razorback11

Most art baffles me. Artists tell me about their thoughts when they created a painting or sculpture but I have a really hard time figuring out what the hell I am looking at. My local government spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on several stainless steel monstrosities that they placed at various places around town and told everyone they would brighten up the city. Frankly, I think they should have saved the money! One looks very much like a stainless steel "turd". However, I find myself intrigued with these Rat Rods. It is one art form where I can often see right off what the builder had in mind as he or she put the thing together. I must admit that these dudes and gals are fairly clever and very talented in most cases and I find that the finished product is a one-off that often makes sense to me. After all, Rat Rods don't come with instructions and although I have never attempted the construction of one, I pretty much think they must be an absolute problem solving event from start to finish. I am sure that is why these "Auto Artists" take them on. I suspect that most of these builders change there mind a hundred times while they piece together a project and when finished, it may not resemble the original idea in any form or fashion. That is probably part of the fun. I often study these pieces of rolling art and think about what I would have done different and that is a bit of fun for me. I do also understand the comments in this thread however. I would freak out just thinking about cutting up decent vintage trucks parts to produce a Rat Rod...but then I am not an artist either.

I hate it when your Speedo fails!

Just wanted to pass along that all of you on this site have been a huge help to me thus far in my efforts to bring my B-61 back to life. Happy thanksgiving to all and God Speed to you and your families. Phil

Ladies and Gents, I was wondering if someone could tell me what the part number would be for a Cylinder Rebuild Kit for a Mack End 711. Somebody has a New/Old stock kit with piston, sleeve, etc. with a part # of 57GC358 NOS A5213....but I have no idea what engine that would fit. Although the pistons look like mine...chances are the kit is for a smaller bore. Any of you experts out there know what the part for a 711 would be? Thanks

Lots of awesome good info here...thanks much fellas...I will keep you posted on how it turns out! This site rocks.

Rebuilding a 65 B-61 and thought that I would change out the head gaskets on the END 711 (non-turbo) while I had everything torn apart. Machine shop tells me both heads are cracked. I live in Yorktown, VA. and I can not find a shop nearby that welds cast iron heads. Thought someone here at Big Mack Trucks may know of a shop that I could bring these heads to so I can get them get welded up. I don't mind traveling up and down the east coast....I just don't want to drive all the way to California to get them fixed. I would be interested in purchasing a set from someone who can spare them (as long as they are not cracked as well). Any help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I have one piston that looks as though it ate its rings and the top is scored badly. May have to find a piston as well. Would appreciate anyone with a spare piston to respond and maybe we can make a deal. Thanks fellas and ladies.

So fellas, do the wheels you have match the ones in the pics I sent along? Let mr know. Thanks Much Phil

You are correct. I have the Tandom axles with the cast center spoke wheels. Let me see if I can add a pic or two.

Mike, That is awesome. I can take a picture of the ones on my truck and send it to you to see if they match yours. If so, and your wheel is a good one, I would be glad to hear a price from you. Thanks for the reply. Phil

Laides and Gents, I am hard at work restoring my 1965 B-61 and when I got around to sandblasting the paint off the Dayton-Style spoked wheels, I realized that one of my rear wheels is broken. I am in the process of switching over the tires from tubed to tubeless (11R22.5) and although I have new demountable rims, I intend to use the original Spoked wheels. If someone out there (who will be traveling to the York, PA Truck show at the end of this month or to Macungi, PA next month) has a spare Dayton wheel they would like to sell that is in good shape, I would be interested. I am going to be at both shows previously mentioned and could pick the wheel up from you their. Or if you are within striking distance of the Tidewater area of Virginia, I could come and get it. Please PM me at: greasley@cox.net if you can help me out. PS: Just on the outside chance...I am also searching for "Thermodyne" and "Diesel" badges for my hood. Please let me know if you can help me out in this arena as well. Thanks

I am tearing down my 1965 B61ST. Need to get the engine cleaned up and painted. I have decided that it would be much easier if I remove a bunch of the plumbing as well as the exhaust manifold and valve covers (valve covers have a gasket leak going on anyway). Can anyone tell me where I can purchase another set of intake and exhaust manifold gaskets, and valve cover gaskets?? Engine is an End 711 (non-Turbo). I would appreciate any help on this I can get. Thanks, Razorback11

Hey guys and gals, So my B-61ST has spoked wheels that sport a collection of wheel clamps on the drive wheels and the steer wheels that don't match. In order to match them up so it looks decent, I need 8 rear wheel clamps, Mack Part # 15QJ223BP8. I also need 3 front wheel clamps Mack part # 15QJ121B. Now the BWP part number for both of these are as follows: 15QJ223BP8 = M-1175 15QJ121B = M-1178 If anyone has any of these laying around that they can spare, I would buy them from you. Thanks in advance. Razorback11

Have a question regarding power steering for a 65 Mack B61ST. I have just purchased this vehicle and the seller (been driving trucks for longer than I have been alive) told me that he and his buddies used to get the power steering pumps, etc., off of Mid-80s GMC C7000s and the like, and bolt them right on their b-models. He said it made a world of difference and that is appealing to me. I did not have enough time to pick his brain completely so I thought I would throw the subject out on this forum to see if you smart guys out there have any additional information on this (or any other power steering solutions) that you could lay on me. I would like to get some detailed ifo on how to pull a mod like this off. Not sure where I would find the parts from an old GMC but I have to admit I haven't looked for any yet. Any info you have on this subject would help. Thanks, Razorback11

I will bet your arm hurts from patting yourself on the back....You have bragging rights on that truck...best of luck!

Thanks Fellas, Can't wait to dig into my truck. Looks like it might take awhile to learn how to drive it though...those two sticks have me mystified. I have watched video after video of guys shifting the quadraplex and I can't seem to pick up any pattern or the rhythm. I will figure it out however...may just take me a while. probably need to practice late at night so I don't run people off the road. I am sure someone in this area knows how to roll one of these trucks down the road. I will get some instruction from someone. Thanks for the info on Tidewater. If I run into anyone around here that has any parts they would like to get rid of, I will sing out on this site. Thanks again.

I am new to the site...just purchased my first B-61 that needs some TLC. For the past few days, I have been reading the discussions and blogs and soaking up the advice and checking out what is for sale on this wonderful site. I have noticed several references to "Tidewater" when folks are talking about Mack parts that can be hard to find at a good price. Can someone enlighten me on Tidewater, full name, contact person and #, location? I hail from Yorktown, VA. and the entire area down here that borders the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay is called the Tidewater area and there is a business in Chesapeake, VA called Tidewater Fleet Supply. Is this the "Tidewater" that people are referring to? Happy to be on the site and would appreciate any info.