The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts The Stovebolt Volunteer Fire Department front wheel grease seals

Hi,
My name is Rich Rahn & I'm a newbie to this forum. I own a 1942 Chevy/Central 1 1/2 ton fire engine. It is an ex-U.S. Army,ex-Milton, Wisc.,2 previous private owner vehicle. It has 8,600 miles (verified). I am a retired auto mechanic(43 years) & an active part-time firefighter (36 years). I am having a hard time finding the correct front wheel bearing grease seals. I have tried 2 different manufacturers, but they are just a little too small. Any help would be appreciated.

is it a 4X4 or 2wd? if it is a 4X4 lots of different seals show up on ebay and other places.

UncleRichie, you may want to put an ad in the swap meet forum under Parts Wanted..... but hang tight. Someone else with Big Bolts will show up soon.

Welcome to the Stovebolt. There are quite a few bolters from your state and maybe even close to Evergreen Park?

Alvin
You forgot to tell UncleRichie WELCOME.

UncleRichie, Welcome to the Stovebolt Page!!

Even though it's a Fire truck, you may want to repost your question in the Big Bolts area, as more people read and watch there.
Fire Bolts are Big Bolts and the drive trains should mostly be the same.
With your back ground, you would really be a plus for this site.

2-Ton

2-Ton, what you been drinking? I DID welcome unclerichie!!

Hi UncleRichie and Welcome!
It may not help find seals but we all appreciate pictures of your firebolt.
Cannonball

Alvin
You are right again.
You DID welcome UncleRichie and I am sorry to claim that you did not.
I need to proof read before I post.
That's one of the reasons I don't post very much.

UncleRichie,
As for grease seals, I use a lacal Napa store that has a person behind the counter that knows how to grab a pair of dial calipers, pull a book out from under the counter and match the the seal up with what they can get from the Napa warehouse.
Or give them the shaft O.D. and the housing I.D. and they will match it up in their cross reference books.

2-Ton

Sorry it's taken so long to reply, guys. Thanks very much for all the info & the welcomes. My quest for grease seals will continue in the spring. I hope everyone has a great new year.

Good luck in finding the seals you need. And when you get time, we'd love to see pictures of your truck.

And I would also like to welcome you to the Bolt!

UncleRichie,

I'm a resident of St. Louis, where I believe your pumper was built (Central was located here, on Forest Park Boulevard, I think). They're terrific trucks, and there are quite a few of them around.

I've got a '41 truck, and I think my seals came from Jim Carters Chevy. I use them AND Chevs of the 40s a lot.

I've also had really good luck taking the old seals (and bearings) to a local bearing house, where they can match them up pretty easily. It's a little pricey sometimes, but can save a lot of aggravation searching (and getting the wrong ones!).

I agree with the previous posts - Welcome, and send photos soon!

-Michael

Hy UncleRichie, welcome, that year truck did not use a front wheel seal as we know it today, they used a large felt "washer" encased in two pieces of metal. You may be able to find new felts if you need them, or as someone else has already pointed out, you could take the metal felt retaining pieces to a bearing and seal supply place and have them order seals based on their dimensions. You would have to take them the dimension of the surface that the felt seals to on the spindle, so they know what the bore of the seal should be, hope that helps.

Nowdays folks like SKF have their line of seals and specs online. Have you tried that? You might also want to try over on the GMC site for information.