Rob

Looks good. Really like the EPA compliant smoke from the stack too!

I received a submittal/proposal for purchase of this powder coat line the other day but have not evaluated it completely. If I had experience in this arena I may have more comfort; and therefore soliciting external input before proceeding with the equipment(s) acquistion. The real estate lease is a current sticking point as I have no intention of continuing operations in that location. I don't feel that is any responsibility of mine to undertake but there is no release, or termination in effect, (as of yet) and the current landlord has some type of lien or judgement against the former operator. Looks like this could get ugly as the proposal was way higher than I would be willing to go.

Merry Christmas to you; nice layout for the season. Looks like you hire a guy like me to mow around your flowers and yard decorations given the retaining walls.....

Stockholders first rather than sustainability. The "Signal Companies" were what is referred to as "Corporate Raiders", (IMO) as are many conglomerates. They did the same to many companies such as Fram, Auto-Lite, and others. Not suggesting anything bad or intentional at all, but if a business plan without sustainable growth is not incorporated, it is doomed to fail over the course. Continuing high dividend payouts in times of loss and maintaining exorbitant executive salaries cannot equal success for a company; maybe for an individual, but not a business. Mack kept stockholders happy and did not retain enough infrastructure support monies to continue. Of course, cease paying out to stockholders and they pull their money out when a company needs it most. No loyalty to a company when you sell off portions of it to investors whom only care about making more money. White is a good example as is General Motors. Flush with billions in cash from WWII sales they both went on spending sprees acquiring other companies. Some to acquire the technology, some to eliminate competition. Look at the mess both of them are in now. One has survived as a shell of itself, the other defunct and sold off in increments. Corporate greed is a fitting name.

Signal did no harm to Mack but diverted profits needed for further development into pockets of investors which is why they invested in the first place. However, (my thoughts only) this was the beginning of what began the collapse of the brand through "big business" thought processes which ultimately allowed them become vulnerable for takeover, merger, or sale. With decreasing funds available for R&D, ever increasing safety and emissions regulations on the horizon, coupled with an engine platform against it's physical limitations, (E6 series) the company needed capital to survive and along came Renault. Not suggesting that is bad in any aspect as it is business but if the "smaller" mindset would have been worked with and a larger portion of profits kept within the company, we wouldn't have a Volvo involved in the picture as a strong company is usually not vulnerable. Just my thoughts and may or not be correct as I only know what I've read, or heard and verified. Thanks,

You are asking if the original 24V Delco starter pinion will fit the Mitsubishi built 39MT series copy? No, it will not.

I've been delivering farm related equipment for a dear friend whom is an implement dealer. They tend to sell the higher end stuff not found in the home centers. Their operator for the "lawnmower" truck and trailer twisted his back lifting the tailgate for the trailer so I installed this on Monday: The trailer was flat so needed to build up a frame for the "Gorilla Lift" to bolt to. This I fabricated from 1.75" square tube with 3/16" wall welded solid to the trailer frame. Two finger lift to close that gate/ramp now. Used my "gift" straps for the first time on Wednesday running up to Chicagoland to pick up a set of garage doors which were being replaced on the Ag shop at the dealership: I then delivered this to Sioux Falls SD yesterday on the lawnmower trailer: Iowa 80 truck stop about 6:30am: 469 miles each way made for a long day but I got it done in just about five minutes shy of 16 hours flat. I had loaded and strapped down Thursday evening onto the trailer and drove their 1/2 ton Chevy truck to not be commercial. Few interesting things I seen on the trip. One was a red daycab cabover Freightliner pulling an aluminum end dump both being very clean. Trailer was polished aluminum and tractor had polished tanks and wheels. Another was a brand new Lexus car on the upper deck of a car hauler at the rear and backed on with the front bumper flapping in the breeze. The bumper was destroyed and had ripped loose from the wind blast. Another car hauler was dragging a couple of chains under the trailer so a real nice spark show going on..... I think there was an immigration bust going on just north of Sioux City, IA, (I-29N) too as there were several police cars surrounding a van and a lot of people being interrogated in the median. A couple of the officers had NANO on their jacket backs? Interesting day but tiring.

That dash would look nice in a mild pebble grain vinyl layover in light gray or tan too if you prefer. I'm not much in to woodgrain myself. I like your layout and very well may copy your idea.

Exactly. His measurement from the center of the rear universal joint however will suffice and either will slip into the housing but installing a single reduction into where an original dual reduction carrier once mounted will take driveshaft modification to lengthen and conversely the other way.

