ff6cav Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 Quick little update; I have most of the items off the cab, and am shooting for a late September timeframe for painting. I've been looking online for mounting strips for the chrome trim pieces, as some of them are rotted beyond repair, but haven't had any luck so far. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-429784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
VALS327 Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I would be interested to know what you come up with when you remount the trim. I’ve been wondering what to use myself. I was thinking about getting a copy of the drawings from the MACK museum and getting them reproduced. Good luck Don Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-429812 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phase 1 Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I would think that one of the restoration parts companies would have them or something that would work. This is from Restoration Specialties: http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/trim-fasteners/ Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-429813 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 7 minutes ago, Phase 1 said: I would think that one of the restoration parts companies would have them or something that would work. This is from Restoration Specialties: http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/trim-fasteners/ I had looked there first, nothing on there looked like it was compatible Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-429814 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted August 12, 2019 Share Posted August 12, 2019 try Matt Pfahl in CT, 203-266-6455 also try to contact Don Holden also in CT. he owns a fleet of C models (his phone is listed in the spaamfa member list ,good luck Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-429882 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 23 hours ago, 609albert said: try Matt Pfahl in CT, 203-266-6455 also try to contact Don Holden also in CT. he owns a fleet of C models (his phone is listed in the spaamfa member list ,good luck I will give them a shot, thanks! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-429940 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 On 8/11/2019 at 9:36 PM, 609albert said: try Matt Pfahl in CT, 203-266-6455 also try to contact Don Holden also in CT. he owns a fleet of C models (his phone is listed in the spaamfa member list ,good luck I thought VALS327 above was Don Holden. Is it not? Mike. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-430469 Share on other sites More sharing options...
VALS327 Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Yes it is. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-430490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Not a whole lot to update on this project, a few weeks ago I managed to get the headlight panel off, opting to cut the front intake adapter off after many non-destructive attempts. What I've found to be interesting is that as I removed a lot of the trim pieces, I found only primer underneath, seeming to indicate that the trim was placed before the rig was painted. My plans of getting the paint done before cold weather set in never came to pass, but I'm hoping to hit the ground running again in the spring. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-437584 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ff6cav Posted January 10, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 10, 2021 Well folks, 2020 was a roller coaster of a year for all of us, and it didn't spare my family or this project. In early March, I headed back to the fire academy after getting hired by my dream department, so I knew I wouldn't have a lot of time on my hands to work on this rig for a little while. Then, in late March, my dad passed away of a heart attack at age 58. He was the reason that I got into Mack trucks, and was a big help and source of knowledge for me, both on this project and life in general. We both really enjoyed working together on my pumper and his MB, and hoped one day to restore a B model together. 2 weeks later, my grandmother passed away, followed a few weeks after that by the family dog that we had gotten when I was a young teenager. Needless to say, this project was left on the back burner for the majority of the year, but I've been getting back into it working on some loose pieces, and hope to continue to have updates moving forward. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-466816 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 Has been a interesting year for a lot of us, keep onlugging away at things and you will be surprised at the progress you make Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-466819 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 (edited) What a hard year. I am sorry to hear that. The ladder looks great though. Keep plugging away. Mike. Edited January 12, 2021 by yarnall Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-466830 Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Ike Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 ff6cav.... I am sorry for your losses. Lost my old man at 59 when I was at college in Gettysburg. Were did you get hired? Quote Ed Smith1957 B85F 1242 "The General Ike" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-466847 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 On 1/11/2021 at 10:28 AM, General Ike said: ff6cav.... I am sorry for your losses. Lost my old man at 59 when I was at college in Gettysburg. Were did you get hired? Thank you, and that had to be tough for you being away from your family when it happened. I'm now working for the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, and before that was at Chambersburg for about 2 years; they both use the same academy at HACC, but of course with Covid going on that made things more interesting the second time through! