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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | I just brought mine home today! Courtesy of a fellow bolter, I'm the proud new owner of a big project, a 1961 American LaFrance pumper on a GMC chassis. It's got the big V-6 engine and a 5-speed overdrive transmission. Other than a few leaks, bald tires, and a clogged fuel line that took some creative road repair, it made the 130 miles to the farm with a minumum of fuss. 65 MPH isn't impossible out on the open road, but the above-mentioned square tires made 50 a more comfortable speed. I'll post some pics in the morning when I've got some daylight, along with a blow-by-blow description of the battle to get the rig home!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,470 Bond Villain | | Bond Villain Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,470 | Congrats Jerry!!! And welcome to the Stovebolt Antique Fire Brigade!! Can't wait to see the pictures.  John
~ 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 A1949 Chevrolet 3804In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum1973 IH 1310 Dump2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley) | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,602 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,602 |
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,107 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,107 | jerry is that a 750 pump? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | Here's a few pics. Gotta find some numbers, and contact American LaFrance to see it I can dig up some history and specifications on this one. I believe it's been in Middle Tennessee since it was new. Lots of hardware has been scavenged, including a lot of the plumbing for the pump system, valves, knobs, etc. http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/61_GMC_001.jpghttp://www.hunt101.com/data/500/61_GMC_004.jpghttp://www.hunt101.com/data/500/61_GMC_008.jpgI'll try to get some more detailed shots later. The trip home was mostly on 2-lane roads, with a short section of interstate and a little bit of divided 4-lane in there. The 2-gallon gas can wired to the grill got us going when ther main fuel line clogged, until I could find someone with an air compressor to blow out the line and get us back on the internal tank. 2 gallons doesn't run that big V-6 very far! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 460 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 460 | Too bad more guys out here don't want to join the Stovebolt Fire Truck brigade... I saw this one listed the other day and it looks to be in very clean condition... Heck of a deal for $6700 and the guy is even willing to accept trades so it could be a chance for someone to join the brigade and get rid of a bunch of old junk they have laying around the garage...  It's a bit new only being a 1972, but how about it, John... wouldn't this look good with your collection? ~Trev | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | I'd join if we had the money, and if my mom would let me! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | I'm amazed! I just did a little research on the running gear of this rig, and the road speed it is able to make really impresses me! It's got the 401 V-6 engine, with a TINY 2-barrel Stromberg carburetor similar to what the 318 Dodge engines run. The transmission is a Clark model 269V, which DOES NOT have an overdrive top gear- - - -it's a straight 1:1 ratio in 5th. gear. The rear axle ratio is a 7.17:1! This rig will cruise at 60 MPH with no real strain, but I'm beginning to wonder what the engine RPM is at that speed! It's got 10.00-20 tires, so I guess I could do a little math and get a ballpark guess at the cruise RPM. The old big six isn't over-powered, even with the low rear axle ratio- - - -it struggles a bit on a long hill. If the water tank was full, I'm sure just getting away from a stop would be a chore!
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 06/03/2008 11:07 PM.
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 | Great looking ride. Don't expect much when contacting American LaFrance. They've been bought and sold and moved so many times alot of the records have been lost. I've heard of people who sent in the $40 fee and then never heard anything from them. Another forum you could check out is www.alfowners.com | | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 940 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 940 | A GMC "B" Model. Interesting truck. Is it a 7500 Series? If it has a straight 5-Speed with no 2-Speed rear, it will drive a lot like a 237 Mack with a 5-Speed. It will be a "while" between shifts. That engine will have plenty of torque.
Bill
'60-'72 Chev/GMC Fan
GMC 9500 Fan
Detroit Diesel Fan
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | The model number on the tag in the glove box is BV5508. I found a registration slip that lists it as a 1960 model, so there might have been a year overlap between the chassis and the production of the fire truck body.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 12 | I have a leftover project I want to sell. It is a Chevy 2-1/2T fire truck w/ 2spd rear. it is missing lots of fire stuff like ladders, hoses, pumps, and bed was cut out for a farm work truck 40 years back. It does have the rear hose reals and motor is complete as well as interior and brakes sort of work but week. I have to check w/ my dad who built it but it was outfitted in CA for the Montezuma Fire Dpt of Rio Vista CA in the '40s. I didnt have to drive far togo get her 15 yrs ago.
Still gathering info on what to ask, but I am open to respectable offers. This is a heads up as I will put it in the for sale section very soon.
fleetwood60s1964@msn.com | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | SS-427,
What year is the truck and what make is the pump (if it's still there)?
Send pictures...
Mike B | | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 44 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 44 | | | |
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