B-73 Restoration

[mattb73lt]

The aluminum really pops with the stuff we were using. Great contrast between the paint and brightwork.

[mowerman]

Wow!!!!!!!!!! That’s all I got this time. Enjoy it bud. You certainly deserve it. A lot of work inspiration for me to start working on mine. I think I’ll drive it in later this weekend and start sanding down the nose you’ve got me all jacked up.

[mowerman]

My entire interest well that entirely was the attack that nose it’s been hit and fixed several times I really wanted to start on the cab and the doors but that nose is got me very interested if nothing else the challenge, and the satisfaction of end  results thanks for all your inspiration I think I’ll bring it in there Saturday morning and start on it 

[Red Horse]

Matt,

I know way back you mentioned how you did the frame.  too lazy to search.  The outer are new rails and there is a Louisville liner?

[mattb73lt]

14 minutes ago, Red Horse said:

Matt,

I know way back you mentioned how you did the frame.  too lazy to search.  The outer are new rails and there is a Louisville liner?

No, the entire rear or stretched area is from the donor truck, a Ford Louisville. I cut the donor just behind the cab. I was able to slide the Ford frame directly over the Mack. I believe Freighttrain did a similar stretch to his B61. We had a separate conversation long ago on another thread about it. This was the area I used.

[mattb73lt]

Up at Matt Pfahl's today to drop off a NOS Early L model driver's window and regulator that came out of my door. He's got a LM he's doing for a customer. Still running great, 475 miles on the truck and 375 on the 220. Now that I'm driving it, it's still hard to believe I polished this turd up to what it looks like from how I found it. I've owned it for 25 years next month and have been consistently working on it since 2015 when I started this thread.

[skydawg]

Hey Matt,is the guy you bought it from still alive? I`ll bet he wouldn`t believe it`s the same truck,if he saw it.

[mrsmackpaul]

21 minutes ago, skydawg said:

Hey Matt,is the guy you bought it from still alive? I`ll bet he wouldn`t believe it`s the same truck,if he saw it.

What a great thought, I  bet some people get stumped when they see the result

Some years on a YouTube show called Roadkill

The lads got a old race car and got it all going and on the road 

Took it around to show to the original fella that built the car

I think they thought he was gunna be all excited, the original builder wasn't and I think it bought back a lot of no so good memories 

Funny how we think we are doing the right thing and someone is gunna love it

A bit like when we buy the cook a really great Christmas prezzy or birthday prezzy and the look on her face as she opens it tells us we missed the mark lol

Bet the fella it came from would be surprised 

 

Paul

[Mean Green]

When I built my B I sent pics to a relative of the guy I got it from once it was done I told my wife I wanted to call him and drive it up to him but sadly I got a call that he had passed that week so he never got to see it in person but the fella that I was sending the pics to did get to come to watts to see it . So I would say send a message to the old owner and make his day 

[mattb73lt]

43 minutes ago, skydawg said:

Hey Matt,is the guy you bought it from still alive? I`ll bet he wouldn`t believe it`s the same truck,if he saw it.

He passed a few years ago. I am in contact with his daughter and son in law. The son in law runs the company now and has for some time. I do keep them updated on my progress and send them pictures. Some of which made it to the previous owner before he passed. I'm also in touch with the original owner's nephew in Texas, he was from New Fairfield, CT before relocating his trucking business there. I did track down the original owner, too, and he came by the house in 2004 to see the truck, albeit in pieces. He was amazed the truck still existed and that I was able to track him down.

[mowerman]

Been following that all along I didn’t realize you were working on it so long …to thousand 15 to 23. It seemed like it was a lot faster than that. I am sure probably not to you ha ha.

[doubleclutchinweasel]

You've earned every accolade that has been offered on this thread.  A lot of work went into preserving a piece of our history, and you've created something you (and all of us) can be proud of.  Can't thank you enough for doing the work and letting us ride along on the journey.  I'd really love to see this thing in person some day.

[mowerman]

 Ya me too Well, I should be at watts next year. Maybe I might get lucky.Bob

[mattb73lt]

I know someone was asking about aluminum polish quite a while back and  I can't recall who. But, these are the two products I just ordered that we tried a few weeks ago at my friends shop. Both are made by Alumaclear and the only place I was able to purchase them from was on their website. I have been using a product called Zephyr 40, but that stuff was leaving the aluminum cloudy unlike the Alumaclear. It leaves a much clearer final finish. I did the radiator and driver's tank with it today and spent about 20 minutes on each. This was just the blue Ultra Fine product. I'll try the green stuff out later.

