Bringing a 1949 L95 back to life - HELP!!!

[WFDLtE2]

How's it going everybody?  So, as the title says I have a 1949 Mack L95 that I plan on restoring. I'm new to Macks, and big trucks in general, so I'm here for some much needed guidance from the experts.  I have experience with car restoration and work as a general mechanic, but really very little experience with big trucks. 

A quick back story on the truck.  Its a 1949 L95 with the big en707a gas job and 1000gpm.  The fire department I work for in MA used to buy exclusively Macks from the 40s through the 70s.  This truck was bought new by my department in 49, where it served as E4 for 25yrs until 1974.  It then became spare E22 until about the mid 80s when it was auctioned off, never to be seen again... Until a few years ago.  In 2016 someone sent me a Craigslist ad to this truck for sale, rotting away in the woods in NH. Being assigned to E4 at the time, and being a gearhead and history buff, I couldn't let it go.  I went up to NH and brought her home. 

According to the seller it ran when parked a little over 10yrs ago.  I moved the motor by hand and it does turn over.  Theres some rot around the door sills, floor and seat frame, but the body is rock solid.  The motor looks fairly clean, however it looks like there May have been some sort of leak /crack in one of the heads... Looks like someone put some epoxy in a small spot on the outside of the head.  Other than that, there was a big nest in the carb (air cleaner was off) and the exhaust manifold had a couple pieces broken out (which I guess is common?).

I haven't done a whole lot with it so far, but am hoping to get started soon.  Ive done as much research as I can, including contact Mack and getting all the history, documents, and restoration resources on the truck.  I pulled the carb (which is a big Zenith) and rebuilt it with a NOS rebuild kit from Zenith.  I drained the oil and put a little marvel in the cylinders.  The basic plan is to get the motor to the point I can try turning it over to at least get an idea of where it stands and then go from there.  From there I'll make a list, starting with the brakes which were taken apart by the previous owner. 

All in all I'm a little overwhelmed, but really an dedicated to getting this thing done!  I'm committed to hearing that big 707 run again. 

What I'm looking for is any tips, tricks, guidance, or even "hey, what the hell are you doing you idiot!?" from you guys who have experience with these trucks.  Does my initial plan of attack sound decent?  Also advice in sourcing parts, for example finding an exhaust manifold. 

Sorry for the long story!  I appreciate any and all advice, and thanks in advance! 

Here are some pictures of how we found it, and just after we towed her out. 

[carlotpilot]

looks to be a fair base to start with  lots of work though . welcome to the sight

[HarryS]

Welcome and congratulations on your find. Great story. Your plan of attack sounds like a good one. Having car restoration experience qualifies for this project. The biggest difference with truck restoration is everything is bigger and heavier and your car tools are not big enough. Keep us posted.

[CaptainCrutch]

Great story, and a lucky find! Keep us posted on your progress. Sounds like you’ve got a good plan of attack, granted that’s the same idea I’m using now with my LS95, and the right reason to put your heart into this.

If you ever need anything specific I’m sure some guys on here will be able to help you out.

Just a word of advice from experience, make sure before you really try starting it you clean out the fuel tanks, the fuel filters, the fuel lines and the carb.

Edited January 17, 2019 by CaptainCrutch

[WFDLtE2]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I wanted to get the thread started, but I'm sure I'll have more specific questions as I go.  One thing that is new to me, that I need to research more, is the positive ground electrical system. 

CaptainCrutch, thanks for the advice. I was thinking I'd set up a temporary tank for the test start to avoid any possible issues. 

[41chevy]

Welcome! great unit you bought. Pos ground  is an easy conversion to neg with only a few simple changes. But that said the pos ground systems work just fine.

[j hancock]

Good looking project!

Ask away with any questions.  Nothing wrong with pos. ground electrical systems.  I have a couple trucks that are positive ground.  That is how they were built, that is how they will stay.  You will want to rewire your truck due to the age of the wire.  All the wire insulation will be FUBAR.  A new harness is cheap insurance.