Progress ... hanging sheetmetal!!

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#1966

04-26-2015, 05:00 AM

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We had a great time at the parade although like I said after it last years parade, it wasn’t the same without Ron being there. The truck looked and ran great…… until I headed back to the warehouse! It stalled a few times and I barely made it back there. Once I got to the warehouse it stalled for the last time and I was unable to start her up after I opened the place up. I was 100 feet from the warehouse bay doors! I was so stressed out trying to figure a way to get her back in. I called my wonderful wife and she brought out my battery charger/starter. It turned over but still wouldn’t start. The same issue happened a while back and the points were the problem. I don’t know if I mentioned it before but the owner of the warehouse had me move the truck to the back and he has his 54 Chevy panel truck in front of mine now. They did this so they didn’t have to move my truck when they wanted to get their vehicles out. So back to the story… I found a strap out there and hooked it up to his panel so we could pull the truck in and just leave the panel behind me until I get the truck fixed. With my wife behind the wheel of the fire truck, we moved it forward about 30 feet and I started to smell the clutch on the 1 ½ ton Chevy so we stopped pulling and removed the strap. The L rear bumper hit the warehouse wall and left a 2’ scratch on it! In the meanwhile, we had called Hagerty road service and they were going to send someone within 40 minutes. After that time period we were called back and told that the driver had gotten a flat tire and the owner of the company would be responding out to us. I still wasn’t sure how they were going to get it backed into the warehouse. At one point I thought about pushing the truck with the front bumper of my Tundra but was afraid of damaging it. I called some firefighter buddies that lived in the area and one showed up with his son. We were waiting on 2 more when my wife suggested asking a forklift driver at the warehouse if he could help move it. We went over and in Spanish, my friend asked if we could use his forklift. He agreed and drove it down to us. It was a small narrow forklift which worked perfectly. He let my firefighter friend actually drive the forklift. He pulled the truck just inside the door, moved the forklift to the side and then we pushed the truck to the back. The forklift was then driven out and the panel moved in front of it. I tried to give the man some money and he refused! Hagerty called us asking if the service had shown up and we said no and to cancel them. By the way, I drove the panel around the warehouse and the clutch seemed fine. I was so stressed out by this! I understand owning a 64 year old vehicle will have its challenges, but I seriously was talking about selling it at that point! I’m sure the feeling will pass but owning the vehicle just wasn’t fun anymore. Sometimes it’s just a hassle. Mechanical problems, storage problems, maintenance etc just takes the fun out of owning it. I’ve had it for 8 years now! Now I have to try and figure out what the problem is. I think its time to get rid of the points and go with a breakerless system. My mechanic buddy just left for a 2 week European vacation so not much may happen until he gets back. Bottom line is that I’m pretty disgusted with the truck and will have to figure out what I am going to do in the long run.

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#1967

04-26-2015, 07:03 AM

JimG1098

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Chill Dude!! Sorry to hear of the truck's starting condition. I'm sure you will work it out. But I know how stressful it can be. I think of what I may due in the future also, with regards to storage. If we ever move (possibly to FL ) I know the truck will be a big concern.
Regarding the points, I switched over to a pertronics and a flame thrower coil. The truck starts well and runs good. Just do not ever leave the ignition on with the truck not running. Tends to burn the unit up.

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#1968

04-26-2015, 09:16 AM

49f3dls

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Keith- Some days are like that, give it time and you will feel better. I had to sell my F3 about 7 or 8 months ago because of my back problems. I was afraid to drive it because the leg room requires a big movement to go from gas to brake and just was not comfortable I could do it in a reliable way. It has haunted me since then. You've put a lot more time into the fire truck and it has special meaning to you for a number of very good reasons. Think hard and long on it but only after leaving it be for a while. Talk to your mechanic friend before even considering the choices you have. It may be a simple fix that will pay dividends for a long time. Think of the joy you bring to hundreds of people seeing that rig go down the street. What kid didn't want to drive a fire truck when they saw one go by and you get to own one! Just my thoughts - believe me they are very envious thoughts too. Have fun

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#1969

04-26-2015, 10:32 AM

Jolly Roger Joe

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This, too, shall pass...

