The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts The Stovebolt Volunteer Fire Department First post 4100 Fire Truck

Just joined the forum and just purchased a 1950 4100 Fire Truck. I have no idea why I felt compelled to buy it, other than it is from my grand parents, and my dad's hometown, and I didn't want that piece of history slip away. The town only has a population of like 36, but the family has grown from 2 people to over a hundred now and some still live near there. I have never seen a fire truck like this one that's not huge even though this one isn't exactly little, and I still need to get it shipped 500 miles home. I don't know where I'm going to keep it yet, or work on it. It was last used by the town 10 years ago and unfortunately got parked outside and currently not running. Still has hoses, light, siren, etc. with 2370 miles on it. Just hope I can bring it back to life without too much expense. Probably paid too much at $3500 plus $700 shipping, but that wouldn't be the first time I wasted money on a vehicle. I have only seen pictures of it, so I know it will have issues I don't even know about yet.
Tried to load pictures, but can't get them loaded here.

welcome to the site! I think you have to have 4 or 5 posts before you can post pics. That sounds like a cool truck, and a great story!

Welcome to the garage!
Where is your new truck located? Maybe I can help out some.
We have a lot of Bolters in Iowa, a few may be your neighbors.
You will have a lot of fun with a fire truck, it really draws the attention.
Keep posting so you can show us your truck.

Don

Should be able to post photos as long as you follow the Stovebolt Image Posting instructions posted at the bottom left of this page. You can also link using Google Images. Welcome to Stovebolt.com. Lots of help available here.🛠

Well with that mileage your truck was averaging around 35 miles a year! Fire trucks are like time capsules. As far as money, I passed on a similar truck that was stored indoors though and it was $12,500. I think you bought it right, I am looking forward to the pictures.

Another picture attempt.
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No way, I will tell you what I paid for ours, it was still in service and the price was right.
Even the 70 La France sold low and with low miles.

Don

We has a 54 chevy fire truck in our little town when I was a kid. Last time I remember seeing it was along the side of the road with the hood up. I think they finally upgraded. If your going to fight fires better have good equipment I guess. Don't know where that 54 got to by now.

Trying another pic.http://i66.tinypic.com/f38ais.jpg[/IMG]]1950 4100

Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and I'm going to have a lot of questions on how to make this 4100 safe, reliable, spraying water, and having fun! Being a passenger vehicle tire and wheel guy, that is a big issue from what I've read so far. I want radials, and aluminum wheels for sure somehow. Would make a huge difference in how these big old beasts look and drive, even at 45 mph.

I have a '54 GM C fire truck, 630 model, from Kansas, however.

Ed

Our town used to have an AD fire truck also--not sure of the year. It had a fire truck body, but was actually the tanker, so it went to all the fires. When they took it out of service some 25+ years ago, they sold tickets and raffled it off. I bought a boat load of tickets, but unfortunately was not the winner. The guy who won it eventually moved away. I have no idea if he still has the truck, or what became of it.

Welcome to the club!!! I can tell you it's is definitely lots of fun. Our 52 Chevrolet Fire truck brings waves and smiles wherever we go.

Still try to post a pic.
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http://oi66.tinypic.com/f38ais.jpg
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Good looking truck. Looks like a fun project.🛠

Interior looks great! Nice ole truck.

cool ol' truck!

I like the way they imbedded the red lights into the front fenders.

Just got off the phone with a shipping broker about shipping the fire truck from Kansas to Iowa. Looks like about $750 paid on delivery, which seems about right for it's size, and not running. Not really any other options that I can see. Going to schedule it for mid February, and have to take a chance hoping for clear roads not covered in salt, and snow.

My truck is going to be picked up in Kansas tomorrow to be delivered to Iowa, and I hope the roads stay clear from salt. Just found out it is coming on a 80 foot semi which is not going to even come close to my plan of backing into my back driveway, after clearing away a bunch of snow. Plan B now is to drop it in front of my house, and hire a tow truck to haul it around back. Oh well.

