1958 F.W.D.

Can you provide more info?? Exact location? Specs of the truck (Engine/Trans/Pump/Tank???) Being sold by a dealer or by a fire company??? Anyone know who it was delivered to new?

I dont live too far from Perkasie, if you need phone numbers or anything I can probably get them for you. Also dont buy the manuals from Seagrave, you will pay an arm and both legs.

Do yourself a favor, spend the extra money and use a good quality 2-part epoxy paint suitable for use inside steel water tanks.

Flem- I have to wonder what it would gain you if you spent the kind of money and time it would take to properly patch and seal the tank. Having experience with firetrucks, I might be hesitant to use a rhino-liner or gas tank patching material. If this stuff does not properly adhere to the steel of the tank, it could potentially start flaking off in large chunks. These could then lodge in the volutes of the pump impeller, or inside the pump piping and/or valve assemblies. What are your intentions with the truck? Is it an antique you are using for show/parades/pleasure kind of purposes, or will you be using it for some kind of business? If this is the case, then I would invest the time and money into removing the top of the tank, properly sandblasting the entire interior, making any corrective welds/patches needed (by a professional welder- this is not something to be done by a shadetree welder) and then priming the surface, and paint using a 2-part epoxy paint. -OR- Have a new fiberglass or poly tank fabricated and installed. This is expensive, but most of them come with lifetime warranties against leaks. Two manufacturers that come to mind are Custom Fiberglass Products in Orwigsburg, Pa. and United Plastic Fabricators (dont know where their headquarters is located.) We had a CFP tank custom made and installed in our 1978 Hahn, and it was an excellent investment. If the truck is intended solely for parades/pleasure/etc, then why restore the tank at all? I own and operate a 1958 FWD pumper with a 500 gallon tank that was actually replaced with a new steel tank in 1998, however as I keep in in an un-heated garage, coupled with the fact that there really is no need for me to keep the tank full, I just keep it dry. It also helps save on fuel costs (water @8.3 pounds per gallon, X 500 = lotzza fuel!)

Didnt this happen a couple of months ago???

When I registered my '58 FWD, bringing it "back home" to Pa. from NJ was a pain in the ass....The NJ title was from 1978 (when it went to NJ.) The guy at the tag place was scratching his head.....The older NJ title and the words "fire truck" overloaded his brain I guess.....He kept telling me I needed "emergency vehicle" plates, and I kept telling him "No, I need antique vehicle plates." He swore up and down for a half an hour and just about beat me to death for being a liar before he finally said "let me call someone." So he called someone else who knew something or two, and came back to the counter with his tail between his legs. Finally completed the title paperwork, and an hour later had the tag papers complete. Ask around for info for a tag place that knows what they are talking about.

Bman, I am sending an email to a Mack expert. If anyone knows the location, he will. I will get back to you.

Give Supplee Brothers, in Oreland Pennsylvania a call. 126 Lorraine Ave, Oreland. (215) 884-1611 They are a Waterous factory repair/parts distributor. I am sure they might be able to do better than that. Also be sure to properly adjust the packing once it is installed. Remember, the idea is not to eliminate leaks alltogether- you want for SOME leakage, to ensure the seal stays cool.

I insure my 1958 F.W.D. through Condon & Skelly, Inc. which is an agent for Met Life. Really good coverage is $67.50 per year. They are located in Maple Shade, NJ. I have never heard a bad word about them or JC Taylor. Both of these agents specialize in antique/collectable vehicles, so they really know how to get you the right deal. When I first bought my rig, my own State Farm agent was like "Huh"?????? At a friend's urging I called Condon & Skelly.

Waterous is very much alive and well. Do you know the serial number of your pump? It should be on a small plate (with the UL Testing information) attached to the exterior pump panel. Get the serial number, and contact Waterous. Their archives/records are very well maintained. I gave them the Waterous serial number for the pump on my 1958 F.W.D. and they sent me an entire repair manual, model specific, and also sent me a copy of the build/pick sheet, all in a nice 3-ring binder. If you keep stumbling on the telephone number, send me an email at yardo@rcn.com and I will get you a good one. BTW, whats the history on your FDNY CF? Do you know what companies it was assigned to in it's career?

