1961H67 Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 Yep ,, it’s Ground Hog Day, Hopefully it won’t be long before it comes out of Hibernation! Thanks for the picture, Looks great as usual. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-545989 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 Yeah man…… let’s hope the rodent gives us good news. Last winter of road driving a real light winter might be nice.bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-545993 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 1 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 1 Back home again after a four month slumber. After checking it over it fired right up after very little effort. I had a friend go with me to drive my car back. He said,”Damn, that thing is fast!”. I thought I was just chugging along and shifting it easy, keeping the RPM’s down while I got used to driving it again. The speedometer is a little off and I was just moving along in traffic, but he said we almost hit 80 a couple of times. It really doesn’t feel like it at all. But, now to get a few things wrapped up on it for its first real truck show at Yankee Candle on 5/5!! 7 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 thanks for the update pictures AND 5/5 info . show is up street from candle shop ;not in their yard if I recall. drop wife off (if we are still together) at candle shop then to show I go. how did the toolbox idea end up ?? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 1 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 1 2 hours ago, mechohaulic said: thanks for the update pictures AND 5/5 info . show is up street from candle shop ;not in their yard if I recall. drop wife off (if we are still together) at candle shop then to show I go. how did the toolbox idea end up ?? Good, they're on order. I'm putting two 5' long by 2'x2' Merritt boxes on each side. Later, I'm going to add two DEF storage boxes to the header board for additional chain storage on the deck. That should give me a huge amount of storage and fill the undersides of the body. I'm hoping they show up in time so I can mount them before the show. 3 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549240 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Excellent thanks for letting us know. They both look amazing…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549270 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961H67 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 THANKS for the Pictures,,, A good start to Spring! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549272 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryS Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 14 hours ago, mowerman said: Excellent thanks for letting us know. They both look amazing…. Bob Definitely and so does the Cadillac. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549284 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 6 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 6 Good work out for the truck today. Empty, I ran up I-84 eastbound to the state line in Massachusetts and back to the house. Ran with some moderate traffic up I-91 through Hartford to I-84 to Manchester, where the road opens up and traffic gets lighter. Up through Tolland you run into some pretty good grades with rolling terrain and you climb up towards the Mass Pike. The return trip is easier as you're coming down a lot of those grades. The truck did well staying with the traffic. It does fall off a bit on some of the hills, but a quick downshift to 4th, Hi-split will carry you over. It falls off like other naturally aspirated engines do, like my old END-673 I had in the B42. Adding a T590 turbo to make it a 262 would give me a little more Power and torque, but I don't think I'll do that. I ran it pretty hard and put over 120 miles on it, to push it. The drive line is pretty quiet, the compound gearshift rattles kind of loud at certain RPM's. Post test run, the driveline is dry. The rear axle pinion seal may need some attention in the future as it had a little oil on it. Wheel bearings are cool and nothing got hot. The upper tank on the radiator was hot to the touch, but the bottom tank was almost cool. So, it does a really good job losing heat. That was kind of a surprise as I thought it would be pretty warm. The temp gauge was showing about 160* the whole time and really didn't move much, up or down hill. Only one grade caused me to drop two gear, to 4th Direct, but it still kept up with traffic. The good thing is the top couple of gears are so close that the down shifts are effortless. and with no clutch. The clutch does need to be adjusted, again. Some of the free play I had in it tightened up. I just need to keep driving it and and adjusting everything to get it dialed in. Upcoming things for it are a complete alignment check at a nearby shop. When I assembled the frame, I checked all my alignments with a tape measure and had everything within 1/16" to include the toe-in and checked it several time as everything was tightened up. It just needs to be checked for my piece of mind. It holds the road very well, no shimmy, pulls or drift and after 1400 miles I see and feel no obvious wear on the tires. My underbody storage boxes should be in soon. The winch needs to be installed and a cable added. Some electrical work needs to be completed, too. I've got a local sign painter I've contacted about Lettering the doors and a pinstripe job to dress it up a little, but nothing too flashy. It's all coming together and the truck is very comfortable to drive. As I get used to it, my B42 seems smaller every time I drive it. I really love both trucks, but that L cab is a home run for comfort and visibility. 