Rob

I agree, I've seen some additional photos of the truck and don't really think it fits my wants as closely as first thought. Also seen another out west on craigslist that a Navy buddy is going to have a looksee at for me. It is an 1983 with 558,000 miles, 350 Mack, 12 speed, on Neway air ride. The interior is much nicer also. Really want to stay with the round headlamps. Equipment took a pounding at work with todays storms. I'm still at work. Rob

When you pull either the yellow, or blue handle out from the dash, does the escaping air from the valve itself release immediately, or is a prolonged hiss? If not immediate, the valve has probably gone bad because this valve needs to expunge it's retained air before it can release the air the R14 valve is retaining. On the older systems of your vintage you still could quite possibly have an SR-1 valve in the system. Typically I've seen this valve attached to the rear cab mount xmember. It does sound as if you have a slow reacting valve not dumping it's air pressure fast enough. Rob

Get the water out as soon as possible. The water will settle to the bottom right near the drainplugs. If the truck is where you are going to work on it then drain it there. If not just crack the drainplugs loose till oil starts to run out after the water then tighten the plugs back up. Anyway don't leave the water in there as things will start to rust. Hopefully nothing is stuck or frozen from rust. If you can drive the vehicle for a spell things will get warm but I would just get the truck to where you can service it and drain the fluids, then refill after letting them drain for a couple hours to overnight if possible. If things still move chances are there is no real damage but do get the water out as quick as possible. Rob

Hi Jay, yes I will be there all week. The class runs from 7:30am till 3:30pm daily all five days. We plan to run around extensively during the evening hours cause ole Momma's belly gets to growling after about 4:00pm and she is much easier to deal with when not hungry. Besides complaining, that girl loves to eat. Makes my daughter's eyes not be so crossed as she gazes in amazement watching her mom eat two double 1/4 pounders with cheese, and xtra large order or fries or two, and 1.5 large chocolate shakes that I finish up for her. Fortunately through the years I've gotten her trained to announce when she is about to blow so we can get the windows rolled down first. We had a rough couple of years there and I don't think my smelling senses have returned to normal as of yet. They may be permanently impacted but I don't know for sure. We are planning to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway upon our departure. When the kids were little and I was in the NAVY we drove it twice, once in the spring, and once in the fall when the trees were turning. Never will forget it. Want to visit Appomatox Courthouse again also. The kids were small then and I'd like my daughter to see it again. Hoping to meet a lot of the folks on this board from anyplace around the area too. Rob

Hey Jim, this school is the factory that builds large UPS systems for buildings. These new radar systems are so electronics dependent they cannot be without power for even a tenth of a second or they go stupid. This set I'm going to school for will support a 300 ampere draw for 30 minutes. And this is a reletively small unit!! I don't know where the EATON school for drivetrain is. I tried to drive one of those 18 speeds myself once and didn't get the hang of it but was only for about 15 minutes. Rob

Very rare animal this day and age. Sure looks like the cab is mostly complete and everything is there to use as panel parts if they need remade. Should be a very interesting project. I like challenge myself, so it should be entertaining. Keep us posted on your progress. Rob

There are a few yards around here if you need me to call around. I would need to know the vin of the truck and assuming the steer axle is original to the truck I could find out what you need in used parts. I could also give you some contact information as most will ship and you could handle this direct. Help you if I can. Good looking unit. It looks well cared for. Rob

I sent a message asking for additional photos and information. I may be forcasting my early demise but I'm gonna ask real nice tomorrow morning. Rob

Ever seen a large dozer with electronic stability and grading installed? I was out to Cat's proving grounds in Edwards a couple of years ago watching a guy with a D8N running grade without being in the tractor to show a +/- 1/4" finish grade with about a 2/3 full 10' wide mouldboard. All the operator did is steer the tractor with a couple of joysticks to get it in the starting position. The rest was automated. Electronics are here to stay I'm afraid. Rob

Seen this truck on ebay this evening. Think I'm gonna ask Momma if I can look into it a little closer. Looks like you could jump right in without a lot of work but there may be a flip side also. Rob http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230490925913&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I think the mechanic that made the repairs to your truck was prudent in his judgement by replacing the spindle. These things are heat treated and with the spindle turning blue, the heat treat is destroyed. It could either be very hard, or very soft, (typically soft) and subject to bending, or snapping off much easier than design criteria demands. From a repair standpoint if it would have been in my shop I'd have refused the job had the owner not been willing to install another spindle. I would not have however installed differing sized brakes of any fashion, even as a temporary repair. The liability exposure just does not warrant it. While you yourself may not have been willing to sue in an accident, the lawyers do not, and will not see it that way. Glad to hear you made it home without further adieu. Rob

