SkippyMack

Weird. I sent it a few days ago. See screen shot below.

Frame is almost ready for paint - thanks to lots of elbow grease AND a needle scaler, carbine scraper, die grinder, and ScotchBrite. I've also scraped as much of the old grease and dirt that I can from the rear end. One inside frame rail had lots of gunk, too. Hoping that Purple Power, a stiff brush and hot water will get the rest off.

Did a scrap metal run...and the original fuel tank stayed home! We're going to repair it. 😃 -Happy Girl

Call us crazy, but I think we're going to proceed with a homemade header! Stay tuned. Good news is: my husband was able to successfully repair the intake, so we're only dealing with the exhaust. We're getting creative, as this is not a restoration to "original". I'm going to do a custom wood bed, so have been able to remove brake systems that won't be necessary. Removed the driver's side fuel tank this week, it can't be saved, realistically. The passenger tank was missing when I got it. I think we'll do a custom step and/or tool box on that side. Still debating about the driver's side and fuel tank. I like the looks of the square tank with step, but we might put a round tank on the frame behind the cab (driver's side) and also do a custom step on that side. Goal right now is to get the header built and get the old girl running under her own power!

I did send a message to Mike Harbison tonight. My husband also is working out a plan to fabricate a solution, if need be.

Friends, I need an exhaust manifold for the old girl. All of the flanges are broken. Not repairable. Can you direct me to a source? My husband is a skilled fabricator, and we're brainstorming alternatives, but the real deal would be a lifesaver.

Evidence of spinning parts! Last night's pictures are now in the gallery: https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/

Good News: We got her running tonight! Enough to feel confident about proceeding with the project. Wondering if anyone knows about or has exhaust and intake manifolds for this engine?? Both of mine are cracked. My husband is a master welder and welding instructor and isn't confident that they can be welded. Here's the gallery I'm building of our progress. I'll upload pictures from tonight sometime tomorrow. https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/ Thanks for the lead on spark plugs @Maddog13407!

Recommendations for spark plugs that this engine needs/wants?

Good news! We put a big bar on it last night and ratcheted pressure on it overnight and let the Marvel work. This morning it turned over (by hand)! So now...do we have to put the governor back on, or will the truck run without it?

Got the truck in the shop over the weekend. Tonight we got her up on jack stands, took off the wheels and got to work. Our understanding is that the truck had run within the last handful of years. No reason not to believe the person we bought it from as we have a good working relationship. Someone had done some work in recent years (evidence including fresh fluids, spark plugs, etc..) but it had been outside exposed to the elements when we purchased it. Tonight we confirmed that the air system can hold air with just some minor leaks (still all copper lines) and we managed to get all the brakes working! Oil is clean and good. Coolant in the block and radiator, drained a full 5 gallons. Tranny fluid clean and good. Everything looked promising...but...engine is stuck. Won't budge. 😳😖😳 Ughhh...not what we wanted to find. When the guys turned the crank with a bar on location before I made the purchase, we think they might have just turned the nut (of course couldn't really see by the radiator and shroud at the time. She's not budging. We've put Marvel Mystery Oil down the cylinders tonight. Advice?? Anyone had experience freeing up an old Thermodyne 540 (?) (Is this the only option for the gasoline engine in this vintage - mid to late 50's?) We removed the governor from the passenger side of the engine block (was next to the carburetor). That was free, not bound up. Let the MMO work? Hate to break into this block without a rebuild kit. Thanks in advance for your ideas.

We are wondering if these trucks are usually 12V and negative ground? Pulling her in the shop this weekend!

Awesome! Thanks so much for this information. The official work begins this weekend when we roll her into the shop. The "crew" is ready to get that Thermodyne running!

We got her off the trailer, and towed her up our hill and into the driveway last night.

My mirror brackets are just like the ones in your picture.

Thanks, Mike!

A successful recovery mission! All the body panels fit nicely in the back of my Chevy van. Let the fun begin! I'm excited about the prospect of having an older truck than I originally speculated. After looking at these pictures, if anyone has further insight into her age, let me know. I'm still trying to locate a chassis serial number.

Exciting to think I might have an older truck than I originally thought!

I looked tonight and couldn't see anything. Can you tell me more specifically where I might look on the rear end rail?

Hello everyone, You didn't scare me off 🤣. I wasn't getting notifications of responses to my post. Thank you for responding! I think we're going to try to go and bring the truck home tomorrow. We treated her to some Marvel Mystery Oil a few weeks back and brought the carb home. Carb is now clean, free, and happy. Looks like the truck was originally Mack green exterior. The interior was also green. We believe (based on accessories loaded with the body) that she originally had a dump body. Yes, she has a Thermodyne gasoline engine and a 10 speed duplex transmission (with a spare one, too). Who has experience driving this combination? If I'm not hauling can I drive it like a 5 speed?? Can't be more complicated than the Spicer SST-14 in our '77 International 😳 !! I looked for a serial number on the frame and couldn't find one. Looked all around including the passenger side, above the rear spring hanger. I can't wait to get her home and will certainly post more pictures when we do. Fall is officially here and it's time to dive into the project. Thanks for the welcome and support. I will keep you posted. -SJ

Thank you! I think we're going to attempt to bring the truck home tomorrow!

Ha! I sat in my B60 last night for the first time, the seats are out, so I was sitting on a plastic tote - and realized the same thing - it's going to be cozy! (I'm 6').

I'm getting ready to take on my B60T project! We think it might be a 1963, but I'm going to attempt to get more information via the Mack Museum using the serial number. Does anyone know if that is possible right now? Also wondering about recommended sites and sources for parts. We've got a good "shop family" with competent and experienced mechanics and fabricators - but this will be our very first Mack project. The frame is in great shape and the body is surprisingly sound. Fingers crossed that the original Thermodyne engine comes to life with some TLC.

Hey there, I'm SJ from Vermont. My husband and I have been adventuring, building, fabricating, and bringing new dreams and old junk to life for - a lifetime really. He's a welder/fabricator/mechanic/operator/driver/land speed racer/air show pilot. I'm a visionary and designer who has learned a lot along the way! Along with a talented crew of friends, we've combined our creativity and talents to bring some cool projects together. From a land speed streamliner, to a custom jet car, old motorcycles, to airplanes - we love our projects! Our recent truck projects include a 1974 Peterbilt and a 1977 International Transtar. I fell in love with a Mack B60T project and sealed the deal today. Glad to be part of this community! Cheers, SJ