| Author | Message | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (66.156.169.107)
Rating: N/A |
Here's some pics I took of the bus the other night. I wanted to get some day pics but my schedule didn't permit it. Let me know what you guys think! http://www.danieldale.com/mack-bus/ | ||
| Geoff (64.1.1.144)
Rating: N/A |
Ah, the mysterious horn button... Next person, please | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.21) Rating: N/A |
The bus has definite characteristics of an old Flx. of some type (the windows and skin; wheel welts) or perhaps very old GM (New Look style windshield; or maybe Flx Suburban) . But I guess Geoff gets the prize; the Bulldog on the horn button makes it a Mack. If it's Mack, I'll venture that Flx did some sub work. | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.35) Rating: |
Boy, if I didn't know better, I'd swear that bus is a Flxible New Look transit/suburban bus of late 60s vintage. If it is indeed a Mack, then I'd echo JMaxwell's statement and venture to guess that Mack bought virtually the entire design from Flxible in Loudenville, OH. Front glass, side glass, front air vents, bumper, mirrors - even the controls (lever used to operate the air powered door-s) and bug lights look like a Flx. The dash appears to have been redesigned. I wonder what chance there is that just the steering wheel was replaced from a Mack truck and this bus is, in fact, a Flx??? Too bad you didn't get any shots of the engine room. When you go back, check to see if it is a large V8 siting sideways and tilted towards you as you stand at the rear bumper. Look to see if the tranny is on the passenger side with the drive shaft angling forward to the diff. Or maybe it is an inline six? BTW, just because the air has leaked out and it is sitting low, doesn't mean the air bags are bad. However, if it has been sitting for some time, there is a fair chance they are dry and cracked. You said you ran the engine - did it air up and the suspension rise after a few minutes? Scott | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (170.215.39.109)
Rating: N/A |
I am looking at a truck which has been sitting for a few years and has 8 air bags on the rear. They are all lightly cracked where they have been folded up due to lack of air. Does anyone know if they will survive or will they all have to be replaced asap? Peter. | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (66.156.172.162)
Rating: N/A |
Do you know of any pics of a flxible like you're talking about? The only reason I think it's a Mack is b/c of the steering wheel. I can't find (and to be honest haven't had a chance to thoroughly look) any other identification. The last 2 times I've been by there to look at it have been in the rain and/or at night. With the weeds around back I can't get to the rear until I can bring my snake boots with me. If it's a Flx, is that better? I'd assume parts would be easier to find right? I wish I'd thought to watch the outside of the bus last time I cranked it to see if it aired up or not.  I'll be sure and check next time (couple weeks). | ||
| Geoff (64.1.0.99)
Rating: N/A |
Here are some pictures of old buses-- the Macks are all Old Look, your's looks more like the Flxibles New Look: http://www.subwaywebnews.com/bus_archive.htm | ||
| charlene (208.18.102.207) Rating: N/A |
If you read the book on Mack buses you will see that Flx did buid the body parts for Mack. Mack made several attempts at the bus business, to bad. Well anyway you guys who guess flex get an "A" | ||
| Geoff (64.1.0.99)
Rating: N/A |
Charlene-- did Mack make New Look buses or not? Whether or not Flx supplied most of the parts is interesting, but did Mack put their name on them? I only find Mack Old Look buses, what does your book show? | ||
| Luke Bonagura (Lukeatuscoach) (12.90.10.250)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Dan: GOOD NEWS!!!!!! Your MACK is indeed a Flxible which Scott & the guys already figured out and most parts will not be a problem to find. If you look at the right side rub rail between the fluted aluminum paneling and the painted skirt panel, just behind the front entrance door (unless the bus has been in an accident), you will find a 5-digit vin stamped in it. If it is a 1 - Door Suburban it will be in the 35000 series. If it is a 2 door transit it will be in the 70000 series. Mack did indeed build tons of buses over the years going back to the body & chassis days. They stuck to gas engines when GM went over to diesel and from that point on they tried to play catch up with GM until the early 60's, when they came out with their version of a new look. From memory (a little fuzzy), I believe that Niagara Frontier Transit in Buffalo, N.Y. bought the largest fleet of them. By this time, GM's fishbowl became the bus of choice for transit operations and Mack got out of the bus business. They built 25 model 97-D Highway coaches in the 50's and a prototype for Greyhound which tried it but never ordered. My First post was intended to warn you of potential parts problems, but other than body items you Flx should not be a problem. Good Luck!! should you purchase it and I Hope this HELPS!!!! LUKE at US COACH | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (67.33.233.115)
