mattb73lt

Every piece I hang back on this truck, it just keeps getting better and amazes me from what it was. First fender back on today, DAMN!!!!

Yeah, first look, “oh, it’s not that bad.” Then you start poking and looking and moving stuff around. Then the issues start adding up.

That’s some great work!! It’s really looking good. Great video, too.

First repower was a 1957 END-673. Ran that for 10 years and then it ate an exhaust seat. Current engine is a 1973 ENDT-675, totally different truck with that engine.

The '63 B42 really was. Around 67K miles when I found it. Gas powered, local truck that last saw service with a tree company. Only used in the summer months and garage kept. No rust, factory paint intact on the floor that was covered in an chainsaw oil soaked shag carpet. I added the roll back deck to it on the factory wheelbase. Then re powered it and cosmetically restored it. It's been a great truck for almost 25 years.

Helped move six vintage cruisers this morning over to the Farmington Polo Grounds. THere's a group coming from Australia, too! Mostly a car event, giving rides to the special olympians and their families. Lots of smiles will be had and a lot of funds, too.

It’s the Dreamride event in Farmington at the Polo Grounds. My employer’s huge annual fund raiser for the CT Special Olympics. The main Dreamride is on Saturday, but the whole thing runs Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Big car show on Sunday. I’m helping move some vintage State Police cruisers up there Friday. I’ll be driving a ‘41 Ford cruiser Saturday. The show Bob was speaking of is up in Lancaster, Ma. The Bay State Chapter’s 20th anniversary show, Saturday and Sunday.

Thanks, Dean. It’s been a pleasure working “with” you on our projects and I’m glad it’s been helpful on several levels. I’ve really enjoyed watching your progress, too!!

Thanks, Bob. The barn got a huge restoration in 2015 and the roof in 2002. I’m bummed I can’t make it up there this time. I just gave the B42 a day of love for this weekend. There’s still a slim chance I could make Sunday.

24 years ago this weekend I found this truck in Litchfield, CT. Dragged it home and dropped it in front of my barn at the house I bought about a year and a half beforehand. Lots of things have transpired since that time, but one of the good things is seeing this truck, nearing completion, sitting in the same exact spot.

TEST RUN! I borrowed one of my car phone mounts and used my iPhone as a Go Pro. A little test run video up the driveway without crashing. I think the sound is right on. Not full throttle, but probably half due to the length of the run. Everything is so tight with no play in the shift towers, yet. It all needs to get run in and adjusted. I'm happy with it so far. IMG_3928.m4v

Well, I kinda had to. It was either stop or crash through the barn, then plunge about 30 feet down into my neighbors back yard!!

I think so. You could always treat it with a preservative or some kind of waterproofing treatment. If you do that and it’s good quality plywood, I think you’ll be fine.

I finished up the accelerator installation on Saturday. After warming up the engine, I backed down to the street. This gives me almost a 100 yard run to the barn. In first, I walked the compound up, under, direct and over, before I had to get on the brakes. Well, the 220 and exhaust didn’t disappoint. It was LOUD and had quite the bark, much more so than just revving it up. I’m going to run it as is for now. Although I may need to rethink the noise level. It sounded incredible. I don’t have a Go Pro camera so no video of it.

Any thoughts on recessing the front corners of the sleeper for the stacks? It would take some work, but the results might be worth it if you don’t have to move the stacks and tanks.

Watt’s used to market a chrome, stock style, bumper. I haven’t seen anyone offering one in a while. Stainless versions have been available, but again not sure if they are anymore. There have been several attempts to make chrome shells available again, but that hasn’t happened. Your best bet there would be to find a really clean steel shell and have it chromed or one that needs re-chroming. Expect to pay around $1500 for good chrome plating.

Nice. So you channeled it to sit lower on the frame? That should look great when you get it all lined up.

Hemming's Motor News site, look under Services. Lots of rebuilders there offering all kinds of things. You may find a resource near you.

Classic can silk screen the gage faces, too. They could rebuild your originals to match those really nice NOS gauges you found. Also re-calibrate for accurate readings.

A thought would be to reach out to Matt Pfahl. He does a lot of vintage Macks and has a lot of resources to get things rebuilt to original. Classic Instruments is another resource that rebuilds old instruments and can also put modern innards into them for those that want the original look but modern operation, like 12 volts.

Yes, there are two patches of plywood, between the fixed floor and the removable panels that go up to the firewall. I used marine grade plywood and made some of the openings smaller. This was the piece before I cut it in two, like the original.

Moving right along!! Power steering is complete and works!! Mounted the steering cylinder and fabricated the last two lines I needed. No leaks and it's definitely a help over the manual box, but the Sheppard box in the other truck is a more powerful unit. But no complaints on this Garrison unit. Almost done modifying the floor pans, cutting a slot for the pedal arm to pass through and travel. Need to make some filler pieces to close up the old gaps, the rest and the steering column hole I'll cover with a 1/8" rubber sheet to seal the rest up. Pedal position is much more comfortable as my heel rests where the pedal base was and the ball of your foot easily presses the pedal. Also have to mount and rig the new accelerator pedal. That should be easy as it's a brand new kit From LOKAR. Pushing hard this week because next week will be busy with work through the weekend.

Not with the B73. I was hoping to come up Sunday with the B42, but it’s a very busy weekend with my employer having a huge Special Olympics fund raiser and the big Dreamride event on Saturday.

Not really. I only heard the center drop once when I bought the engine 20+ years ago. The backdrop sounds really throaty when you rev it up, with a good bark. The video I have of it revving up sounds really good with my headphones because of the bass. Hopefully, I'll be running it around soon so I'll have better sound with a load on it.

This is really going to look good when the fenders and hood go on!! Just went through the whole front end, double checking torques, cotter pins, front end toe-in and greasing everything. Finishing the power steering tomorrow and concentrating on the electrical on Friday. Still need to paint the hood, but the weather is getting better for that. Really making some good progress lately.