John: Whoa boy! Slow down there!!! You dont want to just show up at a Philly station right now, especially un-announced and just after having flown in. For several reasons: 1. The PFD is a "newer" department. Many, many of the old timers are gone. I would say that 90% of the Vietnam Vets (and older) are long gone and retired. As a result, many newer guys have been hired within the last 10 years. If you were to walk into ANY station in the City and started asking questions about a "B" model Mack tiller, with the exception of a given few in the "Far Northeast" (read: "retirement home) sections of the city, they would look at you like you were from Mars. 2. The neighborhood where L20 is currently quartered (with Engine Co. 36) on Frankford Ave isnt the greatest. Isnt the worst, but not the best either. 3. Lots of bad karma in Philly firehouses right now. Wont go into specifics of why, but un-announced visitors may not be very welcome. Thats all I have to say in the pubic forum about that. 4. Many times, more often than not, guys in Philly could care less about the rigs. For most of the rank and file, they are "just a truck." As long as they go in pump gear and pump water, or the aerial device raises, thats enough for them. Pride in the apparatus is not as prevailant as it is within other departments. So again if you were to start asking about a long lost rig, they would look at you like you were from Mars, and tell you to go back to the loony bin you escaped from. Bottom line is, I have lots of resources I can consult regarding your unit. Lets run them through the gauntlet. Do NOT just show up at L20's front door, you may get it slammed in your face. I am at work right now, so let me get home, and start researching.

I posted this blog on my myspace. Thought I would share it with everyone. This weekend was the 29th annual Father's Day Truck Show in Macungie, Pa. sponsored by the Antique Truck Club of America. This is the biggest annual gathering of antique trucks anywhere in America. When I say trucks, I mean TRUCKS. Not pickups.....HEAVY METAL. Antique tractor trailers, dump trucks, tow trucks, every kind of truck you can imagine, and yes, especially FIRE TRUCKS. Macungie is only 20 miles from my house, so needless to say, I take the 1958 FWD out to the show. Gas is expensive, yes, but Macungie is too close not to go; and besides, the last 4 years I have gone, I have been the ONLY FWD truck there!!!!!!! Many trucks, all makes, models and sizes park among the grassy knolls of Macungie Memorial Park. Last year, there were 550+/- trucks. This year, I think the number was probabably 450 to 500. Fuel prices being what they are, I am sure some stayed away, but in an antique truck forum that I frequent (free plug for www.bigmacktrucks.com) many owners stated that "Macungie is the one show that we definetly go to, come hell or high water." Among the trucks displayed this year were two "F" Model Mack Tractors- both amazing simular to the two "F" models my Dad owned when I was a child growing up. The first one, was a "Hayward" or "Western" F model (built at Mack's Hayward, California plant) 1974 F700 with a 237 Maxidyne engine, and a 5 speed Fuller transmission. This truck had a single rear axle, as Dad specialized in hauling brand new trailers out of the Trailmoblie trailer factory in Lansdale, Pa. The second tractor, another F700, (an Allentown Mack) this one with a 300 Maxidyne and a 10-speed Fuller trans, had dual rear axles, as by this time Dad had switched to hauling freight. Needed more horses, gears, and axles for freight instead of empty brand new trailers. The two tractors that I saw, were pretty simular in basic appearance and make-up (drivelines) to Dad's two rigs. What a flood of memories that came rushing back into my subconscious, especially with Dad standing there along side me enjoying the trucks. I am sure he was just as giddy as I was. I can't begin to tell you how many miles I logged in the right-hand seat of these two trucks, between the ages of 5 or so up to when I turned 11 or 12. Yes, I have said it before. Dad was an owner-operator trucker (a point of interest here- he participated in the nationwide trucker's strike of 1979, and even had a guest editorial published in the now-closed Philadelphia Bulletin, and he also appeared as a guest commentator on a sunday evening local news show.) Dad wasnt around much when I was a kid. There wasnt a plethora of money, either. Birthdays and holidays were a little thin on the presents. Many of my Aunts accused my parents, especially my father for "not being there." My mother was a nurse who worked third shift (11PM to 7AM) so she was always sleeping during the day. If I was not being babysat by my sister, I was with a babysitter. So my Aunts blamed my folks for what they perceived to be "social" problems at the time, and even later on in life. I dont. My mom and dad were out there doing it, especially my Father. He was out there hauling trailers back and forth in the beginning, and then later on he hauled freight. Lots of it. He kept a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and clothing on our backs. In the summers, I was with him, sitting in the right seat of those two Macks (and some other trucks too, but it was mainly those two Bulldogs.) By the time I was 12 years old, I saw probably close to 30 of the 48 continental United States, and countless Cities. By the time I was 17 (with the help of my "Uncle" Dennis) I saw 46 of the 48 continental United States. The only 2 I have not seen are Oregon and Washington. (Plus Hawaii and Alaska, but who's counting!!!) Dad taught me almost everything I know about trucks and the trucking industry. He taught me how to hook up trailers, raise landing gear, plug in pigtails and brake lines.....How to manually pump the hydraulic pump to raise the cabs of those 2 "F" models.....He taught me about fueling up, how to put in the anti-ice additives when you buy fuel in the winter....He taught me how to smack tires to listen for flats......HE taught me how you can see girls legs and tits, down in cars, when you are high up in the air..... I spent the day with my Father today looking at hundreds of trucks, every shape, size and color, every concievable manufacturer.....We stood along side trucks looking at interiors, under hoods, at drivelines. We loved the 1937 Ford Pickup truck with the V8 flathead that the elderly gentleman started up for us. We loved looking at the 1978 CF Mack Firetruck from Wescoesville, Pa. We loved looking at the 1979 Kenworth tractor with the 12V71 Detroit Diesel (800+ horsepower!!!!) We loved the early 1920's Autocar coal trucks with the beautifully polished and stained wooden cabs......Or the 1924 Ahrens Fox R-K-4 Front mount piston pumper firetruck...But there were three trucks there today that I truly cherished looking at with him- those two "F" Model Macks, and of course the Yardumian Family Firetruck. Happy Father's Day, Dad. By the way, for everyone's amusement, since my Father's name is "Sam", my CB handle is "Son of Sam."

