tornado Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Hi I'm a novice here on MACK. What can you guys tell me about this truck Engine Trans rears lockers etc. All the seller could tell me was its a 1974. I think its A DM? Can Any body tell me what common problems (king pins leaks etc) with this MACK model. I wanted something nice to restore and do some PT site work. LOL. Thanks Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
wastenafarmtrucking Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Hi I'm a novice here on MACK. What can you guys tell me about this truck Engine Trans rears lockers etc. All the seller could tell me was its a 1974. I think its A DM? Can Any body tell me what common problems (king pins leaks etc) with this MACK model. I wanted something nice to restore and do some PT site work. LOL. ThanksYes it's a DM, probably a 685S. most common engine would be a 237 2 valve and the most common trans would be the six speed with two sticks.From the pictures you can tell it has the 20k front axle. Can't tell what the rears are, ask him if they are either 5 or 6 spoke. 5 would be 38k and six 44k.Pretty much a bullet proof truck, great as a site truck. If it has the Mack front axle( which it probably does) the king pins are adjustable.As far as leaks, the most common are the valve covers. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-62927 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado Posted September 3, 2010 Author Share Posted September 3, 2010 Yes it's a DM, probably a 685S. most common engine would be a 237 2 valve and the most common trans would be the six speed with two sticks.From the pictures you can tell it has the 20k front axle. Can't tell what the rears are, ask him if they are either 5 or 6 spoke. 5 would be 38k and six 44k.Pretty much a bullet proof truck, great as a site truck. If it has the Mack front axle( which it probably does) the king pins are adjustable.As far as leaks, the most common are the valve covers.I have seen a lot of older trucks on this site with alum wheels. Do you know whats in volved in swapinping from the steel? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-62933 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado Posted September 3, 2010 Author Share Posted September 3, 2010 I have seen a lot of older trucks on this site with alum wheels. Do you know whats in volved in swapinping from the steel?What was the production run on that 237 engine. I was thinking about the Twin Stick Can that be swapped for an 8spd? Any thoughts Its just about time to start moving salt at night and I need to play during the day. Thanks and have a nice weekend every one! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-62934 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wastenafarmtrucking Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 What was the production run on that 237 engine. I was thinking about the Twin Stick Can that be swapped for an 8spd? Any thoughts Its just about time to start moving salt at night and I need to play during the day. Thanks and have a nice weekend every one!the 237 had a run from 1966 to the early 80's. great motor lots of torque. the six speed can be swapped out for any other mack trans or any eaton but you have to also get a mack bell housing and do some drive shaft adjusting with either swap. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-62954 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wastenafarmtrucking Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 I have seen a lot of older trucks on this site with alum wheels. Do you know whats in volved in swapinping from the steel?if it has the dayton hubs(spokes) it's about $2300 to change the rears over to hub pilot, less if you can find used parts. if it has stud pilot then you will need to get longer inner studs. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-62955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 if it has the dayton hubs(spokes) it's about $2300 to change the rears over to hub pilot, less if you can find used parts. if it has stud pilot then you will need to get longer inner studs.The truck pictured definitely has Dayton/spoke hubs. The hubs would have to be changed to accept any kind of aluminum disc or "Budd" wheel. Not worth the trouble IMHO. Why buy the truck only to change all the components?!? These DMs were bulletproof as built, very well engineered. If the components don't suit you, it would be more practical to find another truck. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-62956 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanscottbuilders Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 That looks like a very nice, straight DM. These trucks are rock solid, and pretty good looking just the way that they came from the factory. I second the idea that changing the components is probably just wasted time.Shine it up and put it to work!!It appears to be very well set-up with the two air lift axles and the heavy duty dump box.Good Luck!!Paul Van Scott Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-63036 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HK Trucking Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 I have seen a lot of older trucks on this site with alum wheels. Do you know whats in volved in swapinping from the steel?Why would you want to do that with a jobsite truck?Weight is not a consideration, as "Smokey's" don't enforce weight rules "off road", and why have shiny aluminum wheels if you're just gonna drag 'em thru the mud all day?Nicely painted Dayton style hubs & wheels look just fine, and they're less maintenance intensive. Also, Dayton type wheels are stronger if you're going to be doing off road work with heavy loads.I just don't get it when some people buy older Macks and the first question they ask is about putting aluminum wheels on it. Quote "If You Can't Shift It Smoothly, You Shouldn't Be Driving It" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-63043 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HK Trucking Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 the 237 had a run from 1966 to the early 80's. great motor lots of torque. Actually, the 237 was available up to 1987. A friend of mine had a 1987 DM685s with a 237 and yes it was the original engine.. Quote "If You Can't Shift It Smoothly, You Shouldn't Be Driving It" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-63044 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HK Trucking Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 Why buy the truck only to change all the components?!? These DMs were bulletproof as built, very well engineered. If the components don't suit you, it would be more practical to find another truck.I'll second that!Very well put!. Quote "If You Can't Shift It Smoothly, You Shouldn't Be Driving It" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-63045 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 Absolutely, what Paul and Underdog said. Mack used to put a lot of thought into their setups, even the gear shift knobs,and what Herb said...sorry, I got a call from Old Bill, my hero, the greatest truck driver ever, and quite possibly the greatest living human being. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/15577-mack-trivia/#findComment-63046 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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