MalibuJim

That's a start, thank you.

Well, as if the truck alone wasn't enough I had made a suggestion a couple of years ago to the owners that we could add a trailer to further enhance the truck.

Sooooooo................. Does anyone have any idea where I could start to look for a single axle "sixty's" type trailer. Of course it would need to be from out west or somewhere where the frame wouldn't be all rusted out. I'm not sure but I think the box type was a "round nose" As you can see I'm not too versed on the types of trailers, but I had never built a big truck like the "B" before this one either.

Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas or criticisms would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jim 

Does anyone know of a restorable (loaded question) trailer that would be close to period correct for our '64 B-61? I think a round nose single axle in the 30-35 foot range. I wanted to do a trailer for this tractor back when I built the truck, not so sure now if I have enough gas in the tank for another restoration. But, I thought I would ask.

Actually on second thought, how about one that's ready to go, that would probably suit me a whole lot better in my old age.

Respond here or at

jimt@paiindustries.com

I only hooked mine up to make the truck look more original underneath and I had to make a couple of the rods.

For what it's worth, I put Firstone 11R24.5 14pr FS 590 (steer) and FD 690 (drive). don't laugh, but my concern was what the tread looked like. I didn't want knobby drives for sure and these looked the best for me.

As far as not "feeling like you have control" wait til you drive it for a few miles and ask your arms if you think you could "feel" like you had control!!!

What a cool old truck, looks like ours did when I started the resto. Good luck with it.

Jim

Hiya Rob,

I don't know the actual size other than dimensions and its a 4 row core. I'll try to post a picture or two tomorrow. As far as the parts go, what sort of restoration parts are you using.

J.T.

Hi guys,

Haven't been here in a while and I am glad to see new names along with all of the older dogs. I have an original heater core and box and dash panel off the old '64 B if anyone needs them. Hate to throw em away but I'm cleaning house and these might be the only pieces worth mentioning.

I'll post pictures of them if needed, just let me know.

Thanks, Jim

Here's a couple more pics. Last Friday I put another 15 miles on it and took it to the PAI Christmas lunch at a local Mariott here in Atlanta. Sitting out in the sun was a nice change since all I've had before the 1st road trip were pics from inside a shop.

Also I included one pic from the beginning as a reminder that unrestored B's can be in pretty bad shape. This one had no floor, bottom of doors rotted, bottom back of cab rotted and bondo in lots of places. The block was welded and leaked and the radiator had a fan stuck in it. It hadn't been licensed since a couple of years before we bought it, but other than that it was in pretty good shape.

I'm going to try to get some interior pics but because the headliner, door panels, seats and carpeting are black pics don't turn out too good.

Merry Christmas everyone, Jim

Thanks for the comments guys, here's a quick answer to your questions.

Randy, the engine was a major problem because I wanted to keep the Duplex trans. Therefore that meant keeping the original crankshaft which meant there were no pistons available for the 1.625 inch wrist pin connecting rods. So I took a set of 2 inch pin pistons with the bigger rods and modified the big end of the rod to fit the early crank. Had to take .140" off the width of the big end of each rod to fit. I wanted the turbo and tip turbine so the engine had respectable horsepower so basically I ended up with a modified version of an EM6-285.

Albert, the rims were another problem because of course split rims were not an option. So I switched to a 24 inch tubeless that would still fit the original Daytons (needed to keep those!)The tires are 11R24.5 Firestones FD-690 drives and FS-590 steers.

Hatcity, it was pretty quiet at the Flying J but going down the road was a trip in itself. People in cars and of course the big rigs were all looking at the old girl like she was naked. Unfortunatly the only speaker I had hooked up for the CB was in the radio itself and I couldn't hear that one (imagine that). One of the little details I'm working on is a remote speaker which will be one of the rear stereo speakers. I could hear the music.

Thanks again y'all

Jim

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!

Finally!!!!!!!!!