Just came in from the garage......Checked the oil....Checked the coolant.....Checked the tires.....Loaded up the lawn chairs and table......Filled the cooler with water & sodas........Tomorrow morning, about 9 or 10, I'll be getting on I-78, singing...."WESTBOUND AND DOWN, LOADED UP AND TRUCKIN........."

Who did you speak to at Fireman's Hall in Philadelphia? Was it Harry Magee or Jack Wright? Jack is the man you need to speak to, he is the "un-official" fire apparatus historian of the PFD. If you need his email address, let me know. Also, goes without saying, you could also contact Harvey Eckert, renowned MACK (especially fire apparatus) historian. Harvey is an old country gent, has no computer, if you need his phone number, let me know. I'm going to see what/if I can dig up for you.

Doug- What time can I show up on Friday? If I get there early enough I'll help out for a bit.

Woo Hoo! 2 weeks to Macungie! If anyone sees the 1958 FWD Firetruck, look for me and say hello! My name is Randy!

A few weeks ago, Jevic announced they were closing 4 terminals: Cincy, Atlanta, Concord NC and New England. Today, word came out that the entire company was closing the doors. I worked for Jevic from 90 to 94, first as a freight thumper, then in the fuel dept. (scraping fuel decals & sticking new ones before the IFTA decal!) and finally in the Willingboro Fleep Maintenance Dept. My dad retired 3 years ago after 21 years. From the company website: Category: General Date: 01:27:43 PM, EDT, 05/19/08 Print NJ Based Motor Carrier Discontinues Operations Jevic Transportation Inc Cites Economic Conditions as Final Straw Delanco, NJ…. Effective Monday May 19th 2008 Jevic Transportation, Inc, a less-than-truckload transportation services provider, is discontinuing operations. They are headquartered in Delanco, NJ. Although the company will not be making pick-ups, a company spokesperson has said they are running a delivery operation until all freight “in our system is delivered”. “We owe that to the many loyal customers who have been the backbone of Jevic over the last 27 years,” says Pete Robinson, director of marketing and corporate communications. “Our customers were what drove us and made Jevic the market innovator in freight transportation.” Since going private two years ago, the company worked diligently to bring the company back to strong profitability. In April, Jevic aggressively realigned the organization to improve costs and improve efficiencies. The realignment was going as planned and freight delivery costs were improving. “Sadly, escalating fuel costs, higher insurance costs, a slowing economy and, ultimately a tightening of the credit market were to much for us to overcome, “ Robinson says. “It’s a sad day for everyone here in Delanco and around the country.” With this action approximately 1,500 employees are no longer employed The company was founded in 1981 and grew rapidly during the eighties and early 90’s. At one time it had facilities in Delanco NJ; Chicago IL; New England, New York NY; Charlotte NC; Atlanta GA; Houston TX; Cleveland and Cincinnati OH; and Los Angeles CA. The company was know for its unique operating model which handled freight less than conventional carriers, lowering lost and damaged shipments dramatically, while still delivering to the entire 48 states. This “Breakbulk-Free” model, as it came to be known, was the platform for the myriad innovations, which solidified the carrier’s reputation for customer service. Jevic was the first nation-wide LTL carrier to offer what has become a standard offering in the industry - time-definite and day definite services, branded “100% Guaranteed”, which provided expedited delivery. They also offered the Jevic “Heat Fleet”, the largest fleet of heated trailers in the United States, used to protect freezable freight en route to destination in cold winter months. ““We are certainly grateful for the emails and calls we are receiving from our customers wishing everyone well.” states Robinson. “Jevic” is more than trucks - it was the people, that’s for sure.” Quick Fact Sheet Incorporated May 18 1981 - Opens in Delran and Willingboro NJ 1989 - Chicago, IL Opened - Breakbulk-Free operation begins 1991 - Delran Operation moved to Delanco, NJ 1992 - Charlotte Opened 1993 - Atlanta Opened 1995 - New England Opens Charlotte moves to larger facility 1997 - Houston 1999 - Cleveland and Cincinnati 1st nationwide carrier to use a satellite system for nationwide communication beginning in 1991. Lowest Claims ratio @ 1/2 of 1% for over 25 years. Employees – 1500+

