Popular Post MissouriDreaming Posted June 5, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted June 5, 2015 Well, it's "home". Even though it only has 37,000 miles on the OD it still has 31 years of continuous service and the wear and tear is showing. There are a couple areas of rust to deal with and I am going to need some of the inside/outside cab and a few body and compartment mounted light fixtures replaced and replace most of the wiring. A lot of the hardware on the body is loose but with some new screws, bolts and whathaveyas these will be easily fixed. Was bummed to find multiple broken gages and a couple of the handles broken/bent on the pump panel. Will be on the phone with Waterous today looking for parts. With the exception of the tires, which are almost brand new, the rubber and weather stripping is starting to fail and deteriorate. Now I guess I need to make a parts list and hope that they are out there somewhere.Runs and drives great. I was told the truck would get up and go right from the start. And it did!!! It is going to take a lot of practice to get comfortable maneuvering this truck. Other than the loud and scary noises it makes the only thing I am concerned with mechanically is the brakes and a slight smell of coolant around the exterior of the truck.While the truck could run calls for a few more years it is pretty clear that it was in the final phase of it's firefighting life. Because of the amount of work needed to remove much of the wear and tear, which will no doubt turn to further rust and brokenness, the cost would be better spent on a new piece of apparatus for an active department. This is why the truck is a perfect match for me as I will be more than happy to sink the "councils" budget into like a boatanchor just to see it shine again. Whether or not it see's a fire again......I guess that's an open question.Super stoked to be able to share!Gregg 10 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Looks Good! Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292409 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby j Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Proud for you.......looks good........Bobby j. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292414 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Looks great. Do you have any fire flea markets in the area? If so, you will probably find the valve handles, etc. there.The gaskets can be found at any truck body parts supplier. Here is one link: http://www.mooreindhardware.com/index.html and another http://www.austinhardware.com/index.cfmMack pump gauges show up on eBay all the time.Good luck and have fun. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292419 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack458 Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 If you have not done so, contact the Mack Museum with the serial number and they will provide everything about the truck. Sending a donation is greatly appreciated and keeps them going. As was said most of what you need can be found at musters and online. Great looking truck - have fun with it. Mark Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loadstar Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Looks great....congratulations!!!!! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292436 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 nice looking MC ,did it come from New Jersey? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292457 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriDreaming Posted June 6, 2015 Author Share Posted June 6, 2015 This one came out of Pennslyvannia. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292460 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriDreaming Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 I have a question on storage of an old truck. I know I must keep it out of the rain but how important is climate control? Right now I plan on storing this behind my shop under an RV cover, at least from April-Oct, and then indoors if I can find a place suitable.If climate control is not a huge issue then I might just build a truckport behind the shop and park it under that. Anyone have any experience?Gregg Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292623 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I don't mean to be harsh, but the bottom line is you cannot find indoor storage for the truck please consider selling it before it deteriorates to the point that only a scrap dealer wants it. Fire trucks live their entire lives indoors and quickly deteriorate if they are left outdoors. The bright work fails, paint fades, etc. and before long the owner loses interest in his/her pet because it looks like crap.Climate control is not at all important as long as you drain the pump and tank and keep the proper mix of anti-freeze in the coolant system. It is important to get it indoors, not just under a carport type structure. I'm having fits re-doing my 25 AB because a former owner put it under a carport and it rusted badly on one side where the carport failed to keep the weather off of it. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292737 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriDreaming Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Well, that settles that. Indoors it goes. Sounds like I just need to build it a garage but until then I will put it in indoor storage and forget the cover/truckport idea.This truck has been on my mind and in my dreams since I was a child. I will not allow it to further rust, deteriorate or otherwise turn to crap and to do so I have a lot to learn. Today it got an inspection, brakes adjusted, coolant system checked ect, ect. Only issues found was a rusted exhaust clamp needed replaced and the new brakes were way out of adjustment. Hopefully it stops better now.Thanks for the info!Gregg Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292752 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 wow,,,,neat looking rig man...have a ball with it....great engine also,,,looks like a 285 bet it sounds real good...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292754 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Trip Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 nice rig have fun Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292817 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Well, that settles that. Indoors it goes.That's great news! Whenever fire truck collectors get together you can count on them talking about two things: their trucks and the buildings they put them in. If you have the room to build on you can put up a pole building that is plenty large enough to hold the truck (and the next one you buy) for less than $10K. Having a concrete floor is nice, but not necessary to keep the truck up and it will lower the cost of the building quite a bit to stay with a gravel floor. