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Fixing the old truck

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Joined: Jan 2004
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Well Guys 'n Gals! As soon as you stop looking fer old trucks in your area, somthin like this POPS UP right nearby you house! A 1924-7 Mack AC BULLDOG! 31500 lbs !

It isn't a bolt! But it IS kinda nice! and very original. Owner had engine woirk done (babbitts done) and has sold it to me, but he left it out in the Snow a few years back and the ice litterally exploded the water jacket as you can easily see! I have the broken out cast jacket parts, but. . . question is:

Can this be fixed fairly reasonably? Whats the best thing to do? I hear they can "stitch" these side walls up with new metal? Can this work be done with the engine in the truck? (heavy sucker!)

Any help or experience would be much appreciated! I'm a engine novice!

"Old coes" Si Lupton

1954 Checy 1.5 Ton COE
1930 Caddy Town Car
1939 Lincoln Zypher V-12 Engine Special
1970 Subaru 360 van
1924 Chevy Truck
1951 Cub Highboy tractor
1923 Fordson Tractor

grin eek :mad:

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Whoops! here are the Photos!
"Old Coes" [img]http://www.antiquesnet.com/acrfrntaaa.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.antiquesnet.com/acenghole.jpg[/img] :rolleyes:

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'Bolter
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Somebody in the repair business could do something with that, if it is not cracked all over the place. It sure gives an interesting view of the block. They didn't spare cast iron in those days!


1951 GMC 1 Ton Flatbed -- It is finally on the road and what a great time I have driving it!
1951 1 Ton Completed


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There are several companies that specialize in that kind of work. Do a search for "cast iron welding". Depending on your welding abilities you may want to tackle it yourself. I recently stick welded a manifold for a REO gold comet engine. I can do OK, but a coworker used a TIG to touch it up. A tig in the hand of an expert is impressive. Use 99% nickel rod and it is best to preheat. Don't grind a vee any deeper than 50%.


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That truck is awesome! I'm envious. I've always wanted a B model Mack myself, to make into a motorhome.

Have fun..........................................Larry

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Shop Shark
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Come on! A little JB Weld and that block is good as new. grin

That is an interesting design - the cylinders are bolted onto the crankcase, just like a Porsche.

If it can't be fixed, I would bet if you started searching the "links" section and talking to some of the crustier old stovebolters, I'll bet someone has a replacement block sitting out back in the shop.

As an alternative, that is an extremely simple design. No oil passages, just a water jacket and cylinder sleeves. You might find some guys who could actually sand cast a replacement block. Not cheap, but doable in the worst case.

-Boyo


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A place I would try would be a Mack Junk (truck recycling to be PC) Yard in Lakeville, MN called MANDER's Diesel. I have never seen anything that old there, but they do have lots of stuff. The owner is crusty...He would probably know where one is.

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Can it be fixed- - - -yes. In the truck- - - -NO! For every crack that's visible, there are probably others that are out of sight. You'll need to dismantle the engine, and get the cylinder casting perfectly clean, beadblasted, or some similar type of deep cleaning. Fit the broken pieces back in, grinding a little if necessary for a good fit. V-groove the top of the cracks, and tack-weld the pieces in place to prevent shifting during the repair. Preheat a little, but don't get the parts red hot. Using nickel-alloy welding rod, weld about 1/2" at a time, and peen the weld for several minutes while it cools. This stress-relieves the weld, and prevents cracking beside the weld as the metal shrinks. Weld/peen until the cracks are completely filled. It's a long, tedious process, but if your welding technique is good, the repair will be permanent. A little JB weld applied over the repair will prevent seep leaks, and if you press a piece of 40 grit sandpaper onto the surface of the epoxy after it dries a little, the texture will resemble the cast iron and make the repair almost invisible.
Jerry


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Very cool truck! is the radiator between the motor and the cab on those trucks and if its so how does it cool the motor cause I did not see any fan. Jeff grin

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Can be fixed, but it will not be pretty. The jug will have to come off the block to get fixed. Contact a farm or heavy equipement dealer, they may have someone who can do this type of work, there is a antique fire truck dealer around Philly, Hal Fillenger, who does repairs to antique American LaFrance engines, he can advise you on a repair also. Be prepared, this won;t be cheap! eek


1936 GMC T-14 1/2-Ton Pickup
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Thanks so much guys! I knew I could count on the forums! I have found a few ideas already. There are parst blocks around I'm finding. Also a good machinist who can stitch the cases up like new he says.

"Old Coes" out in Vermont

wink


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