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-466922 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 Recent work has included cutting out and replacing rotted out sections of the floor plate, and continuing to strip and paint other loose pieces. The welds won't win any awards for their looks but they're definitely sturdy! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-471389 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 you are making progress Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-471408 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 Keep on chipping away at it, you'll be surprised at the progress you will make Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-471465 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 havent been following this till this morning.....great progress...sorry about your losses....tough to let go of all of them..congradulations on your big move up,,thats terrific....send me some of your ambition...and keep it up..bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-479004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted September 3, 2021 Author Share Posted September 3, 2021 Making bits of progress recently, moving towards painting the cab within the next month (hopefully). I've also started making video updates and posting them on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/user/ffco6 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-479349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share Posted September 29, 2021 Been making progress, one piece at a time. I'll drop a link for my youtube playlist, now that I have a few updates posted. My kids have informed me that they want to use the rig in our halloween display this year, so the push is on to get it somewhat together before then! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQW6cIJA9WhVGKXNaOiknlRZcjkuUQ5tn Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-480644 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 (edited) Been making strides recently, now have the floorboards done(with a little help), cab and pump house painted, and am working on getting the new wiring installed. For the floorboards I ended up painting them with a roller, and they turned out pretty good. In some "spare time" I was able to make a pounce pattern for the door lettering based on measurements I took from the "shadow" of the original lettering in the paint. Over the winter, I plan to try my hand at gold leafing the lettering; it seems pretty doable from some tutorials I've been watching. Edited October 26, 2021 by ff6cav 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-481902 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Looks like it's coming along nicely! Good to have a helper. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-481906 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted October 31, 2021 Author Share Posted October 31, 2021 Well unfortunately, despite my best efforts and intentions, I couldn't get the rig on the road in time for trick-or-treat tonight. The wiring harness is in and working great, but I ran into a fuel delivery problem that took most of a day to troubleshoot and figure out. I set out this morning ready to fire it up, but had the same result of cranking, but no fire. Pulled the spark plugs on the right side and found them all to be fouled. The right side plugs and wires are new within the last 5 years, so I had assumed that spark shouldn't be the reason for the non-starting. Put in 6 new plugs, still no dice, and decided to pull a plug to check for spark (with help from my lovely wife.... on her birthday, no less). No spark on either side. The rotors in the distributors spin, so my next point to consider is the coils, but I had to head to work before I could go any further. At this point, I'm considering swapping in pertronix units over the fall/winter and having the rig home for a christmas decoration since it didn't work out for halloween. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-482216 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemack Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Just did the same check on a 1951. Check for power at the coils when you turn on the ignition. The if you have power at coils then check on the other side of the coil while cranking. If the test light goes on an off the points are working. Next check the rotor and cap, sometimes the rotor gets rusty and wears down the cap. Next Check for spark from coil to coil wire . Then check for spark at plugs. If all else fails replace with the pertronix, however you also need to replace all of the wires with Carbon wires to keep the warranty on the pertronix. I just replaced the wires rotor cap and points with Pertonix, Added fuel to the carb and the 51 L85 started right up. You can buy all of the parts from the Brillman company John Brillman owns an old autocar. www.brillman.com 540-477-4112. Tell him the distributor number and engine and can ship you everything you need. Have fun looks like you are making good progress. Firemack 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-482387 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ff6cav Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 Progress continues.... slowly. Life seems to be getting in the way of making any meaningful progress lately, but I have been getting little odds and ends done as time permits. I was troubleshooting some things today, and would appreciate some insight/opinions. A few weeks ago, I installed some of the warning lights and tested them with the ignition on, and all was working well. A few days ago, with no changes to the system, when I turned on the ignition there was barely any power- not even enough to run the electric fuel pumps. I tested the electrical from the batteries up to the ignition switch, and have consistent voltage throughout the system, until I get to the output side of the ignition switch, where it drops to 0.2v. Am I correct in thinking that the ignition switch went bad? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/39861-1963-c85-pumper/page/7/#findComment-500316 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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