[mechohaulic]

53 minutes ago, mattb73lt said:

I know someone was asking about aluminum polish quite a while back and  I can't recall who. But, this is the two products I just ordered that we tried a few weeks ago at my friends shop. Both are made by Alumaclear and the only place I was able to purchase them from was on their website. I have been using a product called Zephyr 40, but that stuff was leaving the aluminum cloudy unlike the Alumaclear. It leaves a much clearer final finish. I did the radiator and driver's tank with it today and spent about 20 minutes on each. This was just the blue Ultra Fine product. I'll try the green stuff out later.

same fuel tank but chromed ????  

[mattb73lt]

1 hour ago, mechohaulic said:

same fuel tank but chromed ????  

Ha-Ha, No, just some elbow grease and polish!!

[mechohaulic]

54 minutes ago, mattb73lt said:

Ha-Ha, No, just some elbow grease and polish!!

your messin with my head  aren't you.!!  NO WAY  the black tanks from original found truck in woods were chrome under that paint. 😱 and if they were ;; darn that's A LOT OF ELBOW grease. LOL

[mechohaulic]

I see it now those are different fuel caps .   was a long day for me today outside in the sun working on a JD farm tractor  so  my focus ability is a tad off  (and possibly a shot or 2 of jack daniels had somethin to do with it)

[mattb73lt]

Just now, mechohaulic said:

your messin with my head  aren't you.!!  NO WAY  the black tanks from original found truck in woods were chrome under that paint. 😱 and if they were ;; darn that's A LOT OF ELBOW grease. LOL

They're not. This was a really nice pair I found in upstate NY. The ones that came on it had some damage the black paint was hiding. The right one had about a 4 lb patch of JB Weld covering a hole where they must've backed into a rock. Over the years I collected up several sets of tanks, one set complete with brackets. But, these were the nicest I came across and really max out the bright work.

[Red Horse]

On 7/27/2023 at 9:06 PM, mattb73lt said:

He passed a few years ago. I am in contact with his daughter and son in law. The son in law runs the company now and has for some time. I do keep them updated on my progress and send them pictures. Some of which made it to the previous owner before he passed. I'm also in touch with the original owner's nephew in Texas, he was from New Fairfield, CT before relocating his trucking business there. I did track down the original owner, too, and he came by the house in 2004 to see the truck, albeit in pieces. He was amazed the truck still existed and that I was able to track him down.

Ancient history is  part  of  the fun IMO..in particular when the truck is not too removed from the original  owner(s).

[mowerman]

I think most of us remember that Tank  issue debate . Thanks for the post matt  radiator looks excellent.

[doubleclutchinweasel]

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...

[mattb73lt]

A little B73 spring work today. Once in a while you need some help. Adding a helper leaf to the left front spring that was sagging a little after I put the engine in last year. Re-arching it helped, but once it got the weight of the engine and cab on it, it was lower than the right side and had a little reverse arch where it was originally bent. I wanted to put two new top leaves in, but was told it could be up to a year to have them manufactured. I don’t plan on doing any heavy hauling with it so this will be a good alternative.

[mattb73lt]

The deck is being worked on. I farmed this part out to a friend who has been a big help in fabricated a lot of parts and patch panels for me. His work and welding is amazing. He's replacing all 20 cross members I bought and doing some patches on some soft areas. When he's done, I'll pick it up with the B42 and take it up to O&G in Torrington to have them sandblast, prime and paint it for me. Going to go with black for the bed, it'll be easier to repaint if needed. while I've done about 95% of this truck myself, somethings are more efficient sending out. Having a flat shop floor is necessary to have the bed come out straight and not build any twist into with the repair work. 

Truck is running great, another test trip should do it for the first oil change at 500 engine miles. It's so much fun driving it and finally seeing it in one piece!!

[mechohaulic]

that spring shop the B73 is in ;; that's not perrualts in waterbury is it ?? didn't know if they still existed and I NEVER  saw the shop that clean 45 + yrs ago