mattb73lt Posted May 16, 2017 Author Share Posted May 16, 2017 14 minutes ago, Red Horse said: Matt-what was the donor truck? It was a Ford L series with a Cat in it that was dead. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-369910 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobert62 Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 I didn't use the mack rear I used the Rockwell from the freightliner air ride cutoff. It gave me a much better gear ratio. My last mack crossmember is at the rear of the doubled frames. It is about 2' of just freightliner frame before the first freightliner crossmember. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-369911 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 16, 2017 Author Share Posted May 16, 2017 3 minutes ago, Hobert62 said: I didn't use the mack rear I used the Rockwell from the freightliner air ride cutoff. It gave me a much better gear ratio. My last mack crossmember is at the rear of the doubled frames. It is about 2' of just freightliner frame before the first freightliner crossmember. I've got a 4.62 rear and a double overdrive Triplex going in this one. Nearly the same as I set up in my other B, but with 24.5" rubber going on this one. Cruises nice at 65, with more top end. The Triplex gives good flexibility around town and highway. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-369912 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobert62 Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 1 minute ago, mattb73lt said: I've got a 4.62 rear and a double overdrive Triplex going in this one. Nearly the same as I set up in my other B, but with 24.5" rubber going on this one. Cruises nice at 65, with more top end. The Triplex gives good flexibility around town and highway. Mine was a 4.62 but with a direct duplex it wasn't enough. The new one is a 4.30 and with the 12r 22.5 will run 63 at 2100 according to my GPS. I would have like around a 4 but I only gave $500 for the complete cutoff and figured I'd try it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-369913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted May 28, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 28, 2017 Nothing super exciting to report. Donor frame is all stripped down, just need two cross members removed and then off to the sandblaster. But, the right frame member is done and primed. Tried to do both but there's only so much time, and I figured I concentrate on one and not rush. These posts help to give me something report to keep the momentum going. This is really hump work, but it's getting done. 6 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-370912 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post j hancock Posted May 30, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted May 30, 2017 Fiddle, fix, adjust, file, weld, think, measure, modify, cut, thread, adjust again, grind,...... Repeat if necessary. 3 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-371066 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 Stripped the new rear axle housing completely. I had robbed the gear set out of it for the original axle, after a friend gave it to me years ago. I was going to scrap it until I found some cracks welded up on the axle under the frame now. Lucked out there. It all came apart with some effort, but nothing broke. Some corrosion found on some of the aluminum castings. If they're too far gone, I can rob the other axle. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-371633 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted August 1, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 1, 2017 1 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376347 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Nothing like getting things cleaned up and new paint on them! I notice your floor looks old...when you built your new shop, did you reuse the old foundation and floor? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376348 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 7 minutes ago, h67st said: Nothing like getting things cleaned up and new paint on them! I notice your floor looks old...when you built your new shop, did you reuse the old foundation and floor? It's the original floor with 3/4" plywood layed over it as a work surface. I put it down when I did the other B. I'll probably replace it at some point. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376350 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 Well, my text disappeared when I posted those pics. But, it's been two months since I touched this, didn't think I would be that busy. Finally got on it this weekend, finished all the welding and primed the frame. Got the donor frame to the sandblaster and into the shop for primer. The big score was finding a "Back-Drop" exhaust for the Cummins. It's super nice and once its painted and installed I'll post some pictures. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376352 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Freightrain Posted August 1, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted August 1, 2017 Looks good. My frame came from a '91 Ford also. With as much wiggle on the frames, the closest measurement came out near perfect slip fit. With twelve 5/8" bolts on each side, plus all the other misc stuff bolted through it is not coming apart any time soon. 3 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376370 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 2 hours ago, Freightrain said: Looks good. My frame came from a '91 Ford also. With as much wiggle on the frames, the closest measurement came out near perfect slip fit. With twelve 5/8" bolts on each side, plus all the other misc stuff bolted through it is not coming apart any time soon. I made some careful measurements yesterday and I'm going to forego the shims I was going to make. This is also a Ford donor and a very close slip fit, like about 1/16" difference. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted August 2, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 2, 2017 All primered up. 3/4 of a gallon to cover it. Just closed up the shop and time for bed. 1 6 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376408 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Mine was 1" taller then the Mack frame, so I just clamped the top rail and left the bottom be what it was. Looks good. I loved mine just after I put the POR15 on it. Then 6 months later it looked like crap. Oh well, it's no show winner anyway. 1 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376440 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobert62 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 (edited) 5 hours ago, Freightrain said: Mine was 1" taller then the Mack frame, so I just clamped the top rail and left the bottom be what it was. Same here with my freightliner rails. My splice is behind my stack brackets and under deck plate so it's hid from outside viewing. I used rustoleum red oxide primer and there profesional grade gloss black. Figured it would be easy for touchups. Edited August 2, 2017 by Hobert62 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-376462 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted February 4, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 4, 2018 Hope all is well with everyone that's following this. Hasn't been since August since I last posted. The project was on hold and stored at Matt Pfahl's since then, while I waited for him to have some floor space for me, and I ran my own train off the tracks after picking up a '26 Ford Roadster. But, back on it today and completed the the frame stretch by joining both frames together. Long day, but it's done and straight. Went as planned and without a hitch. The bare frame looks looonnng with it joined up. 7 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391113 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted February 4, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 4, 2018 A few more pics after we moved it back into the yard today. 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391172 Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 On 8/1/2017 at 9:16 AM, mattb73lt said: Well, my text disappeared when I posted those pics. But, it's been two months since I touched this, didn't think I would be that busy. Finally got on it this weekend, finished all the welding and primed the frame. Got the donor frame to the sandblaster and into the shop for primer. The big score was finding a "Back-Drop" exhaust for the Cummins. It's super nice and once its painted and installed I'll post some pictures. if you happen to come across another manifold that is not solid gold let me know cc 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391179 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddy Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 On 8/1/2017 at 6:16 AM, mattb73lt said: Well, my text disappeared when I posted those pics. But, it's been two months since I touched this, didn't think I would be that busy. Finally got on it this weekend, finished all the welding and primed the frame. Got the donor frame to the sandblaster and into the shop for primer. The big score was finding a "Back-Drop" exhaust for the Cummins. It's super nice and once its painted and installed I'll post some pictures. does your backdrop have the fin that seperates 3 cylinders in it? All that I have seen with the fin will say Cummins Diesel on the 2 pieces. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 1 hour ago, mackdaddy said: does your backdrop have the fin that seperates 3 cylinders in it? All that I have seen with the fin will say Cummins Diesel on the 2 pieces. Yes, there's a cast divider separating the cylinders. Three upfront and three to the rear. The gasses meet as they enter the exhaust pipe. I've been told that's where the exhaust note comes from. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391197 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Nice progress! Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391354 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 So what is the wheelbase going to be? Mine is long even at 206" for a single axle. Makes it look like a 240ish if it was a tandem. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391368 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted February 8, 2018 Author Share Posted February 8, 2018 On 2/6/2018 at 12:24 PM, Freightrain said: So what is the wheelbase going to be? Mine is long even at 206" for a single axle. Makes it look like a 240ish if it was a tandem. Good guess!! Just threw a tape on it today, looks like right around 249". It's getting a 24' Jerr-Dan rollback equipment body. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/6/#findComment-391492 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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