Agree there also. However Mack was in trouble in the 1960's and first attempted to merge with the Chrysler Corporation which was blocked by the SEC for some reason. Signal Companies did allow Mack to operate autonomous for many years only interested in profits which one would expect from investors. Renault did the same thing in allowing Mack to be Mack to gain a foothold in the North American truck market(s). This is where much of the needed $$$ to develop the E-7 series of engine came from. Volvo's long term plan as I see it is much the same as Renault did but to eventually kill the brand with their own branded trucks entirely once the current generation of "Loyalists" die out, (sales wise).

If you are working in the lower end of the range as it sounds like you are moving equipment short distance as in jobsite to jobsite, a 300 "Maxidyne" will easily outperform an "Econodyne" 350, (IMO) if both are in good tune. The "Maxidyne" settings are more optimized for that where the "Econodyne" is more of a road use setup. Lot's of room to work with that 350 however, till you get to the point where it will destroy itself by physical limitations.

Yes, I agree with a double reduction unit. I'll measure a single reduction unit I have but I'm thinking it's closer to 18", or 19".

My opinion also. Mack started being dismembered as a whole entity in the 1960's when they became one of the "Signal Companies".

My first glance at this and I don't think it's a bad looking unit at all. Spartan, sure, but it looks all business to me. Kinda/sorta like a B-61 in it's day and work clothes; simple, and functional.

I'm wondering what was found "confusing" in my above post showing my Durango setting on the front suspension after the ball joint separated? The point was that it really doesn't matter who's name is on the package, it can still fail as it's a manufactured part. The good thing is nobody was hurt and the vendor covered both the destroyed parts and labor charges to rectify the failure. They even credited my account for $100.00 for the time spent to retrieve the vehicle. That part was their initiative, not mine.

Some of those adjusting sleeves can be really difficult but heat always helps. If they're too bad I just replace them but usually lubricant, and spreader chisel driven into the gap and the correct adjuster wrench gets them loose.

Thal old Loadstar used to have individual amber rotating beacons, and individual spotlights back in the late 1970's. The light bar is a later addition.

I swapped my Mid-Liner governors over to D2 series Bendix units without problem.

Lot of guys around here only run Mack trucks and Caterpillar equipment. Not unusual around here at all.

That color certainly does it no justice. Kinda blends in where your corporate color scheme tends to "stand out".

That one, (if the same) has been around quite a while. E. St. Louis was so broke for so many years I'm not surprised it is still running. State inspection looks to be out however and with those steer tires might be difficult to get it through..... If the same truck I remember it working when it was pretty new. Remember the city cops using walkie talkies because the patrol car(s) radios were defunct and they had no money for repairs? All gone now but my grandma worked the stockyards, and several of the packing plants that used to line that area.

Passed one your trucks on I-80 at mile marker 100 headed east this morning. Charcoal/silver newer KW pulling a pneumatic tanker. I had a pickup in Montgomery at a garage door manufacturing plant.

This is my Durango at the Pilot truck stop just inside the Indiana state line on I-74 8200 miles after replacing the upper and lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, and front shocks. All parts are "Moog" brand except the shocks which were Monroe. I'd just come off the interstate running a steady 70 mph and pulled into a parking spot for a bottle of water. Upon backing out of that spot, I stepped on the brake pedal to slow from reverse to shift into drive, heard a clunk, and the left front set down on the pavement. Lower ball joint separated taking the shock absorber and left 1/2 shaft with it. The control are laid into the shock hard, and the 1/2 shaft had the joint pulled apart. Nobody hurt but I was almost 200 miles from home. I hitched a ride with a former coworker, grabbed ole "Krusty" and car trailer, carved out a skid shoe from a 6X6 timber to set the lower control arm into and set off on the retrieval. Long day it was. Name brand doesn't seem to mean much any longer although you can sure pay for it.

Stopped by my buddy's shop on the way to the steel supplier I use to see if he needed anything that way. Turns out he did need a stick of 1" channel for mounting some parts onto frames where the aluminum strips kept breaking. When I return to drop off his stick, he has this box of parts with "Mack" stenciled on it. Tells me to take it with me. Looking through the box there are two throttle arms for AMBACH injection pumps, a pair of "R" model door latches, two interior door handles, one window crank, and a complete throttle linkage setup from the accelerator pedal to the aforementioned arm. The "Heim" ends and rods are all there. All parts are brand new NOS Mack parts from the early 1990's. And he had the gaul to ask how much he owed me?????

I have used "AutoMann" branded parts for over 15 years without a single fault. As good and many times better than conventional and recognized brand names. Compare one of their wheel end kits, or "S" cam rebuild kits with brand name and you"ll find no difference in appearance. I cant vouch for longevity as I've never had anything come back for premature failure or wear. Their aluminum wheels run as true as any other also. Not bragging them up, but I cannot run them down either. My service from them has been very good.