Rating: N/A |
wow, I feel better about this thing already! There is only one door on it & no evidence of another one having been patched over. All the body panels appear to be intact & in good shape so I think I'm covered there. Anyone know how many airbags & control valves this thing has? If they aren't "too" hard to replace I might just do all of them at once (assuming I buy it of course). | ||
| Luke Bonagura (Lukeatuscoach) (12.90.10.250)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Dan: I am looking at a parts book for that vintage coach and you should have 2 front Bellows & 1 leveling valve. On the rear should be 4 Bellows and 2 leveling valves. If you need additional help or info., you can E-Mail me at: uscoach@att.net I Hope this HELPS!!!! LUKE at US COACH | ||
| Merlin Bennett (Mobennett) (64.12.96.235)
Rating: N/A |
While I was searching for parts for my RTS I ran across a truck and heavy equaipment scrapper just north of Blair NE, about an hour north of Omaha, NE, by the name of Robert Skleener who must have 20 of these busses sitting around. I don't have his address or phone number with me at this time but if you do an area search you should be able to get hold of him. Merlin | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.40) Rating: N/A |
Hi Dan, As for a source of pictures of Flxis, I have a bunch of mine on my Website: http://www.dustyfoot.com I have a 1974 Flxible New Look transit. That is the reason I could identify the body as being a Flxible or being built by Flxible. However, it looks like some of the older New Look Flxis I've seen. Luke is probably spot-on about the air bags. But if, by chance it is newer than it looks, it may have 2 bags per wheel (8 total), one valve for the front axle, and two valves for the rear axle. (side to side adjustment is done from the rear) That is what mine has, anyway, but mine is probably a few years newer than the one you are looking at. Sounds like there will either be six or eight. Parts should not be too hard to find. Even body parts can be found in bone yards around the country. But now I am more curious than ever about the drive train. . . DD 8V71 mated to a Spicer??? DD 671 mated to a Spicer??? Guess we'll have to wait til you go back with a weedwacker and/or snake boots! : ^ ) Scott | ||
| charlene (208.18.102.207) Rating: N/A |
Geoff,Dan & others, Luke beat me to those details. 1988 was Mack's last bus attempt. Luke is da man who will get you parts & info. You - now have Mack enjoy | ||
| Mike M (64.12.96.235) Rating: N/A |
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~bflop/clabus05.html Check out this link with some cool Mack pics. Does your (future) bus have the "cool" tailfins? Good Luck in your indeavor. Mike M. 1969 GMC PD4903 346 | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (67.33.238.160)
Rating: N/A |
One thing I've been able to gather is that the turn signals were next to the headlights on later models and above/totheside of them on earlier models. I'm pretty sure this one was built in the 60s. Sorry, no tailfins. I'm still not clear if everyone thinks it's a Mack or a Flxible with a Mack steering wheel? | ||
| Jeff (Jeff) (68.10.101.219)
Rating: N/A |
I love Mack's I learned to drive on a 1962 C-95 Mack fire engine. 5 speed manual double clutch tranny. Armstrong steering. My last fire engine I drove was a CF-600 Mack. When I was a kid, we had 1949 & 1952 Mack buses. Hampton VA has one 1952 Mack city transit bus left. It is just sitting and rusting. Worst yet, they will not sell it or fix it themselves. The only part in that picture that is Mack is the steering wheel. I bet Willie Nelson has never set foot in that bus either. That bus is all Flxible less the steering wheel. Hampton Roads Transit just sold the last of their Flxibles. If the present owner cannot be honest with you about the type of bus it is, my bet is he is not honest about anything about that bus. Do not walk, RUN away from that bus!!!! 1988 TMC RTS-06 Rustless in Buckroe | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (67.33.238.23)
Rating: N/A |
