Our biggest event of the year was this Sunday, Pistons & Pumpers at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation. About 50 fire trucks old & new (mostly old), as well as another 30 or so other big rigs, construction & military types.
Rosie the '41 Chevy got her first good bath of the season, tires all aired up, fluids checked, and equipment locked down. Drove her the 15 or so miles to the museum and back, stop and go the whole way.
Some observations: I've always maintained that this truck was underpowered when it was delivered. Got a 500 gallon water tank, smaller pump up front, and all the associated equipment, including the 3 section wood ladder up top. THIS time, I sorta forgot I also had about 300 gallons of water still in the booster tank!
Let's just say, there's no doubt in my mind it's underpowered! Don't get me wrong, Rosie did great! Didn't complain once, even think of overheating, did just fine. But S-L-O-W! It's a rebuilt 216 with aluminum pistons & insert bearings. Originally, it MAY have been the 235, which I know offers SOME improvement, but even then, no match for 5000 lbs of water & tank.
The brakes as well - had a few concerning stops where I was standing on the pedal and praying. Really, that just tells me I need to go through and adjust all 4 wheels and flush and bleed the system. But all that weight sure works those brakes!
Anyway, it was a GREAT day. Rosie drafted from the pond and pumped both through a nozzle, AND to a Concrete Pump Truck with a 30-meter boom, which pumped the water back into the lake - THAT'S gotta be a first!
Best thing to do with any old stovebolt - work 'em like they were built for it!
-Michael
