B-73 Restoration

[mowerman]

Boy you  sure got most of our attention with  that cool video clip …. Amazing progress … Bob

[doubleclutchinweasel]

On 7/8/2022 at 10:12 PM, mattb73lt said:

Thanks. I wanted to isolate the stack to prevent any resonance to the cab. I’ve seen some attempts to do the same, but didn’t like how they came out. I think this came out pretty good. The stack has an insert muffler in it, so it should quiet things a little more, but should still have that great Cummins sound.

I always liked the idea of the frame mount for the stack.  A little better isolation from the heat and vibration.  A little more hand clearance at the door handle.  Pipe doesn't have to move just because the cab moved.  Structure can be as strong as you like.

Yours looks really clean, and sturdy.  I like it!

[Red Horse]

On 7/10/2022 at 10:09 AM, mattb73lt said:

I was trying to get to Lancaster, as it’s one of my favorite shows, but my employer has his annual charity fundraiser that weekend. I’m still going to try, but not sure if it’ll work.

Understood..."duty calls!

[mattb73lt]

Well......CRAP! I had some leakage issues with the radiator and Monday I removed it and disassembled it after I found a cracked tube. The core is new and has no damage. I’m thinking it happened during manufacturing. It was a pretty big leak, so Tuesday it went to the radiator shop for repair. I should have it back shortly. 

Progress on a lot of other fronts, hardware from Fastenal is showing up, the driveshaft is finally installed and aligned. I had to get creative buy machining up some wedges for alignment of the hanger bearings on their supports. The rear is complete and full of gear oil. Double checking torques and cotter pin installations. Front shocks and control rods installed. Steering is hooked up and just awaiting some fittings and hose to complete the power steering. After I rebuild the radiator and complete a few other items, I’ll be back on the air and brake systems to finish those.

The list is getting shorter on the things that need to be done, but I’m getting closer to having the truck finally moving on it own!,

[mowerman]

Mighty fine bud!!!!!!! Excellent detail thanks for sharing.,, wasn’t aware you were doing power steering . I’m expecting you had to fabricate everything??????. Bob 

[mattb73lt]

5 minutes ago, mowerman said:

Mighty fine bud!!!!!!! Excellent detail thanks for sharing.,, wasn’t aware you were doing power steering . I’m expecting you had to fabricate everything??????. Bob 

Not everything, just the flex lines and fittings. It’s a Garrison add on unit with the piston on the tie rod and the shuttle valve in the drag link. Good system, but not as good as a Sheppard box.

[1961H67]

My parts LJ has that kind of PS system, I might swap it later. It will work fine on your truck. My H Model was a bear too steer after I stretched it and put the rollback on it . I had a couple of newer parts trucks with TRW boxes, I had to make a mounting plate, make a Pittman arm , mount a hydraulic pump , It works great, but a lot of fabrication . 

[mowerman]

Oh OK perfect my DM has power steering  it’s all in the box Mechohaulic claims that’s not unusual for a 66 I never heard of Power steering on any big rig until mid 70s But I did grow up in New England where everything is a little behind times truck actually came from Texas… bob

[mattb73lt]

OK, fingers crossed this time!! Radiator shop found three more cracked tubes, all next to the one I found. I put it all back together and filled it with water and.......it leaked again, but from another area. This nearly led to a serious Tourette's breakdown or possibly a 72 hour committal for observation! Cooler heads prevailed and work interfered with further frustration by causing me to walk away and perform other duties. Today, I was able to take a calmer look at things and by removing the driver's side plate, located a very small pinhole in a tube far away from the other ones. This one I fixed myself with a torch and some solder. Right now it's full of water and dry everywhere. I'm going to let is sit for a few days, full, as fixing this on the truck would be nearly impossible without some serious disassembly of the front end. The break also gave me time to do a parts hunting/spending spree and I was able to locate a lot of hydraulic and pneumatic items to finish up the chassis. I also bought a large supply of Fleetcharge antifreeze to fill the radiator and engine. That was about $370, so no leaks would be great!!

[D-Day]

I ordered a new core for my B 755 project a couple months ago thought I had better do it before the price gets to high it came in at just over 800 dollars got a price for a Peterbilt 359 core recently and it was about 750 dollars more than the one we got 2 years ago 

[mattb73lt]

I bought this core about 15 years ago, when I made my initial attempt at doing a restoration, and I want to say this one was about $800. I remember it wasn’t cheap. It was carefully stored the whole time and was without damage. I’m a little pissed it had these issues, but it is what it is and now appears to not leak. I was just thinking that in a few days I’ll drain it and refill it with antifreeze to check it one more time.