Former federal employee myself (DoD Civilian Firefighter) I have heard a LOT of Gov't employee jokes but that one is the BEST! One of my favorite lines is 'Close enough for Government work!"

This is for theakerstwo: -When I was 20, I got hired as a mechanic apprentice/shop sphincter boy, at a big, blue trucking company that is currently headquartered out of Delanco, NJ. I worked out of the Willingboro Fleet Maintenance Shop, which contained the trailer shop, tire shop, body shop, and component rebuilding shop (on top of general repairs and maintenance.) There was this one kid who worked in the tire shop, I am guessing he was about 22 or 23 at the time. He was a tiny little thing, about 5', he couldnt have weighed more than a buck-oh-five soaking wet. But to hear him talk, he was the biggest, baddest, meanest and toughest thing that the nudie bars of South Jersey ever knew. Monday mornings he came in and flapped his jaw about how he "kicked this ass, and kicked that ass, and kicked the asses of these three buddies who ganged up on him" and then how he went home with two of the strippers. Each and every weekend. Yet, he never, ever came in with one scratch on him. Not a black eye, no bruised or sore or bloody knuckles, no cuts on his face....Nothing, nadda, zip. He and I never saw eye-to-eye. I was 5'11" and weighed about 215, maybe he saw me as a big ox who would have made an easy target, I really dont know. We would exchange verbal gunfire back and forth on occasion, and he would tell me about how I had better watch out "or he would kick my ass, too." It was always in front of other mechanics and drivers, and I would always hold my hand out, palm down, which was as still as rock, and I would say "Know what THIS is? It's controlled fear!" One time at lunch, in front of about 15 other mechanics and drivers, he started spouting off at me.....I shot him one famous movie line "There are only 2 things keeping you from kicking my ass- FEAR and COMMON SENSE." All the other drivers and mechanics just started laughing as I stood there, expecting him to leap up from the picnic table. He stayed put, and you could see his face turn 4 dark shades of red. He was so flabbergasted he absolutely did not know what to do. One mechanic who was his buddy says "Well, you gonna go handle him or what?" So he says "No I am feeling generous today, I'll allow him to live." I just went "pshhhhh" and tossed my trash in the can and walked out. Later that afternoon, which was a cold day, I had to get the forklift and a skid so I could drive around the lot and empty the trashcans. I went in the shop, and got the forklift, and went about my trash can duties. When finished, I drove up to the tire shop's door, and honked.....The door (they were chain-by-hand powered) went up, with guess who at the chain. I pulled in, parked the forklift, and walked out the still-open door. The doors were all quite worn, and if you yanked the chain hard enough and spun the sprocket hard enough, the door would come flying down with amazing speed. Well Moron brings that door down right on top of my head- hard. I hit the ground, and was stunned for a few minutes. Some of the other guys came running over, and were helping me out while idiot blabbers away "it just dropped! I dont know what happened!" Well, since he was up the tire shop foreman's ass, he got off with one day without pay, the reason being was no one could prove it was malicious, but it was a preventable time-loss injury. I went to the hospital for x-rays and a real bad headache, which I had for about 2 days (with no work!) So on my first day back from that little incident, we were all at lunch, and idiot had just received the letter advising him he was off the next day, not by his choice. He starts spouting off at the mouth how he's gonna kick my ass, and do this to me, and do that to me.....and this and this and this......I couldnt take it anymore. Remember, he was all about having an audience to perform for. So in front of his audience of about 10 mechanics and drivers, I threw down my sandwich, got up, and said "Ok tough guy, lets go! Right now!" He gets visibly nervous, and says "After work out on the street, you can bet I'll be waiting!" "No. Here. Now. Right here, right now. C'mon there king kong, kick my ass!" He just continues to cry about after work out on the street. Now I screamed at him. "NO! NOW CHICKEN SHIT! RIGHT F*CKING NOW YOU P*SSY! C'MON! SHOW EVERYONE HOW TOUGH YOU ARE! NOW ASSHOLE! RIGHT F*CKING NOW! He knew I had him by his ball sack. By this time the shop foreman had come running into the lunchroom, along with some of the office staff, and other mechanics and drivers who heard me screaming. Idiot was led away by tire shop foreman, and I was led to my supervisor's office. He was actually compassionate with me, he even said "I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did. I figured after what he did to you the other day that you would blow this week." Well, nevertheless I received 1 day off without pay. Idiot on the other hand was so embarassed in front of his audience, that he left early, when no one was looking. Later I heard that his daddy, the tire shop foreman had made up a story about how idiot had an emergency at home. Idiot came in that night, at around 7pm, during second shift's lunch (when convienently, no one was in the shop) and took his tool boxes home. He ran out his sick time and was never heard from again. That was the best day off I ever had!

