Flatbed tractor questions

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by NYCgorilla, Nov 24, 2020.

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  1. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    You don't hear much about the old macks because they hardly ever break LOL

    Go with 1990-1997 they were hands down the best engines mack ever made. Basically an upgraded E-6. Shares the same 4.875 bore as the E-6 and but a half inch longer stroke (6.5in). Beefier bottom end with buttress bolts in the side of the block to keep the crank from twisting for added durability. Stupid simple design. A bosch P7100 with an electronic gov housing (can be converted back to full mech) and variable timing to satisfy the EPA. All came with piston squirters no matter the HP rating. They can be turned into fire breathers. A few have hit over 700hp on Antrims dyno that are daily drivers.

    The E-7 E-tech 98-03 is ok nothing special. Im not a fan of em at all. Macks 1st fully electronic engine. Unit pumps ran off the cam (which they did not beef up at all and ran into a ton of cam problems, broken unit pump springs etc) they don't even sound like a mack. The valvetrain on the old E-7 is way beefier, made to last.
     
    Brettj3876, Nov 25, 2020
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  2. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I remember my dad drove a '90's CH600 with a mechanical 400 paired with a 9 speed, looked a lot like yours just with a flat top. We were coming up the PA t-pike westbound with 79k on climbing the hill before Somerset and he started laughing. I asked what was so funny and he said "we just passed a 379 and a W900 in this worn out old Mack."
     
    Dave1837, Nov 25, 2020
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  3. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    Amazing information
     
    NYCgorilla, Nov 25, 2020
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  4. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    80k with a flat is no different than with a box . You might want a longer wheel base and a mid roof sleeper.
    The truck your looking at is heavy and probably had a hard life.
     
    Old Man, Nov 25, 2020
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  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    You can’t beat one of these if you can find a good one. :cool:

     
    MACK E-6, Nov 25, 2020
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  6. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I was just telling my friend at work, when you see a 70's-80's W900A or 359 rolling down the road, you always turn your head to check it out. But when you see a 70's-80's R model rolling down the road, you barely notice it because there's thousands of them still out working every day. That's why I've always liked the old Macks. They were work horses, not some pretty boy show truck
     
    Dave1837, Nov 25, 2020
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  7. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    No but it will beat you, I know I drove a 72 r model otr for several years.
     
    Old Man, Nov 25, 2020
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  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    ...Unless you’re lucky enough to find one with air ride. That’s a rare bird though. I think I’ve seen a total of one.
     
    MACK E-6, Nov 25, 2020
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  9. NYCgorilla

    NYCgorilla Light Load Member

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    Beautiful.


    How does it compare to a big cam?

    And are the mechanics that still work on these old Macks?
     
    NYCgorilla, Nov 25, 2020
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  10. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, that’s an 11L engine vs the 14 and some change of a big cam, but just as reliable.

    Couldn’t tell you about the wrench heads though.
     
    MACK E-6, Nov 25, 2020
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