krusty Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Hi gang,I have it in my mind I 'need' a B61 to tinker on. Am new to Mack trucks and would appreciate any guidance on the various models and things to look for in a truck.http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/bfs/3156277153.html is an example but is a bit far to go see for me.How plentyful are parts for the engine if needed? I am torn buying something in the $10k+ range VS something lower cost that I can work on. I think my idea truck would be single axle, dump and straight out of the back of someones lot with a nice body, and frame, not rotted, faded paint etc. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick harper Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Buy the best that your money can afford. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Welcome to the forums.The B model is a very popular truck. There are lots of replacement stuff made. Not everything, but plenty of parts trucks around to get the odd pieces not available.Motor? Plenty used around, but if you want to rebuild one then new parts are getting slim or NLA.Depending on where you are looking, you can get a decent truck for around $5K. Something that just needs TLC, not everything. Good cabs are hard to find, the rest of the sheetmetal is usually found on parts trucks.Like mentioned, buy the best. Buying a basket case will only run you broke. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133692 Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusty Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 Thanks guys!$3k to $5k would not be bad at all for a nice runner which needed little to make it more reliable. Agree with you on the cab, preference is for a nice clean cab as any form of body work is depressing Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133693 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Like others said, buy the best you can afford. If its a toy and not a worker you can look at other versions of B models too. The one one Craigs looks like a long term projectHere is some from Truck Paperhttp://www.truckpaper.com/list/list.aspx?ETID=1&catid=27&Manu=MACK&Mdltxt=B61&mdlx=exact&bcatid=27 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133695 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaysm35a2 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Good advice, if your not looking for a yearS long project but a solid runner. Something you can drive and tinker on , you will have Tons of fun doing that. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133715 Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusty Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 I have done some searching but no luck...is there a guide to the various options of axles, engines and trannys in these beasts? A better informed Krusty is a happy Krusty! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133815 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957B61Vt Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I got mine for 2000.00 running and registered in ny.But when We decieded to (paint it) after sandblasting It was nowhere as nice as it looked.we have 5500 into it and the cab is just getting ready to go back on 2 years and lots of time later . we are having fun one dime at a time . seems I need some more dimes. which makes momma grit her teeth. Steve Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133823 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toller Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Here's the link to the best source of general info on B-model model types, engines, trannys, etc., that I know about:http://oldmacksrus.com/Info.htm Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-133833 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkobes43 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 that truck doesn't run. I looked at it a few weeks a go. Good shape. But seller didn't know much about it and said it didn't run. I just don't know if he just didn't try or it really doesn't run. Body is in decent shape. I offered a grand and he said he'd take it. But then he stopped returning my emails. Best of luck to ya!Tom Quote "Nothing Breaks Wind Like A Bulldog" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-134407 Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusty Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 Folks....what are they key differences between a b42 and b61? The link @ oldmacks does not work for me, the page does not display correctly. There are a few b42 that are appealing as well. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-135874 Share on other sites More sharing options...
umodelnut Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 A B42 has a gas engine, while the B61 has a diesel. B models with the model number ending in an odd number are diesel. B models with the model number ending in an even number have gas motors. For example B61-diesel B42-gas. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-135875 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 for all driving purposes, you would want a B61 or other diesel B model. the gas jobs are under powered unless they are an overhead valve version and those burn too much gas. diesels are more easier to adapt new engines into and a B61 in basic 50 year old attire will still get you down the road at a respectable speed to not piss off the other motorists. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-135882 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkobes43 Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 A B42 has a gas engine, while the B61 has a diesel. B models with the model number ending in an odd number are diesel. B models with the model number ending in an even number have gas motors. For example B61-diesel B42-gas.What he said....Tom 1 Quote "Nothing Breaks Wind Like A Bulldog" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-136081 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr dodge Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Thanks guys!$3k to $5k would not be bad at all for a nice runner which needed little to make it more reliable. Agree with you on the cab, preference is for a nice clean cab as any form of body work is depressing I would disagree on the bodysure the work sucks, but its only sheet metala good frame, (no between frame rails rot) and a decent drivetrain is very importantwith a reasonable priced good mig, and a pile of raw sheetmetal, I'd rebuild a complete cab way before tackling a trashed or poorly maintained driveline!!look for cracks in the frame & ripped out motor/trans/suspention mounts, being as many of these old trucks were not driven by the people who actually coughed up the cash to buy them, just morons who drove themgrab the driveshafts and look for pinion issues as those can mean a whole housing if "tightened and ignored" over timesame with the output of the translook at the fluids.....water in anything....not goodthat said, "issues" can be reason to get a $10k truck for $2500 bucksbut the best advice is always to "sleep on it" in most cases, come here ask questions, researchdr Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-136104 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaysm35a2 Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 On the B42 / B61 deal , yeah the B42's left the factor as gassers but most of the ones ive seen have been re powerd to diesels , ask questions to the owner when buying things like that the old macks one has been re powerd with a diesel if im thinking correctly. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-136111 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 the repowering deal is not that bad if you have a B61 doner truck. the best thing about the gas jobs is they were usually ran for a few hundred thousand miles, motors changed out around 100,000 if you were lucky to get that much out of a 401 and then parked.ii have seen B61's with a million and a half miles on them, mine for example haha. they werent beat to death like the diesels were and they didnt shake like the diesels did so the sheet metal isnt as fatigued and worn and cracked. i have seen B61's where the hood was wore thin in the back and front where it rests on the cowl from so much shaking. the gas jobs didnt do this. msot B61's were in the new england area were beat to they didnt run anymore, then cobbed up and ran some more. there is a ton of B models out there. like they said buy the best money can buy in the 1st place. you can always find a B61 that runs and drives with poor sheet metal and find a gas job and move all the sheet metal over. like i said the gas jobs werent really ran as much as the diesels unless they got repowered. of course there are exceptions and we all wanna find that ''barn find'' B model like you see on tv. usually doesnt happen tho but there are some out there original that are well taken care of. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-136150 Share on other sites More sharing options...
umodelnut Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Good thing with the gas jobs was that they werent usually over the road like the diesels, so they werent all rusted to shit. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-136160 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 they were used over the road plenty, and city driving but usually werent run as long so they didnt see as much salt Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-136249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusty Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hey gang,Love the forum and learning but still looking for my true love (aka my own Mack!) Going to see one in a couple weeks....B model diesel. Have not seen pics yet but supposedly not rotted out in the cab. The thing that is appealing is that there is super low mileage, original driveline, starts immediately and is the original owner. Guy told me all about how his family bought it 50+ years ago. Problem is I was set on a single axle and it is a tandem. I would hate to modify something with a good original truck. But how much work would it be to drop it onto a single axle frame? Not the hours etc in work, but the engine/body mount concerns.Krusty, Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-141228 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamied625 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 you would have to take the tandems out and install a single axle set up you cent just take a axle out, and if you would do that you would probaly want to trim a bit off the frame while you were there Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-141232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 single axle B61's are far more common than a tandem axle tractors. to each their own but i cant see cuttin a perfectly good tandem up just to make a single axle. back then single axle tractors were the norm, not many people had twin screws. most tandems were dump trucks and were mostly used up. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/26831-mmmmm-b61/#findComment-141238 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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