First of all let me say thank you. I found the site after I purchased a 1959 Chevy Spartan 80 (8503) two months ago. It is in decent condition but I have had to search for many how to items and help for various things. This site usually came up in the search results and consistently has good information. So, in stead of lurking I thought I would join in.
The truck I have belonged to a local fire department. It is a 2 1/2 ton cab and chassis with an American Lafrance pumper body on it. I have vision of removing the fire truck apparatus and putting a stake side flatbed on it and using it for general hauling and material pick up for the shop. I am a woodworker and frequently need to carry items that are not meant to fit in a pick up.
I looked at the faq to see how to post pictures but I don't really have them on a site I can link to. I have a business website and did not think that was the appropriate place to link.
This truck has a 366 BB with a holley carb. From my readings, there are two camps on that engine 1)people love the torque and the engine as the work horse it was intended to be. 2)people consider them useless. Either way, the engine stays until it gives up. So far I have rebuilt the carb, replaced the oil, new battery, new fuel pump, spark plugs and wires and am in the process of troubleshooting the brakes. The back are good but next chance I get I will be tackling the front. it runs pretty good, I little white smoke coming out of the exhaust, but we can drive it around the pasture. I will be needing to get the huge water pump out so that I can install a drive shaft straight to the rear end. I think the pump is the source or a lot of noise when driving it.
I am not a life long car guy and am pretty much learning as I go. I sure jumped in the deep end with this but I love the look of this truck and cant wait to take it down the road.
Anyway, I am glad to be here and wanted to say hello. Gene
Hy Gene_Spartan80, Welcome, are you sure you have a 366 in your truck? If it really is a 366, your truck has been repowered that truck left the factory probably with a 348. On a 366 the valve covers are basic rectangles on a 348 there are two half circles cut out of the valve cover on the exhaust manifold side, what type of valve covers does your engine have?
I saw how someone else had posted a video and realized I could have done the same thing. Here is a link to a video of still photos of the truck plus a short video of it running at the end. Little bit of belt slippage spoils the sound of the exhaust.
According to the paper work that was available from American Lafrance (spoke with a very helpful person at the American Lafrance museum in Charleston,SC), the truck was delivered with a 283. The fire department told me that the original engine was blown and they replaced it with a 366. On the valve covers it has 366 Targetmaster on them. From my understanding that was the name given to replacement motors from GM. It has basic rectangular valve covers.
That same information also says it is a 1958, but the VIN I found on the frame say 59. Were 1959's sent out with 283's?
The 80 Series did have the 283 as the standard issue engine, the 348 was optional.
If you do end up removing the service body, save the misc equipment (Lights, Siren, Fire Extinguisher, ladders, hoses, brackets etc.) as there are guys looking for that stuff for their trucks...you might even fine someone that wants the pump and transfer case.
Mike B
Mike Boteler
1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod 1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep 1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo 1984 Jeep CJ7 +++++ Silver Spring, MD
I will definitely keep the fire truck accessories until someone wants them. I know there are probably few people that are interested but if you are restoring and old fire truck these authentic parts could be very important. all of the sheet metal will go to the scrap yard I guess. I have had no luck, locally, finding anyone interested in the body as a whole. Gene
I collect 550 GMC trucks which was a little heavier than the 59 80 series. I have bought several of them that were fire trucks because the firetrucks usually have clean rust free cabs and lots of chrome. I have never had any luck getting rid of the fire truck stuff and I usually wind up selling it for scrap. It seems like a shame to scrap stuff like that, but I have never found anyone with cash in hand who wanted anything. The 283 was a little weak for an 80 series and a 366 was a logical repower. The 366 was a truck only engine and was built for almost 30 years which should say something about it. As long as you keep oil and water in it, you will probably never wear it out.