After 7 years and I couldn’t even begin to count the hours, I took her up the road to her first Flying J fuel stop and back to PAI this past Saturday, (85 uneventful miles)

Of course there needs to be a few adjustments and details dealt with but all in all a very successful trip. The old girl rides and drives like a dream. The comfort level inside is high with the air ride seats smoothing out anything that a 46 year old Mack truck would send to a poor old driver.

What’s next? Finish some details, lots of pics, maybe a publication would be nice. I'll have more pics and possible video for BMT in near future.

Happy Holidays, Jim

Thanks for the comments guys,

I've got another picture or two I'll try to post today and I will get some video, that's a great idea. Y'all have a Merry Christmas

Jim

Whewwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll tell you what, this thing just about kicked my ass. Anyway, for all of you that are working on any old vehicle project, don't ever, ever quit. Yesterday was a major day for me (after 6 years) and the feeling of actually pushing in the clutch and putting it in gear for the very first time was nothing less than fantastic.

I drove it out of the building and around the block once and back in the building and what a relief that was, all the gears even worked. At 63 I got just as excited about this one as anything I've ever done in the past, maybe even more so because its bigger. Anyway, I've got quite a few details to finish, airconditioning, more electrical, c/b etc. and then the long road test to get all the temps up and shake out any of the tools I've lost, but I will keep y'all posted. Have a Merry Christmas,

Jim

Thanks again guys,

I appreciate the feedback, some of these little details concern me 'cause I don't know the trucks like y'all do. I'm sure it would sound better without a muffler, but, I think the looks would be better with one (I'm working on the shield at the moment), plus we won't be driving it too much. And Tom, Larry's right, the fifth wheel is a new Fontaine SLTPL 6000. The fifth that was on the truck originally was in real rough shape (as was the whole truck) with a super cobbled up mounting arrangement and I thought it would look better again with a later deal on it (actually a little smaller). You'll see in my gallery this Fontaine during the week I spent on it to make it fit and look good.

As far as PAI making any B-Model stuff, no. But, I have used many, many parts off the shelf for this truck including all of the air components, valves, compressor, and brakes, spring brake chambers front brake chambers and slack adjusters. I used our sleeves, pistons, rods, camshaft, and all of the bolt on accessories, w/pump, oil cooler, alternator, and probably much more stuff.

HOWEVER!!! I had to modify, fabricate or otherwise almost all of this stuff because most of these pieces are for R models and later and would not just bolt on or in.

Thanks again and I'll keep postin'

Jim

Hey y'all,

Thanks for the compliments, I don't post a lot but I do appreciate the support.

I have to custom make all of the exhaust from the turbo back because I moved the engine back 2 inches and am using a different manifold to mount the turbo, therefore no store bought stuff will work.

I have a question about muffler location. I mocked up the exhaust this morning and in my infinite wisdom I thought it would be nice to tuck the exhaust and muffler a little tighter to the cab. I'm quite sure that originally the exhaust needs to be out far enough to help clear a trailer. Is this right? But it also seems too far for a truck that may never have a trailer behind it. Other than burning the paint (it's not that close) are there any objections that I might be unaware of? Does it look weird? Any and all opinions welcome.

Thanks again,

Jim Thelen

Assembly dept. mgr.

PAI Industries

Doesn't look like you're gonna make it to our show this year! Aug. 22nd, 2009! Better get busy!! LOL

Probably not Barry,

However, the owner of the company did make a bet with me last Christmas that I could'nt have the truck done and driving by Christmas '09. And I took it!!!!!!!! No pressure! Of course, every time I get a little momentum going he brings some PAI business for me to work on. But, I think I can take his money.

I'll keep ya posted, Jim

Hey everyone,

It has been 4 years since I started this project so I guess I better step it up, although at the same time I do have my daily duties here in Manufacturing. I told the powers to be that I can have it finished by Christmas 09. Ought to be interesting to say the least.

