Greg Rider

Remember the TH475 automushbox that GM put in bigger trucks and some motorhome chassis.It was the same as a TH400 but had straight cut gears for strength.If you were in one or next to it,you could hear it whine while it went through the gears.The strength of straight cut comes from the depth of cut and the pitch.Angle cut gears do have a weakness,if you put too much load on them they will "climb"and either push or pull apart.Engineers have them cut so when they are loaded the pattern makes the gears pull together to keep them engaged.This is where the strength comes from.But like I said,they can pull together hard enough to break things.

Speed,I think the door parts you need are also the same for an A model.The cabs are the same shape and I think the doors are identical.Try Chalmers in Pa. he probaly has what you need.

From what I can tell it looks like a Mars "888" light.The light makes a pattern on a wall that looks like 3 8's or a crazy "m" pattern.There is a place in Chicago that has replacement parts.I'll get the name and post it later.

My '51 A30 is valued at $14,000 but it is VERY clean,no dents,rust,etc., runs great and has only 8800 original miles.I would stab in the dark and say $3000 +or- based on your description.Stuck engine doesn't sound good but it may not be the end of the world.Usually the cylinder walls flash rust and the rings seize to the walls.Sometimes they can be freed up with some penetrating oil in the spark plug holes.

Speed,that tach I believe is made in the USA!!!I called JC Whitney a few years ago asking about a low revving tach and they told me it was made in Pa.

Sorry it's been a while for a post, my home computer died and I'm waiting on a new disc.I will try to get some pics scanned at my moms house next time I see her.I replaced all the wiring from the cab back and put a relay/fuse panel under the seat.I left the original in place but I needed more than 6 fuses to be safe, and feel at ease with the extra lights added to the truck.I only wind her tight to 3000 rpm when I upshift just to give me time to get to the next gear without too much loss of speed.I cruise at 45 MPH around 2000 RPM and can go 50-55 at 2800-2900.I only run at 55 on the short stretch of highway I drive to get to the one show I attend.The truck seems fine at that speed.I've never had an overheat or drop in oil pressure.The only problem I have is a vibration right at 50 MPH that goes away above or below that speed.I think it is my carrier bearing or the u-joint right at the bearing.She just loves to run at 45! It would probably make it to the moon and back with a full load at 45,but only the NASA could afford the fuel bill!

Hey Freightrain where do you live? I lived in the Uniontown/Green area for a while and you may have seen my A-30 around the area.I owned a towing company in Lake Township and know what you mean!I live in Marlboro now,and I'm very happy here.

Steve, have you sent your serial number to the Mack museum?If not,do so NOW! Then wait,patiently,it will take a few months for a response but they will send you copies of all the build info on your truck.It will provide a ton of info and fun reading.I have a 3" notebook with plastic sleeve pages that i keep my paperwork in.This protects them but I can easily pull something out to look at.My truck was a fire truck, but the previous owner took the apparatus bed off and put a 12' flatbed on.Have fun as you have a very unique piece of history and it should be respected,not molested.

Hey Speed. The tachometer I run is a small unit that I mounted to the steering column with a clamp.It is just a cheap auto parts store unit that is about 2 1/2 in. round with a full housing.I put it at about the 1 o'clock position so I could see it through the wheel.It reads up to 8000 rpm which is very very optomistic for a flathead 6 Mack, but I put the red shift pointer at 3000.I don't look at it much as I listen to that sweet 6 and shift when needed.At first I would look just to see where my revs were and make sure I wasn't over revving,now I just glance at it for reference and assurance.I will try to get some pics in soon so everyone can see my low mileage beauty.

Hey Speed,sorry it's been a while,i've been busy working on my A-30 alot trying to get ready for a show next month.It's just little stuff but I want it all done and done right.I,ll try to give you some input on a few of your posts here.YES go with a 12 volt neg. ground system.Your starter will be fine as is.It will turn faster and easier on 12 than 6.Your engine will start much easier also.A Leece-Neville alternater should fit perfectly on your engine.That is what I did and I didn't have to change any brackets. Be sure to get a 12v regulater if you get an externally regulated unit.My truck had a 6v alt. and regulater on it,and I wanted to keep an original look,so I went with a 12v regulater that is a direct replacement.It looked identical to the 6v unit,even wired the same Switch the wires on the back of your Amp gauge,the gauge it self is safe because it is not voltage sensative.Change ALL of your bulbs and headlamps to 12v.Have fun with the little ones on the back of your speedo and 4 way gauge.PLEASE do not go cheap on a voltage reducer for the fuel gauge.I do NOT advise using the ceramic auto parts store units,and I have never heard any feedback on the "runts" type reducers that mount to the back of the gauge.I did quite a bit of studying on this and went with the VR-1 reducer from Ron Francis Wire Works.This is a very well built electronic unit that is a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes.It is a $40 unit but worth the insurance of not having a truck fire.The last thing to do is switch the wires on the coil and put a ballast resister on the POS side.You can get one of these at the parts store.If the parts store seems at a loss for words on which one to get, tell them it is for a '72 Chevy truck.Why not,because you probably have a Delco distributer anyways.I did my 12v change 8 years ago,everything has worked perfectly since then.

Steve,have you tried to get in touch with Harvey Eckart ? He has NOS and used fire truck parts.His business card even has a truck on it that looks like your rescue.His address is : 220 E 11th St., Berwick,PA.18603.Phone no. is 570-759-2343.

Hey speed your need for a CDL will depend on a few things.Is your truck under 26,000 GVW?What type of brakes,air or hydraulic?Be careful how you register the truck.I have a classic vehicle plate for my truck and got a permit to use a model year plate on it.It is only permitted to be used for parades and other special events.Well my defenition of special event is pretty much any time I drive the old girl If you are hauling anything for hire you may need to put regular plates on,follow all DOT regs and keep a log book,stop at weigh stations,etc.You would also need to have commercial insurance on the truck which is not cheap.I only haul personally owned things with my truck and carry regular classic vehicle insurance.My coverage allows me to use the truck for these things.

Hey Speed! Sorry it took a while to respond.My shift pattern is like this, 1 2 5 |_|_| | | | R 3 4 The trans is the original Fuller model 5-A-330,5th gear is overdrive,direct in fourth. I get about 5 to 6 mpg when she is tuned and running good.It has a 21 gallon tank under the seat,I have gotten around 100+ miles on a tank,that's how I guessed my mileage.I really don't drive it far enough to worry about mileage,I just fill it when it needs it Having an old is nice,driving an old is cool,working an old is just too sweet

I have a 1950 A30 and it has a flathead 6 in it.Some books say it is an EN331.My owners manual says the same thing.The engine displacement is 330ci. It is rated 122HP at a max of 2950 rpm.When I shift I take her right up to the max revs and then shift.By the time that I can get the next gear in my crazy shift pattern trans the truck has slowed enough and the revs have come down that it is almost at a lugging condition.I am definately not an idiot about my truck.I take it up easy and don't push it hard or shove anything.She only has 8900 original miles and is still tight.It is rated to do 62 mph max and it loves to go 45-50 all day long pulling about 2000 to 2500 rpm's.It has hauled 6 round bales of damp hay weighing about 12,000 lbs with no problem at 45mph!!!