1956 Firetruck
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1956 Firetruck
I purchased a 1956 f800 Big Job Firetruck that makes me smile as I fall asleep. I finished a tuneup(still needs timing) just to hear it roar and I can't believe I've been missing this all my life. I'm a geek so I'm naive as far as how much work it's gonna take but if I keep having this much fun then I'm happy to keep ruining my clothes.
I was bleeding the drum brakes and discovered that the master cylinder was leaking. So, I'm considering the conversion to disc but I'm concerned that all the kits I find are for f100s and won't be strong enough. What do I need to do to ensure I get the right stuff? I'll be back in the garage to take measurements of tires and such if need be for specifics. The title says it's lie 14000 lbs.
Anyways, thanks for the help and I hope to be able to post some pictures tailgating in the stadium whether we have an NFL season or not.
Day 1
I was bleeding the drum brakes and discovered that the master cylinder was leaking. So, I'm considering the conversion to disc but I'm concerned that all the kits I find are for f100s and won't be strong enough. What do I need to do to ensure I get the right stuff? I'll be back in the garage to take measurements of tires and such if need be for specifics. The title says it's lie 14000 lbs.
Anyways, thanks for the help and I hope to be able to post some pictures tailgating in the stadium whether we have an NFL season or not.
Day 1
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
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From: San Jose, CA
That's a cool parade vehicle! No one makes direct bolt on disc brake conversions for such a large truck. I suggest getting the mc rebuilt. There would be nothing wrong with the braking power afterwards. You won't be going really fast in that truck anyway. Also, look up JobLot Automotive for larger truck parts.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
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From: Oregon
You're stuck with drums, as there are no disk kits available for those axles. The only alternative, is a very late model semi axle, but that would require air. There may be some very late model hydraulic brake systems in some newer medium duty rigs, but you are pretty much stuck with hydraulic drums. Pictures of the truck would be nice, assuming that the one posted is not the actual truck. If it is, then you have a VERY hard to find open cab. Welcome to the world of Big Jobs. There is a small number of us that have extensive experience in the Big Job stuff. Whatever the F-100 world provides for info, throw it out the window, as these are a completely different world. The cab is the same, the hood is the same, as are the grille, gravel valance, and air deflectors, otherwise, the fenders are different, and everything drive train/mechanical is WAY different.
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wmjoe- That's the truck and me on Day 1. Have a few more pics but too busy getting greasy to mess with the electronics. I hope you're wrong about the lack of options but that would explain why they weren't replaced by the previous owner.
Re: the open cab. It looks like it was cut (nicely I might add) to make into a parade vehicle but I'm looking to us it for tailgating so I think it's a nice benefit here in Florida.
Thanks for the advice and insight. I'm trying to get the girlfriend to take pix but she hasn't seen it (or me) in a few weeks and I think she's already jealous.
Re: the open cab. It looks like it was cut (nicely I might add) to make into a parade vehicle but I'm looking to us it for tailgating so I think it's a nice benefit here in Florida.
Thanks for the advice and insight. I'm trying to get the girlfriend to take pix but she hasn't seen it (or me) in a few weeks and I think she's already jealous.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
wmjoe- That's the truck and me on Day 1. Have a few more pics but too busy getting greasy to mess with the electronics. I hope you're wrong about the lack of options but that would explain why they weren't replaced by the previous owner.
Re: the open cab. It looks like it was cut (nicely I might add) to make into a parade vehicle but I'm looking to us it for tailgating so I think it's a nice benefit here in Florida.
Thanks for the advice and insight. I'm trying to get the girlfriend to take pix but she hasn't seen it (or me) in a few weeks and I think she's already jealous.
Re: the open cab. It looks like it was cut (nicely I might add) to make into a parade vehicle but I'm looking to us it for tailgating so I think it's a nice benefit here in Florida.
