Popular Post medicpelle Posted October 20, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted October 20, 2015 Been wanting to buy a B61 for years and finally pulled the trigger on one. Little history on this truck "according to the previous owner". Truck was purchased about 10-12 years ago out of the Midwest. Owner said truck was running when he purchased it but put it in a shop where it has sat since he purchased it. Truck appears to be complete with most of the original parts. Has an END 673/15 Triplex. Motor was missing a starter. My plans are to get it running first then start working on a partial restore. I do not want a trailer queen show truck. Going to keep it as original as possible but with some upgrades. I figured I would post updates as I go with it and hope to acquire and share information. I am new to heavy truck restorations so I am sure I will have a ton of questions.Electrical is a 6v system and since I needed to get a starter I decided to redo the entire electrical system and upgrade it to a 12v negative ground system. I removed the old batteries, generator, and parallel switch, not much progress yet but I am still waiting on a few parts to show up. Plans for this week is to install all the parts and shore up all the cables and wires with new stud ends, make jumper cables, reverse heater motor leads, install new ground, and remove any excess unused wiring. Order new filters, belts, and hoses.Parts purchased:2 Group 31 batteries 1000caCole Hersee Key Switch (#95400)Cole Hersee battery cut off switch (#2484BX)Delco 42mt Starter 12v/11 tooth/rotating headDelco 24SI 12v 160 amp AlternatorHand full of brass battery lugsOrdered an R model J alternator bracket, pulley, and tensioner arm from local Mack dealerStewart Warner Fuel/Temp/Amp Gage (Replacing Amp meter) 13 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZB755V8 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Looks to be in good shape to start with. Good luck and have fun welcome. I like the H in the back ground too. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308150 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Awesome! Great truck! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308153 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdogtrucker Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 That is one good looking truck, can't wait to see the progress . (happy to see you made it here) Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308156 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 It seems the truck is in a good shape indeed.Good interior either.The color makes it unusual, you might get it brighter applying some polish on.Any history on the H-model in the first picture?Good luck on the project!Vlad Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308157 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Excellent Find! Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308162 Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicpelle Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Pretty much the same history on the H model. It's still their for sale. I looked at it, it's pretty complete but not running. Both of these trucks were half ass restored on the exterior. Paint on both is cheap and coming off. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308167 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1977vega Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 What's the price on the H? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308171 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby j Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Welcome and very good looking truck........Bobby j. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308172 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Welcome to the forum!Good looking B and sensible plans for it. Keep us posted on progress. Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308174 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryS Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Welcome. Nice truck. Where are you located? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308177 Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicpelle Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Originally from NY but now in Grove, OK. I think he wanted 7 for the H 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308182 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Nice trucks and glad to hear they are going to a good home......yours.mike 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308199 Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicpelle Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) Not much progress today. I took out all the old battery cables, installed the new batteries, and cut new jumper cables. Edited October 21, 2015 by medicpelle 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308324 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Not much progress today. I took out all the old battery cables, installed the new batteries, and cut new jumper cables. image.jpgimage.jpgAny work to bring it back is progress! Paul 1 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308325 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 You would do better with a MT39 a newer starter version. Send that alternator bracket back to the dealer and get your money the generator brackets will work just stop by the hardware store and get a 1/2" pipe about 4 inches long to use as a spacer you will need the pulley off the generator anyways because the belt widths are different they are called B width i think 9/16th or 5/8th wide cant remember off the top of my head Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308629 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseldriver65 Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 What a nice looking B,i'm still on the hunt for one 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308697 Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddeere Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 The old generator bracket should work. I used one with some 1/2 " all thread and mounted a 22SI 12 volt 125 amp. alternator. Some use the 21SI alternator but the 22SI was cheaper. I used a 42mt starter. The 39mt may have better as I had some clearance issues with the vent pipe. The shop where I got the starter said the 39mt was a gear reduction starter which would have more torque but the 42mt should spin faster with enough battery. Nice find on the truck. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308705 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 agree. I used a 42mt starter on mine and it has the starter mounted on the top driver side. I had to change the clock position about 4 times to get it to miss the steerimg box and throttle linkage. 39MT is a better choice. I did use a 21si alternator on mine to but made a new mount. the old will work with spacers tho like the guys said Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308710 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post medicpelle Posted October 26, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 26, 2015 (edited) Thx for the info. The pulley from the generator is too big for alternators, gen spins at a lower speed then and alt, the ratio would not be correct. I got the correct pulley for the belts and alt. I had to adjust the head on the starter 3 times to find the correct position. Then while holding it up by myself for the third time on my backup found out the bolts would not thread. Had to retap the threads so the fourth time was the charm. The alt was sitting about 3/4" too far forward with the bracket I had so I milled the original holes out to get the adjustment I needed. So with the alt and starter in I will be installing the master switch and new ignition along with all the associated wiring. Plan is to get this done by midweek then move onto belts, hoses, filters, and fluids. I'll get pics up this week. Edited October 26, 2015 by medicpelle 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308823 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 looks good,,,best of luck with it,,,if it hasnt run in that long i would pull out the injectors and dump abuncha transmission fluid in the cylinders and let it soak into the rings....then let the engine spin a while before starting,,,and bulid up the oil pressure...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308851 Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicpelle Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 Thx Bob. Do have a stupid question... Looking at the belts I don't see anyway of getting them off with out removing the fan, don't see a way of removing the fan without taking the radiator out, is this correct or am I missing something here? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308856 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 You should be able to replace the belts with the fan on. Just have to loop it over one blade and then follow it around til comes around again. Sometimes you have to wiggle the radiator forward to get the belt past the crank bolt(I do anyway). It is a tight fit.You can take the fan off, the bolts JUST make it as they are very short in length. I went through this last winter when I put a/c on my truck and had this stuff apart trying to figure it all out. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308857 Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicpelle Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 Thank you sir I got them off, I should of known better! I feel stupid now lol 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308858 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Don't sweat it. I've been learning on mine for 14 yrs now. 2 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42269-b61-purchase-and-restore/#findComment-308861 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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