7 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549516 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mrsmackpaul Posted April 6 Popular Post Share Posted April 6 Some ideas possibly for pin stripes Paul 3 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549518 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 Right on Matt thanks for that. Yes, lettering will definitely dress it up along with pinstripes… bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549525 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 I think your truck needs Road lamps Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549528 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 3 hours ago, mowerman said: I think your truck needs Road lamps What are road lamps ?? Paul 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549537 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brocky Posted April 7 Popular Post Share Posted April 7 (edited) 8 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said: What are road lamps ?? Paul They are an extra headlight light which hangs below the bumper.. The common brand was Perlux and in the old days you could get aircraft landing light bulbs for them.. With yellow lenses they helped in fog and snow as the yellow reduced the reflection back at you.. Similar in use to the big ole lights you folks added to your Bull Bars!! Edited April 7 by Brocky 3 Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549541 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 what are you using for a muffler or it's a straight-out pipe? not that the masterpiece needs anything else; but a classy pinstripe would put it over the top 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549545 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 46 minutes ago, Brocky said: They are an extra headlight light which hangs below the bumper.. The common brand was Perlux and in the old days you could get aircraft landing light bulbs for them.. With yellow lenses they helped in fog and snow as the yellow reduced the reflection back at you.. Similar in use to the big ole lights you folks added to your Bull Bars!! to stay period correct. it would be a set of "fish bowls " (perlux) lights under bumper. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549546 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 7 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 7 1 hour ago, mechohaulic said: what are you using for a muffler or it's a straight-out pipe? not that the masterpiece needs anything else; but a classy pinstripe would put it over the top I have an insert in the vertical stack. It helps, but it is very loud. I'll probably end up with an under frame muffler or resonator to preserve my hearing. It does sound awesome the way it is. 2 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549550 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 Truck is absolutely gorgeous, but you’re probably thinking as well as a few of us as it seems like it’s still missing something so yes pinstripe lettering. I think would finish it up…. Fishbowls lol think somebody was discussing those a couple of months back…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549552 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 I have one brand new in a box per lux never used if it will help you just thought I’d bring it up. I’ve had it for a lot of years. My pop gave it to me somewhere around 72. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549553 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 1 hour ago, mattb73lt said: I have an insert in the vertical stack. It helps, but it is very loud. I'll probably end up with an under frame muffler or resonator to preserve my hearing. It does sound awesome the way it is. I'd love to hear that truck in person the way it is. Never hear that sound anymore. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 I was thinking of Matt the other day I had a couple big rigs passed me on 80. With straight stacks… I was thinking to myself loud ass SOB why does he need his truck so loud and annoying I guess I’m just getting old… bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549562 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 7 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 7 The best thing about the loud exhaust is it keeps assholes away from you. Several times I thought I was going to get cut off on the highway by some idiot 4 wheeler. I set the Jake off to start to slowdown and the car rapidly left or slowed down to leave my vicinity. Yesterday I did it in the Hartford tunnel on I84 West. It was mind numbingly loud in there. Everyone stayed far away from me!! 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549568 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted April 7 Author Share Posted April 7 IMG_9364.mov Here’s a video of me leaving the house in October. Please excuse the hop over the curb, I had a car coming and the truck requires a second shot out of the driveway due to length. You can hear the truck echo through the neighborhood. It was only partial throttle as it wasn’t warmed up yet as I disappeared behind the neighbors house. Let me know if it doesn’t post and I’ll redo it when I get home. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549569 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 7 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 7 My little cheat sheet until I get my RPM/speedometer set right. On the flats it just chugs right along. Not going to get close to 2100 in 5th Hi Split. I did push it once, downhill, to 1900. That was enough. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549576 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 4 hours ago, mattb73lt said: The best thing about the loud exhaust is it keeps assholes away from you. Several times I thought I was going to get cut off on the highway by some idiot 4 wheeler. I set the Jake off to start to slowdown and the car rapidly left or slowed down to leave my vicinity. Yesterday I did it in the Hartford tunnel on I84 West. It was mind numbingly loud in there. Everyone stayed far away from me!! jake in the Hartford tunnel! had to be the best sound. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/77/#findComment-549582 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.