thomastractorsvc

Good Morning All, I am currently convalescing from a service connected surgery and since I have a little bit of time on my hands and my wife’s laptop I was hoping to research what is required to change over the brake pods. Develop a list of parts and a straight forward thread that documents the process for the future. I am no expert on Mack B61s brake systems but I am an ASE certified Medium/ Heavy Truck. Years ago hearing about converting a single air system over to springbrakes without adding a secondary system. If anyone has done a similar upgrade or familiar with the process I would appreciate comments, pictures, parts used. Thanks

That is not a recent photo???? Most people here in the "Show Me" state have the same hair style, my lack of hair prevents me from sporting that style look but I always liked it.

My alternator came in today took it out and just like leversole said the generator pulley fit right on. Now I need to locate a 12" 1/2 bolt and a 6 inch piece of black pipe for the bottom mount. I was thinking of pulling the center bolt out of the generator mount and fabing up a piece of angle iron for the rear mount. I will have to see how much the bolt cost.

If I remember, that truck had a broken rear spring on the drivers side? Don't want that coming apart during a parade! I will just put some JB weld under it and glue it back down, then hold in place with some rusty fencing as a clamp !!! The left front is missing a spring too, since it has such heavy suspension I was going to have the spring packs redone and softened. I was talking with a place in KC and they can redo at a reasonable price and soften the springs to ride smoother since I am not going to pull anything that wont fit on my 14K, mostly my JD 60.

I just checked the width of mine and it is 9/16 or between 13/14 mm depends where I measure. I just looked at the gates site and the 21/32 I would is correct since mine are worn.

Name: 1959 MACK B61T Date Added: 15 March 2012 - 09:51 PM Owner: thomastractorsvc View Item

Yes Sir, very proud!

Not sure they are just over 1/2 inch wide, I did not measure the belt but I did on the the pully on the alternator and it was 1/2 inch. The way the belt sat I would have to say the belts are 9/16 but that seem like an odd size or maybe they are metric I know I will catch heck replacing them, I tried to pull one off to bring with me today and it would not squeze between the rad and the front pulley

Yes, you probably looked at, I found it here on the for sale board. I was looking at a tandem found one from New York that was in better shape just needed paint but it had no title and when I researched on getting one here in Missouri it was going to be a pain because the truck changed hands so many times without a title after 1973. I spent two days on hold with the State of New York, Massachusetts and Missouri. I told the guy to get a letter from the state and I would buy it. He never called back. I wanted a truck I can register and tool around in not have to trailer everywhere. This one has a good title other than the floor boards not that bad I still have a couple spots on the fenders then it gets a coat of primer and paint then inspection sticker I am trying to have it done to pull my gooseneck for my daughters homecoming parade before school gets out. My pickup is not as cool as the Mack she said.

Could not find one around here for less than $175 so I got one online for $99 with free shipping same one they wanted to sell at NAPA/Oriellys/Advance even checked Ryder they were $200. They all had to be ordered or I would have probably bought one so I would not have to wait. Nobody stocks parts any more so you might as well buy online, most places have free shipping anyways. If it is not a common hardware item you might as well shop on line.

I am going to try and locate one tomorrow. How is yours wired up? I am familiar with changing and installing the small automotive ones out and rewiring farm tractor conversions but this set up looks a little different then the plug and play GM 65 amperes and I may not get any instructions with my alternator.

Where did you get the alternator? I have been searching around locally for one. Just got the fender off and the generator pulled last night and the alternator I was going to use and swap pulleys, the shaft is to small so it will be going back so I am back in the market. The double pulley on the alternator I bought has a diffrent width and I am sure it would work but why not get something like your set up and use the genorator pulley then I wont worry about tearing up a belt or throwing one.

I was looking for the chrome half dogs more than anything I found some chrome strips will you sell them and the glove box door?

Will you sell the chrome from the hood? I bought a B61 that is missing most of it. I am also looking for a glove box door, hinge and knob/latch.