T-Mack1

Our '57 B Model has it on right side (passenger side), out side of frame rail, slightly behind the front axle. You can see the oil pan in the back ground of the picture. Modern Mack's also have it on the front frame rails (at least until Jan 2025 when I retired). Normally left side, but some have it on both L & R rails and one is usually hidden to counter thief and resale of frames with modified VIN's.

Not a dumb question. We don't have a generator. We have an Alternator. They make AC voltage so it needs to be converted to DC and that is done with a rectifier. Although many generators make AC, automotive ones generally make a pulsating DC so no need to convert. The pulses of DC go into the battery and that smooths it out so you have steady voltage. And, the question many people ask, what's the difference between them? Generators have magnets in them. Some of them, big magnets that do all the work, some small magnets that excite a voltage on the parts of the gen to make a voltage that then gets spun to amplify and get the desired voltage. An alternator doesn't have magnets. It uses two wire coils, one spinning , one fixed. By putting voltage on one coil, you can get the desired voltage on the other. By varying the input voltage you can control the output power to get the desired amount. Which is better???? Both have good points. In the automotive world, a generator will create voltage even if the battery is dead as a door nail, where a alternator needs a voltage to start making voltage. A vehicle with a generator can be push started with no voltage on the battery and will run. An alternator vehicle needs a tiny bit a voltage so it won't work on a totally dead battery . A generator charges at a fixed rate, where an alternator has a variable charge rate, so will charges the battery faster. At idle, a generator usually drops in voltage (lights dim) where on a alternator, you can vary the input and get more output at idle/low RPM's. NOTE: : Since energy doesn't just come from nowhere, the energy to get to the desired voltage output is from what ever is spinning the generator (Gas, diesel, Hydro etc etc.). That's why, once you get a vehicle with an alternator running by jump starting it, it can make voltage.

Our '57 B-model firetruck tractor had service only rear chambers, so we upgraded. Well...... when I was setting up to start taking old chambers off, I put the carboard down so I didn't have to lay in the stones. Then laid out my tools and crawled under. AND THEN SOMETHING CAUGHT MY EYE ON DRIVE SIDE OF AXLE HOUSING. A black rat snake was staring at me. He was somewhere around 5 or 6 feet long.... I sent him on his way out into the woods.

Finally for this update, Installed the solid-state 3-Phase rectifier to replace the selenium one. Mounted it to a piece of aluminum and for added measure, added an addition small heat sink to the back. It's mounted on the inner fender. The B-model fender insert hides it well. Plan is to fake out that we still have the old one hooked up, for looks. Note: we and going to be rewiring the truck real soon, so forgive us using the old wires for now.

Next, got some new hood emblems. old & new pict's. Still need B85 and Thermodyne. the passenger Dog is a reproduction we got at Macungie

Latest updates. We now have spring brakes. Bought a QRV (Quick release Valve) with balance line, and since the original "service only" rears chambers were "30", got 30/30 spring brakes. And, a used park brake valve that tests ok, popping out at 45 psig. Yes, I broke down and used plastic DOT air lines. And new rubber hoses all the way around.

I can walk to Macungie. Although I never measured it, I would say it's about 2.5 to 3 miles. I do know the Mack factory is 3.8 miles from my house. Yep, use to take 6-8 minutes to get to work.

Very Nice Vlad. The Mack museum has a 1945 NM that they have in running condition and nicely restored. ( YouTube video below) There is also a video of a 1945 NO on there YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@macktruckshistoricalmuseum7922

mowerman, mrsmackpaul and tjc transport, Yes, a heater in an open cab sounds strange. The Spec sheet we got from the Museum had OMIT on the heater line. But, we use to own a 1946 jeep CJ-2A and it had a heater in it that helped keep the passenger's feet warm. And we do have the duct work in our dash sheet metal to have a defroster and that could, "in theory", help warm the face up a tiny bit. I have the bows from a boat that fit nicely, just have to get canvas made. As for the windows, the passenger side is mostly there, with only an inch or two at the top cracked off. The Drivers side is gone.

Pictures of my repair for the leaking Aeroquip treadle supply hose. Note: I added a Tee to the treadle supply line just below the treadle and plan to use it to supply air to the park brake valve when we convert the rears from Service only to spring brakes.

Last one for today. The Dry/Slippery Road switch was originally on a bracket under the dash. So, for a cleaner look, moved it into the dash where many B61's have it (nothing was there). Note, the water temp gauge is only temp mounted. Previous owner mounted a mechanical gauge but didn't put it in the dash. Moving it into the dash is on the "to-do" list when we change the coolant.

Floor plates. They were not bolted down when we bought the truck. Cleaned, primer'd and painted. Then I made rubber hole filler pieces.

Took a gamble and bought a replacement speedometer cable. It fit the speedo perfectly. The Tranny side wasn't fitting. Measured the screw on retainer ID. Old cable was 0.825 inches, the new was 0.805. Dremeled it a tiny bit, measured. Dremeled a little more, measured... repeated till I got it to fit. We now have a working speedometer, weeooo....

My brother, co-owner Jack got a heater at the Macungie show. Sorry, only before picture I have is when I pressure checked it, but you can see the rust. Cleaned, treated the rust, most of the pitting filled and painted. And, the 12v fan motor worked. yay!!!!

Next, we picked up an ash tray from DM800guy . Cleaned it up, filled the rusted thru holes, made a new spring catch and painted. Came out decent. Now have to fix the hole someone hacked into the dash at the ash tray opening.