harryb

The B model cabs were made by the Chicago Manufacturing Co and also at that time it made the International Comfovision cab that was widely used by International trucks across it's model range, Leyland in Canada, Hendricksen and Diamond T. CM Co used the same door locks and striker plates on the B model and the Inter cabs. For the special order cabs like the extended sleeper cabs all cabs once fully built by CM Co were then sent onto the Orville Specialty Metal Co in Ohio with the extra body parts if applicable and the cabs were then modified repainted and refitted with all internals. For some applications OSM CO had the frame onsite and fitted the cab onto the frame and completed the truck ready for delivery to the customer.

We are rebuilding a 1982 R model frame with E - 6 / 2 valve motor keeping all the R model frame running gear etc and we are going to fit the B 75 body panels so that once completed it will look like a B 75, but we have a truck that has later model running equipment. We will fit all the usual B 75 equipment such as fuel tanks and the B model cone shaped hubs on the rear spider wheels. We will keep the R model front axle and the spider hubs, they are not that different to the B model spiders. We have fitted the intercooler the sits over the motor because the B 75 front radiator does not have the space to fit the R model intercooler which is in front of the radiator. All said you can do the same with the B 61 however the engine bay is shorter and you cannot fit a clutch fan. Re the steering we suggest you keep the R model steering as it is ex factory, that means you know that it works to regulation. However you will need to fit the R model steering column in the B cab which is ok and if you have full power steer you can fit a smaller steering wheel or you can fit the steering colum from a B 75 series which is like the R model colum but it is a B model steering column. On the wider R model front axle we are keeping the R model axle and to cover extra width we are going to slice the left and right fenders and add a metal strip of say 3 inches thereby making the fender wider to cover the wheel. Or you can also add a wheel arc mould like many modern 4 wheel drives with wide wheels and similar to the current Macks. You will need to modify the internal fenders to allow for the R model equipment but this is relatively small work. And you can run the exhaust pipe directly under the cab not through the fender as the B models. Also it is practical to raise the body panels say 2 to 3 inches to get more engine space under the hood. Another idea is if you raise the cab 3 inches you can lower the cab floor by 3 inches and combined with the R model steering there will be more cab space for the driver, this way you can fit a modern/current Bostram set of seats so you get a better ride. The cab and radiator mounts can be modified and positioned on the R model frame as required to fit the B model body panels Overall think about the bus makers they buy a complete frame and fit the body to suit. Whilst this is a Mack site, you may wish to look at the web page of Courtland Truck Works in California, they specialise doing Peterbilt retrofits, using later model equiped frames and fitting say 1950 body panels, you can get some interesting ideas and pictures of retrofits. Also have a look at Matt Phaffs pictures on this Big Mack site showing his recent green B 61 model rebuild with an intercooled motor. Good luck.

We are rebuilding a 1982 R model frame with E - 6 / 2 valve motor keeping all the R model frame running gear etc and we are going to fit the B 75 body panels so that once completed it will look like a B 75, but we have a truck that has later model running equipment. We will fit all the usual B 75 equipment such as fuel tanks and the B model cone shaped hubs on the rear spider wheels. We will keep the R model front axle and the spider hubs, they are not that different to the B model spiders. We have fitted the intercooler the sits over the motor because the B 75 front radiator does not have the space to fit the R model intercooler which is in front of the radiator. All said you can do the same with the B 61 however the engine bay is shorter and you cannot fit a clutch fan. Re the steering we suggest you keep the R model steering as it is ex factory, that means you know that it works to regulation. However you will need to fit the R model steering column in the B cab which is ok and if you have full power steer you can fit a smaller steering wheel or you can fit the steering colum from a B 75 series which is like the R model colum but it is a B model steering column. On the wider R model front axle we are keeping the R model axle and to cover extra width we are going to slice the left and right fenders and add a metal strip of say 3 inches thereby making the fender wider to cover the wheel. Or you can also add a wheel arc mould like many modern 4 wheel drives with wide wheels and similar to the current Macks. You will need to modify the internal fenders to allow for the R model equipment but this is relatively small work. And you can run the exhaust pipe directly under the cab not through the fender as the B models. Also it is practical to raise the body panels say 2 to 3 inches to get more engine space under the hood. Another idea is if you raise the cab 3 inches you can lower the cab floor by 3 inches and combined with the R model steering there will be more cab space for the driver, this way you can fit a modern/current Bostram set of seats so you get a better ride. The cab and radiator mounts can be modified and positioned on the R model frame as required to fit the B model body panels Overall think about the bus makers they buy a complete frame and fit the body to suit. Whilst this is a Mack site, you may wish to look at the web page of Courtland Truck Works in California, they specialise doing Peterbilt retrofits, using later model equiped frames and fitting say 1950 body panels, you can get some interesting ideas and pictures of retrofits. Also have a look at Matt Phaffs pictures on this Big Mack site showing his recent green B 61 model rebuild with an intercooled motor. Good luck.

I was taliking to a former senior executive of Volvo Trucks and we were discussing B model Macks. He made a comment that he recalled hearing that during the 1950's and 1960's that Mack had it's engine blocks made in Europe. This sounds like a real back hander from a Volvo man. So that I can be informed when I next see him, does any member know which company actually made/cast the Mack diesel engine blocks for the 673, 711 and V 8 - 864 series. Did Mack make the blocks or did Mack have another company make the blocks. If it was another company what was this company's name and where was it located. Interesting that Mack did not make the B model cabs, these wre made by the Chicago Manufacturing Company which also made the comfo vision cabs for the International Harvester trucks during the 1950's and 1960's. I found that the door locks on the B model and the R model inter are the same parts.

Hi Scott I would like to make contact with you via email re your B 70's in order to help me with my restoration and rebuild of my B 615, so can you reply to me with your email address. My email is hbarbon@vic.chariot.net.au Harry