General Ike Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 A few places that you might be able to find more detail on the gold leaf. Of course the Mack museum. Also the Gettysburg FD right up the road from you had a similar L.... Their museum may have pictures of it. Jere Lady of Lady & Taylor in Heidlersburg just north of Gettysburg bought that rig in the late '90s but unfortunately last I heard it burned up in a barn fire. Jere is a wealth of Mack knowledge and may be able to help regardless. Quote Ed Smith1957 B85F 1242 "The General Ike" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-418247 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Wow nice catch have a ball with it ....that steering wheel looks perfect you’re very lucky there you could pay a fortune to replace it...bobSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-418313 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Your Mack is a classic ,the molded in roof lights are one of a kind, how could anyone scrape its twin? I would love to see the Mack when you get it done,where in pa.are you? (MACK Capital of the World) Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-418330 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 38 minutes ago, 609albert said: Your Mack is a classic ,the molded in roof lights are one of a kind, how could anyone scrape its twin? I would love to see the Mack when you get it done,where in pa.are you? (MACK Capital of the World) It’s especially a shame because not only did it have the molded roof lights, it was a 3 door sedan cab. I haven’t quite given up hope on it yet, but all sources lead to it ending up with a scrap dealer. Hopefully he knew what he had and atleast kept the body around. Actually both my engines are Fredrick, MD engines and have stayed in the vicinity since delivery. They both had twins that are untraceable. Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-418340 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CaptainCrutch Posted March 25, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2019 Well we had it back out today, just running it around seeing as it was such a nice day. About half way along the route it started sputtering and died, sounded like it was running lean, a quick tune of the carb later we got it back home and ripped the leaky fuel pump out, figuring it had gone bad. Then we realized the fuel pump is fine, it’s the sediment pole that’s gone bad, and started leaking. So on Tuesday we get to get one of those. Next on the list is to fix the electrical for the driver side headlights. Then we’ll see about testing the pump because we plan on taking both engines to Pump Primers in July. It’s not a guarantee but we’re hoping it works out. 3 Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-418952 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Glade you got her back on the road Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-419105 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 Well I’ve been so busy these past few weeks that nothing much has been done. We plan on putting the fuel pump back in ASAP which if it isn’t tomorrow won’t be until sometime next week. Some work needs to be done pretty quickly because it almost become a tradition at this point to take one of them to the school dances over at the local art high school, give everyone something cool to look at. This homecoming was the homecoming king and his gang making a grand entrance, we’ll see about this year replacing the CF with the old L. If that goes well we have a few shows that are relatively close we’re going to try to take them both to and if that all works out you can expect to see them relatively often at shows along the east coast. Right now the goal is to get it running and then re wire the driver side headlight which currently doesn’t have any power going to it. Wish us luck. Enjoy some old pictures I’ve found of the two. 2 Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-420752 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 Long story short the L runs again but the fender had to be removed so we could actually get to what we needed to. It’s looking like another year before all the kids see it. We’ll see how progress is in a few months and see if she’ll be at any shows this year or hold off again. We don’t want to risk damaging anything so it’ll go when it’s ready. Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-421113 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobert62 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 The never ending story. Good luck with the progress Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-421185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 As said above. Nice truck, worth to pay attention and I hope you enjoy bringing it back on the road itself. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-421198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Well I figured I’d get on here and give an update as to what’s going on with the L. The update is essentially there is no update. We tried buying a new fuel pump but it goes on a different type of the 707 so it was backwards and the arm that hits the crankshaft wasn’t long enough. We threw the old one back in and sure enough it leaked, so we sent it out to be rebuilt. We got it back about a week and a half ago, so we threw it in and after hours of trying it kept fighting us to get on the crankshaft. So we stopped and had a break and before you knew it we’re on a plane to Florida. We wanted to take it to the Chesapeake Antique Fire Apparatus Association annual muster but it’s still missing a fender and a functioning fuel system, not to mention the fact we got back home at 4:00AM this morning so just the CF went. We were in a little parade getting there. I have a couple more recent pictures of the two. We’re hoping to be at Pump Primers with the two but it doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen. Only time will tell. If anyone has any tips on how to get the fuel pump back in the right spot in such a fashion that it doesn’t require throwing tools across the garage in anger because it’s come off it’s place again, that would be phenomenal. Once that’s done we’ll be checking the pump to make sure that still moves because a restoration TV show has us paranoid after their having to completely disassemble a pump for a restoration due to it rusting in place. It’s be nice to have it pumping at Pump Primers but at this point just having it there is the stretch goal. 2 Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424206 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Looks pretty good have a ball with it hope to see it at watts in August...bobSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424425 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Rotate the engine by hand until you get the low spot of the eccentric on the cam aligned with the pump arm, you will be able to see and feel it when you spin it and hold the pump in position. It will than fit close enough to run the bolts in. 1 1 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424427 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CaptainCrutch Posted June 9, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 9, 2019 She’s all back together and running, and the pump isn’t seized so we’ll be looking at testing that soon. Had to do some fab work for a new copper fuel line, so now there’s only a coolant leak which looks like it can be fixed with some flex tape. The old fuel line we found all kinked up and leaky, not really surprising but unfortunate none the less. We’re hoping to have it out in the road Wednesday. All of this is iffy at best but things are looking up again, until the next problem. 