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#1970

04-26-2015, 01:51 PM

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Thanks for the words of advice/encouragement guys! The stress is slowly leaving me now. It may just be a minor thing wrong. I don't think my boys would want me to sell it and I haven't talked to them about it. If I did I would try to sell it back to the museum and I know where it is and it will be taken care of plus we could always see it any time we are back in Chicago.

I called the owner of the warehouse to tell him what happened. He didn't get mad and said he would look at the truck when he comes back into town in two weeks. He asked if the clutch was chattering and I said I was not sure. He said not to worry about it. I offered to have a new clutch put in if his is damaged. Not sure what that will cost but probably around a grand. I hope its all right. I'm going to check it out this week.

Thanks guys!!

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#1971

04-26-2015, 03:16 PM

bobbytnm

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Keith,
Some days chicken, some days feathers.

Sorry to hear about all of your troubles. The conversion to electronic ignition makes a lot of sense to me. Don't get me wrong, The points style system was around for ages and worked really well. I just think that we are pretty spoiled now-a-days with the reliability and driveability of our new cars and technology that we have a hard time coming to terms with a finicky 64 year old truck.

Good luck with it. I'm sure the clutch in your buddy's panel is OK. I've got clutches hot enough to smoke several times without causing any issues.

Crack open a cold beer, put your feet up and put the old truck out of your head for awhile. Since the old truck decided to get uppity maybe you should put it into "time-out" for a little while and let it think about what its done. Tinker with the Buick for awhile.

Bobby

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#1972

04-26-2015, 03:47 PM

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I'll take that advice Bobby!! Popped 2 valium and all is good now (just kidding)

She in time out now. Tinkered with the Buick last week put on a new distributor cap and rotor with no change. Waiting on that mechanic with 42 years of experience (even worked at a Buick dealership) to have a look at her.

By the way I got a call from the president of the museum Friday and he is going to send me some Patrol pics and the original bill of sale for the rig when the museum bought it for $400. I'll post what he sends when I get them.

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#1973

04-26-2015, 08:03 PM

bobbytnm

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See there...

...things are already looking up.

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#1974

04-28-2015, 09:05 PM

51PanelMan

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Hey, look at the bright side, YOU MADE the parade. The problem didn't occur until AFTER the parade. It could have been worse.

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#1975

04-28-2015, 09:42 PM

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That's true Ilya it could of been worse!

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#1976

05-04-2015, 07:01 PM

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Received a neat package from the Fire Museum today. The original Bill of sale when they purchased it in 2001 plus photos of that time period. Also included was an original pic of the rig from 1957 that I had never seen before!! Truck is still in time out.... going to order the breakerless system tomorrow. Here are the pics!!

$400!!

Never seen this pic before. Note the headlight covers and absence of bumper lights.

Just purchased and being towed back to the Museum's warehouse.

In the warehouse in pretty rough shape!

You can see where the upper cab was painted black.

Interior roof shot.

Minor restoration started.

Got some headlight back on!

Looking better with house paint and lettering!

Not bad from 50ft!!

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#1977

05-04-2015, 08:28 PM

bobbytnm

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Wow Keith

Its neat to see the "before" pics. You sure have come a long way

Bobby

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#1978

05-05-2015, 05:16 AM

JimG1098

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Keith,

for some reason I did not realize the you rig once had a pump
Great old picture.

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#1979

05-05-2015, 03:27 PM

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Thanks Guys!!

Jim, it also had a 65ft ladder too. The Lombard IL FD converted it in 1960.

Taken in 1960.

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#1980

05-05-2015, 04:33 PM

JimG1098

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Your truck sure has seen some interesting changes throughout its life time. Another great picture

thanks Keith. I so enjoy your truck and it's history

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