48 fire truck roadster

[DJ3100]

I have mocked up the radiator and shell 5 or 6 times in the last couple months. Today I actually made a radiator support from 1 x 2 x 11 ga tube. The support is flush with the back of the radiator so I'll be able to mount a fan shroud if I make one. The shell will bolt to the outside of the support.

I used a digital level to get the angle of the crank pulley and transferred that line to the frame. The radiator leans back at 5 degrees to the frame and is perpendicular to the crank, I don't think it shows in the photos.

If I mount a 16" fan to the bottom of the radiator, I'll have plenty of clearance. Most fan motors stick out at least 4" from the radiator.

I guess I don't have to worry about getting the bottom of the grill shell, it already hits the tie rod. The tie rod is unbolted in the photo and sitting on the lower link.

 

[Snake Farm]

Looking good! I love checking in on this build! [cl[cl

[P[P[P

 

[Old Iron]

Glad to see ya doin more to it [cl [P

 

[DJ3100]

Looking good! I love checking in on this build! [cl[cl

[P[P[P

Snake Farm you suckered me in. I clicked on your build thread and had to look at the whole thing -couldn't stop. And to think I've been working on the floor from the bottom instead of standing the cab up - never occured to me. Thanks for posting all that and for looking at mine.

 

[DJ3100]

Here's a few pics of the radiator and shell support.

I leveled it as best I could with the top of the frame. There is a clearance issue with the leaf spring clamps - the support needs to go in front of or behind them.

The frame is 1/4" wall - not enough material thickness for 1/2" bolts. So, I made these nut plates that go inside the box tube. They are plug welded in place.

There's a view from the bottom. You can see the channel I made for the radiator to sit in. 1/8" neoprene isolates the radiator from the matal channel.

The flange on the radiator was at an angle that didn't work for me. I cut it off, welded on a new one and drilled and tapped the support to hold it in place.

 

[DJ3100]

The big swap meet this weekend netted by these lever action shocks for the front of the firetruck. And this trunk which I plan to put in the '53 Chevy (avatar).

I also got a pair of Hollley 1850 (600 cfm) carbs for $15 each. Not sure if I'll use them, but at least I have an option.

 

[DJ3100]

Grille shell

I made the front piece yesterday. Made the 2 edge pieces and got it welded this morning. The shell is a long way from being finished, but at least it's not floppy any more.

 

[truckster]

Another work of art on that grille and the way you mounted it.

You might look at the shocks Geoff got for his IH again. They are a fabricated friction set up, think they are double acting (if there is such a term for a friction shock).

Also, don't forget that right kingpin keeper will need some massaging before you put it on the road. At the rate you are going it won't be long.

Looking better than good!

 

[DJ3100]

Another work of art on that grille and the way you mounted it.

You might look at the shocks Geoff got for his IH again. They are a fabricated friction set up, think they are double acting (if there is such a term for a friction shock).

Also, don't forget that right kingpin keeper will need some massaging before you put it on the road. At the rate you are going it won't be long.

Looking better than good!

Thanks Truckster. The plan on the kingpin keeper is to nickel plate it to size when I get enough stuff together to fire up the plating - It's a pain to do one piece at a time.
Doug was trying to talk me into the fabricated shocks and I might do that if I can't make these work. I'm not a fan of them though.
I think I'll get a deposit on the stair railing (paying job) tomorrow - so the firetruck will be on vacation for a couple months.

 

[truckster]

Hope you get the job; I think. Will miss the progress reports greatly.

 

[DJ3100]

Put it on the ground and rolled it outside. Here's some photos.

 

[Flipper_1938]

Put it on the ground and rolled it outside. Here's some photos.

WOOOOHOOOOO!!!! Sunlight pics!

 

[Snake Farm]

Nice! [dr[dr

 

[RAT IHC]

Awesome! Lov' them Big Blocks! Portions look really good. Keep up the good work! [cl[cl[cl

 

[CORPO]

awesome... shes a beast!! looking really nice!

 

[blacksheep]

Really diggin it man. Gonna be a fun ride!

 

[DJ3100]

Thanks everyone. It sure looks different sitting outside on the ground where I can get a little ways away and look at the whole thing.

I'm starting to warm up to the big block especially after I saw a dyno test of a stock 454 with a dual quad tunnel ram - 425 ft pounds at 2000 rpm. I like that!

I'm starting a railing job (paying work - gotta do that once in a while) that is going to put the firetruck on vacation for a while.

 

[Hillbilly bling]

COOL COOL COOL,,, I haven't read all of your thread yet, i made it to page 7. I have some ques. but i'll wait. You may answer them later in your thread. Man, there's something about duals that make things look and handle so different. Good job on all i've seen so far, i'm sure the rest will be no different.

 

[DJ3100]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the posts.

Next week (or for sure the following week) the firetruck should be back from vacation. I'm looking forward to getting it back inside and doing some work on it.

 

[Thumpszilla]

Man Read this build from the start. Love the way this thing is turning out. You do some very clean work. [cl