[mrsmackpaul]

No good at all, hoping it is sorted now, Im thinking the core must of deteriorated in storage, maybe corroded from the inside for some reason

 

Hoping it's the end of those dramas

 

Paul

[Mark T]

You're going to have to pressurize it to check it.  It's a good sign it'll hold water, but a little heat and even a couple pounds of pressure ??? if it has issues, they'll show fast.  No one here wants you to go for evaluation .

[1961H67]

Keeping Fingers Crossed,, we all know how aggravating something like that can be! 

 

[yarnall]

I got a $1000 quote for a core for a 53 Chevy pickup.  I need to send my stuff where you get truck cores for $750.  

[harrybarbon]

Hi Matt - I see the alloy top is like ours with those pin holes/pitting. I found that I have to gently polish the alloy otherwise the pin holes may get bigger. But no leaks. Maybe one day we might find a compound that we can apply to seal the pin holes. Do you know of any such products?

[mattb73lt]

No not offhand. I have a friend who details cars and aircraft for a living and he has some stuff for aluminum he swears by. He’s promised to get me some of what he uses, but I haven’t received anything yet.

[mattb73lt]

Remounted and filled with antifreeze with no leaks!!! Block and heater core filled with Fleetcharge . No leaks detected on the radiator or block, after running it long enough to get it up to operating temperature. Hopefully done with that aggravating detour, but I did get a lot of the air system hooked up and flex lines fabricated during that time. Still moving forward!!

[1961H67]

That looks great! The LJ is setting with water in it , I’ve started it a few times but haven’t got it hot with pressure,,, It has the original core , so we will see how that turns out. Hopefully your on your way to the next phase now! 

[mechohaulic]

progress is looking good. 5 steps forward and only one step back. better  the leak situation showed now ; not miles down the road. I  stopped at atlantic trailer other day for parts pick up. couldn't  believe  the "fleet " of trucks/ trailers on the wall in service office. 40 minutes later I left the office after talking to ? forgot his name. the builder of those scratch built 18th scale units. we got to talking of your B-73. he knows you and had nothing but positive to say about you being one of the best people. looking forward ;as we all know you are to see the 73 parked at a truck show soon.

[mattb73lt]

I’ve been to Atlantic several times. The counter guy let’s me go in the back and rummage through their bins of brass fittings to find what I need for the brake system. They’ve been really good to deal with. My last visit I had a conversation with that gentleman ( I can’t remember his name either?) and he showed me his office and his scratch built models, very impressive the skill he has. He asked what I was building and I had my iPad with me, so I showed him my progress on building the B73. He said it was one of his favorites and he actually had a model of one by his widow. But it got me thinking that this was more of a build than a restoration. I mean sure, I’m trying to be accurate with how it was, but with the stretch for the body and things I wanted (like the Budd hubs and rims) I really am building a truck. It’s been much different than other restorations I’ve done where I’ve taken something apart and put it back together. Even my other B model was easier with the driveline swap and adding that body, much more straight forward than this one. And I will admit this page has been very motivating to moving it along and chatting with everyone here, that has been great and very helpful.

[1961H67]

You have went Far and Beyond a “ Normal Restoration “ Thank you for Sharing every step of the way with all of us! 

[mattb73lt]

31 minutes ago, 1961H67 said:

You have went Far and Beyond a “ Normal Restoration “ Thank you for Sharing every step of the way with all of us! 

You’re welcome and thank you for being part of the process. It's been good chatting with you and all the others that have chimed in with tips or what they’re working on. It’s been an enjoyable journey so far!!

[mattb73lt]

Cleaned all the crap off the radiator after it’s rebuild and now the shutters are operational through the air system. More and more things getting hooked up and secured. Starting the electrical hook up in the engine compartment tomorrow. All the radiator and heater plumbing is complete (and NO leaks detected anywhere!!) More progress!

[mowerman]

That looks fabulous and yes Matt there are used to be a lot of old-timers around here that would let me Rome around the back lawnmower repair auto parts since then they’re all gone newer generation doesn’t really want you to do that as far as radiator goes I don’t know why you don’t just run water in it for a while personally I would swap it out or at least try to that way it won’t be on your mind constantly radiator core is have always been a fortune I got a price for an F model 40 years ago it was 800 bucks  great progress that front end looks amazing..Bob