Thanks for the advice and insight. I'm trying to get the girlfriend to take pix but she hasn't seen it (or me) in a few weeks and I think she's already jealous.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 36
From: Las Vegas NV
Dude that is a nice piece of history and a show quality truck.I would get it running make it stop put your team flag on it and go tailgatin' all day.Even if your team was my worst enemy I would think that that the baddest mother in the stadium....
good score.
If the truck survived almost 60 years then the stock breaks worked pretty good back then,and i assume they drove a little fast in it when there was a fire.
good score.
If the truck survived almost 60 years then the stock breaks worked pretty good back then,and i assume they drove a little fast in it when there was a fire.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
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Just stay with what you have my guess is the master cyl. is a 1 3/4" bore, as Joe said
Napa, and as being a fire truck I doubt very much your linings drums are still brand
newy. Just throw a kit in there and good to go. Dont worry about brake on these,
they will put you right through the windshield. Amazing cities and towns always go for
the low bid. I only have one truck with juice brakes which is a service truck that stays
inside, Once in a blue moon I may have to weld something in the field, first thing gotta
put brake fluid in from lack of use, thats why the others are air and power steering.
samuel
Napa, and as being a fire truck I doubt very much your linings drums are still brand
newy. Just throw a kit in there and good to go. Dont worry about brake on these,
they will put you right through the windshield. Amazing cities and towns always go for
the low bid. I only have one truck with juice brakes which is a service truck that stays
inside, Once in a blue moon I may have to weld something in the field, first thing gotta
put brake fluid in from lack of use, thats why the others are air and power steering.
samuel
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Okay so it looks like my weekend will be spent replacing the master cylinder. The Napa site only goes to F500 so will that Brake Master Cylinder work : https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...+50028+2028557 It says a 1.25 inch bore. Also, where would I find the drum brake lining to replace big job? (Also, I don't know if the brakes putting me through the windshield is a good or bad thing 
)
If you guys suggest that that brake master cylinder will work I'll trust your know how. (If you suggest I need the hydravac I'll get that too)
)If you guys suggest that that brake master cylinder will work I'll trust your know how. (If you suggest I need the hydravac I'll get that too)
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
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From: San Jose, CA
If I were you, I'd try to find a local outfit that can rebuilt your existing master cylinder and re-line the brake shoes. You can also have them turn the drums. Perhaps you should visit the local NAPA store and ask them if they know of anyone in the area that does this kind of work, or they may be able to special order the parts you need.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
Get a rebuild kit, and do it yourself. 95% of local repair shops will have a brake cylinder hone. As for the shoes, they rarely list linings seperately anymore, but will likely offer to send them in to be relined. If the rig is equipped with a vacuum booster, I would recommend replacing it too, as I have yet to find one that was good.
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Pulled out the brake master cylinder (lockheed FE-16283) and pulled out the piston and rubber inside looks good. Cleaned and replaced. MC Boot (16971) needs to be replaced but Napa is closing. They said they don't have a rebuild kit but would sell a new replacement. I can't see a problem with this one. Hoping that the cleaning works and will probably try to bleed again tomorrow.
Any ideas on the replacement boot? Any tips on bleeding? Should I try to pull fluid through the lines before even reconnecting this master cylinder? Gonna look at the each wheel drum while I'm there.
Any ideas on the replacement boot? Any tips on bleeding? Should I try to pull fluid through the lines before even reconnecting this master cylinder? Gonna look at the each wheel drum while I'm there.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
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From: Oregon
You will need to check each wheel cylinder as well as the master. The rubber lines will likely be bad as well. Typically, the metal lines will be good, typically, not always. I'm surpirsed NAPA said no for a rebuild kit, since I know that I have gotten them there before. Did they search the computer, or did they get out the book?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
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From: NM
Where are you, Jax? (you should put it in your Profile in the UserCP) Almost all towns have a dedicated truck brake shop nearby, I'd find the nearest (and best) one around and talk to them. You can save a lot if you need your shoes relined by going directly to the shop that does it.