Alrighty then. Since you too drive a Mack truck and so do I: From one asshole looking at another; (driver to dog) Happy Birthday!! Rob

With my upcoming school at Eaton Power Systems in Raleigh, NC the third week of July, Momma has decided to come along to keep an eye on me. She says that anytime I go away from home there is a Mack truck, or something Mack related involved and there ain't gonna be no more of that shit happening. She done scheduled time off work at the toenail dressing place, invited daughter Nikki, and her mom to come along too. I know the next thing she'll be demanding I do is find her a fine cutlery shop. I don't believe nothing about no silver taninshing or something to that tune she talks about neither. I don't know if this is a good thing or not. Will sure curtail my freelancing and carousing. Are chillidogs common there? Are they any good? I don't like to deal with Momma if she hasn't had a couple chilli cheese dogs in the morning. When I had a military school at Bethpage, NY, (Grumman Aircraft) I swear the woman bought the complete stock of Coney Dogs in the local area. Didn't leave me much room for ice cream for about a week. Actually had to purchase an electric freezer for the van to transport them back home. Since I'll need to prolly do a bit of the family thing, What is there interesting to see in the area? Thanks, Rob

Well today is Randy's birthday. Don't know if we should wish him well, or make fun of him. Rob

Another B67 on the site? Man them trucks is hard for a fat man to drive!! My personal ambition is to lose enough physical bulk so I can turn mine, and the steering wheel return to center without fighting for space with my gut but that might be awhile. That is a very nice truck and corresponding story. Finding the truck, pursuing the unit, then finally acquiring it is quite an accomplishment and my congratulations are offered. They really are nice little trucks but are "tight" for a guy my size to operate. Plenty of both useful knowlege and bullshit to be had around here so enjoy. A lot of us have varied backgrounds but are willing to share what we know, (which in my case is extremely little) but we try to help. Since you are looking to return your's to a tractor, here are some photos of mine although it is a tandem. Welcome to the site. Rob

I run 85W-90 gear lube in all the drive train components you've listed. I think if you purchase two five gallon buckets of the same you will not use all but is stores alright if covered so there is no loss. I don't know about your rear axle for sure but I think you will need between seven and eight gallons total to change the fluids mentioned. Rob

If you trim the old roof skin leaving the horizontal portion that resides in the rain gutter you can, but I strongly suggest you don't do this. It will be rusting to where you will see it within a year and a half. If you do not trim the roof skin, it is the same size as the original and it will not physically fit without deformation to the stamping. What starts this mess is the lack of corrosion prevention both when the cabs are welded together, and afterward. If you leave the original "flange" in place, you have not removed, or inhibited this action that is taking place. There have been a couple of trucks through the shop where this is exactly what had happened. A person pays good money for a repair only to find out the quality is lacking. Upon returning to the original repair facility they are told there is "no guarantee" on rust repair. This usually doesn't make for a happy, or repeat customer; something I enjoyed for many years. A good example of the "low buck" is not always the best value. Rob

No Trent that is not the correct product. This is a phosphoric acid based product much like "Naval Jelly" and is used to remove rust stains from steel parts. I will get you a vendor as I'll be at the shop in a couple of hours and call you. The rubberized undercoating is not a bad product and I use it in the spray cans also. The Rustfree will go right over the top of it but it's not necessary to completely coat over the top. It is made for application to the inside of closed spaces such as a door shell to run into the seams and seal them up. I'll be calling you in a bit. Rob

The twins were "cut out" of the will years ago. Their dribbling sibling still hangs around, but is not much use. Rob

I bring another truck home and Momma will ensure I don't see another day. Rob

A 1967 R700 with a 335 Cummins. Damn, and the time is all wrong for me. Rob http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/1801688713.html

Lot's of meat there. Looks like a nice trailer. Rob

Hi Trent, with no power at the ignition switch, he cannot pull that contactor in. The problem is probably between the battery terminals and starter solenoid, the solenoid and the terminal block on the cab firewall, or the terminal block to the ignition switch. I'll bet he has voltage sitting on the contactor, just can't pull it in to power the truck. Rob

I'm needing to spool up one of my winches and am in need of about 300' of 7/8ths rope. Does anyone know of some available good used or a cutoff/partial for a reasonable price? Thanks, Rob