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Partners In The H-63


vanscottbuilders

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Been an interesting past few days.

For the 1st time ever, I am sharing a project with a friend. A friend new to trucks.

Although his dad drove a Selden years ago delivering coal.

It is surprising to me how many people are interested in these old trucks.

And people from all walks of life. Kind of cool actually.

I've got a top notch hot rod builder doing sheet metal work for my B-67. He's more excited

about this truck than any rod in his shop!

Those people who think these trucks are reserved for those of us with "background" or experience

are very small-minded and will actually hurt the the hobby in the long run.

Hopefully we have covered the bases well enough to avoid the pitfalls

that can come from misunderstandings in a partnership.

We bought Kevin All's H-63 with the intent of doing a complete restoration.

Keep your eyes open on the BMT forums for Dennis "Cherry Picker" Christiano.

I know he has tried to join, and may have had some difficulty getting in.

Anyway, he'll be here soon.

As I said before, we are looking for any information about originality,

particularly with the interior detail.

The exterior is complete with all moldings and emblems, so that should be pretty easy.

There probably will be some concessions to usability; like maxi brakes and plastic air lines,

but we would like to keep the original power train, wheels and exterior details,

and keep the inside as it was new. (OK, maybe an air seat, but one that could be

changed out quickly)

Next on my list of "Mack wants" is something with an "L" cab and a small sleeper.

Ideally an LT series truck. But a B series with the bigger L cab would do fine.

I've seen a couple of possibilities, but the time is not quite right. Need to finish at least

one before I bring home another one.

6 Comments


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Hi Paul,was your H-model's picture on oldmacks.com ? they had one listed for sale a while back,but I see it's not on there anymore.Just wondering.Never drove an H-model,but they had right many of them at the antique truck show I went to in Troutman,N.C. in July.There was a trucking company that still ran a lot of H-models up until the early 80's at least,I used to see them all the time,but I can't remember the name.Seems to me it was either Harrisonburg Motor Express or Spotswood Trail Express.

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Hi Paul,was your H-model's picture on oldmacks.com ? they had one listed for sale a while back,but I see it's not on there anymore.Just wondering.Never drove an H-model,but they had right many of them at the antique truck show I went to in Troutman,N.C. in July.There was a trucking company that still ran a lot of H-models up until the early 80's at least,I used to see them all the time,but I can't remember the name.Seems to me it was either Harrisonburg Motor Express or Spotswood Trail Express.

I don't think our H-63 was on Dennis Meahan's OldMacks site. I could be wrong though.

There is a guy in North Carolina who has several H-61 and H-63 tractors. Brad Wike is his name. He has a good website, although it takes some time to download. (Lots of photos) www.bradsclassictrucks.com I think.

The early Mack cabovers, other than the W series, seem to be concentrated on the East coast, and specifically in the Southeast.

From what I see, there are not too many of these H-63's around. Appears to be more H-67 cabovers.

We are pretty excited about this newest find.

The trouble with getting another project truck is that I want to start that project, and I am not even close to finishing the one in the shop.

Probably just like everybody else - what I really need is a lot of money, a huge shop and a very understanding wife.

My shop is pretty good, and my wife is pretty understanding - I just don't have any money.

Ah Well.

How's your work doing - any busier?

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Hi Paul,was your H-model's picture on oldmacks.com ? they had one listed for sale a while back,but I see it's not on there anymore.Just wondering.Never drove an H-model,but they had right many of them at the antique truck show I went to in Troutman,N.C. in July.There was a trucking company that still ran a lot of H-models up until the early 80's at least,I used to see them all the time,but I can't remember the name.Seems to me it was either Harrisonburg Motor Express or Spotswood Trail Express.

I don't think our H-63 was on Dennis Meahan's OldMacks site. I could be wrong though.

There is a guy in North Carolina who has several H-61 and H-63 tractors. Brad Wike is his name. He has a good website, although it takes some time to download. (Lots of photos) www.bradsclassictrucks.com I think.

The early Mack cabovers, other than the W series, seem to be concentrated on the East coast, and specifically in the Southeast.

From what I see, there are not too many of these H-63's around. Appears to be more H-67 cabovers.

We are pretty excited about this newest find.

The trouble with getting another project truck is that I want to start that project, and I am not even close to finishing the one in the shop.

Probably just like everybody else - what I really need is a lot of money, a huge shop and a very understanding wife.

My shop is pretty good, and my wife is pretty understanding - I just don't have any money.

Ah Well.

How's your work doing - any busier?

Hello Paul,i've looked at his site. I think some of the H-models at Troutman were his.A lot of companies around this area ran H-models,but I don't know the exact model no.I know they weren't the tall cherry picker cabs,I hadn't seen one of those until the first year I went to the Troutman antique show.They were a little before my time of course :D .Our work's been pretty steady lately,but i'm still in the same "ain't got no money" boat as you.
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Got the word this week from Kevin All that the H-63 has a spun rod bearing. Too bad.

I am lucky enough to have a good 673 diesel to replace it. Just wish I didn't have to.

On a more positive note - he thinks he has found a new cab jack for the truck.

The intent with the cab-over is to keep it in very original spec. A nine speed overdrive transmission

should give it enough road speed so as not to be too conspicuous. It's a ten speed direct drive now.

Radials and maybe some little cab air bags might help the ride enough to avoid an air suspension.

Especially with a trailer behind it.

We've been studying the internet looking at every H-63 picture we can find.

Also looking for factory service and parts manuals, or reprints, if anyone has any.

PVS

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Got the word this week from Kevin All that the H-63 has a spun rod bearing. Too bad.

I am lucky enough to have a good 673 diesel to replace it. Just wish I didn't have to.

On a more positive note - he thinks he has found a new cab jack for the truck.

The intent with the cab-over is to keep it in very original spec. A nine speed overdrive transmission

should give it enough road speed so as not to be too conspicuous. It's a ten speed direct drive now.

Radials and maybe some little cab air bags might help the ride enough to avoid an air suspension.

Especially with a trailer behind it.

We've been studying the internet looking at every H-63 picture we can find.

Also looking for factory service and parts manuals, or reprints, if anyone has any.

PVS

Hey Paul,don't know if it'll help you any,but I did take lots of H-model pictures at the Troutman,N.C. ATHS show.They're all posted on the diesel gypsy's site. And of course Hank's truck pictures has hundreds...no,thousands... maybe millions of pictures. Tom
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