Help me identify the engine MH613

[BigMackTruck]

There's an old trucker selling his rig, it's a month older than I am. I always loved the look of the mh613, did some serious digging into these trucks, considered several different avenues, and missed out on some real classics. I found this truck, here is what I am certain of,its a 5 speed, the shifter says T2050. He claims it has 5.02 rear, and he that it is a 350 mack. I will not be able to crawl under it and look at the engine plate until next month, so I wanted to ask for you guys help.

It looks alot like a mechanical E7 to me, is that what it is? I did some serious Google photo comparisons and I am leaning towards e7 over e6. I haven't driven any macks older than my 2000 with the e460 mated to a 13 speed. Anyone know how to get the vin information? I sent a request to the museum in Allentown. I intend to buy it, unless something better comes along between now and the 10th of April.

IMG_20250320_101617.heic IMG_20250320_101618 (4).heic

[BigMackTruck]

[Joey Mack]

1992 would be an E-7.. yep, looks like a 5 speed. Is it a fresh trans?

[The Heinz]

Truck came with an E7 350, it's mechanical except for the Econovance governor, Joey can tell you more if you need. Truck also came with the T2050 like you believe. 

[Joey Mack]

You covered it Heinzy.. as usual..🍻

[BigMackTruck]

Do you guys know what kind of mpg this truck got, its a big factor for me. I found online that the 2050 with the 5.02 gear ratio maxes out at 67/68 mph, what would be the comfortable cruising speed/rpm for it? This is the machine, I work with paint all the time and I intend to repaint it. I will keep that orange and add some thick stripes like the old school trucks.

[BigMackTruck]

Question, what the heck is with these rims? was there something specific about them that made it good? Or can I scrap them and slap on some aluminum wheels? I have only known aluminum wheels.

[BigMackTruck]

On 3/20/2025 at 1:59 PM, Joey Mack said:

1992 would be an E-7.. yep, looks like a 5 speed. Is it a fresh trans?

According to the owner, he has done a lot of upkeep over the years but never a transmission. What is the deal with the 5 speed, how does it even work out? I see the grunty low end torque from the EM6 in the dynamometer but how did it work with the E7 350? It wasn't econodyne, how was this a viable option? Can it still pull like the EM6 or was this made to haul with lower weights? I have done the research, ive spent hours in the forums, i owned an etech 460, with 13 speed. This E7 with the 5 is a real anomally, I am just now uncovering this, i thought when he said 5 speed he meant 10 speed with a splitter, it was too bizarre. I love the Ultraliner and I am determined to make this work out. This is how i was planning to make it look. This is a Mack in Mexico, I really like what he has done here.

[D-Day]

Nice truck ,Your spoke hubs are a Mack thing not only stronger than budd rims but they also let more air flow around the brake drum which is very important, to change them out you would halve to locate some hubs that fit your spindle look for the axle number and check bearing numbers to make sure the hubs will fit there are a lot of variations out there changing out the front axle is also difficult with spring center spacing and steering knuckle offset for the drag link to the pittman arm

[BigMackTruck]

1 hour ago, D-Day said:

Nice truck ,Your spoke hubs are a Mack thing not only stronger than budd rims but they also let more air flow around the brake drum which is very important, to change them out you would halve to locate some hubs that fit your spindle look for the axle number and check bearing numbers to make sure the hubs will fit there are a lot of variations out there changing out the front axle is also difficult with spring center spacing and steering knuckle offset for the drag link to the pittman arm

Just got done reading this post about the spoke hubs, and after all you told me, i am not about to prioritize the wheel change. If its good enough for Australia in 2024 its good enough for me too. I thought the budds were "the future" Now, i am going to go in other direction and spice up the rims I already have. I only liked the Budds because it's fun to polish the wheels. I feel like shiny wheels keep the DOT away, he sees the shine and says "oh, you spend time doing that? Must spend time doing all the other things too. Carry on."  Thank you for your insightful post.

[BigMackTruck]

I wanted to ask some more questions about the restoration process, I will start a new thread once I pick it up. I have made some little mistakes before and bent my bumper up, i took a ratchet strap and wrapped it around the bumper then pulled on it a little with a tree and it was almost good as new, I never dealt with this crushed coke can where it split like that, there doesnt appear to be any torn metal, I would say hammer on the edges where its bent and ratchet strap tug again. Any professional recommendations? Also, anyone know how much would a new bumper cost?

 

[Mark T]

I would recommend if you do locate a bumper like the one on the truck now, you sit down before you hear the price. There's probably some form of aftermarket around somewhere for it. They're usually between $500.00 to $1000.00. Usually closer to the $500.00

[Geoff Weeks]

16 hours ago, BigMackTruck said:

Just got done reading this post about the spoke hubs, and after all you told me, i am not about to prioritize the wheel change. If its good enough for Australia in 2024 its good enough for me too. I thought the budds were "the future" Now, i am going to go in other direction and spice up the rims I already have. I only liked the Budds because it's fun to polish the wheels. I feel like shiny wheels keep the DOT away, he sees the shine and says "oh, you spend time doing that? Must spend time doing all the other things too. Carry on."  Thank you for your insightful post.

Only time my spokes got noticed by the DOT was at the Echo POE in UT when the inspector wanted to show a trainee what spokes looked like. I had "baby moons" and nut covers. Never even wanted to see my paperwork. Explained to the trainee, he might come across these, then sent me on my way!

That "shiny truck" myth has never seemed to pan out in my book. If the truck looks cared for, but a working truck, that is all they care about. If you all that time to shine wheels, are you spending time and money where it counts?

Edited Saturday at 09:31 PM by Geoff Weeks

[BigMackTruck]

19 hours ago, Mark T said:

I would recommend if you do locate a bumper like the one on the truck now, you sit down before you hear the price. There's probably some form of aftermarket around somewhere for it. They're usually between $500.00 to $1000.00. Usually closer to the $500.00

Yep, found bumpers online last night,  just under a thousand for 18" chrome bumper.

[Geoff Weeks]

I would keep and eye out at truck junkyards for good used. I can think of better uses for a grand than a bumper. Remember, a bumper can be replaced at any time in the future, so no rush.

[BigMackTruck]

3 hours ago, Geoff Weeks said:

I would keep and eye out at truck junkyards for good used. I can think of better uses for a grand than a bumper. Remember, a bumper can be replaced at any time in the future, so no rush.

Yea, i know youre right, I gotta pump the brakes. Dump the thousand into maintenance  until I get the show on the road.

[Joey Mack]

G.W. is a smart guy.  Take his thoughts into consideration..

[cruiseliner64]

Thats a real nice MH you got there.Best of luck with it.I ike the MH,I beleive its a development of the Cruiseliner.There was one MH over here in Ireland but Iv never seen it and I dont know if its still with us.It was a tow truck in the south of the country.Iv been trying to find it or information about it but have had no luck yet,just a picture of it is all Iv come up with so far...

Paul

[The Heinz]

I checked to see if Mack even made the bumper, which they don't, but also couldn't find any direct cross aftermarkets either.  

[BigMackTruck]

Thankfully, there are still some end-of-life MH trucks on the web that can be picked up fairly cheap. I am thinking the perfect donor truck is right around the next month for me. It will pop up, I am sure of it, and when it does, its cannibalizing time. I recently found one online with the red interior, I was curious if there's actually any credibility to the red is better mantra, might go and snatch up some pieces off of it.