The current owner hasn't said anything about the brand. I just assumed that it was a Mack based on the horn button b/c I didn't see any other emblems anywhere else on it. | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.26) Rating: N/A |
Dan, In Charlene's comment, "If you read the book on Mack buses you will see that Flx did buid the body parts for Mack." she apparently has the Mack book that explains they bought bodies from Flxible. This dovetails with Luke's comment, "Your MACK is indeed a Flxible..." and with the observations of myself and others. So it sounds like it may technically be a Mack, but it appears the chassis was built by Flxible. This is what is spurring my curiosity about the drive train. Scott | ||
| Wyman (206.61.9.47) Rating: N/A |
Jeff, I think you are drawing a hasty conclusion about it not being a Mack. We have been in the trucking business for many years and only run Mack. I can tell you now it is a Mack with a FLEX chassis. Take a little harder look; The the front & top running lights are those that were also used on the early-mid 60's "F" model Mack's. Plus several other give away's. I'm at a friends house for the week but when I return home and get to the shop I'll try to post some of our archive and point out the details to you. Don't know about the Willie Nelson part but he said he had proof, so I wouldn't be to quick in doubting the mans word. Someone would have to go to a lot of work to just to have a few Mack features The title, serial numbers and the brass ID tag will tell the whole story. Yep horn button is a Mack. Thanks for letting me visit, Wyman | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (67.33.236.171)
Rating: N/A |
If Flx built the body parts for Mack, what exactly is left that makes it a "Mack?" Engines? Brakes? Suspension? Steering? | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.14) Rating: N/A |
That is my question, exactly! What did Mack do to add value to the coach? Build a unique drive train? I am WAGing it has Detroit Diesel engine. Suspension is probably integral to the body i.e. Flxible. Is Mack in the brake manufacturing business? Steering box manufacturing? As always, good answers lead to more questions. Scott | ||
| charlene (208.18.102.228) Rating: N/A |
Mack built trucks just as most do now, parts from everywhere except you can get them with a real Mack engine and or you can specify any other engine you want. Don't know about the bus? It could surprise us all. I hope he puts his snake boots on and takes a good look and lets us know. Speaking of which (snakes & surprises) and being along the river, just think of the unwanted possibilities. | ||
| Beefmalone (Beefmalone) (67.33.232.121)
Rating: N/A |
What's the difference between a Mack engine and a DD? Is one better than the other? | ||
| Charlene (208.18.102.37) Rating: N/A |
Mack built it's own engine 673 was one of the best. Then along came the 711 what a piece of junk. Then came the 678 Macsidine with a 5 spd, it had a turbo and was a high tork low rpm. That was in 1970, then the V8 Macsidine in 1971. Other than that order it with any engine you wanted; Including 671 DD, 318 (8/71), Cat, Cummins etc. | ||
| Johnny (63.159.192.220)
Rating: N/A |
Charlene is right--parts from everywhere. On a weirder note, I once saw a Ford cab-over semi tractor with a Detroit 8V71........... | ||
| Craig S (65.202.123.254) Rating: N/A |
Here's some interesting pics of Mack busses... http://www.redsuspenders.com/~rberman/mackbus.htm | ||
| Mark Medin (Mndean) (209.79.199.29)
Rating: N/A |
I hsve a picture of an Niagara Frontier Transit new-look which may be the (photographically) elusive Mack new-look. Or not. I'd post it, but I have no webpage and don't remember where I got it. Its looks are quite similar to a Flxible, but different enough to easily distiguish it from a Flx. | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.12) Rating: N/A |
Hi Mark, If you want to e-mail it to me. I can host the pic to share it. scott --at-- dustyfoot dot com | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.34) Rating: N/A |
Hi all, Here is a link: http://www.dustyfoot.com/pics/mackbus.jpg Scott | ||
| RJ Long (24.127.74.29) Rating: N/A |
Interesting pic of the "New Look" Mack. Anybody else note that it's got "super single" tires on the rear, not duals? Going back and looking at the original pic posted, it becomes anybody's guess, until Beef can find the VIN. Thanks Mark and Scott for making this pic available. RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Scott Whitney (24.158.166.168) Rating: N/A |
RJ, I thought something looked sleeker and lighter towards the back end, but couldn't put my finger on what it was. Now that you mention the lack of duallies, is seems obvious. Strange. Must be a whole lotta weight on those two tires! Scott |
