mattb73lt

Just now, mechohaulic said:

your messin with my head  aren't you.!!  NO WAY  the black tanks from original found truck in woods were chrome under that paint. 😱 and if they were ;; darn that's A LOT OF ELBOW grease. LOL

They're not. This was a really nice pair I found in upstate NY. The ones that came on it had some damage the black paint was hiding. The right one had about a 4 lb patch of JB Weld covering a hole where they must've backed into a rock. Over the years I collected up several sets of tanks, one set complete with brackets. But, these were the nicest I came across and really max out the bright work.

I know someone was asking about aluminum polish quite a while back and  I can't recall who. But, these are the two products I just ordered that we tried a few weeks ago at my friends shop. Both are made by Alumaclear and the only place I was able to purchase them from was on their website. I have been using a product called Zephyr 40, but that stuff was leaving the aluminum cloudy unlike the Alumaclear. It leaves a much clearer final finish. I did the radiator and driver's tank with it today and spent about 20 minutes on each. This was just the blue Ultra Fine product. I'll try the green stuff out later.

43 minutes ago, skydawg said:

Hey Matt,is the guy you bought it from still alive? I`ll bet he wouldn`t believe it`s the same truck,if he saw it.

He passed a few years ago. I am in contact with his daughter and son in law. The son in law runs the company now and has for some time. I do keep them updated on my progress and send them pictures. Some of which made it to the previous owner before he passed. I'm also in touch with the original owner's nephew in Texas, he was from New Fairfield, CT before relocating his trucking business there. I did track down the original owner, too, and he came by the house in 2004 to see the truck, albeit in pieces. He was amazed the truck still existed and that I was able to track him down.

Up at Matt Pfahl's today to drop off a NOS Early L model driver's window and regulator that came out of my door. He's got a LM he's doing for a customer. Still running great, 475 miles on the truck and 375 on the 220. Now that I'm driving it, it's still hard to believe I polished this turd up to what it looks like from how I found it. I've owned it for 25 years next month and have been consistently working on it since 2015 when I started this thread.

That’s how you get it done! A little at a time, sometimes bigger steps. With life that’s not always possible. Ordering parts, organizing something, getting some hardware on your way home from work, just something to move the ball forward.

14 minutes ago, Red Horse said:

Matt,

I know way back you mentioned how you did the frame.  too lazy to search.  The outer are new rails and there is a Louisville liner?

No, the entire rear or stretched area is from the donor truck, a Ford Louisville. I cut the donor just behind the cab. I was able to slide the Ford frame directly over the Mack. I believe Freighttrain did a similar stretch to his B61. We had a separate conversation long ago on another thread about it. This was the area I used.

The aluminum really pops with the stuff we were using. Great contrast between the paint and brightwork.

1 hour ago, Brocky said:

Sounds Great!! Love the Backdrop.. Earlier you said you might have to put a muffler on it??? Would one of the old "Pancake" Mufflers keep the great cakkle???

I'm thinking about it. I might just do a resonator. Something to soften it just a little. The Jake brake is just obnoxious when it goes off. It does keep idiots away, though!!

This day took almost 25 years to make happen. Out chasing parts for the B42 and stopping by to see friends and their garages. One had me pull in to his air conditioned shop to show me the different aluminum polishes he uses and do a few test spots to see what worked best. The big dog didn't even mark new territory or leave a calling card on his floor. 200+ miles and counting!!

There's a little video he took of me leaving below this picture.

No worries, we all have to start somewhere. The only way to find things out is to ask questions. The answer mostly had to do with Cummins engines and the NH series, 220, 250(although it's a NHC250 and 855 CI), 275 , etc. Most common exhaust manifold was the center dump, it was a three piece manifold and dumped straight down in the center section. The backdrop ran almost straight back to the rear of the engine with slight down turn, hence "Backdrop". There were two types of back drop, one with an internal baffle or divider. That one was meant for the NH/743 CI series. Then one without the baffle, meant for the NHC/855 CI series. The one with the baffle makes a particular exhaust note due to the fact the baffle prevents the exhaust gasses of the first three cylinders from mixing with the back three cylinders until they exit the manifold, giving the exhaust that particular "bark". There were many manifold made for both engines depending on its application and installation.

Up to 150 miles, as of today. Trying to put 500 miles on it and then change the oil and filter on the engine. It really is running well. With no body on it, it just floats along at 70 turning about 1650 on the flats. Lots of thumbs up as I’ve been using I-91 from Meriden to North Haven for my runs. Mechaholic, if you want to go for a ride, give me a message and I’ll have you come over?

I had a very close call in the B42, today, when I was picking up the hydraulic cylinders in Danbury. On the way back on I-84, I had a rear service brake line fitting come loose and separate. I didn’t know it until I needed to stop and had almost no brakes. I heard the rush of air and had the pressure gage dropping until the maxi-brakes started to come on. I was able to stop, but it was close, in building afternoon traffic. Tonight, I’ll replace my underwear. Tomorrow, I’ll replace all four service flex lines to the brake cans. Damn!

No worries, post away. That transmission and frame was a dirty mess when I found it. 350K + miles and left in a field. It wasn’t a magic wand that made it look like that.

There are variations to what Mack did. Most frame and transmission mounts were cast. Gas and diesel mounts are different as we discussed. Just for general info, there is a difference in single and double clutch arrangements, too. Double disc clutch’s require a 1” deeper bell housing on the transmission side, moving the transmission back 1”. Mack used an offset welded mount made out of 1/2” plate. They’re roughly made and not cast. My B73 has these. If you look at these pictures you can see the off set. Most mounts bolt directly to the frames and transmissions.

The sheet metal is all together. I need to make a few adjustments and fill a few bolt holes, but it's looking good. Very happy it’s back together!