Rob

I do the same thing with chains and hooks on the transmission frame mounts to support the engine while the trans is out. Buy, borrow, or rent a GOOD transmission jack. Don't screw around and get yourself hurt trying to use something "hodge podge" to get the job done. That trans although aluminum cased, is damned heavy as you'll discover. I bought an OTC jack with Mack adapters and it is unbelieveably easy to use and safe. Rob

No problem at all if you want to store it here. As I said plenty of room. Are you going to replace the cab for the steering wheel arrangement or leave it as is? You sure went through a lot of work to convert it to go back. Whatever you need to do let me know. Rob

I don't think the comment was meant as you took it but rather to "rattle your cage". Seems it was effective. Everybody here likes you and is "rooting" for your continued success in the workplace. Nothing wrong with getting a dig into our current "public aid administrator" though. Hell, you don't need to work for an income, It will be provided for you. Rob

Hi Grant, I have plenty of outside storage available. What were you needing from this part of the world? Rob

I've never seen the writeup myself, just portions of it. It was in late 1982, to early 1983 if memory serves the writeup was printed. Rob

Hi Grant, both of mine use 5 inch exhaust. One is single stack, the other splits as you propose. Rob

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mack-B-Model-Exterior-Fiberglass-Sun-Visor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3cac172ce7QQitemZ260585237735QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts Not mine, just passing along. Rob

Not with a cash purchase but I really would like to have it for the aforementioned use. However, I would be willing to purchase a $100.00 series "EE" savings bond for a disadvantaged, or underpriviledged youth, or donate $50.00 to the donor's chosen legitimate charity alongside my own charitable givings. Next offer? Rob

I've never been to the area before and the trailer is old, (1985) yet on it's maiden long distance voyage. I ordered five new tires and rims today, and hopefully all will proceed well. Nothing really heavy till the diesel engine, and that doesn't get hauled all that far. As I get my itinerary and route finalized I'll post it, and you guys could post up points of contact along the way if you want to get together. "Anytime is dinner time" is my moto. I like coffee too, so a truck stop is a fine meeting place. Rob

Hi Ken, I'm not sure about the place in Akron, I do plan to stop at Freightrains and have a look around. I'd also like to meet up with Greg Rider if he's available. Maybe we could all get together to rustle up some grub? Rob

In reality I'd like to have it as a gift for display in my collection for others to appreciate also. I'm a collector in the true sense and sell nothing. I have many momentos from antique Mack trucks and have a rather large curio cabinet for displaying such. However if that is not an option, I'll let you set the price but inexpensive is what I'd want as this type of thing is "dead expense". Thanks, Rob 309-219-2070

My worthless as tits on a bull neighbor put one of those porcelain owls with sound on the front of his garage to keep birds and rodents out of his garden a couple years ago. The damned thing wouldn't shut up and my daughter told him he'd better do something about the noise it makes but he was too stupid to heed the warning. A single well placed shot from my Benjamin Pump 22 cal pellet rifle silenced him. I didn't think he'd just go to pieces such as he did, but no more noise was heard ever again. That owl was not replaced. Rob

The truck photos you have are not with the original sleeper to that truck. It had a Rest Rite originally. What your photos show is a Double Eagle which is about twice the size and I'd bet much nicer. Rob

I know more of the truck than the jobs it performed. I was told by a couple different parties that it's purpose was flats with structural steel hauling. Your rememberance of a van type container I have no knowlege of. Rob

That would be wise. I'm thinking of dropping the trailer where I bought the crane and running to Canton, Akron, and Alexandria, with just the truck. Then backtracking as mentioned earlier. I can be much more sneaky that way. Really depends on how easily it would be to load the bike in the bed. Sucker has got to have some weight to it. Hopefully, I don't outweigh it. Rob

Akron, OH. Sure, I could have found one closer, but not cleaner. Besides, how else am I gonna get to see my main supporters, (since I no longer need my jock strap)? Rob

