I have a new purchase - an awesome 1971 F900 firetruck. With 20,000 miles!

It only has one issue. The frame mounted vacuum booster must have a bad seal or something, I keep losing fluid - no leaks - sucked into the intake.

Any ideas where I can get parts?

My friendly local dealer?

Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE

The second you mention 1971 to your local dealer, the parts guy will interrupt by saying..."all the parts are obsolete" before you can finish telling him what series you have.

Most parts personnnel today do not want to bother with "old" trucks, which to them...usually means anything older than 2000.

My question is....what series do you really have? It's not an F900, because the parts catalog doesn't list an F900 after 1969.

I need your VIN to figure out what you have. It could be a: C900, L900, N900 or?

I also need to know what type of brakes you have: Split or Single Hydraulic Vacuum Brakes?

 

If it's the one on the door, then the number is:

C90LVL70313

And it's a single vacuum boost hydraulic. I have the full set of books, and it looks most like the Piston type frame mounted - bendix.

I've heard it's a pretty common problem - is that correct?

Thanks.

 

Do you have any Pic's of this fine Fire truck?

 

C90 = C900 Series Tilt Cab which is not an F900.

L = 534 4V

V = Kentucky Ford Truck Assembly Plant

L70313 = 1971.

I can look up the parts for your truck, try and locate them.

If I do, I'll tell you who has them.

But... I have little experience with these trucks, so I dunno if the problem with the brakes is common or not.

There is an FTE member that will prolly know.

I sent RBaker6336 an email asking him to assist you.

 

The boosters are still available but you will have to find a parts store the specialize in heavy trucks
I'm reasonably sure that is the same booster that fits the F-700s and are the same from the '50s through the mid 70s with only diaprham size being different
Normally a truck larger than a 700 has either air/hydraulic or air brakes

or contact these folks http://www.remanbrakes.com/services

 

I was once able to take one of those apart and replace a couple O-rings with ones from the drawer at NAPA. You used to be able to buy rebuild kits, but somewhere along the line "they" decided that we aren't bright enough to work on brakes. They still sell kits for some master cylinders, but if you look you'll see they price them higher than a rebuilt unit. I have never had any luck with rebuilt master cylinders, I can always do a better job than the rebuilders.

Anyway, you may be able to disassemble it, change some O-rings and repair it for a couple bucks.

 

I'd love to put a picture in, but how do you do that? I don't see the attach - or paperclip - anywhere. Do I need to be some kind of super user?

By the way, I did find the problem with the brakes. It had a pin hole on the right front line, which leaked down the cross member of the frame. The little lip had collected about 2 bottles of fluid. That's why I didn't see any leaks!

It's nice that it was something simple.

Thanks.

 

I happen to know alot about these old trucks as through my career I always seem to find my way to archaic equipment and getting parts is a science.The place I deal with for these parts is Automotive Brake Co. in Hackensack NJ their # is 201.342.0636.I have been dealing with them for 20 years(as long as I have been a mechanic).I have a 1970 scoopmobile ld150 with a clark drivetrain and not only did they have all the brake parts they had them in stock!!!they have been in business since 1919 I think and some of the guys there have worked there for over 50 years.you can ask for Kevin or Dave and tell them Adrian,thats me,sent you.If you have any questions bout he rig I'll be very happy to help you out.I have some old manuals too if you need exact technical advice.I see she has the big 534,nice,I am also a firefighter so the old girls peaks my interest

 

I have a 1972 900 the vin is N90LVN72328

 

Welcome to FTE

N90 = LN900 gas

L = 534 4V

V = Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant

N72328 = 1972.

 

Thanks That helps alot, Now would you know a good place for replacement parts, like an over haul kit? Thanks again. Cowboy

 

Overhaul kit...as in engine?

I'd try NAPA.