Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 30, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 30, 2022 So many things to get done, find and hook up. At times I feel like I’m going in circles at this phase. I haven’t had a vehicle this far apart since the late 80’s when I did a complete restoration to my ‘27 Model T. That was like a model car compared to this truck. Lots mounted and back together since the clutch issue and I’m still on track for the cab and radiator going on by the end of May. Air reservoir, hydraulic pump, steering box and some of the linkage, power steering pump, fan belts redone are just some of what got done. Starting to rough in the air lines for the brakes. Waiting on the driveshaft to return. My fabricator friend is making me some mounts for the hanger bearings and the list goes on..... 6 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496391 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 30, 2022 Share Posted April 30, 2022 Wow nice detail so far bud lotta work ahead but all fun and exciting… Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496395 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961H67 Posted April 30, 2022 Share Posted April 30, 2022 Looking Great! I’m in the same situation, I tore the LJ apart in 1996 . Hopefully you will have good weather for running your air & hyd lines, It’s coming together! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496410 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 30, 2022 Share Posted April 30, 2022 I got you both beat my DM has got the record for sitting around the longest ha ha all I do is start it and move it around occasionally to keep everything moving God love both of you… Bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496428 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 30, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 30, 2022 It’s the little things that make you 😃😃 6 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496429 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961H67 Posted April 30, 2022 Share Posted April 30, 2022 O yes! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496431 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mark T Posted April 30, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted April 30, 2022 Both facing inwards no less..... not easy finding those any more . 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496439 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 30, 2022 Share Posted April 30, 2022 I thought they started re-manufacturing those I heard a couple of years ago watched was selling them B model store excellent bud keep up the good work… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-496447 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 11, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 11, 2022 Still getting lots of little stuff done and collecting up the things I need to finish most of the tasks that need to be done under the cab area. Looks like the cab and radiator will go on the weekend of May 22nd. With the need for a lift and extra hands I needed to set a date to coordinate it. Got the front brake air lines routed and built a few sections of my exhaust for the back drop manifold. It looks like the pipe will clear everything that concerned me. The bigger news, and this is more of a HUGE sigh of relief, was that I was able to motor the engine on the starter to build oil pressure to fill all the new external oil lines and new filter. Saw 30 PSI just on the starter. That gave me enough confidence to give it a little whiff of ether to see if it would catch. It did and keeping the RPM's low, I let it run for a few minutes. Oil pressure built to 60 PSI at a low idle. It sounded really good with only about three feet of straight pipe. This little thing has had me worried, as I've had the engine over 20 years and haven't heard it run since before I bought it back then. I had it heavily lubed internally and kept rotating it every so often with a wrench. I couldn't get a video of it as I didn't have enough hands, but soon enough once the fuel is hooked up to it. So, a good day finding out the engine is good and not a pretty boat anchor!! 8 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Horse Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 39 minutes ago, mattb73lt said: Still getting lots of little stuff done and collecting up the things I need to finish most of the tasks that need to be done under the cab area. Looks like the cab and radiator will go on the weekend of May 22nd. With the need for a lift and extra hands I needed to set a date to coordinate it. Got the front brake air lines routed and built a few sections of my exhaust for the back drop manifold. It looks like the pipe will clear everything that concerned me. The bigger news, and this is more of a HUGE sigh of relief, was that I was able to motor the engine on the starter to build oil pressure to fill all the new external oil lines and new filter. Saw 30 PSI just on the starter. That gave me enough confidence to give it a little whiff of ether to see if it would catch. It did and keeping the RPM's low, I let it run for a few minutes. Oil pressure built to 60 PSI at a low idle. It sounded really good with only about three feet of straight pipe. This little thing has had me worried, as I've had the engine over 20 years and haven't heard it run since before I bought it back then. I had it heavily lubed internally and kept rotating it every so often with a wrench. I couldn't get a video of it as I didn't have enough hands, but soon enough once the fuel is hooked up to it. So, a good day finding out the engine is good and not a pretty boat anchor!! Congrats Matt! 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497351 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 14, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 14, 2022 Plumbing away!! Most everything is roughed in and harnesses are strung. Securing and connecting will be next and making sure this area is ready for the cab. Seven days to go before the next work party arrives, a lot to do but it'll get done. Can't wait for the 22nd!!! 6 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497660 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Wow that’s all I got let’s keep it up bud thanks for posting..: Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497661 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961H67 Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 Looking Great, very detailed! Exhaust will work just fine ! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497684 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 Far be it from me to critique any of the work you've done on this truck, but I see white zip ties. It's been my experience they're not the best choice for anything on a truck. Seems like they always crack and fail . Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497713 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 15, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 15, 2022 50 minutes ago, Mark T said: Far be it from me to critique any of the work you've done on this truck, but I see white zip ties. It's been my experience they're not the best choice for anything on a truck. Seems like they always crack and fail . No worries. They're just temporary to hold things in place until I can secure them with clamps. Helps keep things organized and makes re-routing easier as I find the best way to lay it all out. If you look at the last pic, there's one installed on the battery cables I laid along the lower lip of the frame rail. 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497714 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 I did see that. They actually look like teflon coated clamps. Those white zip ties aren't worth much more than as you're using them , they never last around anything truck or exposed to UV Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497717 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 15, 2022 Author Share Posted May 15, 2022 Yeah, I agree. As they age they get brittle and break. Finding good ones can be tough. These are cheap ones that I use mostly for layout purposes. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497718 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 I use PVC coated stainless steel cable ties, they last forever and look neat as a pin Looks really good Paul 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497741 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 17, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 17, 2022 Hammering away. Got the center section of the drive shaft back and was able to get all three sections aligned and installed. I have the parts I need to complete the hanger bearing supports and after having two sections cut down and one modified, it fits. Roughed in more of the exhaust and the rest will have to wait until the cab goes on and I can verify what I need for the stack. More connections completed and air brake parts installed. Sunday is looking better each day. 8 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497834 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 Amazing your certainly well on your way I was pleased to hear you were constantly lubricating the engine best results many hats off bud … bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497842 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 Good luck for Sunday, she's really starting to come together now Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497893 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 i know some where in those 900+ text you have the wheelbase and body length . thought easier just to ask what they are; thanks ... work is looking amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497928 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 18, 2022 Author Share Posted May 18, 2022 I believe the wheelbase measured 249", when I checked it. It'll get a 24' Jerr Dan roll back mounted to it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497931 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 Thanks for update; latest pictures look good . 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-497934 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 20, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 20, 2022 I feel like I'm waiting for Christmas! If I had the hands here now, I'd put this cab and radiator on today. The lift showed up yesterday and just getting everything organized for Sunday morning when everyone shows up. Had do a little mock up as I got things lined up in the shop, though. I think it's been about 23 years since this cab sat on the frame. Time flies while you're living life. 5 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/38/#findComment-498093 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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