Maybe I'll give putting fuel in it a go; that sounds casual. I'm leaving Peoria at 5:30am on Thursday to pick up the bike. I'll be traveling on I-74, and I-70 and stopping for a break at INDY. My next break will be someplace around Columbus, OH, then onto Canton, OH, and Akron to load in the evening. Hoping to overnight in Freightrains driveway, and head over to yak with Barry and Tracey at Watt's Mack on Friday morning. Departing there late Friday morning, I'm heading to NE Indiana to pick up a three ton rolling gantry for the shop, then up to Lansing, MI to pick up a bulk quick lube dispensing outfit I purchased. I will overnight at Lansing, or someplace close. If that is not enough, I'm then headed to B61 Fred's place to visit the new addition and pick up a 6-71 Detroit engine stashed there, (momma don't know bout this so don't tell on me). I'll overnight there Saturday, and drop the engine at my uncles place on Sunday morning in Effingham, IL. Then I'll head home and let momma kick the shit outta me for something I did, but don't know about yet. If anybody is along the route speak up and we'll get together during the trip. You'll know me, I'l be driving a rag tag Dodge pickup dragging an 18' car hauler trailer with sides. Also be the fat man with a girdle I need to wear when driving for steering wheel clearance issues. Rob

Well after nearly 1/2 hour of trying to get the V8 truck to restart after filling the filters, and transferring the tank contents to the other side, I got pissed off cause wasn't getting anywhere quick. I took a tank cap off, drilled out one of the lead plugs in the top and tapped the hole for a 1/4" air fitting. I then threaded in an air fitting and put 80 pounds to the tank, (which does not leak). Upon jumping in the cab and twisting the key the engine roared to life in about fifteen seconds. This truck has consistently taken air pressure applied to the fuel tank to get it to start after being run out of fuel. Think I'm going to pull the pump and have it looked at/rebuilt. The engine runs very well when it has fuel. Rob

That second one is pretty neat but I don't know how a guy would stay cool even going down the road. Big heat radiator right there. Rob

Sounds like a metronome in the background doesn't it? Rob

I'd like to have it for nostalgia. What do you need for it? Rob

It is most unfortunate that truck is no longer with us. It was the third and final RL755LST built featuring a 1693TA Caterpillar engine. It was ordered, owned, and operated by Bob Eckstein who hauled steel out of the Chicago area and who invented the truck APU. Remnants of the truck were being sold off a piece at a time in the late 1990's at different truck shows. Although I never did see the truck, I do know quite a bit about it. Attached is another photo of it from 1983 in Overdrive Magazine. Rob

It really is difficult to say what the original intent was. That looks to be an "AB" series Mack radiator emblem affixed to the box. It very well could have been for a set of specialty tools for antique Mack trucks judging from the age. Usually tool boxes would have some wear on the interior surface. Nice antique that would go with any decore; I'd prolly put it in the china cabinet at my place. Rob

Yeah we got some compassionate SOB's on here, (IB 1OFEM). I don't need no stinkin compassion, I get sympathy at home from all you guys pickin on me. Didn't get to screw with the truck anymore today cause I needed a delousing and medicinal bath. Momma's mother was coming by tonight for dinner, and I have to bathe in iodine salts weekly to keep this incessant fungus growth within the skin folds of my stomach at bay. Momma's mother don't much care for the way I smell anyways, so I got to be careful around her. Momma listens to her closely and I usually have a price to pay for being Rob. We went out to dinner tonight at the local supper club. I had a 28 ounce sirloin that is marketed as "Steak for Two". Momma, mother in law, and Nikki had spaghetti which is also very good but when I go out it's always steak. The owner is a farmer and raises all the beef that is served in his restaurant. It does cost a bit more than the chain steak houses, but with the quality of meat, is worth the difference. Right now I'm too full to work on the truck. Actually kinda feeling like a beached whale. Got more than my fair share of gas too. Nikki had me eat her spicey meatballs, and I cleaned up Momma's plate when she was through. Mother in law is physically larger than Momma and has my appetite. There are usually no table scraps left over from her. Rob

In my own mind. Rob