CaptainCrutch Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 On 3/4/2020 at 1:35 PM, davehummell said: What is the rear ratio that is in it now and what is your rpm when your at 55 mph? RPM is about (might be a little higher) 2400 full-load, 2550 unloaded, and the rear end is a 6.86. I think the 80 mph truck had a 5.63, but for some reason some literature suggests it was changed back for the 6.86 before completion. I think the 5.63 was on the truck when the fire company owned it because it was said to do 80... this all with 10.00/20 size balloon tires according to other literature... This is the further info I have... 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/7/#findComment-444833 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Beautiful looking Fire truck. I posted some new pictures under '49 EE taking a break. check out the fire truck from the '82 truck races in NJ. it was a demonstrator for the company. guess people got scared driving up to it on highway thinking it was coming at them LOL. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-445003 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CaptainCrutch Posted June 1, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 1, 2020 Finally got to take the old dog for a much deserved walk... She barked and screamed all the way through the city streets like a bulldog should! So much fun had by all on Saturday. Excuse the purple ribbons, it was for a group of high school seniors whose colors are purple, figured it be a nice little touch for them since they didn’t have a sign to hang on ours like the other apparatus. 5 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/7/#findComment-452454 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 lol i can see rite thru that glass,,,,and it looks like your pissing yourself...truck looks great,have a swinging time with it,,,the way that thing is setup with all that chrome,im thinking it would look amazing with fresh paint..oooooh i also like the blue jeans.....bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452455 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Has been a long road to get it sorted, good to see you out having fun in it Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share Posted June 2, 2020 Body work and paint should be next, but we might rebuild the last of the fuel lines first, they were fine before but they seem like they might be starting to break down. Who knows, we care much more about getting her operating before making her look pretty, because if she’s out on the road she’ll shine in her own way... arms are tired from turning all through those city streets with Armstrong steering tho, let’s see how long it takes before dad bites the bullet and finds a power steering kit... 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/7/#findComment-452515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Probably a dumb remark but you might try jacking up the wheels and greasing king pins it shouldn’t steer that hard even without power steering Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452660 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 3 hours ago, mowerman said: Probably a dumb remark but you might try jacking up the wheels and greasing king pins it shouldn’t steer that hard even without power steering It’s not hard to steer when you actually get her going, but when you’re stop and go maneuvering through tight city streets it can be quite the workout... 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/7/#findComment-452677 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 oh i gotcha,,,i hadda R model,and a F model...both armstrong,,,,dont remember having much trouble with either one,,,,but yes power steering is quite a pleasure.....my DM has it ,steers like a dream.....sounds to me you should make that your next project...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452718 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 I’m sure the grease is all dried out in the kingpins is your biggest issue... bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 But then after thinking it over I Have driven them all Peterbilt Kenworth Mack white REO international GMC freightliner Volvo white... ford all without power steering and yes they are a lot tougher in town ,,, bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452824 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted June 7, 2020 Author Share Posted June 7, 2020 53 minutes ago, mowerman said: But then after thinking it over I Have driven them all Peterbilt Kenworth Mack white REO international GMC freightliner Volvo white... ford all without power steering and yes they are a lot tougher in town ,,, bob Yeah we get it up to speed on a nice back road and we’re fine, it’s real easy! 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/7/#findComment-452830 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Yes after thinking it over I will come to the conclusion there’s nothing wrong with it at all except for manual steering..... 1970 Kenworth cabover was the hardest one I can ever remember couldn’t move the steering wheel at all if the truck wasnt rolling a little bit Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452831 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 All and all that truck looks like a blast to drive ... bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-452835 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted July 30, 2021 Author Share Posted July 30, 2021 Went to take the truck out of the barn last week, and she just didn’t want to go for very long… started looking at the fuel lines and sure enough the line going into the mechanical pump is kinked. We’ve had to go to a few places now to find someone with both fittings to remake the little thing. And we know that’s the whole problem because when you bend the line back into shape the truck ran just fine. Hoping to have both of the truck out for a local 9/11 event we were invited to, so there’s that to look forward to! Have this pic, shows the passenger wiper and headlights we’re working on aswell… still looking for headlight buckets if anyone knows where I can find them. 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/7/#findComment-477644 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 Did you ever look at those reproduction Guide Lights? They are or were available in chrome and painted versions. They were advertising in hot rodder magazines, I believe they still are. Just looked them up on eBay, new and used are there. Guide 682-C's, with the little clearance light on top. