Popular Post David Posted September 14, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 14, 2013 Last year I met Harry at the indoor flea market of a local car show. He just happened to be at a booth when I noticed a sensor unit for a Coats on the truck tire balancer. We started talking about how this thing worked and talked for an hour about trucks and specifically Mack trucks. Harry had spent most of the last 40 years working on Macks at a Mack dealer and UPS. What a wealth of knowledge! He said he just works part time now in his own shop and would be glad to look at my trucks and also rebuild a couple of engines for me. Then he told me he had been stuck with a pile of bills on a truck he needed to sell and maybe it was something I could use. So a couple weeks later I went out to see Harry and this truck. He told me everything he had done on it. Basically everything was new from the transmission forward. About 30 minutes on the out of frame rebuild. New front axle, radiator, steering box, headlight buckets and trim, compressor, ac system, and more that I'm probably forgetting. I tried to give him a check but he said he needed to be sure he could get the title first. He was taking a loss on the work he had into the truck but was glad it was going to someone who appreciated it and could use the truck. Harry worked on getting the title for the last year. I was out to see him a couple of times and we talked every few weeks about progress with the DMV and the County Clerks Office. He called me in July and said he finally received the ok to sell the truck. The sale was scheduled for last Friday and all the public notices had been made. One more visit to look at the truck and go over the paperwork. I talked to Harry until almost midnight that night. Looked like it was really going to happen. Then about two weeks ago Harry's brother in law called me and ask if I still wanted the truck considering what happened to Harry. What? Harry had changed the rear pinion seal on a tandem dump truck. All four wheels and tires were off the rear axle and why, we will never know, Harry was under it when it came off what ever was holding it up. I had very mixed emotions about the truck but Harry's wife wanted it out of there. So we did the sale as planed. I'll never be able to turn the key without thinking of Harry. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 not real good with the mushey stuff,we've all done some mechanical repairs that have been a little less than lets say ideal. a good reminder to spend a little extra time or coin to do it safe. I noticed in the truck picture the stone guards below the head lights are they home made or does anybody know where they can be bought for a older superliner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Superdog Posted September 14, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted September 14, 2013 Sorry to hear about your friend,sounds like a bad deal,but at least he went doing something he enjoyed,and not rotting in a hospital bed. Enjoy your Superliner,I'm sure that's the way he would have wanted it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Nice looking Superliner. Sorry to hear about the situation and my condolences to his family. Reminds us all to be CAREFUL when working on big stuff (little stuff too). Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hossein Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Nice, what specs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTFormula Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I wasn't expecting this story to go where it went. Very sorry about the loss of a friend. If you show it, do it in memory of Harry. It's a sad reminder that life is too quick and unexpected. Enjoy ever moment you can. 2 Quote ~ JT Burkard ~ AKA Sweaty Mackwww.jtresto.com www.wickedreputation.netwww.jonathanthomasmotorcars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeyk3d Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 That is some story.. In the blink of an eye life changes.. Not always for the better..I understand what you mean about turning that key and thinking of him..maybe call a truck pinstriper and hav something painted on cab for him .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umodelnut Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Nice Super. Sorry to hear of your friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack mhe9 Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Sorry to hear about your friend,sounds like a bad deal,but at least he went doing something he enjoyed,and not rotting in a hospital bed. Enjoy your Superliner,I'm sure that's the way he would have wanted it.Yes my thoughts exactly. Sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 That is a tough story David. It is a beautiful truck. My condolences to the family for their loss.Start the truck up as a tribute to Harry's mechanical ability and your friendship.Jim Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slpwlker Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Yes my thoughts exactly. Sorry for your loss.Thats rough. Sorry to hear about your friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Sorry for your friends loss, I agree with Superdog and the others it will be a nice tribute to your friend. Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakebrake86 Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Man, that's a sad deal. I sure hate to hear about Harry, but like Mike said, at least he went out with his boots on. You've got a heck of a truck to remember him by. 1 Quote Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Yeah that was a plot twist for sure, well at least you got the truck, he wanted you to have it and as stated before he went doing what he had for years not laying in the hospital wishing he were somewhere else. Those rock chip guards were made by Bores for 85 up Superliner 2 trucks. Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leversole Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Nice truck David...sorry about the circumstances... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdogtrucker Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Sorry to hear what happened...Good luck with the Super. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 David, from the sounds of it- you, me, and everyone else here damn well knows that Harry would have WANTED for you to have that truck. Don't feel guilty owning or driving it. Own and drive it and show it off to celebrate Harry's life, his love of mechanics and his love of Mack Trucks. You should get a graphics shop to make up something for each side of the hood or maybe the back window "IN LOVING MEMORY OF HARRY (last name) 1940-2013" or whatever year he was born....or maybe "HARRY RIDES!" Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryS Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 What a sad ending to the story and for Harry. That is a beautiful truck and a great tribute to him. Enjoy it as each of you intended in the beginning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Wow, that's a tragic story, with like you say bittersweet ending.As a side note, I try to slide the tires/rims under a vehicle I'm working on. Just as a "what if" and lucky never needed them. In a flash, life changes. My condolences to you and his family. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Sorry for your lose. Nice Superliner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2stacksuperdog Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Sorry to hear about your friend Quote Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Thank you all. As soon as the truck is painted I'll find a fitting place and tribute to Harry. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 not real good with the mushey stuff,we've all done some mechanical repairs that have been a little less than lets say ideal. a good reminder to spend a little extra time or coin to do it safe. I noticed in the truck picture the stone guards below the head lights are they home made or does anybody know where they can be bought for a older superliner?The stainless panels below the head lights and doors look like they were custom built. I have a brake and now a pattern. I can make them if you don't find them aftermarket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Sorry to hear about your friend,sounds like a bad deal,but at least he went doing something he enjoyed,and not rotting in a hospital bed. Enjoy your Superliner,I'm sure that's the way he would have wanted it.I know what you mean Mike. I've seen too many slowly die from cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Nice, what specs?It started as a E6 350. No idea what it is now. I can tell you it will walk away from any 350 I've ever driven. 15 speed and air ride. It runs 65 mph at about 1400 rpm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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