Had a banner day yesterday!
Rosie, the 1941 Chevy/American Fire Apparatus pumper/tanker, ex. Rose City, Michigan, officially qualifies as a pumper again! It's been about 3 years or more since we started the rebuild on Rosie. The engine turned out well and the truck has been back on the road for over a year now. BUT, without a working pump. We hung the pump on the front bumper for our trip to Indy last year, but hadn't rebuilt it. (check the STOVEBOLT SAGA for the story).
Well, not only did we finish the Barton U40 rebuild, including all new bearings, gaskets, and a new tachometer gear, but we rebuilt the vacuum primer as well (the float had separated from the arm, requiring re-welding.)
Although the pump case proper needs painting now, we got the pump mounted, with our new double-u-joint drive shaft, and all the plumbing re-installed. Tested the primer, addressed several leaks, achieved 20 inches of vacuum in the pump, and decided a proper test was in order.
Yesterday, we built a "drop-tank" out of 2 roof ladders, a pike pole, and a salvage cover, filled it with water, and dropped in a hard suction. ROSIE primed with no trouble, and pumped through a section of 1.5-inch line! Can't describe how much fun it was! WOO-HOO!
Watering the lawn this spring will be a blast!
-Michael
