B-73 Restoration

[mowerman]

If nothing else we have to have that sound that the gas job does not give you ha ha

Edited August 27, 2022 by mowerman
Misspelled

[h67st]

On 8/25/2022 at 9:26 PM, mattb73lt said:

24 years ago this weekend I found this truck in Litchfield, CT. Dragged it home and dropped it in front of my barn at the house I bought about a year and a half beforehand. Lots of things have transpired since that time, but one of the good things is seeing this truck, nearing completion, sitting in the same exact spot.

It's funny...the cab doesn't look that bad in the "before" photo but I know you had to cut out a lot of rust and damage to rebuild it. Same way with my truck, bondo covered many sins.

[mattb73lt]

1 hour ago, h67st said:

It's funny...the cab doesn't look that bad in the "before" photo but I know you had to cut out a lot of rust and damage to rebuild it. Same way with my truck, bondo covered many sins.

Yeah, first look, “oh, it’s not that bad.” Then you start poking and looking and moving stuff around. Then the issues start adding up. 

[mattb73lt]

Every piece I hang back on this truck, it just keeps getting better and amazes me from what it was. First fender back on today, DAMN!!!!

[mrsmackpaul]

Yep, just keeps getting better and better

 

Paul

[mechohaulic]

On 8/29/2022 at 9:02 AM, mattb73lt said:

Yeah, first look, “oh, it’s not that bad.” Then you start poking and looking and moving stuff around. Then the issues start adding up. 

sounds like my marriage==first look -not bad; start pokin , moving "stuff "around ;; then the issues start add😁ing up 🤣, once again couldn't help myself  LOL

[1961H67]

Beautiful! 

[mattb73lt]

And the other fender, plus the front mud flaps. Really loving the lines of this truck as it goes back together.

[Mark T]

Looks fantastic 😍

[mechohaulic]

So when the Mack  museum  calls and makes You an amazing offer ; will  you be able to say -yes or no. with out a doubt  all Your effort has paid off and You have built an above museum quaility show piece. 

[mattb73lt]

It would have to be a pretty big sum at the moment. But, who knows down the road, after I get some enjoyment and miles out of it.

[1961H67]

I agree on the Museum Quality! Love it! 

[yarnall]

39 baby Mack says the bulldogs on the flaps are supposed to face in!!!  Looks great. Should be ready to drive to Lititz no matter which way they are facing.  Mike. 

[mattb73lt]

I would agree with the rear mud flaps, like bookends. But the front ones need to face out in concert with the hood dogs and the radiator dog. Like the American flag, the field of blue always moves forward and never retreats.

[1961H67]

Mud Flaps look perfect on the front! That’s the way we always mounted them on ours . When Dad got a New truck that was the first thing that got installed,, 

[mowerman]

Breathless that’s all I got this time yes the fenders and flaps looks like they might’ve came together in a kit … bob

[doubleclutchinweasel]

I think the dogs on the flaps are correct.  And, here is why.

Mack's policy was that any dog viewed from the side should appear to be moving forward.  So, on angled things, like mirrors, the dogs appear to be facing forward when viewed from the side if they are facing inward.

But, since the mudflaps are angled the opposite way from the mirrors, the dogs appear to be facing forward as they are now.  So, I believe they are following Mack's guidance.

Somebody posted that paper on here once.  Can't remember who.  Rob, maybe?

[The Rubber Duck 006]

4 hours ago, 1961H67 said:

Mud Flaps look perfect on the front! That’s the way we always mounted them on ours . When Dad got a New truck that was the first thing that got installed,, 

Wow Hennis Used to run Straight through Lima,Ohio. My Grandpa worked at The Old Lima truck Stop and he said "You always knew something was wrong on the Highway when you didn't see a Hennis Pass the truckstop every 20-30mins.

[mattb73lt]

More and more complete every day. Adjusted the front end, filled all the bolt holes with fresh hardware, added fender welting, aligned the fenders, added the catwalks and new fasteners for them. Had to crawl up inside the fenders to do a lot of that. Still finding little things to finish, that I missed. Last big thing to paint is the hood, and I'll start prepping for that tomorrow. Lots of progress over the last month. I told my friend, where I store the roll back deck, that I'll be coming to get it in the next couple of weeks. So, lots going on. 

[1961H67]

That Last Center shot is Absolutely Perfect! That’s a B73 Poster ! Great Detail! 

[mattb73lt]

Thanks, Dean!! I've been getting a lot done in the last month. For years that vision has been in my head, now it sits in my driveway!!!

[doubleclutchinweasel]

13 hours ago, mattb73lt said:

Thanks, Dean!! I've been getting a lot done in the last month. For years that vision has been in my head, now it sits in my driveway!!!

I think the "vision" is an important thing that some people lack.  It really helps if you can see where you want to wind up in your mind before you start.  I'll sometimes do an unfamiliar task in my head several times before I do it for real, and then it isn't technically the "first time"!  It's already been done in my head!

Or, as an acquaintance of mine put it, "Those who don't know where they are going often end up somewhere else."

You definitely knew where you were going...and you're damn-near there!

All the accolades that have been piled on your work in this thread are genuine...and well-deserved.  Thanks for taking us along on the ride with you.

[mattb73lt]

On 9/2/2022 at 10:13 AM, doubleclutchinweasel said:

I think the "vision" is an important thing that some people lack.  It really helps if you can see where you want to wind up in your mind before you start.  I'll sometimes do an unfamiliar task in my head several times before I do it for real, and then it isn't technically the "first time"!  It's already been done in my head!

Or, as an acquaintance of mine put it, "Those who don't know where they are going often end up somewhere else."

You definitely knew where you were going...and you're damn-near there!

All the accolades that have been piled on your work in this thread are genuine...and well-deserved.  Thanks for taking us along on the ride with you.

Thanks!! That post really hit it on the head. I’ve never chronicled any of my work like this before. It’s been a fun and at times frustrating project. But writing it down like this and conversing on the comments has really helped push it along.

[mowerman]

I do the same thing I’ve got nine hours to sit behind the wheel and figure out shit in my head and Matt I’m getting ready to fly out there and ask you if I can pay you to drive it around the yard ha ha….  Bob

[mowerman]

Took me six months just to put this together but it came out perfect except the frame as I feel a little dry spots I wasn’t happy with I have three professional sprayguns but for some reason I thought it would be a little faster to use a rattle can … bob