mattb73lt

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!

An extra set of hands is always helpful. I have the same issues trying to find stuff that I took off and stored 25 years ago or that was missing when I bought it.

It's been done many times. Search this site and I'm sure you'll find someone who's documented it. I have a 237 in front of a Triplex in a '63 B42 converted from a EN402. Original swap was a END-673. If it's a B61, it's pretty straight forward. If not, like a gas powered one, it still isn't too hard. You just need more parts, like the front cross member, transmission mounts and a bunch of small parts gassers don't come with. The frames are drilled for both gas and diesel mounts. Waterpumps, flywheels/bellhousings may need to be swapped. Depends on your skill set and shop equipment, too. The stock radiator will handle the 237.

No, it was dry externally and at all the ports. Just pitted on the top and face. Solid otherwise.

Just in case anyone thought I quit or hauled the truck off to the scrap yard, I didn’t. Work really picked up this month and slowed my progress. But, still plugged away on what I think is the second to last batch of paint. Really just the hood is left. This is small brackets, the stack support and the hydraulic tank, that I decided to re-use. It was pitted, but a few quick coats of high build primer fixed it. I still have the driveshaft and brakes to finish, but I want to get the hood done next.

One of my favorite things about these trucks. They look great!!

A buffing wheel and jeweler’s rouge can usually bring it back. There’s a whole series of wheels and compounds that work with stainless. Look at the Eastwood site and you’ll find what you need. Stainless is a tough and forgiving metal. I’ve blended out some pretty deep scratches on some pieces I’ve fixed. On my exposed hardware I replace a lot with bolts from Totally Stainless. I’ll file off the head markings then buff them out on a wheel. They’ll look like chrome and never tarnish.

Nice touch with the strip. Mine was aluminum, but heavily corroded. Replaced it with a steel one I got off the roof donor.

Well, sorry about the Superliner. But, WOW!!! Really looking nice in those colors. Great job!!

That looks great!!! It’s going to be very cool in it’s original colors. Really nice work!!

I'm probably off. From what I saw in a quick search I did, the 421 was a "cheap" version of the 42. No oil cooler and several other things deleted. I think I was mixing it up with the 422, which did have an overhead valve engine. There was a site from where the B model registry came from that had a lot of engine and transmission reference material from Mack posted on it. I can't seem to find it, so it may be gone.

Also, Magnadyne was the flathead and the Thermodyne was the overhead valve. Run some google searches, tons come up from this site, ATHS and others. There's an answer in there somewhere, I just haven't looked at that stuff in years since switching to diesels.

B42 had a EN 401/402 @ 150 HP. Minor differences and I believe an extra head stud. The B421 I thought was an overhead valve EN438. There’s also the B422. There’s a factory chart around the lines up the difference models and engines, just can’t put my hands on it.

Great pics!! You’re getting it done now, though!!!

Really cool early find!! Are you doing a full restoration or just a preservation?

Excellent!! Glad your helper is available full time. Should be a great learning experience for him.