The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 59 chevy spartan 100

I just bought a 59 chevy spartan 100 that used to be a local firetruck. Somewhere along the way it got switched to a 14ft dump bed but not sure what else has been messed with. Is the stewart warner tach the original or were they another brand?
Anyone got a good source for parts? I think i need a new lower brake pedal assembly because the splines are stripped. I also need the parking brake assembly since it had a different one as a firetruck.
The overspeed light seems to be plugged into an oil pressure gauge and stays lit all the time. Im guessing its a bad sender?
Ive restored a 55 half ton but all this big bolt stuff is new so any info is appreciated!

The cab is the same as a pickup. Chevrolet merely bolted bigger fenders and bigger hood to a pickup cab to make it into a bigger truck. Most fire trucks had Mico brakes for parking. They are still available. It looks like you have a Spicer 5 speed. You would probably have to find a parking brake for a Spicer in a salvage yard. It appears that you have a Spicer with a 5th direct. The ove rspeed light is to keep from over speeding the pump while pumping water. It is not needed for what you are doing. GMC came with an optional SW tach. I think the fire truck body upfitter probably installed the tach because pump speed is critical. Chevrolet trucks usually had an aftermarket tach on top of the dash when they were used as a truck tractor. I have a 59 Spartan 100 truck tractor that I have never restored. I will try to think to look and see where the tach is mounted. I bought it at auction about 10 years and all I have done with it is haul it home to the rest of my collection

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hDys34fgyDoEFnh97

Many fire trucks a wired ‘always hot’, slight want to make sure key switch does only what you want. Nice truck.

Ed

Nice to see another Spartan 100 here

Your tach is in the factory position. I've only ever seen Sun tach's with their transmitter box mounted on the firewall or inner fender.

The hood, inner fenders and core support are all the same as the pickup's.

I sent you a PM...click on the little envelope next to your log-in name in the upper right corner of this page.

Mike B

Anyone know what this rack+pinion looking thing is? Looks like its partially a valve for something and connects to that red pot on the firewall.

That's all leftover parts to the fire pump. I believe the red pot is a check valve that keeps pump water from being sucked into the engine while priming...not sure how the rack fits into the picture. All of that can be removed as long as you cap or plug any open holes in the engine.

It also looks like there was a hand throttle on the fire control panel that is still connected to the carb linkage (seen in first pic)...that can be removed as well as it's probably cut somewhere under the cab.

Mike B

There is indeed a hand throttle, however its the original one inside the cab I believe! (unless there were two?)

Upon further review, i think i found the stock one hooked up to a linkage next to the firewall so that must be a second throttle control.

Yes, there would have been a second throttle control on the fire body control panel.

Mike B

crenwelge Over the years have had several Mico brake locks,learned not to count on it to stay engaged like overnight. Also if brake cylinders leak off it may release it. Gives you a funny feeling when thetruck rolls away.

We used Mico brakes on our bobtails many years ago to hold our tank wagons while we pumped off. We also blocked the wheels. Mico Brakes were never meant for long time parking. I have used nothing but air brakes for almost 60 years.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iJFY56KmAEccXdgE8

I have quite a few old GMC trucks. The ones with air brakes stop. The ones with hydraulic brakes don't and I don't bother to try to fix them.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EYbsqqe6Z3AMks366

Anyone know what kind of pump this is for the dump bed? Has an external reservoir under the bed. Im guessing that thing on top is how it is actuated but how does it hook up?

Also, put a new brake master in and bled the lines best i could and the pedal seems fine until it sits overnight, then goes almost to the floor until I pump it twice. Is this somewhat normal on these big trucks?

No, it's not normal to have to pump the pedal to get the brakes to work. Have you adjusted the brake shoes? If they are out of adjustment it takes extra fast pumps to send enough fluid to get the shoes to engage. You want to have the shoes dragging when turning the wheel by hand.

Mike B

No ideas on that pump though?

PTO pumps were all aftermarket installed items, the factory never offered any dump bodies. Find a big truck body shop (installers of dump and stake bodies) in your area and show them your PTO pump to see if they can ID it for you. PTO's are either cable actuated with a knob mounted at the dash or lever actuated through the floor.

Mike B