4 Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 (edited) On 6/2/2019 at 12:23 AM, CaptainCrutch said: Well I figured I’d get on here and give an update as to what’s going on with the L. The update is essentially there is no update. We tried buying a new fuel pump but it goes on a different type of the 707 so it was backwards and the arm that hits the crankshaft wasn’t long enough. We threw the old one back in and sure enough it leaked, so we sent it out to be rebuilt. We got it back about a week and a half ago, so we threw it in and after hours of trying it kept fighting us to get on the crankshaft. So we stopped and had a break and before you knew it we’re on a plane to Florida. We wanted to take it to the Chesapeake Antique Fire Apparatus Association annual muster but it’s still missing a fender and a functioning fuel system, not to mention the fact we got back home at 4:00AM this morning so just the CF went. We were in a little parade getting there. I have a couple more recent pictures of the two. We’re hoping to be at Pump Primers with the two but it doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen. Only time will tell. So, is Engine 51 the TV star from EMERGENCY ? Edited June 10, 2019 by 41chevy Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424929 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 I last heard it was a tribute rig. Maybe though, if it was that’d make it even more spectacular that they parked us next to it. 1 Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424932 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 10 minutes ago, CaptainCrutch said: I last heard it was a tribute rig. Maybe though, if it was that’d make it even more spectacular that they parked us next to it. I believe the original is in the LA fire museum. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424933 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickfarms Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 I last heard it was a tribute rig. Maybe though, if it was that’d make it even more spectacular that they parked us next to it.The real one is at home at the la county fire museum https://www.lacountyfiremuseum.com 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424934 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 When I was a kid, I never missed Emergency...one of my very favorite shows. If I had a dime for every time I heard Dr. Brackett tell the boys to start an IV with Ringer's Lactate... 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 4 minutes ago, h67st said: When I was a kid, I never missed Emergency...one of my very favorite shows. If I had a dime for every time I heard Dr. Brackett tell the boys to start an IV with Ringer's Lactate... Or say "Rampart"..... 1 Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424941 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Nice rig I hope you get it on the road in time to make it to the September show in Winchester. If you are still looking to get the gold leaf done for the fenders I'd check with Larry Spangler in Hanover, PA. (717) 637-6990 Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-424997 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 We’re gonna hold off on doing any paint for a while, one day we’ll make it as close to factory paint as possible but for now we like the story that the messy cracking paint gives. Right now though things are looking up for shows, still not giving any definites right now, because who know what else can and will go wrong. Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-425004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFDLtE2 Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 I'm definitely following this, great thread! Are you doing the work yourself? I bought a 1949 L95 that belonged to my department from 49-mid 80s. It sat outside for the last 20yrs but "supposedly" ran when parked. It needs a lot. I was a mechanic before I got on the FD, and still do it part time, but have little experience with the big trucks (although the older ones seems fairly straightforward). I'm definitely going to be picking your brain, thanks for posting! It looks like you have the 707 as well? How has that been trying to source parts? I think I may have a cracked head, and I know I need a new exhaust manifold. Here's mine as we found her sitting in the woods in NH. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-425324 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 15, 2019 Author Share Posted June 15, 2019 We’re doing most of the work by ourselves, but in the winter we took her to have a top end engine rebuild. We found most of the parts and a lot of it was asking around, finding leads, and one of our biggest part providers was a donor engine we found close to us surprisingly. But we exhausted a lot of the parts people had and the heads themselves had to be machined by a guy the mechanic knew. We’re thinking about taking it back there so they can fix the carb which has an issue getting fuel to the engine in the higher RPMs which means that you can only drive it for maybe 15 minutes before it stalls, and we know it’s not another fuel leak. It’s mostly tuning at this point. Having it at Pump Primers is the goal but chances the truck makes it are slim. Another part we’ll need is the fitting for the aux nozzle because the bottom has rusted away, and the pump needs a good clean out, but it pumps, you just need to have water in the tank, so there’s a positive. Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-425340 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share Posted June 16, 2019 A side note, at the CAFAA muster they take pictures of all the rigs as they come in and someone finally posted one of ours in that spot. Still looking for pictures of IHC’s old 1954 Mack LS-85 sedan cab pumper. Any pictures of any IHC engines are very much appreciated. Just trying to develop an album in case they come up in the future so I don’t make the same mistake as we did when the 54 came up for sale and we missed ignored it not realizing at first that it was in fact the truck that we were looking for. Still praying it’s out there but all the leads have run dry, and have lead to it being scrapped unfortunately. Quite a shame. Anyways enjoy a picture of the CF 1 Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/2/#findComment-425359 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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