1941 Ford-Central Class 500
Hi everyone, here's my latest project I'm working on. It's a 1941 Ford-Central, Model 600, serial # 3299.
This truck was built 10/9/1941 and was one of fifteen Class 500 pumpers ordered by the Army Quartermaster Corp. from
Central Fire Apparatus of St. Louis. Its Military I.D. is W50878 (later changed to USA 50878) This truck was
assigned to protect the Army Base at Fort Thomas Kentucky and later saw service with the
VA Hospital at Fort Thomas.
The Class 500 was used for fighting structure fires at Army posts and camps.
They were built by most major truck and fire apparatus manufacturers and came with
500 gpm rotary or centrifugal midship pumps.
For more information on the different classes and pictures on military fire apparatus check out the web site
"FIRE TRUCKS AT WAR"
MAY,2009...
The first picture is the truck at a fire presumably on base. The next two show the truck at local musters circa 1980. The next show the truck as I purchased it the summer of 2008. I started working on it last fall by removing the front end for easy access. The front end has been cleaned and painted. New water pumps have been installed (see pic of one removed!) and I'm ready to start running new wiring. Components such as the carb, generator and distributor have been rebuilt and are ready to install. The brakes where checked and I found the Master cylinder was bad so a complete over haul of the brake system is the next chore. I'll be posting more pictures as I go so check back often....
MAY 20th,2009 UPDATE....
Well, I know I said it was almost time to start re-installing components in hopes of soon starting the truck. My son-In-Law came by and we were working on it and we noticed the compression seem a little lacking on several cylinders. After some checking it was decided to remove the intake and see if a valve might be stuck. What we saw wasn't very encouraging and led us to remove the right head. After some poking and discussion we concluded the best thing is to yank the motor for a complete rebuild. I'll post pictures as we progress......
January 2011 Update.....
The kids did ALL the grunt work in stripping it down and then we loaded it up to head south for the winter and a new paint job.....more to come!
5/1/2011...
Well, the trucks in paint and the motor is done and both are back home. Here's some updated pictures.....
MAY 12TH UPDATE: Motor is back and has been reinstalled in the truck. Radiator and gas tank are being gone through and repairs made as needed. I'm just about done servicing the brakes and bearings and both were in surprisingly good condition. Now starts the fun of bolting everything back on,
Well, Everything is hooked up and she
finally runs. Click on this photo to the right to here her run!