Hello all, great forum you folks have here. I thought I'd join in the fun and introduce my latest toy, a 1956 F-800 big job with a FAE fire body on the back.

This truck was bought new by a department just south of my town, that same year our department also bought a 56 F-800 that we still use as a parade truck. This truck was sold to a freind of my father back in 88, he had it on the road until the mid 90's then parked it. Other than being started up a few times a year it hasnt been run since around 95.



The truck was given to me about a month ago, my fathers freind has some health problems and didnt have a place to store the truck. So instead of selling it to someone that may not apprechiate the truck as a fire engine or part it out he decided to give it to me to keep it in the area and keep it original. I offered to give him something for it several times but he repeatedly told me to put the money into the truck,so that is what I have been doing. Fortunatly I am a heavy equipment mechanic so all I have into it is cost for parts and some time but in the end it's been worth it.

2 weeks ago I took this truck and its sister truck from the fire department to a party for the previous owner, his father and him are both members of the fire department and remember both trucks being in service in their respective towns. I think it really made their day to see both trucks side by side again after so many years. We snaped a few pics of those two with the two trucks and listened to stories from back in the day when these trucks were still in active service. At the end of the day there reaction made all the work I've put in worth while.



after 12 hours of buffing and waxing I was able to get the paint back to a respectable state and the chrome polished up nice around the pump panel.



I spent quite a bit of time once we got it towed home, I had to replace the brake lines to the back, re-wire the brake lights, signal lights, siren and the tail lights. I then replaced the points condenser plug wires cap and rotor, but I was finally able to get it on the road and take it out for a test drive.

The engine runs out good however I still need to go through the carb to make it right... no suprise there after sitting for around 15 years. My problem is I cant seem to find a carb kit. She's got the 332 under the hood with the 2 barrel holley concentric carb. If some one knows where I might be able to find a kit I would be very greatfull for the info. The old girl is all original so I really want to stick with this carb but if I have to I would swap to a different carb to get it running right if that is my only option.



Thank for the help and I hope everyone enjoys the pics.

 

MSRP : 3.99

Hi,Fireman,Welcome to FTE.Nice truck,and a nice story behind it.When you have the required number of posts - 25,I think - you can place ads in the Classified section of the site.You'll also be able to send private messages to those members who will be familiar with yor engine/carb,and can steer you in the right direction for parts.For now till you have enough posts,ask away,someone will help you out.

 

Good job. I like to see them kept the way they started life. Thanks

 

Thanks for the coments I'm sure I'll be around for a while here as I get into this a little more. Sure is a fun truck to drive, maybe its because I'm a a volenteer firefighter but I really enjoy being around antique fire appuratus. Sitting behind the wheel on this truck really makes me start to wonder about the stories this truck could tell. I guess its the same with all old trucks but for me a fire engine really gets me going.

 

Great story, and great looking old truck. And the best is to hear of your efforts to salute the old timers and their service.

The best company that I know of for old big truck parts is Job Lot Automotive in Queens, NY. Here's their link. Stu

JobLot Automotive

 

Perfect give it youre all and be rewarded by another mighty F800. I have
spoke to many people on those carbs. I run these F8s&9s in construction,
and I dont think the truck will mind a carb update, which I have done
and this really woke that 332 up. Just find a square bole Holley being
a 2300-G/ the G code has manual choke and throttle and governer
control. Any speed shop has the small bolt to Holley 2300 patern cheap
money. Personally I never liked those teapots and also a Holley from a
337 flathead or Mercury will bolt right up but really go 2300 so the air
cleaner will fit. Check my gallery my F900 fire truck is now a dump truck,
in a real twist once fighting fires it now fights snow back to the town a
hired town truck..

 

exellent job! put some time in on this one. great story. if you are ever down in orange county ny, we have a very large fire truck museum you might enjoy touring.

 

Fireman, sweet truck and great story! Welcome to the FTE family

Here's another firetruck,



I just picked this up last month but has yet to come home. The guy also had an old 49 F-7 Fire truck I was interested in but I am limited on space so this 101" wheelbase COE Firetruck was a better fit for me.

Cheers

Josh

 

Wonderful story! Old vehicles really bring people and stories together.

What did you use to polish the paint?

 

Thanks for the info so far, I'll have to check out the carb options a little further. Nice to know there is something that will work if I need to go that route.

As far as the paint goes I used a medium cut rubbing compound from 3M and spent about 7 hours rubbing it out by hand. I didnt want to chance it with a buffer because of the pin striping and lettering, they are all original and getting a little thin in a couple spots. Going by hand I was able to avoid removing any more and still got a good finish. After I got done rubbing it out I rinsed it off and got a good coat of turtle wax on it.

 

That's a beautiful little story and big truck, Fireman. And Jmadsen, love your little big firetruck, too.

The story almost sounded like someone giving their horse to a good soul, so long as they could feed and keep it healthy, vs. selling it and risking less care and preservation.

 

Welcome Fireman,


Great story and a fine looking fire truck. I think you will like the site, great bunch of members. Very helpful and kind. Thanks for saving another old piece

 

Guys, this thread is 4 1/2 years old...

 

ou, my bad. I did not realize that. I never looked at the top left.