mattb73lt

Creeping along on the electrical system. Almost done modifying the harness for the 100 Amp, one wire alternator and removing/securing unnecessary wires. The alternator greatly simplifies things and charges like crazy at an idle. Smoke testing continued yesterday with powering up the dash, all instruments work but the fuel gage. That'll be todays chore, with installing new senders and connecting the two harnesses together to power up the rear harness. So far, no popped breakers, dead shorts or odors of things burning. Plus, trying to remember what I did when I wired the dash a year ago. Most everything is hooked and secured in the engine compartment with all temporary wiring removed. A little step forward yesterday by starting the truck while sitting in the driver's seat for the first time, ever. Should be a couple of days to finish the electrics and then a few more to finish the air system.

Those C Models were handy for maintenance, the way the fenders swung out of the way. It beats laying on top of them to work. Those are pretty rare. First time I saw one was was up in Massachusetts when I was buying the truck that donated the bed for my first B Model in chelate 90's. There must've been almost a dozen laying in the yard in various states of decay. There was a gentleman in West Hartford, CT that ran one with a dump body into the early 2000's, then I saw it for sale. Never saw it again. Yours is beautiful!!

Cleaned all the crap off the radiator after it’s rebuild and now the shutters are operational through the air system. More and more things getting hooked up and secured. Starting the electrical hook up in the engine compartment tomorrow. All the radiator and heater plumbing is complete (and NO leaks detected anywhere!!) More progress!

You’re welcome and thank you for being part of the process. It's been good chatting with you and all the others that have chimed in with tips or what they’re working on. It’s been an enjoyable journey so far!!

I’ve been to Atlantic several times. The counter guy let’s me go in the back and rummage through their bins of brass fittings to find what I need for the brake system. They’ve been really good to deal with. My last visit I had a conversation with that gentleman ( I can’t remember his name either?) and he showed me his office and his scratch built models, very impressive the skill he has. He asked what I was building and I had my iPad with me, so I showed him my progress on building the B73. He said it was one of his favorites and he actually had a model of one by his widow. But it got me thinking that this was more of a build than a restoration. I mean sure, I’m trying to be accurate with how it was, but with the stretch for the body and things I wanted (like the Budd hubs and rims) I really am building a truck. It’s been much different than other restorations I’ve done where I’ve taken something apart and put it back together. Even my other B model was easier with the driveline swap and adding that body, much more straight forward than this one. And I will admit this page has been very motivating to moving it along and chatting with everyone here, that has been great and very helpful.

Remounted and filled with antifreeze with no leaks!!! Block and heater core filled with Fleetcharge . No leaks detected on the radiator or block, after running it long enough to get it up to operating temperature. Hopefully done with that aggravating detour, but I did get a lot of the air system hooked up and flex lines fabricated during that time. Still moving forward!!

No not offhand. I have a friend who details cars and aircraft for a living and he has some stuff for aluminum he swears by. He’s promised to get me some of what he uses, but I haven’t received anything yet.

That's really neat. You have a lot of skill and you have a great amount of detail you've put into it. Amazing!!

I think thats going to look great when you get it all fixed up. Looks like a good fit for that wheelbase.

I bought this core about 15 years ago, when I made my initial attempt at doing a restoration, and I want to say this one was about $800. I remember it wasn’t cheap. It was carefully stored the whole time and was without damage. I’m a little pissed it had these issues, but it is what it is and now appears to not leak. I was just thinking that in a few days I’ll drain it and refill it with antifreeze to check it one more time.

OK, fingers crossed this time!! Radiator shop found three more cracked tubes, all next to the one I found. I put it all back together and filled it with water and.......it leaked again, but from another area. This nearly led to a serious Tourette's breakdown or possibly a 72 hour committal for observation! Cooler heads prevailed and work interfered with further frustration by causing me to walk away and perform other duties. Today, I was able to take a calmer look at things and by removing the driver's side plate, located a very small pinhole in a tube far away from the other ones. This one I fixed myself with a torch and some solder. Right now it's full of water and dry everywhere. I'm going to let is sit for a few days, full, as fixing this on the truck would be nearly impossible without some serious disassembly of the front end. The break also gave me time to do a parts hunting/spending spree and I was able to locate a lot of hydraulic and pneumatic items to finish up the chassis. I also bought a large supply of Fleetcharge antifreeze to fill the radiator and engine. That was about $370, so no leaks would be great!!

I swapped my carrier from a CRS-84 to a CRD-117(From a R Model) with a 4.62 ratio. Very easy swap into the rear end housing, then a little driveshaft work to make that fit. The 4.62 was perfect for me, 80 mph top end and at 65 I’m turning about 17-1800 rpms. I have a double overdrive Triplex in it and that gives me good flexibility from local roads to highway. You just need to figure out your ratios, tire diameters to get your cruising rpm right for the speed your looking for. The R model carriers are plentiful and have a wide selection of ratios. Plus, they’re newer and parts are more readily available.

That’s going to help a lot!! Looks really good and your helper seems proud of his work!!

It’s alive!!! Congratulations!!!

Not everything, just the flex lines and fittings. It’s a Garrison add on unit with the piston on the tie rod and the shuttle valve in the drag link. Good system, but not as good as a Sheppard box.

Well......CRAP! I had some leakage issues with the radiator and Monday I removed it and disassembled it after I found a cracked tube. The core is new and has no damage. I’m thinking it happened during manufacturing. It was a pretty big leak, so Tuesday it went to the radiator shop for repair. I should have it back shortly. Progress on a lot of other fronts, hardware from Fastenal is showing up, the driveshaft is finally installed and aligned. I had to get creative buy machining up some wedges for alignment of the hanger bearings on their supports. The rear is complete and full of gear oil. Double checking torques and cotter pin installations. Front shocks and control rods installed. Steering is hooked up and just awaiting some fittings and hose to complete the power steering. After I rebuild the radiator and complete a few other items, I’ll be back on the air and brake systems to finish those. The list is getting shorter on the things that need to be done, but I’m getting closer to having the truck finally moving on it own!,

Gerhart’s might be possible, I’d need to put some miles on it before I’d trust it to go that far.

I was trying to get to Lancaster, as it’s one of my favorite shows, but my employer has his annual charity fundraiser that weekend. I’m still going to try, but not sure if it’ll work.

Not really. I’m thinking late summer for having it drivable and into the fall to set the body in it and get that working and a new wood deck on it.

It runs good, very clean idle, even when cold. I’ll see how it is once I get it on the road.

OH, YEAH!!! another step closer to the road!!! IMG_3769.m4v

Thanks. I wanted to isolate the stack to prevent any resonance to the cab. I’ve seen some attempts to do the same, but didn’t like how they came out. I think this came out pretty good. The stack has an insert muffler in it, so it should quiet things a little more, but should still have that great Cummins sound.

I put the exhaust in the completed column today. It's finished from manifold to the top of the stack. Lots of little sub projects to get it finished and back ordered parts. Modified the stack support to how I wanted it and machined up some brackets to accept the stack clamps, then painted all of it. Removed and reinstalled the battery boxes after adding the hooks that dog the deck down when it's up. The whole area behind the cab is now complete, so steady progress in-between work days.

I would believe it. I’ve seen quite a few shade variations on original trucks over the years. I think the bottom line is if it’s what you like and is within your budget, then go for it. It’s your truck and efforts, make it how you want it and enjoy it.

WOW, looks absolutely fantastic!! Great job. Gotta be a lot of smiles in that shop today!