Posted by Ray Marzolf [98.200.65.42] on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 21:31:15 :
In Reply to: I can offer some info here posted by Mark [166.137.191.20] on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 09:35:47 :
Mark, I'm interested in the missing items, I have the primer knob, I took it off when I was getting engine to start.
It is a 49 but first was a Chiefs truck or Civil Defense truck, (it still has the Motorola CB with the Civil Defense CD on the knobs in a watertight box +/- 24” x 26” x 10” on the fender) and converted in 57 to an AFA, I have the build papers and the log book from 04/11/74 to last call on 10/27/81 when retired. Bought by a fire truck collector when retired and, when he passed it was purchased by the man I got it from, that was going to use to restore his dads FFPW he used at the hunting cabin near Tupper Lake, NY, I went to college at Paul Smith's (for Forestry) in NY +/- 20 miles from there and worked several small brush/forest fires as a student at Smitties. The current Chief started with the District in 58 and has sent me some photos of the truck when it was in service.
The truck had stuck valves on #3 & #4 when I got it, so I soaked them with ATF and cranked, several times soaked several weeks and still stuck; removed head got them working but still not starting. Pull started with tractor still nothing, friend looked in carb as I pushed starter and raw fuel was pumped into engine. Pulled carb apart and no needle valve, got rebuild kit from Vintage and got started in few minuets. I drained the oil when waiting on parts and got over 3 gallons of gas diluted oil.
Took it to a fund raiser for 4 firefighters that died searching a hotel for potential patrons stuck in the fire, they parked me next to the Tomball’s restored 46 Ford Howe Pumper and I got more attention.
I’m working 7/13 hours (19 days on 2 days off till April) at the old BP site we lost 13 contractors +/- 7 years ago as Safety Manager of a specialty welding company, so I will work on it next spring when it returns to 85 degrees and 80% humidity.
Was trying to send a picture of another F/T a friend sent me it was a D500? With 3’ wide floatation tires on rear and 2’ on front with Wildfiremfg.com on its side, will try to repost…..Ray