1970 C-850 w/ 534 & 1978 C-800 w/ 477
 

I'm a new member to the board and a fairly new owner to the two fire engines stated above. The '70 ran like a champ when I bought it, but now it won't start. We suspect it's electrical and plan on doing a complete tune-up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points and condenser). We might even check the timing.

The 1978 runs great, but I've recently noticed that it shifts a little harder than it originally did. Any ideas on what might cause this or what I should check?

I'm so-so when it comes to vehicle issues, so any help/advice that anyone could provide on either truck would be a great help! They don't seem too complicated, but I hope to learn a lot from being a member of FTE. Thanks a bunch!

-Mike

P.S. I've read a lot of threads requesting engine pictures. If any one needs/wants, let me know. I'll take them all day long! :-) (however, it just might take a few days to upload them)

I have a couple of C- series, a 62 C850 fire engine w/534, a 74 C750 w/391. and find that keeping the shift linkage greased is the major point. Also, there are 2 (I think) bushings that support the shift shaft as it comes from the front of the truck back to the tranny. Be sure these and other linkage points are not worn. It is possible that hard shifting is due to wear in the transmission top cover (shift rails etc) but start with the easy stuff, like the grease gun.
I would love to see photos of your trucks, got to figure that out myself!

Sorry it took so long to get back, but the grease gun worked! Thanks a bunch for that simple advice!

I'm actually selling the 477 on eBay (the 534 is good enough to own), so there are some pictures on there if you would like to check them out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay .com%3A80%2F%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26 satitle%3D4596334219%26fvi%3D1&item=4596334219

If the link doesn't work, just go to www.ebay.com and search for 4596334219.

As far as the other truck goes, it turned out to be a loose wire going from the coil to the distributor along with the spark plugs. I replaced distributor, cap, rotor, condenser, points and plugs. I also had the carb rebuilt. The thing runs great! Heck, I might even get better gas mileage now!!! LOL

Mike

anyone interested in a 1958 ford c800 with a new 391 4v ????