1958 F.W.D.

Here's another one that you probably already thought of, but figured I would throw it out there....The mechanical fuel pump on my 1958 F.W.D. firetruck (Waukesha gas engine) took a crap a few years back- would starve for fuel at higher RPM's while out on the road. Cleaned filters, blew out lines......Then tested the pump and sure as shit, the rubber diaphragm was torn. Could not find a replacement (Delco Remy pump.) Tried all kinds of specialty antique parts places- Nope. So I hack sawed off the pump arm, slapped it back onto the block, by-passed the pump through a NAPA electric pump. Runs like a champ ever since.

Correct. Many later-model fire apparatus that were still equipped with gasoline engines had dual distribution, as well as dual-position battery switches. You could run on all of the batteries or one or the other. Addtionally, some even had switches where you could move from electrical system-generated spark to magneto spark. The closer you got to the move to diesel power, the rarer this option became.

Thats funny, I could have sworn that your engine 25-2 was built by Sutphen (on a Mack chassis that they purchased; and without Mack's knowledge.....) Last time I saw that thing is when it was a demonstrator, and the Sutphen salesman brought it to our firehouse. Had an Eaton 10-speed autoshift, and was a mechanical nightmare......But at least it was red.

Unfortunately you will never find one, only 6 of these were ever built. Only one remained in existence up to about 4 or 5 years ago, sitting in a vacant warehouse where it was vandalized over the years to the point of no return. It was found one night by an FDNY company who responded to the warehouse for some kind of incident. There were pictures posted on the internet somewhere. Since then it has been scrapped.

I don't know very much about this regulation, so excuse me if this has been batted around before, but how do the Greenies expect a driver in a company-owned tractor, without an auxiliary generator for heat or A/C, to stay warm or cool while in the bunk in the Toxic Waste......errr ahhhh Garden State? Or is it the People's Republic Of New Jersey? Are auxiliary gen sets even allowed under the legislation?

This is precisely what I do as well, I will also leave all drain valves open at all times. Dont forget to drain your booster lines too, if you have them. This is where the air comes in handy. In addition, don't forget to check the other important stuff- use a hydrometer to check the anti-freeze's low temp....Also don't forget to treat your fuel, STA-BIL for the gasoline or a diesel treatment.........

You see them on eBay occasionally, but they usually go anywhere from 600 to 1500 bucks depending on the size and condition.

As I stated in firehouse.com, if this is an in-service piece of apparatus, you really need to let a certified technician (who is familiar with 'scopes) repair the problem. Aerial controls are not something to mess with.

Does anyone know if there is a rain date for this show or is it rain or shine? Weather will be very ugly.

Does anyone know when John Haines's show is, and is it by invite only, or can you just show up, or do you have to RSVP????????

What is the condition of the one you have now, is there any reason you couldn't have it machined? -Remember, finding a used one is a 50/50 gamble, you may have to get IT machined depending on it's condition. Plus the weight and the cost of purchase may just make it cheaper to have yours machined in the end.

Allison, see if you can find a Wolf's Head dealer, I am getting 40W for my Waukesha for 16.50 per gallon. I saw your rig at PPP- very nice!

If you post the Mack serial number, I will get you a complete history of FDNY assignments, from company assigned new to the companies in between.

Hosted by the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association, (CLAFAA) sponsored by the Delaware County Firemen's Association -Antique & Modern Fire Apparatus- -Flea Market/Vendors- -Displays/Demonstrations- Sunday, August 2, 2009. 9:30am to 2:00pm Rose Tree Park 1671 N. Providence Road Media, Pa. 19363 THIS YEAR'S FEATURED MANUFACTURER IS SEAGRAVE! Trophies and dash plaques will be awarded. Registration fee for all apparatus: $5.00 donation For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact chairman Bill Anderson at (610) 521-3516 or through e-mail clafaa@hotmail.org Return completed applications to Bill Foxall Jr. 102 Daley Street, Rockledge Pa. 19046. FLEA MARKET VENDOR SPACES AVAILABLE. Contact Rick Schumacher at (610) 696-2241 CLAFAA is the Penn-Jer-Del Chapter of SPAAMFAA (The Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America.) Our mission is to establish a fire museum to educate the public, preserve the rich history of firefighters and the fire service since it's inception, and the apparatus used by these gallant firefighters. Our programs also extend to provide fire safety education and fire prevention activities.

