had a chrome dog on the hood. This engine also does not have a "dynatard" engine brake as it has stamped steel rocker covers. Nice truck although I prefer the raised cab look of the western trucks. This truck is probably an R795ST. Rob

Seen this on Craigslist. http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/1970451703.html Rob

Doesn't look at all right with lo profile tires. Could be a nice truck. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-Mack-Truck-RS686LST-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf1f51a4dQQitemZ330476886605QQptZCommercialQ5fTrucks Rob

The guy that is delivering my R600 is currently restoring an antique Brockway and I'm anxious to speak with him. Rob

Man if parts for the E9 series engines are still plentiful there I'd go that route. An 8V-92 is a fine engine also but it's hard to beat the low end growl the Mack engine provides. Rob

I have this Ambac 8VBB pump on one of my V8's which is an ENDT865B. I took the pump to the shop and spoke with the tech yesterday, (these guys really are good) and he informs me that three of the plungers and barrels need replaced and the other five are delivering the proper fuel amounts per stroke. These things cost about $225.00 per hole to rebuild using new parts, so I'm presented the option of repairing the existing, or rebuilding 100%. I'm really not accustomed to doing much 1/2 assed so really don't know which way to go. Either way the governor is being recalibrated to the ENDT866B settings of my other RL truck that runs like a scalded dog. Thoughts? Rob

After the last upgrade of the site software I had trouble but I logged out, relogged back in, and resaved in "my favorites. No problems since. Rob

"Is it a Mack"? Yes, and no. At the time the "Mid Liner" series of trucks was introduced for the 1979 model year in the USA, Mack had no medium class 5, or 6, entries to expand into. It was much less expensive to enter a strategic alliance with another truck manufacturer, (Renault Vehicles Industiels) of France which was a major stockhold of Mack Trucks Inc. and use a relativley standard european cab layout. These in my opinion were a very good layout, but short lived. Poor parts support from anything but a Mack dealer was a large detriment to their popularity in this country. This of course limited parts availability in the aftermarket, and kept parts prices in the dealers expensive. Two very large stikes against numerically high initial sales, and a killer of repeat purchasers. I'm only speaking in my geographic area as they were much more popular in the eastern states. I had two of the trucks and they both earned their keep. If the platform were still around, I'd probably have another. Rob

If experienced, an oxy/acetylene torch will help to loosen the gasket around the perimeter holes where the bolts were. You can use a propane torch if uncomforable with oxy/acetylene, but is much slower. Rob

Sure is nice February weather to show the B model 2/28/2031. Rob

Bubba is driving down a back road in Alabama.. A sign in front of a restaurant reads: HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL Lobster Tail and Beer "Lord a'mighty," he says to himself, "Them's my three favorites!"

I'd say so. Rob