TDBach

Thanks!  We had to do a lot of engineering and designing in order to not modify the chassis so we can put the original flat head EN330 back in it some day.. I kinda like the sound of the diesel though!  

Tracy 

8 hours ago, BillyT said:

TD, ol' Gus is looking great! I hope you have a seat belt!, it would be a long fall to the ground! I assume you're still working on the doors. I see you have one of the good quality metal spinner knobs unlike the plastic junk they used to sell in the fifties and sixties!

I just finished painting the doors today and the rest of the body which is a great feeling!  I was given the old vintage Spinner knob as a gift and trust me after the first drive.. I need it lol!  Lettering and wiring tomorrow!  We are going to meet our deadline, but it wasn't without a lot of late nights and hard work!  

Ms Tracy D 

Thank you!  It was an awesome day to not only here the old truck run, but I'm the first one to drive the old Mack since my grandpa parked it 44 years ago!  I love old work trucks and the restoration has taught me a lot about mechanics... beyond the farm years!  

Ms Tracy D

Want to send her out here to ND? Ha!   I LOVE restoring old trucks!  

This looks great!!

That would be a good quote to put on the back of the truck!  

The windshield used to flip out at the bottom, but the crank device was broken and the hinge was missing.  We have a permanent (temporary) window urethaned in until we can find replacement parts.  We found one off a 46 Chevy dump truck that almost fit, but the angle is off.  So after my grandma gets to see the truck on July 8th, we will start working on replacement parts.  It is really tough finding parts for this old truck! 

Ms. Tracy D. 

I am making my own interior as I cannot find any patterns anywhere!  I have an old photo that I am going from but that is about it.  It is going pretty smooth, but lots of measurements to get it to look right.  

Thanks!  

Ms. Tracy D. 

It's finally coming together!! My grandma is going to be so excited when she sees old Gus coming back down the driveway on her own!  

I used eastwoods single stage euro race green with a nice deep clear coat also from eastwoods!  It has one solid first coat with two thin top coats.  It turned out great! 

Thank you! 

Tracy

I was lucky enough to know my great grandpa Gus and I truly miss my grandpa Jerry.  I wish they both could be here to watch Gus run for the first time in 44 years.  I have learned a lot in a short lifetime, but I have to honestly say that taking ownership of this old truck and restoring her...listening to my grandma tell the stories of the road crews and the Mack trucks, has taught me a true lesson in life...never take anything for granted, take time to listen, and appreciate the work that was done before us.  I've had a lot of great moments in life as well as bad ones... but getting Gus#9 back on the road, and surprising my grandma will be the greatest!  

If this old truck has done anything for my family and friends, it has allowed my grandma to "remember" the good ole days, and she can tell it to those who truly appreciate it!  We have been recording my grandma as she tells the stories, so we can put it in the final restoration video for her.  

I was born in the wrong era   The greatest men, women, and trucks I've ever known are vanishing with time, I just wish the younger generations had the values that we were raised with.   Keep the wheels rolling my friends!  

Thanks!  

Tracy 

They are great to work with! 

Tracy 

Hi there! 

I used: Single-stage Euro Race Green paint and I mixed a leaf green single stage with it to get the right color green (the whole truck will be this color).  If you order it by the gallon, it will also recommend the hardener, and clear coat most commonly used with it.  It was about 67.00 per gallon, and my truck will take about 3 to 4 gallons because I am doing light/sanded multiple coats.  Tracy 

Yes it will!  We plan on taking her home in it after the parade...for some privacy because I know she will be in tears!   It will be an automatic for now, so she can even drive it if she wants too!  

The 4bt is going into an EGX model because the original EN330 engine is going in for a full rebuild. (Once I save my pennies).  So this is a temporary fix to get her running before June 29th.  The 4bt was used in the oil fields in a sand conveyor ND, and was purchased after a company thought it was bad...turns out it was not bad...just a bad mechanic lol.      It is definitely a tight fit..had to change the alternator bracket to fit in between the fenders and the steering box.   Ya never know...I might like her better as a diesel!  Ha!   Especially if Gus is going to haul antique tractors to the local shows! 

Tracy

Yep! I have a lot to learn about old motors... but I can at least weld and do paint and body!  

We have two grills for the truck but repairing them is the challenge!  More modifications! 

Thank you!  

This was the big job!  Ha!  I had to sit and watch as the valves were pulled out, because I would have probably destroyed them!   

We have posted Part I of the video we plan to share with her the day we surprise her!     Here is the link, please let us know what you think.  (The last part of the video is a little blurry, so we are going to re-record that section).  

Thanks everyone! 

Ms. Tracy D. 

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/vJDK9Uqm49s

I have added the full introduction of this truck to the introduction section if you would like to read our family story...every old truck is a family member!   

Tracy

On 12/8/2016 at 6:53 AM, 6v71 said:

Nice work.  Looks like your firewall is cracked down low in the corners, same as mine was.  must be common.  I welded 3/16 plates on both lower corners.  Really stiffened the cab up.  If you find a source for cab rubber seals or windshield frame seal, please let me know.  I was never able to find a grill for mine.  Ended up making one.  All of the ones I found were just as bad as the one I had.

Do you have pics of your grill?  I have to make one too.. thought about buying mesh inserts and the Mack emblems..

Yes, I tried to weld the cracks today.. didn't go well so we will be plating the corners of the cab too!  We are having trouble finding any type of parts for this truck.  I am making the interior myself and as far as the windows go.. all of the ones in this truck were bad. I'll let you know what I find.  Now we are looking for rubber isolator for the engine mounts!  Thanks everyone! 

Thank you! I can't wait to hear old Gus run again.  My grandmother was so excited when we pulled it out of the woods and put new tires on it.