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292834 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 we where lucky we had put up a 42 x52 pole bldg. 3yrs. before we got our 54 Mack to house landscape equip., started to get too small so last year we put up another42 x 60 and connected together with a hallway ,this one will be insulated and finished off on the interior ,to keep the dust off the truck Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292925 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriDreaming Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 I think I already have the answer from another thread but just to confirm. Raising the cab only requires the pumping of the jack with the valve switch in the "raise" position. To lower the cab one will just move the valve switch to lower and then pump the jack to lower the cab back down. It appears there is no interlock or latch that keeps the cab down. While the cab is in the raised position there should be a safety bar or latch to help support the cab while raised up so it does not come down unexpectedly. Does this sound correct?I just noticed wires hanging down to the ground from under the dash area of the cab. No doubt when the mechanic raised the cab for the inspection he went too far and ripped out some wires!!!! I need to get back under it to trace and repair.Gregg Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292959 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Don't forget to remove any and all loose tools, lunch box , radio, because it is going threw the windshield, been there done that ! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292960 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Raise is correct. The cab should return under its own weight when you move the lever to LOWER. The only time you need to pump to lower is if you go "over center" (cab will be almost flat on its windshield). If it is like my MH, the interlock is automatic. There should be a safety bar (mine is on same side as the pump). NEVER work under the cab without the safety bar in place. As a secondary precaution, use a 4x4 from the cab to the floor. Again, this is on my MH. The MC may be different. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-292961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Don't forget to remove any and all loose tools, lunch box , radio, because it is going threw the windshield, been there done that ! Second that! I once put an SCBA through the windshield of a C model Ford when I forgot to remove it before tilting the cab for the morning check Fortunately the windshield just popped out of the rubber molding and we were able to put it back. No harm, no foul. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-293057 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 WoW! That was the day to buy a lottery ticket! Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-293060 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 Yep, I had a horse shoe up my ass that day. Like most places things have changed over the years. In those days if you broke it you fixed it if it all possible. Even if we had broken the windshield I'm sure we would have tried to get it fixed, at my expense, before we reported it as an accident. I was on a call where a driver bent the back step up almost to the body by gong up a driveway that the angle of departure didn't allow. We traded a member to another company so they could send us a welder who had it fixed that night. Now that would be a firing offense on both counts.That was the first rig I drove regularly after getting on the job and it did some bizarre things to me. I was returning from the shop when the dual's passed me by just before it took a profound dip to the left. (We started putting yellow stripes on all lug nuts after that to make sure they were noticed if they came loose) I also had the cab come up on me when I stopped at an intersection while on the way to the shops. Yes, I know there is a positive safety latch, but it didn't stop it from coming forward. before it fell back into place.67 Ford C-800, 534 V8, 2 speed rear, by Young with an extended cab. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-293210 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriDreaming Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 A little update on the truck. I have found a place to store it indoors. Not exactly what I want but it will keep it dry and out of the weather until something better comes along. I really need it at a shop or big garage so I can work on it. Kind of a pain to have to get it out of storage and then take it somewhere else to work on it and so on. I have had it out on the road a couple of times so I am getting more comfortable driving it. Still only take it out on late evenings when there is not many people on the road. Other than getting used to the shifting of the auto at low speeds and the effect it has on the truck all seems to be going well. I think its first event will be the local Kansas City SPAAMFAA Chapter Firefest 2015 in Independence, Mo. Is there anything I should be keeping in mind when driving a heavy truck like this with an automatic? Seems like once it gets into 4th gear it get nice and smooth, fast and can be scary to stop if going down a short hill. If I try to keep the speeds low and not hit 4th gear(35-40MPH) it seems like the RPMs are way high (2100 or so) and I fear bad things will happen. I know experience behind the wheel is really what I need the most, and I am getting it, I just do not want to damage the truck by doing something that I am simply not aware of. Thanks Gregg Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-295763 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Congrats on the storage. Getting it out to work on it will not be as difficult as it would be to try to bring the finish back after it sat outside.Stand on it and steer was our motto; in other words there is nothing you can do to hurt it. Just make sure the brakes are adjusted properly, keep a reasonable distance between you and the next vehicle, and get out and enjoy it.Air brakes do take some getting used to. Take it out to a vacant lot and lock it up a few times to get a feel for it. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-295790 Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDNYTRUCKScom Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 good luck with it! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-296796 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMOORE Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Anybody know if this engine is still around. I used to be the captain of this station(Second Ward Hose Company in Clearfield Pa) and this was our rig. I’d love to see it again. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40351-1984-mc686f/#findComment-555082 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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