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Fixing the old truck

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#1363006 06/01/2020 11:13 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
M
MFW
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'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
1954 GMC470 has the tank above the radiator. Not exactly sure what the purpose is. When I started it up it was steaming out of the bottom opening because the plastic acorn was cracked. Do I replace the cap or bypass the tank?

Thanks
Matt
Attachments


1950 GMC 100

1954 GMC 470

1954 Chevy 3100 Hydramatic
In the Stovebolt Gallery



More pix on Flickr

1957 Ford 850 Tractor (video)
MFW #1363008 06/01/2020 11:16 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
M
MFW
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'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
I have more pictures but I can only attach one. But this is the tank in the old fire truck. It’s not leaking from the valves just the spot where the plastic acorn came off. I was wondering if I can just find a cap to screw on and be done.

Matt


1950 GMC 100

1954 GMC 470

1954 Chevy 3100 Hydramatic
In the Stovebolt Gallery



More pix on Flickr

1957 Ford 850 Tractor (video)
MFW #1363013 06/01/2020 11:58 AM
Joined: Nov 1995
Posts: 5,470
Bond Villain
Bond Villain
Joined: Nov 1995
Posts: 5,470
Matt -- Your truck is a fire truck? In the picture, the tank is off the truck ... Do/did the lines from this tank attach to *anything?* Like the pump, perhaps?


~ John

"We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are"

1948 International Farmall Super A
1949 Chevrolet 3804
In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum
1973 IH 1310 Dump
2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"
2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
MFW #1363020 06/01/2020 12:44 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
M
MFW
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Posts: 109
Yes, the water pump goes into the bottom of the tank and the top of the tank goes in to the radiator.


1950 GMC 100

1954 GMC 470

1954 Chevy 3100 Hydramatic
In the Stovebolt Gallery



More pix on Flickr

1957 Ford 850 Tractor (video)
MFW #1363021 06/01/2020 12:44 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
M
MFW
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'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
Yes fire truck. The tank can be removed and a regular radiator hose from pump to radiator would fit. Not sure what it’s for just don’t want to mess anything up. I figured it there for a purpose and I like to keep my trucks the way they were.

Matt
Attachments

Last edited by MFW; 06/01/2020 1:09 PM.

1950 GMC 100

1954 GMC 470

1954 Chevy 3100 Hydramatic
In the Stovebolt Gallery



More pix on Flickr

1957 Ford 850 Tractor (video)
Joined: Nov 1995
Posts: 5,470
Bond Villain
Bond Villain
Joined: Nov 1995
Posts: 5,470
Did it have any lines running anywhere else? To the pump, for example? It could be a heat exchanger to help keep the coolant cooler during stationary pumping in hot weather, and to keep the pump from freezing in cold weather.

Hopefully one of the more knowledgeable fire truck guys will chime in here.

On your images, you should be able to attach 5 to each post. You have to select each image individually to attach it. And then hit "Done"


~ John

"We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are"

1948 International Farmall Super A
1949 Chevrolet 3804
In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum
1973 IH 1310 Dump
2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"
2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 330
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 330
Yes, it almost certainly is a heat exchanger as John said. Engine coolant would flow through one set of connections without going anywhere else. The other pair of connections would be plumbed to the fire pump with heater size hoses to cool the engine. It is useless on a truck without a pump and generally a trouble spot for leaks.

If you do not have a fire pump, get rid of it. If you do have a fire pump, get rid of it. It will be a constant source of leaks and of no operational value unless you pump for a long time at a big fire. I am gonna guess that is unlikely.


Mac :{)

1962 K10 short step side, much modified for rally
1969 T50 fire truck, almost nos, needs a few things
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 109
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MFW
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'Bolter
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It’s a grain truck now with all the left overs remaining. I want to go through an eliminate the miles and miles of wire and the dual battery setup. But, we have it running and stopping today. I think the brakes are grabbing a bit without pushing the pedal.


1950 GMC 100

1954 GMC 470

1954 Chevy 3100 Hydramatic
In the Stovebolt Gallery



More pix on Flickr

1957 Ford 850 Tractor (video)

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