That is definitely a bummer for having to move it, but it'll be great once you are able to start working on it. By the way, mine was about that bad for chalky paint too, in fact it almost looked pink. Many hours later, using elbow grease and electric buffer with medium to fine polishing compound has put quite a shine to it.

I got my 4100 fire truck safely delivered last week and it is now in my driveway. Everything looks pretty good and it finally got warm enough to do a few things yesterday. Bought a new 12 volt battery. Found a group 25 battery with terminals in the right place, and it fits great. Most of the lights and horn work, even the spot lights, and the red light on top, other than it doesn't spin. Siren didn't work though. Pulled the oil drain plug and a 6 inch turd of sludge came out first then clear oil, so it was filled with ND oil. I am going to take my chances and use modern 10w-30 though. Pulled the plugs and squirted a little oil in each cylinder and will try and spin engine first with no plugs. Still need to drain, refill radiator and empty fuel tank, and I will disconnect the line at the carb to see if fuel pump is working, and add fresh fuel. It is a low mile truck with only 2370 miles on it so I hope the engine starts and runs well. Then I have to fix the brakes, which will probably need a new master, and wheel cylinders if I can find them. The truck also has a Barton front pump which I actually have the original manual for. But that will be a while before I try and get it operating. Also have original owners manual, and the original purchase agreement dated June 9, 1950 at a price of $1300 for the cab/chassis with a GVW of 11000 lbs. The truck is pretty cool with everything original still there, except the missing floor mat. Did they originally have padding under the mat?
http://oi67.tinypic.com/15wnc7d.jpg

way cool! You may very well get by with honing the master and wheel cylinders and putting kits in them. Please make sure to also replace all steel and rubber brake lines as they deteriorate from the inside-out. They may look useable on the outside but, be gummed up on the inside (rubber hoses) or in the case of the steel lines, be paper thin and ready to split once any pressure is applied.

Cool truck enjoy

Cool truck!

2X 69Cuda...replace ALL of the brake lines, rubber AND steel.

Mike B

That's awesome. If brakes have any pitting in the bores from moisture you may consider having them sleeved with stainless, they'll outlast you. And of course all lines as already said. With that low a mileage with some tlc I'll bet it'll be running great in no time.
For the siren take her apart and I'll bet you'll be able to lubricate and clean it up enough to work, also check all contacts for the front light while your there, it often had a flasher for it. The rotating light might also just need clean up, but a small replacement motor can be had if needed as well.

Before you tear into the siren and light, check the electrical terminations, you may have a bad switch or ground...

Mike B

Thanks for the replies on the lights, and siren. I'm supposed to be an electrician, so I should be able to figure out the problem. Fixing it is usually the bigger problem and It's been converted to 12v with an alternator, which will make some things more complicated. I made my first attempt to start it yesterday after plenty of preparation, but no go. After checking a few things, I couldn't get my timing light to flash while cranking. Figured it was the points, which were burnt, but I managed to break off the concentric adjusting screw for the points. It's been decades since I have replaced points, and after I broke it I figured it out of course. Fixed it by tapping the hole for another screw which will work fine, if not better. Gave me a chance to clean up the distributor, and look it over though. The vacuum advance works, but it leaks. Haven't seen a replacement part yet. Not even close to original, but maybe a HEI is the way to go eventually. Hoping to get a chance to try to fire it again tomorrow.

Tried the 2nd attempt at starting the ole 235 today after replacing the points. Engine started in about 3 seconds, and runs very smooth with no smoke. But under the valve cover a really terrible rattle is there above idle. Not a tap, tap, tap, but what sounds like a bunch of rocks flying around. Never heard a sound like it. More snow coming tommorw, so I didn't feel like investigating until the weather warms back up. At least it runs great for the 5 minutes I ran it.

Hello and Welcome from just down the road in Solon,IA

Great looking truck, looking forward to read about and see your progress.

You've come to the right place with lots of folks that will be here to help.

Am waiting warmer weather here too!

Jeff