reb87 Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572203 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 Trying to find out what my 5spd transmission and aux 4 speed models are. The transmission has 5 gears+ reverse. The tag says Spicer 8251-A. the transmission is only supported by the engine, no transmission mounts are used, is that ok? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572311 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 The shift pattern Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 The 4 speed aux transmission is missing the tag, can any one id it? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572313 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 Found number on the front axle and they match up with my build sheet. FA 600 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572338 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 The muffler is attached to the winch frame, my cab appears to be drilled with captive nuts to hold a bracket to attach the muffler, anybody have the brackets or know where to find them? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572347 Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Day Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 7 hours ago, reb87 said: The 4 speed aux transmission is missing the tag, can any one id it? Difficult to see for sure but I would say spicer 8341 not many other choices and very popular in the west coast trucks 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572358 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted Wednesday at 01:53 PM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 01:53 PM Got the winch off. I think the builder of this wrecker used about 1000 pounds of welding rod to attach/repair. I wish I could hear some of the stories this truck could tell 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted Wednesday at 03:44 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 03:44 PM On 3/29/2025 at 2:48 PM, reb87 said: Trying to find out what my 5spd transmission and aux 4 speed models are. The transmission has 5 gears+ reverse. The tag says Spicer 8251-A. the transmission is only supported by the engine, no transmission mounts are used, is that ok? My H67 doesn't have any tranny mounts, that's the factory setup. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572639 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post reb87 Posted Wednesday at 09:37 PM Author Popular Post Share Posted Wednesday at 09:37 PM 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572668 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post reb87 Posted Wednesday at 09:39 PM Author Popular Post Share Posted Wednesday at 09:39 PM 5 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572669 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Joey Mack Posted Wednesday at 09:41 PM Popular Post Share Posted Wednesday at 09:41 PM I love it.. I dont "truck" but i would proudly drive that to the hardware store.. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572671 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted Wednesday at 10:49 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 10:49 PM Lots of pictures, I love . Thanks for posting. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572676 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted yesterday at 02:05 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 02:05 AM I just realized that the radiator sides are different, the drivers side is aluminum and the passenger side is magnetic, probably cast iron I guess. Was cast iron standard and aluminum optional? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572786 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted yesterday at 04:05 AM Share Posted yesterday at 04:05 AM On 4/2/2025 at 9:53 AM, reb87 said: I think the builder of this wrecker used about 1000 pounds of welding rod to attach/repair. I knew a lot of old timers with wreckers back in the day. They welded everything, and if something broke, they welded more reinforcements to it. No buying new steel either, always something they salvaged from the junkyard they had around back of their shop. I think it was because they lived through the Great Depression 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572787 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted yesterday at 09:08 AM Share Posted yesterday at 09:08 AM 6 hours ago, reb87 said: I just realized that the radiator sides are different, the drivers side is aluminum and the passenger side is magnetic, probably cast iron I guess. Was cast iron standard and aluminum optional? Too probably. But isn't that right side a home made part fabricated of a piece of U-channel? Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572790 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted yesterday at 04:33 PM Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:33 PM 12 hours ago, Joseph Cummings said: I knew a lot of old timers with wreckers back in the day. They welded everything, and if something broke, they welded more reinforcements to it. No buying new steel either, always something they salvaged from the junkyard they had around back of their shop. I think it was because they lived through the Great Depression Grandpa always said “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572838 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted 19 hours ago Author Share Posted 19 hours ago I pulled the screws out of this cover but the cover didn’t come right off. I figured I better ask here before I damaged something. Are there typical adjustable bearings behind it? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572890 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted 19 hours ago Author Share Posted 19 hours ago Next question is on the rear spring arrangement. It looks like there is a plug in this housing, if it is a plug do I use some kind of oil or grease in it? Also is the broken bolt in the top of the springs ok or does it need to be replaced, what is it for. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572892 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mrsmackpaul Posted 15 hours ago Popular Post Share Posted 15 hours ago Plug is to pulled and the housing greased from the fitting underneath until grease comes out the plug on top Bolt in the spring is a center bolt and won't have a head hanging out the top The head is in the casting you grease, that will be the threaded end on top sticking out Center bolt keeps the spring pack located on the big casting and stops the spring sliding back and forth If you ever break a center bolt on a steer axle you'll know things get very busy very quickly, I describe it as what I imagine driving a yacht is, tacking from side to side as Im spinning the steering wheel quickly from side to side trying keep things straight-ish Paul 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572896 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted 7 hours ago Share Posted 7 hours ago The trunnion cap could be for oil in those days. At least my 1945 trunnion was made that way. Sure you can use greese in that spot too and I suggest it's only better. Especially if the seal of the spring seat over the trunnion bar is bad which is common. Later Macks had grease nipple and a pressure release nipple at the other side. What is on your picture more looks like a breather. But if so there should be a filling plug. And my setup had the plug exactly in that place. Central bolt - almost as Paul said. Your's look generally Ok. That top end has a nut attached to it, you can see it in that cavit if remove all derbits from there. Strange at one side the bolt is slightly offset, But I think it's not bad, just the holes in the leaves are a bit large. Or you will soon learn by noting leaves travel if the bolt is broken and than take the spring pack apart. Which I guess is not a job you really lust to do without hard reason. The condition of the trunnion spindels is very questional where the spring seats spin on it. Worth to check out at least for knowing the situation. You need to jack the axles for that or just yard drive with the steering wheels maxed out to the left or right and ask anybody to look at the rear bogie on possible shift of springs against the trunnion bar. 1 1 Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572903 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted 7 hours ago Share Posted 7 hours ago 8 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said: Plug is to pulled and the housing greased from the fitting underneath until grease comes out the plug on top Bolt in the spring is a center bolt and won't have a head hanging out the top The head is in the casting you grease, that will be the threaded end on top sticking out Center bolt keeps the spring pack located on the big casting and stops the spring sliding back and forth If you ever break a center bolt on a steer axle you'll know things get very busy very quickly, I describe it as what I imagine driving a yacht is, tacking from side to side as Im spinning the steering wheel quickly from side to side trying keep things straight-ish Paul 🤔Thanks for putting that vision in my head of you driving a yacht Paul. Dressed up in all the proper attire for sailing.... some yacht rock playing in the background...... 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572905 Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrybarbon Posted 5 hours ago Share Posted 5 hours ago On 4/4/2025 at 8:08 PM, Vladislav said: Too probably. But isn't that right side a home made part fabricated of a piece of U-channel? The C model radiator sides are steel U channel which is very similar to the LJ, those frames are only to support the top alloy radiator tank. The C model bottom section was separated and hinged to allow the guard to swing out. There was a lot of common parts used in the 50' and 60's. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572921 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted 4 hours ago Share Posted 4 hours ago (edited) 3 hours ago, Mark T said: 🤔Thanks for putting that vision in my head of you driving a yacht Paul. Dressed up in all the proper attire for sailing.... some yacht rock playing in the background...... Edited 3 hours ago by Joseph Cummings Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572926 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb87 Posted 1 hour ago Author Share Posted 1 hour ago My radiator supports both the aluminum and the cast iron side appear to be factory castings. This truck is such a picture of get it done! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74914-1953-mack-lj/page/5/#findComment-572938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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