Try Interstate Mack (used to be Hagerstown Mack) in Hagerstown, Md. They specialize in rebuilding CF cabs, and even had a bunch of new cabs in stock a few years ago.

I'm not that hard to miss- I have been the ONLY F.W.D. truck at Macungie the last several years.....LOL

Bryn Athyn Fire Company will be having a housing parade for their new 2007 Spartan/Toyne Pumper on May 31. Lineup is at the Bryn Athyn Elementary School on Tomlinson Road. Parade steps off at 12 Noon. You may have seen the truck in the Cheltenham Car Show, or perhaps the Pa. State Firemans Assoc. Parade in Conshohocken 2 years ago???? I have also had it in the Bucks County Firemans Assoc Parade in Quakertown. I have a list of local car/truck shows if you are interested, PM me your email address. Whereabouts in Willow Grove are ya from? I was born & raised in Bethayres. If you have been around long enough you may remember my father parking his F-Model tractor at Chucks Gulf at Huntingdon Pike & (lower) Welsh Rd.

Oh dont get me wrong.....Macungie is too close to me, and too good NOT to go to. But there are other shows, such as firetruck musters that I will have to say no to. The fire company that originally owned my piece is having a parade on May 31 and they asked me to attend, hard to say no to, but it's about 45 miles one-way, and I'll have to feed it. I wanted to take in the annual show at Sayre's International in Conshohoken, Pa. but thats one I'll fuggeddabout in lieu of Macungie. There are lots of local car shows that I always go to, less than 20 miles away. But of course I always like the big truck shows and fire musters.

I am part of a group of fire buffs trying to assist the City of Philadelphia Fire Dept. with their 1950 Autocar pumper. We are in need of engine information- we are not 100% sure which engine is in this truck. Numbers are as follows: -Truck Model is FP5075-180 The engine is a straight 6, with dual heads. We are pretty sure it is either a Continental or a White engine. The plate on the engine has the numbers 60-12126. Can anyone offer any insight? It would be greatly appreciated.

I am part of a group of fire buffs trying to assist the City of Philadelphia Fire Dept. with their 1950 Autocar pumper. We are in need of engine information- we are not 100% sure which engine is in this truck. Numbers are as follows: -Truck Model is FP5075-180 The engine is a straight 6, with dual heads. We are pretty sure it is either a Continental or a White engine. The plate on the engine has the numbers 60-12126. Can anyone offer any insight? It would be greatly appreciated.