If Mack kept up on the HP and creature comforts........

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Brettj3876, Feb 15, 2020.

  1. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    I know I'm biased. But maybe this write up will get some folks interested in bringing some old dogs back to life

    Let's start with the ENDT 675 aka 237 maxidyne that debuted in '66. 672cu or 11.0L 4 7/8 by 6in stroke 1200-2100 operation range 52% tq rise. The later 4v 300 maxidyne put out an impressive 1425tq at 1020 rpm. Compared to a 400 Cummins that put of 1250tq that's why you only needed 5 gears unless it was the econodyne where 9-10-12 and 13s were common (1500-2100) operation range. More to add later. I know X will disagree saying the 3200r model but they don't like to be spun that high.

    The E-7 is almost identical to the E-6 but it has wet liners and buttress screws to help keep crank from walking. Same 4.875 bore they just increased the stroke from 6 to 6.5 (same stroke as 3406) the added stroke bumped displacement to 728cu or 11.9L and with the xt package you got 487/1760. And 750hp in marine apps. Owners manual says 1250-1800 operation range but we stick to 1400-1800. Most came with 3.90s the most popular choice if Eaton or Rockwell or 3.86 4.17 or 4.42 if they were top loads

    Compression carried from 16.9 16.5 15.7 and 15.3 (marine spec we have em). This is just the PLN('91-'97) they have a P7100 pump with a simple EDC gov. And between the block was what mack called their econovance that by oil pressure it could advance or retart timing. Pretty bullet proof. In 91 this was macks 1st go with electronics. Top dog was 454hp/1660tq in the mid 90s

    Then came the Etech (mid 97-march 03) Ehh is all i hear my dad + a lot of others say. Much to be desired. Doesn't even sound like a silky smooth PLN engine. Ditched the injection pump for unit pumps to help save the polar bears. Created a lot of issues not to mention heat issues. Old ch have much bigger rad. The 427 not the 460 is the one you want. Or a 380-410maxi w/1660tq .

    The E-9 was a beast of a motor 998cu and 90° V as opposed to the 60° of the 3408

    Do you Think Volvo would be calling the shots? Many of the newer gen myself included i never got to drive a 237hp maxidyne (237 & 906tq at the WHEEL ) macks are a misunderstood creature and that's why i love em. The Ch's from the 90s rode like a dream. E-6 used head studs and E-7 uses bolts

    Let's keep these American Icons in this country. All most all end up over seas. I'll ad more to this.

    And yea they're still slow shifters lol. I like that they drop off slow. Down side since i can't split the Frankenstein trans like a reg 13 i have to wind it up to 1900 to fall back in at 1250 if im on an incline.

    @MACK E-6 feel free to chime in i know the E-6 was your fav

    And @Mike2633 if you haven't already look up the entire history from their 1st ever city bus. I know this is up your ally
     
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  3. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I’m tuned in, ready to learn something.
     
  4. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    I'm no expert at all i can memorize stuff quick lol. There are some true genius' on this board
     
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  5. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I was tempted to buy one like your grey one. Same color scheme, everyone bragged at the time about creature comforts, and good ride. Seemed every Driver I spoke to loved them. used prices were very good on at the time. Mack was struggling with OTR market share, slipped into last place, as I recall. No one was buying them.It was $34000, O/O Truck. almost bought it. Didn’t know enough about Mack’s, or the parts supply chain though, chickened out, seemed too good to be true, Lol
     
  6. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    When the Mack Anthem came out I thought to myself "Mack just went full Volvo". Yeah the truck looks cool but I was pretty disappointed. I personally think Mack trucks died when the CL Series was discontinued.
    I had the pleasure of driving an old RD tri axle with a 350, 8LL when I was 18 and I was really impressed with how it ran for being beat on for so many years. I miss Mack and I wish they'd give us one final old style truck before they fully give into the Volvo look
     
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  7. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I don't know a lot about Mack Trucks although I've spent some time in a few of them.

    The way that I understand it Mack created engines that would give you torque earlier. That was great in the mack dump trucks that I drove. They were really super heavy duty and most likely the best dump trucks ever made. These were 10 wheel and tri axle trucks from the 80s and 90s.

    The B model Mack was one of their best creations. They were super heavy duty and they just held up. Not comfortable or fast by any stretch of the imagination but they were a real bulldog.

    At one time I also drove another six wheeler Mack dump truck. It was probably the next model after the B model with a steel butterfly hood. I don't know what engine was in it but it had a 5-speed. That was hands down absolutely the slowest truck that I have ever been in in my life. If you weren't going slightly downhill you couldn't even shift from one gear to the next. It was absolutely terrible. I don't know if the 5-speed was any better in anything else but I would never want that.

    But Mack made great compound Transmissions. You would have one stick that you could put into whatever range and a separate transmission to run through the gears, forward or reverse.

    I know a guy that restored an
    80s r model Mack tractor. Looks absolutely like new with a 350 Mack.

    He can't find anybody that will drive it because it is an extremely short wheel base with Camelback suspension. That thing has got to absolutely kill you going down the road. At the very least he should put an air suspension under it.

    They were never made for comfort but they were very heavy duty and very well made.
     
  8. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    a ride in a tight ch with air ride will change your mind lol. That e6 350 had 1277tq I beli
     
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  9. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    2015 my dad paid 22.5k for the 93.with 794k 2017 he paid 26k for the 99 with 500XXX local Texas truck
     
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  10. rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

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    I'd LOVE to go pick this up and bring it home to play with, but the wife says I can't. Maybe I could cancel my window replacement for the year....o_O Screenshot_20200215-065258.png
     
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  11. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    Put on some modern air ride off a ch with Hendrickson and that't be the bees knees
     
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