The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts New member, 19000 lb question

Hello all. I've been referring to stovebolt.com a lot lately, and I decided I finally needed to register on the forum and introduce myself.

I found a fairly solid 1958 Viking C60 on a farm last summer and got the title to it for $100 (50k original miles, 235/2 spd, grain/cattle bed). It's sat in the backyard waiting on a fresh motor and a paintjob for a while.

The other day I was out driving and found a 1959 C60 Viking Howe Fire Truck for $2000. 6000 original miles, runs like new, all the pumps, etc. work. Great interior, faded paint and exterior, needs brakes. It's a 19000 lb GVW with extra rear leaf springs, a 235, and a single speed rear.

So I was wondering- is the big fire truck worth 2 grand? If nothing else, I figure it's a completely fresh motor and trans for my flatbed. Which brings me to another question: How rare are those Howe fire trucks? Are they worth anything in terms of historic value? I really don't need a fire truck for anything--I'd rather have a flatbed for farm work--but if I could fix the brakes on the fire truck and get it tuned up then sell it for a profit, that would finance my farm truck project.

Just thought I'd ask the experts for opinions. Thanks!

There are a bunch of firetruck lovers here--you should be hearing from them soon.
My vote would be to save the firetruck. If you don't want it yourself, then do as you mentioned--sell it, and use the money to fix up your other truck.

Fire engines are not "rare" for the most part. They normally have low chassis miles, but could have additional engine hours due to pump time. If it's a front mount pump the transmission is in neutral while pumping so the odometer isn't clocking miles. If it's a mid-shaft pump (located in the middle of the drive-shaft) it would be powered through the transmission so anytime the pump is running you are clocking milage. Then there is always the small pumps that are mounted in the middle of the truck that are PTO powered. Not trying to make this a big deal, just wanted you to know the engine may have more houres on it than you think...either way it's still a low hour engine.

I have lots of fun with my Fire Engine. I bought it to make a car hauler, but was talked out of it...I'm glad I was. If the truck is complete with hoses, ladders, siren, and lights my vote would be to keep it a fire engine. If it's missing all of that stuff then it's a toss-up. It can get expensive replacing all of that hardware.

I driving my 1957 10500 John Bean to Hutchinson KS for the ATHS Show next month. Check out my truck in the gallery or on my web page.

Mike B

Are you sure these are 235 engines the big bolts had 261s in them they look pretty much the same on the outside and pretty much the same on the inside with the exception of a few measurements

This has been a topic that I have struggled with for years. In the early '80s my Dad bought a '34 Chevrolet Open Cab firetruck. It took on the project of keeping it going and maintaining it. We kept it just over 20 years before deciding it was time to move on. It went to a good home and is still on the road here. This winter I purchased a '53 6400 firetruck. My first thought was to take off the firetruck body and put a stake body on it. I've had some second thoughts about it since. The "shock & awe" of a old firetruck going down the road can be priceless. The down side is the limited uses for the truck in its original state. The last point is the costs involved and the amount of work to preserve and maintain just the firetruck stuff can be costly and difficult. So, I'm still doing some soul searching and trying to think things through both ways, but in the end whatever the decision is it will still be 50% wrong - unpopular with the masses. You need to decide what "you" want and desire and make a plan and move forward.
Good Luck
Don

If the fire truck is 'complete' as a fire truck then I would say it needs to stay a fire truck. Put it up in the 'spotting network' if you yourself don't want it. If you are in need of a new engine for yours post in the parts wanted section and see if anybody has a spare that they could sell you. Of course with a 'farm project' you never know when the ability to move a fair amount of water quickly could come in handy... So you just might want a fire truck after all!
Laterz,
Gator
>|--|~

For what it's worth, I have a '65 GMC 4000 fire truck with a 1,000-gallon tanker body and a front mounted 500 GPM Darley pump. Here on the farm (we grow christmas trees) it's the most useful old truck I have -- I hauled a full load of water out to the trees just this afternoon after I got home from work.

And driving around around in an old firetruck is more fun than I ever imagined!

Mike B -- Peggy and I were on our way home from an event at the base (had the Marine Corps flag flying from the back) Saturday and the Lexington Park FD passed us on their way to a call and they all waved. Just too cool!

An old truck with a flatbed is just another old truck. But an old fire truck puts a smile on everyone's face. Fire trucks = Fun Fun Fun!


John