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-477655 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 I gather fuel line is some type of rubber ? Maybe when you get a new line made up slide a tight fitting spring over the out side to prevent it kinking again It's hard to believe 20 years has nearly passed since 9-11 Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-477660 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 15 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said: I gather fuel line is some type of rubber ? Maybe when you get a new line made up slide a tight fitting spring over the out side to prevent it kinking again It's hard to believe 20 years has nearly passed since 9-11 Paul The real issue with it kinking was the line was a little too long to begin with, long enough we could wrap it in a loop and it still worked. The new shorter line shouldn’t be able to kink because it won’t have to bend that much. But it is crazy, the company the trucks come from have a few members still around who were there at the pentagon, and of course it’s sheer luck my dad wasn’t one of them. 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/7/#findComment-477694 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 17 hours ago, mattb73lt said: Did you ever look at those reproduction Guide Lights? They are or were available in chrome and painted versions. They were advertising in hot rodder magazines, I believe they still are. Just looked them up on eBay, new and used are there. Guide 682-C's, with the little clearance light on top. Hadn’t even heard of those until now being honest, I’ll have to take a look at them. Trying to keep the truck as original as possible so I’m still definitely looking for original buckets, but there’s a solid backup plan. Luckily ours aren’t so bad yet, we can put them back on real quick to take it to a show but they’re definitely going to need replacing, the insides are all rotting out… 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/7/#findComment-477695 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Most of the newer stuff is made to look quite retro I would just go ahead and buy them personally…. But yes I do appreciate your wanting to keep it original,,, but I’m sure with those Matt suggested… you wouldn’t even notice they weren’t stock…… really like that truck thanks for the post… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-477720 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mrsmackpaul Posted August 1, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 1, 2021 If I may add 20 cents worth here and dont worry I wont get offended if you dont like it The number one thing that stops us driving our toys is reliability The number one thing that makes our toys unreliable is not driving them Many years ago I was a dairy farmer, the best years of my life. It was gunna be a dairy cows paradise, no cow was gunna die on my watch, no sir, I was gunna save them all Now the first year I had down cows here and there and was nursing them back from the point and this can be done, it's a lotta work The vet was there one day and she said to me "Paul she aint gunna make it" stupid bloody vet had no idea lol, another farmer called into see me and saw the mess I was in and he gave me some advice While I'm stuffing around saving these ones that are on the brink some others that need minor help are going backwards and will soon be in the same spot as the real crook ones because Im spreading my self to thin Sometimes we get so focused on the prize we go the real long way around and eat shit sandwiches for the whole trip Turns Jan the vet was stupid at all and we still talk and a friends to this day,I was the only stupid one there that day So what does this have to do with Mack trucks or your fire truck Not a lot However from the story of this truck so far I wonder just how much of the headaches would of been avoided if it was driven once a week or once a month The desire to keep it original I understand, but everyday its not getting driven something else is deteriorating infront of you So back to my 20 cents worth, get the aftermarket reproduction headlights, put them on drive it, enjoy it and keep the search going for the headlight buckets and when and if they turn up put the original back on You will of had a bucket load of fun while waiting for the correct parts to arrive. Okay I'll shut up now And it's great story so far and would be wonderful to see some pictures of it out and about having fun Paul 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-477725 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 god love you paul,,,very well put.....and thank you for putting so much effort to saving gods gift to us....cows and bulls.....we need them both....bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-477728 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 No offense taken. These days we try to atleast crank up the trucks once a week, usually when someone goes to mow the lawn. Try to take them around the neighborhood every few weeks, down to the gas station and whatnot… all the problems come from when it sat for 15 years before I really got involved. Now it’s just chasing all the issues that caused. Getting closer to where we want it, just takes time. To be fair, the L hadn’t been run in a few months before the latest issue but that’s not for lack of trying… that kinked fuel line wouldn’t let it fire up and we hadn’t figured it out yet. Also, those buckets sound good, my dad thought he knew someone who he could some original ones from, just hadn’t contacted the guy yet. We’ll see where that goes. Not in any rush there right now. 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/7/#findComment-477748 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 I try to start mine at least once a month it’s a good practice… time gets away from me and it’s been 2 months now going to start it today.air starter tank is down to 90 pounds….Bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-478108 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 I put all brand new parts in that air start system 27 years ago and everyone including the guy that sold me the parts …. Which is still in the business can’t believe how long that tank holds air …. Bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55277-l-fire-engine-restoration/page/7/#findComment-478109 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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