Picture of the Week 8/23/2010

[Bill_Wolf]

[armydriver]

That is a really nice fire truck.

[Bill_Wolf]

Thanks AD.

That would be mine. The second HMV I purchased. Always being put farther back in the que for restoration when another piece came along. "Always the bridesmaid never the bride".

It is confirmed that this truck was initially stationed at Dow Field in Bangor Maine during WWII. Bombers and Fighters passed through Dow on their way to the ETO. I am still researching this aspect of its history but coming up short.

This truck is a 1942 Chevrolet 1.5 ton class 125 Fire apparatus. It is equipped with a Mack manufacturing body and Hardie high pressure pump. The pump and tank were removed and the pump has become frozen with exposure. The drive line was replaced with a 302 mated to a 4 speed. The pump transfer case (chain drive to pump) was removed and replaced with a pillow block.

The truck runs well but will not pump again as the rare pump transfer was lost. Mechanically she is sound with brakes being done and other maintenance complete. It is leaking at the rear drive flange on one side.

Pictures are right before the start of cosmetic restoration this weekend. I need to sand blast her and clean he up before serious rust sets in. It will of course be painted in OD. The underlying color. (Three coats of Red, then a coat of Strata Blue with white reflective highlights, then 2 coats of OD).

Here are some other pictures of the rig.

[dr deuce]

FINALLY a picture of the "house" you have to build over the top of a Clark 5 speed to use it in a Chevy...

Notice the position of the gas pedal in realtionship to the "house"

[Bill_Wolf]

Sorry Doc....

But it is not a 5 speed.

[dr deuce]

Then what is it? A girly synchromesh?

Remember: REAL MEN double-clutch!

[Bill_Wolf]

It is a 4 speed. Same pattern as the other Fire Truck.

I have always double clutched it.

It does have a 302 so maybe engine alignment on the frame force the drive line to be raised.

Now that I think about it...it does not have the reverse lockout like my G506. Maybe it is a "man's" syncro-mesh.

Will have to give her a shot next time I drive it.

[dr deuce]

If you look at the metal "standoffs" that mount the start linkage to the bellhousing on a CCKW, the height of those standoffs is how much lower the CCKW power train is in the frame than the Chevy