Try Interstate Mack in Hegerstown, Md.

Been there, done that!

This was my third or fourth time. This year they did it backwards, you usually started at the back at the loading docks, and followed the bare frames all the way to the end, and ending up at the gift shop. The year of Mack's 100th, they really pulled out the stops- they had a festival for employees families AND people from the show. They had catered food, all kinds of activities for the kids, and of course, all kinds of Mack Trucks. I do have to say that this year I was very dissapointed in the Gift Shop Staff.....I know that they were overwhelmed, but it just seemed like they didnt know what they were doing- they had to enter numbers into the computers manually, and the lines didn't move at all. I finally gave up after 15 minutes and put my stuff back on the shelf because I wanted to get back to the park.

So is everyone dried out yet?

I have to apologize gents....I was walking around the show with Author Robert Gabrick (if you collect Iconografix Vehicle books, he has written about 8 of them on everything from Freightliner to FWD to Sterling to Autocar trucks) who had never attended Macungie before....The first bus to the Mack plant pulled up, and he wanted to jump on to go get the tour of the plant, so off we went, and didnt come back for three hours, and I had forgotten about the 12pm meet time. I dont know about anyone else, but I am so sick of all this &^%$^-ing rain we have had here in Pennsylvania as of late. Sure you want a nice day for Macungie, but with all the rain we have had here lately, it made for an extra disgusting of a day, especially since Macungie Weekend is one of my favorites of the year. I was so pissed that I finally said "screw it" and left at about 1:30pm when there was a break in the rain. Figured I may as well make the 22 mile drive home on I78 while it was not downpouring.

I live near Macungie, and have attended the last 5 years and no rain?????????????????????

Weather reports aint looking too good......

I'll be there and will try to make the photo shoot. I am very hard to miss, as I have the only F.W.D. truck in attendance (at least I have for the last 5 years, anyways.....) Look for me with the other firetrucks!

I think at this point I would have asked for the officer's supervisor, and demanded to know why exactly they would not pursue the case any further. If the supervisor had not provided good answers, I would have demanded that he provide his explanation IN WRITING, so that you could approach the District Attorney's office to inquire about the validity of the Police Department's actions. If he refused to provide the answer in writing, demand to speak to HIS supervisor. Keep working your way up the food chain until you get satisfaction. Advise the person on the other end of the phone that you are keeping careful records of conversations and ask for names and badge numbers. Don't get emotional or upset on the phone or in person (at least don't SHOW it.) Asking for names and badge numbers tells them "oh shit, this is going to go somewhere..." A This simply sounds to me like a case of "Big City PD Lazyness." They don't want anything to do with this as it may involve actually having to get off their fat, donut-laden asses and having to do something. I have had to deal with the City of Philadelphia Police Department several times, including once for a towing company which illegally towed my car. Believe me, when they ask "Why do you want my badge number", they HATE to hear the words "Because I am going to run you, your Sergent, and your Lieutenant's names all into the Commissioner's Office with accusations of fail to perform, even though I laid all of the evidence across your desks in black and white." Also I might suggest contacting the Police Chief's Office directly. Better yet, write an un-emotional letter to the Police Chief. Include detailed descriptions of all actions up to now. Include dates and times of telephone calls, including names if you have them. Also include a list of the serial numbers, and the factory build sheets. Facts only. No emotions. Now is not the time to get upset. Detail what you were told and by whom, if you have their names. Circulate copies of the letter to the Mayors Office as well as the District Attorney. SEND ALL OF THESE BY REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. Make sure you include at the bottom of the letter "CC: Mayor Joseph Blow, District Attorney John Q. Public. This will certainly catch the eye of the Police Chief. Hopefully, it goes without saying that you are keeping a detailed paper trail. Keep careful records of all phone calls: Who, what, when. Get all your notes and put them in a manilla folder. Keep it with you at all times, that way if you get a call on your cell phone, you can pull over and record the time and the topic of the discussion. **disclaimer: I dont think this way about ALL cops, just the "holier than thou" and LAZY ones.**

Sounds good. Rumor has it, that it may have been delivered new to the Hatfield (Montgomery County) Fire Company, and later sold to a department out in that direction. Also if it is the same truck, it has been re-furbished by the Swab (a builder/rebuilder of fire truck bodies.)