mowerman Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Excellent work .Nicest one I've ever seen WOW...bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365002 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Looks awesome, better than a new one! Good job mate! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365035 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 That is going to look fantastic rolling down the road...nice work! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365075 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Looks Fantastic! 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365101 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 Since I finished my three winter projects (engine, transmission & radiator) and there's still snow on the ground, I figured I'd continue assessing the cab. I was able to get some time in before work and remove the doors. This cab had some previous damage to the back panel and the repair work was horrible. The lower panel and rear window panel were factory replacements and were also barely attached. Once you open up the cab, it's pretty simple construction. before I remove anything else, I'll cross brace everything to prevent shifting. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365182 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 Is the timber in your floor a factory item? I think all the old w model Kenworth's here had timber floor. Makes sense too, better noise and heat insulation. If your previous work is anything to go by, that cab will look great once completed. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365244 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 1 minute ago, Timmyb said: Is the timber in your floor a factory item? I think all the old w model Kenworth's here had timber floor. Makes sense too, better noise and heat insulation. If your previous work is anything to go by, that cab will look great once completed. Yes, there is another piece that I had just removed on the passenger side. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365245 Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 (edited) matt thought i would find you a hood ornement for the 73 but i have`nt figured out how to polish him with out making his eyes water Edited March 23, 2017 by carlotpilot 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365251 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 6 hours ago, carlotpilot said: matt thought i would find you a hood ornement for the 73 but i have`nt figured out how to polish him with out making his eyes water That guy is tiny!! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365263 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Macks finest grill. Neat pup! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-365372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 25, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 25, 2017 Nothing significant completed int the last few weeks as yard work has consumed some time. But, today was really significant. I moved the frame up in front of the barn so I can start in on it. It hasn't been there in at least 15 years. It was a good day. 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-368296 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 1, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 1, 2017 Swiss Cheese Saturday. Busy weekend, only got a half day in. Stripped all the remaining plumbing out and all the cab/transmission mounts, brackets and anything that wasn't going to be used in the stretch. Then identified all the holes that needed to be filled from the tandems, fifth wheel and assorted things that were cut/drilled into the frame. I was able to get most of the holes filled on the right frame rail before the end of the day. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-368772 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Horse Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Matt- too lazy to go back to page 1-so what is the plan in terms of WB stretch? This going to be another roll back? If this had liners the rails look good-at least to my uneducated eye! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-368779 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 A nice clean chassis without unused holes looks great. Same as what red horse said, are you keeping it single drive or going bogie? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-368782 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share Posted May 1, 2017 21 minutes ago, Red Horse said: Matt- too lazy to go back to page 1-so what is the plan in terms of WB stretch? This going to be another roll back? If this had liners the rails look good-at least to my uneducated eye! Yes, pretty significant stretch to a single axle roll back I have stored in a friend's yard. The frames are close and will slide together with an 1/8" shim down the length of the overlap, which will be over 6' plus creating a double frame. This is the donor frame and body that I had to move for the barn work. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-368786 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Nice! You will be welding holes in your sleep. 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-368789 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyT Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Loved the old flathead caddys, The porcelain exhaust manifolds were one of a kind! My dad rebuilt a 48 wreck, I can still remember rubbing out the black lacquer! I was about 14! He wanted to keep it, but my mother said it looked too much like a hearse😁Nice work Matt! That's an antique welders hood! 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-368790 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 9, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2017 Fixed the frame where the previous owner notched it to get the front cross member out when he took the Cummins. Came out pretty good and looks like it was never done. Still filling holes as free time has been limited. But a little bit here and there is getting it done. 9 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369451 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 13, 2017 Author Share Posted May 13, 2017 Busy day!! Went to my storage yard and brought home the back half of the project, separated it, and brought back the parts I don't need yet. Leaving just the frame at home to be stripped and prepped. Three round trips in the B-43 and all before the rain started, I'm beat!! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369720 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 15, 2017 Author Share Posted May 15, 2017 After positioning the donor frame in front of the barn, spent today assessing and stripping the frame back to where the overlap ends. I'll have just short of 8' of overlap on the frame. Found some scale and rot that'll have to be addressed. Good progress this weekend, next several weeks I'll have limited time so it'll be slow 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369836 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Horse Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Matt-just out of curiosity did you ever price out rails from P.G. Adams? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369844 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 15, 2017 Author Share Posted May 15, 2017 9 hours ago, Red Horse said: Matt-just out of curiosity did you ever price out rails from P.G. Adams? My original plan was to fabricate everything and then mount the body. As I looked at the donor frame, I found that it would slide over the original making the stretch and mounting much easier and quicker. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369859 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobert62 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 9 hours ago, mattb73lt said: My original plan was to fabricate everything and then mount the body. As I looked at the donor frame, I found that it would slide over the original making the stretch and mounting much easier and quicker. Freighttrain & myself did something similar. I can't say for him but I didn't use any type of shims. Everything pulled together like it belonged. I bolted it through 3 of the mack crossmembers then added the fuel tank mounts and some other brackets through the splice as well. I think my overlap is about 4' Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369886 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 16, 2017 Author Share Posted May 16, 2017 4 hours ago, Hobert62 said: Freighttrain & myself did something similar. I can't say for him but I didn't use any type of shims. Everything pulled together like it belonged. I bolted it through 3 of the mack crossmembers then added the fuel tank mounts and some other brackets through the splice as well. I think my overlap is about 4' A couple of years ago I posted a question of the frame stretch, I think Freightrain responded with some pics of his stretch. That and a few other responses confirmed that it was pretty sound to go forward that way. Most of my measurements are close and just need to be tightened up a little. Right now I'm thinking that there's 1/4" difference from inner to outer spacing, that could be made up with two 1/8" shims down the overlap. I still need to finish cleaning both sets of rails and then finalize everything. My plan is to use the two Mack cross members where the original axle is, then staggered bolts in between. There'll be two more cross members where the donor axle is. The Mack axle will fit the springs that are in the donor frame. It has a Eaton twospeed under it now that'll be removed. The plus is the body is already mounted and will just need to be remounted. Looks like there'll be about 7' added to the wheelbase. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369903 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Horse Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 34 minutes ago, mattb73lt said: A couple of years ago I posted a question of the frame stretch, I think Freightrain responded with some pics of his stretch. That and a few other responses confirmed that it was pretty sound to go forward that way. Most of my measurements are close and just need to be tightened up a little. Right now I'm thinking that there's 1/4" difference from inner to outer spacing, that could be made up with two 1/8" shims down the overlap. I still need to finish cleaning both sets of rails and then finalize everything. My plan is to use the two Mack cross members where the original axle is, then staggered bolts in between. There'll be two more cross members where the donor axle is. The Mack axle will fit the springs that are in the donor frame. It has a Eaton twospeed under it now that'll be removed. The plus is the body is already mounted and will just need to be remounted. Looks like there'll be about 7' added to the wheelbase. Matt-what was the donor truck? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/5/#findComment-369907 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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