I see from the pic you posted why the cab is a PITA to tilt..it's a Crew! It's over twice the length of the usual C Series cab.


There's a car/truck club for fire truck owners. I forget the name, but y'all can prolly find it doing a web search. Besides the usual banter, the club publication also has for sale/want ads.

Thanks Bill, I will search harder for that club. I did a cursory Google search and could not find anything (odd!). Yes the cab is heavy!! From what I learned, these fire truck body people never would increase spring pressure.
Thanks!
Chris

Nice looking rig. Just remember that the cab, chassis and drivetrain for the most part is Ford with the exception of where they installed the transfer case to switch between road and pump and if a Ford dealer can't help you NAPA should be able to. I got wheel cylinders and wheel cylinder rebuild kits and master cylinder rebuild kits for my '66 F850 American LaFrance at NAPA. They may have to order it and it will take a couple days to get it but they're pretty good about it.

Here is a link to the Fire apparatus collectors site.....

http://www.spaamfaa.org/

Excellent info Dale! Would be curious how many memebers on the Ford Truck Enthusuasts list have Ford fire trucks and what fire truck groups they belong to.
Thanks!
Chris

Hey Chris,

If you go to the SPAAMFAA site and click on CHAPTERS you may be able to find a local chapter in your area that you can join. Their members can be invaluable when it comes to needing help or info. Good Luck!!

Scott

Just found out the truck is made by Howe of Anderson, Indiana. Howe shut down in 1978 after over 100 years in business making fire apparatus due to the economic conditions at the time.

I am joining SPAAMFAA as it has been pointed out, they would have a wealth of fire truck knowledge.
Chris

Beacon ray
 

If you're still looking for a 12" high Beacon Ray, try John Dorgan at
www.sirenman.com. John restores vintage sirens and lights back to factory new condition at very reasonable prices. You can also reach him at 520-790-0196 (Tucson, AZ)

I own a '66 C-1000/Young fire engine which is now 99% restored. Your truck looks great!!!

Re: Beacon Ray
 

Many thanks for the Beacon Ray info!
Chris

I always liked the Ford C cab. I believe Budd made it and Budd also sold Mack Trucks the same cab, back in the early '60's.

less...you are absolutely right. Both Ford and Mack used the same cab.

I acquired my C-1000 engine when a local fire museum (Phoenix) sent me out to check on a "Mack" fire engine that an Arizona fire dept. wanted to donate to them. It turned out to be a "Ford." They wanted a Mack, not a Ford, and turned down the donation; so I bought the truck for $10!

1978 Ford/American LaFrance Fire Truck
 

I just bought a 1978 American LaFrance fire truck (pumper) based on a C900 chassis. The truck is in excellent condition (23,000 miles), but runs fairly hot and overheats easily (moderate uphills, sitting still running the pump). I'm going to go through the usual suspects, but wondered if anyone has any experience with the normal behavior of the 534 in a cab over configuration; is overheating common? The radiator has thermally controlled louvers which seemed to be a bit reluctant to open, but tying them full open does not help.

thanks-

Doug

Doug,

Does your C900 have an extended cab? Although I've never experienced an overheat problem, my C1000 with a 534 and extended cab will run "high/normal" whenever the ambient temps go above 100°, even though my radiator louvers function properly. I speculate that the lack of good air circulation around the engine may contribute to the problem.

Continue checking out the usual culprits; trucks with conventional cabs don't seem to have this problem.

Dave

Dave-

thanks for the info; it helps to have a baseline. It's not an extended cab, just the three man bench seat version. I'll try bleeding it, check the thermostat, and check the viscous coupling on the fan, flush the cooling system etc. Hopefully this will correct it. It's a sweet running truck; the fire department did extensive maintenance over the years, including a major rebuild of the midship pump a few years ago.

Doug

Hey all. Going back a little bit, you mentioned the weight of the cab as far as lifting it. I just bought a F900 that used to be a fire truck. The fella I bought this truck from used an electric hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic lift cylinder to lift the cab. It works pretty slick. I will send some pics of the set-up when I can.

Looking forward to seeing those pics. It takes at least 2 of us (straining) to lift my cab; it's so heavy that it's recommended 4 people should lift it!

Thanks,

Dave