Hey all, just picked up a cab over 1971 Ford chassis and cab Fire Truck. It's some sore of automatic trans with a PTO water pump (massive) to control the nine water hose connections. A few questions, how do I determing that this is a 534 cid engine versus a 477 or other very large Ford engine?

Anyone familiar with cab overs? There has to be a way one person can lift and lower the cab. Takes 2-3 of us to heft this beast up AND down. Your thoughts?
Thanks!
Chris

 

The tag bolted to the ignition coil bracket is the best way to ID the engine...but after 36 years, who knows if it's still there or correct. When I was a Ford tech in the mid 70's we used to work on one of those monsters. When the fire truck conversion company extended the cab, they never changed the springs that help "lift" it. So, it always took 2 people and a large prop rod to get the cab raised and keep it raised. This was when the truck was new (still under warranty). I can only imagine it got worse over the years as those springs lost some of their tension. IIRC They looked like rear automobile coil springs positioned between the frame and cab, close to the front. Hope that helps a little.

Lou

 

PS - REALLY cool truck!

Good luck with it.

Lou

 

Lou,
Many thanks for your comments. The truck has a prop rod and yes the springs are a little tired after all this time so it is work for 2 people to lift the cab. An ingenious way to lower the cab the fire department I got the truck from was an extension cord wrapped around the prop rod while 2 strong people hold the cab. Pull the cord to let the rod loose and hold on tight as the cab wants to come down. I am assuming changing the springs out is almost out of the question by now since finding the right ones will be tough.

Chris

 

Welcome to FTE

Do you have the VIN? Post it, and I can decode it. That will tell what engine it had originally. The actual VIN plate will have axle and trans codes. The auto trans is a Transmatic made by Allison. The ID tag is on the side of the trans case.

Parts are easy to find including the cab release mechanism, since Ford made basically the same C Series truck for 40 years.

 

Hi Bill, Thanks for the welcome and the VIN decoding. Vin is C90LVK719##

How good and dependable are the Allison Transmatics? The truck only has 21,000 actual miles (more hours at a stand still running the water pump since the water pump is PTO driven).

Is this truck really a C series versus I assumed an F900? I would really like to make the cab open and close by just me since we are a bit remote and not often is there someone or 2 handy to help with the cab. My wife cannot even budge the cab or offer much assistance.

Any assistance you can offer is GREATLY appreciated! I will check the VIN plate, rear axle, and trans for tags over the weekend. Not sure now the truck is a Pierce fire truck so will need to dig more.

Chris

 

It's a Pierce conversion on a Ford C900 cab and chassis. In other words, Ford supplied the cab and chassis (no body), Pierce added the back of cab equipment. There's prolly a large chrome nameplate on the front of the truck that says: PIERCE.

C90 = C900 Tilt Cab (flat nose front end. An F900 has a front end similar to a pickup)

L = 534 4V

V = Kentucky Heavy Truck Assembly Plant

K719XX = 1971

Ford used Transmatics since at least 1957 thru the 1990's. It a very good automatic. With prolly over a million + C series trucks sold, finding parts shouldn't be a problem. I know where several are in junkyards locally (Los Angeles).


Suggestion: Two things you should have: a shop manual >> faxonautolit.com and the 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog on CD >> hipoparts.com.

 

Bill, I am in your debt for all the great info and links for the shop manuals. Ah LA is the place for all the junk yards. Used to rumage several when I grew up there. Always was trying to keep my old Galaxie running and on the road that way. I would like to ask you some other questions but alas being so new I cannot contact you. If you are willing, please contact me.

One of my big questions is how do I determine the right springs to lift the cab to access the engine?
THANKS AGAIN!
Chris

 

Comstock what a great old unit!! Because the cab was such a Bear to lift
some of the C series around here were converted to hydralic cab lift, some
had hand pump some electric over hydralic. Just something to think about.

Have A Great Day------Hotwrench

 

Beautiful Truck !

 

I have heard of hydraulic lifts and other methods to open the cab but I am not sure where to look for these or the expense.

Thanks for the compliments! Some red paint added to the side will make the old girl more like the fire truck she is. The interior of the cab is red.
Chris

 

Comstock if you have any big truck salvage yards in your area, check out the old cabovers some of them have the hyd cab lift that can be adapted to your truck.

Have A Great Day-----Hotwrench

 

Beautiful engine! Only way I know to ID a 534 for sure is by stroke. The 534 is 4.2", the 477 & 401 were 3.75.
I am partial to the old C series, have a '62 C850 fire engine w/ John Bean apparatus.
Enjoy!

 

As luck would have it, NumberDummy ID'd the VIN as a 534cid and that is by far the norm for gasoline fire trucks as I have learned for the year of truck I have.

Now I need to find a good heavy line mechanic as when driving the truck, it does not like more than 3/4 throttle before it spits and bucks as if the carb is flooding the engine. The carb was recently replaced on the truck before it went out of service with the fire department. I am sure it is a thirsty double pumper that is not fully adjusted at wide open throttle. I live in the hills so need the ability to nearly floor the throttle for a few seconds.

THis should be a fun project!
Chris

 

If anyone has a red Federal Beacon-Ray (at least 12" tall) they want to sell, I need one since the selling authority removed it and the siren prior to sale.
Chris