Here are a couple more pics for the album. I do have the brakes done (plumbed like a CH) and the EMC6-250 is under the hood and everything fits pretty good. The front sheet metal will be going to the body shop next week for straightening/priming and I'm planning on final paint around middle of May. I'll try to keep my album updated with pics when I have some worth showing.

See ya, Jim

Big difference! According to one of the old farts here at PAI he said that there are 3 big knots on the side of each cover to clear the exhaust rocker. So it seems there is a clearance issue on the INSIDE of the cover. No, we don't have any, I checked.

Good luck, Jim

AHHHHHHH the B-model project. Well it's coming along ever so slowly but it is progressing. Moving the engine back for the A/C pulley created a clutch linkage problem that I thought was going to be a permanent nightmare. As it turned out though it was quite a simple problem to overcome so that's taken care of and I'm moving along, I'll keep ya posted.

Thanks for asking Rob, Jim

Big difference! According to one of the old farts here at PAI he said that there are 3 big knots on the side of each cover to clear the exhaust rocker. So it seems there is a clearance issue on the INSIDE of the cover. No, we don't have any, I checked.

Good luck, Jim

I'm a dutch professional fire fighter and as an hobby I make scale models of (mostly) american fire trucks.

I found this site because I have several scratchbuild models of Mack CF's in FDNY version.

Currently I'm working on a big scale ( 1:14) radio controlled Mack CF, with a Baker Aerialscope. This will be a model based on the early 70's New York 75" Tower Ladders.

On this forum I hope to find extra information on Mack trucks, and then especially fire trucks. I'm looking for nice clean photo's of logo's and name plates on the fire trucks to have the decals made and the original enginen sounds of a Mack CF.

This is the model in progress.

Fred

Welcome Fred,

Wow, is what I say about your model. I have always been amazed at how much detail modelers can do with cars, trucks, airplanes, etc. Your fire truck looks amazing. Although I personally don't have anything I can contribute to your project, I'm sure some of the other people on this site will be willing and able to help.

Good luck and again welcome to our family,

Jim

Hey Chris,

I haven't been logged on the forum for months until this morning. Saw your request and I have one if you still need it. I'll give it to you, all you need to do is take care of the shipping. How's that?

Jim @ P.A.I.

Just came across your question. The answer is Yes you need a ballast resistor. The points themselves should not have more than 9.5 volts going to them(12 volt system?). Also, the condesor keeps the points from arcing when they break, so if the condensor(s) were bad that could contribute to the problem.

Hope this helps, Jim

Thanks Barry,

Those were great photos and to anyone who has NOT seen the Blue Angels in person DO IT!!! At least once in your lifetime it is something you will never forget!

Jim T.

I use Royal Purple synthetic in all of my cars/ and truck(engines/trans/and differentials. I will use it in the engine/transmission/differential of the B I'm restoring. Take a look at the website, ask fleet operators etc. but I think it's the best lube available. There have been fleet studies on Royal Purple use, "allegedly" better fuel milage, less failures etc.

Here is the their site, http://www.longrider.com/

By the way, we don't sell or promote any oils/lubes here at P.A.I. This is strictly my opinion and a suggestion for those who may not have heard of this oil/lube company.

Jim T.

looks good.. i like that intercooler / aftercooler on the intake..... i tought all the mack trans had triple countershafts..mummn i guess i was mistaken..is that just the later 13 and 18speed mack trans?... so how much power can my old quadraplex take?....i definately will want to upgrade then as i plan to be able to work mine when done...mummn..and have a lot of power... looks liek i have to swap a e7 and its regular tran in then or find a e9 or use the cat 3406 b...mumnn then radiator problems maybe... mummn too much $ argh my wallet is hurting now just thinking of it..hehe

but yours looks really really nice. i likethepaint etc.

thanks deo

VERY nice job, I can only imagine how you feel at this point. You have done a nice job documenting (photos) for us to watch the project progress has been incouraging.

Looking forward to the next pics.

Jim T. P.A.I.