flynlow8740 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hello all. I am looking at buying a '62 B-42. I'm new to the old truck world and am wondering about parts availability, what is a fair price for the truck, ect. Any help or advice you can give to a beginner would be appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 hard to put a price on something without pics,could be anywhere from $1000 to $15000.If the engine is original,gas stuff is getting hard to come by,but not impossible,sheet metal is common with most of the B models,the real nice stuff is getting scarce,but if you can weld and do bodywork,theres lots of decent stuff still around. A lot of the little stuff you can get new thru Watt's Mack. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232071 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) It all seems original. I'm no expert by any means, but it's a flathead inline 6 and a duplex trans. Most of the sheet metal is solid except for the cab floor needs a patch or two. The glass is pretty rough though and the driver door window track is bent.the door itself is perfect though. The truck was drivable until it was parked a few years ago. It is complete, nothing obvious missing. Is it worth fixing the gas motor or would it be better to put something like a 237 in it?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited February 12, 2014 by flynlow8740 Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232073 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 The engine is what makes it a B-20. I would keep it, but I'm a purist.It is a Continental and parts are not all that hard to find. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232102 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Does mack call the continental flatheads EN401 and EN402? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232130 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 without seeing pics,$1500 to $2500 based on your description. As for the engine,if it is just going to be a hobby truck,fix it,if you going to use it everyday,forget it and find a diesel,you'll get a lot of time & $ wrapped up in a swap,when you could find a running diesel for close to the same money.I always thought the 401 and 402 were Mack's own design,others have said they too are Continental's so I can't answer that with facts. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232136 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 fxfymn must have miss read your first post. As far as I know the EN401/402 in the B42 is a Mack made Maxidyne engine. Some of the smaller trucks had continental made engines. There are not too many people running the gas jobs anymore, but there were a lot made and parts are still out there. I have 4 B42s and one B422, but the B422 has an overhead in it. I would keep the flat head gas for originality, but again it becomes a personal and economic decision. A non running, solid B42 is worth $1500-3500 in my opinion. They used to be $500-800 but are getting more scarce. Good luck. Mike Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232137 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 It would pretty much just be a hobby truck. I might occasionally tow locally, but not really anything a 1 ton can't handle. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232139 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 On the vent window frame/forward window track. Can those be changed fairly easily or do I need to just look for a driver's door?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232140 Share on other sites More sharing options...
markpwhit Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I agree with Yarnall. I have a 56 B42 with the flathead 6 cylinder. Although I would prefer to have a diesel engine - I am going to keep the gas motor to keep it as original as possible. The only complaint I have with my B42 is that it is not built for speed. According to the spec sheet from the factory, top speed rated was 48 mph at 2800 rpm due to the super low rear end and tandem axles.. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232143 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 I think the gas engine makes the truck more desirable from the hobby standpoint. I just wasn't sure about how practical it is to keep. What kind of fuel mileage can be expected running mostly bobtail? I'm thinking 2-3 MPG?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232145 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 about 5 mpg on a good day. the 291 331 and 401 all used the same head I believe. the 402 has two more head studs in the corners. B42's are not all that scarce or rare but are desireable for the sheetmetal. the gasjobs didn't shake and chafe like the diesels. I think all the flathead Mack gassers were Cotinentals design. I think only the overhead 438, 464, 540 and 707 were Macks design. we have repowered many B42's with diesels and changed the motor mounts and rears. you better have a B61 parts truck if you plan on putting a 237 in a B42 and if you don't have at least 11 leafs in the front spings it will be a road sniffer when your done. most B42's had 8 leaves in the front. the heavier spec ones had 9 or 11. some of the really light ones had the cheaper slipper springs like the B20 and B30's had. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 fxfymn must have miss read your first post. As far as I know the EN401/402 in the B42 is a Mack made Maxidyne engine. Some of the smaller trucks had continental made engines. There are not too many people running the gas jobs anymore, but there were a lot made and parts are still out there. I have 4 B42s and one B422, but the B422 has an overhead in it. I would keep the flat head gas for originality, but again it becomes a personal and economic decision. A non running, solid B42 is worth $1500-3500 in my opinion. They used to be $500-800 but are getting more scarce. Good luck. MikeMy first mack was a B421 with the flathead engine, does anybody know the 1 means in the B421 ? Terry Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232223 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 What about the bottom end of the flathead engines? I assume they have bearing inserts? How reliable is the engine in general?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232229 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 the B421 was a lighter version of the B42. it usually had a single frame with fishplates, the cheaper 34,000 rears with flat axle caps, underslung three leaf walkin beams and wedge brakes. I have seen some of the later ones 64-66 with F517 front axles tho which leads me to believe mack was using up parts or the guy ordered it that way to get more weight on the front axle. the 401/402 was a good engine but was generally overworked and with the little oil bath air cleaner usually lasted about 100,000 miles if you were lucky without a rebuild. my grandfather had a single axle B42 that pulled a lowboy with a D8 cat on it for D.W. Winkleman once in a while in the off season when they weren't haulin coal out of Pa to Ny, id say they were askin a lot out of that little flathead and baby duplex. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 The B421 also had hydraulic brakes as standard equipment,air brakes were optional.Air was standard on the B42 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232247 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thank you everyone for the info. I think I want to get this truck if we can get together on the price. I'm sure I will be back to ask more questions before long. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 One more question. Are maintenance manuals and parts catalogs available for the complete truck? (Engine, trans, rears, and truck itself) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232301 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 One more question. Are maintenance manuals and parts catalogs available for the complete truck? (Engine, trans, rears, and truck itself)Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkFor a donation to the Mack Museum, you can send the VIN of the truck and they will send a packet back. Usually it will contain the build sheet for the truck, copy of the maint. manual and other information on the truck.It takes several weeks to run through their system but is helpful information to have. Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Ok. Thanks! I will definitely do that if the deal goes through and I get this truck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Sorry, brain fart; I was thinking B-20, not B-42. They are Mack engines Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-232345 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 This truck is a double frame rail tandem axle. Does that make it an "SX"? It has a fifth wheel now, but appears to have once been a dump. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-234179 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 most of the early b42 tandem double frames were Sx's. after around 1961 the same spec truck came thru and only had an S after B42. don't ask me why . we have several B42's from 1957 to 1964 . the 64 tandem only has an S and was heavy spec and the 57 is the same spec but is an SX. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-234211 Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynlow8740 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 I'm not sure if the engine is an EN401 or 402. It has a couple of stuck valves and the previous owner pulled the head. Where is a good source for a head gasket?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Using Tapatalk Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-234224 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 only difference in a 401/402 is the 402 has two more head bolts in both front and rear corners on the driverside. they look out of place as they are close to the other exhisting bolts. if the gasket isn't bad, you could always coat it with coppers spray or aluminum paint. I know a little redneckish but it works. last few gaskets I bought from them came from Tidewater Mack years ago. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34645-looking-to-buy-b-42/#findComment-234228 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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