The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 49'

My dad has 49 international grain truck (2 Tons). It has been sitting awhile and this fall I thinking about rebuilding the fuel and brake system. Both need it. I have never worked on vehicles this size and was wondering if you have any advice on how to do this. Also price estimates. I assuming almost sure it the master brake cylinder that is bad not the brakes themselves. What would that run you? And the last part of question is this. Do any of you know how the brakes light are wired. When the battery is being charged the brake lights come on don't turn of. I believe it is because the switch is stuck but not quite sure. Any suggestions would be helpful.

(Have the tools and jacks required but how heavy do those tires get when you remove them?)

(I know this is an international but I hope you can appreciate and help just the same?)

Hy Delux, Everything is just a little bit larger on those big boys. The tire/wheel combo probably weighs 100+ lbs. depending on the size. I think you are right about the brake light switch being stuck, some Internationals I've worked on have had hydraulic brake light switches, but you'll have to check yours out and see whether it's a mechanical or hydraulic. If you post the year and model we can probably come up with some numbers and advice for you, hope that helps.

The year is 1949 the Model number is ? (Its a two ton) and its an international.

In 1980 I rewired a '53 International that I'm sure would be very similar to this '49. Unfortunately I do not remember a single detail about the process. Oh, I do remember the owner commenting that I wired it like a Chevy, then he had me do a couple of Fords the same way.

Your diagnosis of the brake light problem is probably correct. Find the switch and test it, I'll bet it stuck closed.

The wheels are probably 20 inch and 100 pounds is probably a good working number. I'd just say real heavy and plan on having help when I need to move them.

Take pictures as you take things apart. If you have a good picture of what it looked like together, it will be much easier to work out how to put it back together!

And when you ask a question here about that truck it will help if you can point to pictures somewhere because while many of us know a bit about trucks, what we know well are the Chevy and GMC trucks. Anything you can do to help us better understand your International will help us help you! Remember most of us can hardly spell International and few of us have every actually worked on one.

Not sure if '49 was still the KB Series or the L Series. It should say on the ID plate, or perhaps even on the chrome trim on the side of the hood.
Once you figure out what you have, go to oldihc.org and check out their "truck talk" forum. You should be able to get the answers you seek.
Good luck!