Popular Post T-Mack1 Posted March 12 Popular Post Share Posted March 12 Here's an up date on my Brother and my B85F that was once part of Boston Fire Dept. It lives, moves and stops!!!! Sunday 3/9/2025, Jack and I got it running on a temp gas tank and got it to move around. Videos are my brother Jack driving. Note, I boobie-trapped him by having the auxiliary shift lever in neutral. He figured it out. And, even though he has been driving manual trans cars for over 50 years, he never driven a truck with non-scynornized trans before. Truck-wise, it builds air pressure to normal levels and the compressor kicks on and off where it should. The battery charges. Oil pressure is good. And clutch seems normal for the 2 times we drove it up & down his 700 foot driveway. On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100009041979074/videos/538239552636001 https://www.facebook.com/100009041979074/videos/619931730934531 On YouTube.: Part 1 and below Part 2 Part 2: 5 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 Thanks for that. Freight train told me a while ago if you want to post video clips on here, you have to go through YouTube. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571203 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mack1 Posted March 12 Author Share Posted March 12 19 minutes ago, mowerman said: Thanks for that. Freight train told me a while ago if you want to post video clips on here, you have to go through YouTube. Great minds think the same. I just figured out the Youtube thing and edited them in. It wasn't too hard. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 that was excellent thanks for that,,,engine sounds great,,bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571216 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckcrazy Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 Great work. It has Armstrong steering. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571244 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jack Mack Posted March 13 Popular Post Share Posted March 13 Perhaps filming from the passenger so as not to show our desperate attempt at fixing the gas tank involved a 2 gallon jug on the running board! My brother showed up hours after I had been out working on new fuel pump, redneck fuel tank with the mission to run the motor today. Tom comes walking up showing me the new rectifier, and talking about gauges, and little stuff, ........I was like we are running her today forget that stuff the tank is full let's get going! It went well.....Jack 4 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571245 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Joseph Cummings Posted March 13 Popular Post Share Posted March 13 Looks and sounds good. I'll bet a buffing would bring a nice shine to that paint 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 23 hours ago, T-Mack1 said: I got it running on a temp gas tank and got it to move around. I am sure you are aware but I shall say it nevertheless- Try to only run NON-ETHANOL GASOLINE !!! 1 Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571267 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mack1 Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 13 minutes ago, 1958 F.W.D. said: I am sure you are aware but I shall say it nevertheless- Try to only run NON-ETHANOL GASOLINE !!! Yes!! We live in eastern PA and the convenience store chain WaWa carries Non-ethanol gas. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571268 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 On 3/13/2025 at 11:02 AM, T-Mack1 said: Yes!! We live in eastern PA and the convenience store chain WaWa carries Non-ethanol gas. I'm in Hellertown! Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571369 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Nice tractor,so I guess it is not diesel , what about the tiller section ? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mack1 Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 15 hours ago, 1958 F.W.D. said: I'm in Hellertown! Well hello neighbor. Emmaus & Bally....... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571398 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post T-Mack1 Posted March 15 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 15 More photo's of the project. Gauges. I cleaned up the bezels on the Air gauge, Speedo and Oil pressure. I inserted the Electrical tach (gas engine) in the hole where the water temp was only as a Photo-opt thing. And, we have a mechanical water temp gauge not shown in picture. The factory electrical water temp gauge was bad. The little fine return spring was rusted away. For the Speedo, I bent the crimped bezel open slowly, cleaned the metal, filled the pits with J-B weld quick, and painted and slowly bent it back. Also had to paint the inner black cover bezel. We are expecting the Fuel gauge to be bad since it uses a similar return spring as the water temp gauge. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571399 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post T-Mack1 Posted March 15 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 15 More Photo's. Fender inserts. They were missing so the seller provided them as they were not on truck when we made the offer, and were part of offer. Color is not a perfect match but looks better that the before picture. 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571400 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Looks good. Is your plan to keep the original paint and lettering? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571402 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mack Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 We are just getting the truck running to have some fun with it, the lettering is not original and Tom has talked to the chief at the fire company on door. The current chief researched a bit and found the collector that bought the truck from Boston Fire had his home town of East Hampton put on door and changed ladder 11 to Ladder 1, along with putting his name "Barton" on the hood. Uh, we already have our name on hood in chrome letters, so I see the hood lettering coming off and not sure what to do on door , she served Boston FD from 1957 to 1979, so maybe she should have Ladder 11 on the door. Truck appears to have been painted once as we can see the Boston taping under the paint. Paint is pretty good and buffs ups to high gloss shine easily. We have an idea and concept photo to make her a four door to haul the grandkids around in, so a total repaint would be then if that even happens. We do have it figured out though....Jack 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571411 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 man those gauges came out excellent i thought they were new till i saw the mileage,,,,i was about to suggest thier is alotta retro gauges available out there 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571440 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jack Mack Posted March 16 Popular Post Share Posted March 16 What a four door version of our truck might look like!.....Jack 4 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571481 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Cummings Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 2 hours ago, Jack Mack said: What a four door version of our truck might look like!.....Jack Here is something about open cabs I'd read before but forgotten. That is why they went away in the 60's 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571491 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Wow it actually looks better as a 4 door… bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571611 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jack Mack Posted March 24 Popular Post Share Posted March 24 On 3/14/2025 at 7:53 PM, 609albert said: Nice tractor,so I guess it is not diesel , what about the tiller section ? Yes, it’s a gasser with the higher HP engine, the Tiller was scraped recently in last couple years before we bought her 11/24. This truck fits in my garage at home with 9’ wide by 8’ doors, tiller wouldn’t fit, would be neat but some of the pictures of the tiller look like it was getting pretty beat up, it served Boston from 1944 until 1970 when the Mack tractor and tiller were put in reserve until 1979. I just wanted a convertible Mack ever since I saw one in Macungie when I was a kid, it’s perfect that the truck and I are both Vintage 1957!….Jack 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571950 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 Well, you certainly got a lot there to work with have a ball. Thanks for the update….. bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-571957 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mack1 Posted 19 hours ago Author Share Posted 19 hours ago More updates. We have two air tanks and there appears to be a check valve between them. But, the air pressure gauge only had one of the two needles/lines/ports connected. So, I was able to find unused 1/4" air lines (I believe from a air valve at bottom/under the dash that is long gone) and there was a plugged port on a fitting between the tanks. And presto dual air gauge works. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-572773 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Mack1 Posted 18 hours ago Author Share Posted 18 hours ago Next update. Thanks to the user posts here on Leece-Neville Alternator/Rectifier/Regulator systems, our truck has been converted from Positive ground to Negative ground. It was rather easy thanks to Leece-Neville alternators NOT using "case ground" methods. The rotor coils and also the output coils are isolated, and the regulator only maintains a voltage level and since the alternator make AC voltage (3-phase at that), the output of the regulator is not polarity sensitive. Only had to swap the rectifier output wires. Also had to also swap wires on the ammeters (A & B ) so it responds correctly. The water temp and Fuel gauges were bad and are disconnected. And since the starter is not a permanent magnet motor, it also is not polarity sensitive. Pictures: The rectifier before & after (note: we're upgrading away from Selenium). Notice the cloth on the thicker wires and you will see they are switched. And one of the alternator with labels added. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-572776 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted 17 hours ago Share Posted 17 hours ago Post your solution to the selenium unit when you get to that point. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75276-former-boston-fd-b85f-1211-project-mack-brothers/#findComment-572779 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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