Pile of Parts
Posts: 29
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:28 am
Re: 1973 Loadstar...possible water truck
So, an update... today I went to look at the truck.
It was an ex HAHN tanker truck without the rear body. The truck sits on 5 spoked hubs attached to Dayton style Rims and riding on 22.5 tubeless tires front and rear. All tires look great- without a lick of sun cracking or excessive tread wear. All hold air. The rears are re-treads. There appears to be a new rear axle brake line installed with newer wheel cylinders and one seal. The brakes are still a mystery as I haven't driven the truck.
It is an ex fire truck and has one of the central control dials to turn everything on and everything off. It was broken. We had to jump the truck- and hold it in place to keep running. The engine is a 392 with a serial number of 11111111 underneath- remanufactured block? it had the Holley carburetor, with manual choke and a Mico Hydraulic Brake switch. Radiator as well as brake master cylinder were empty but appeared clean inside. There are remnants of some seriously funky fire truck wiring which needs to be eliminated- spaghetti nest is atypical for a 46 year old truck. Looks like there were Knob holes on the drivers side floorboard for a PTO for the pump but these have been eliminated and the PTO is long gone. Would like to install another. Easily available? Clutch pedal moved but didnt go all the way to the floor.
It had starting issues but eventually started and ran relatively well with foot on gas- mind you is hasn't been started in 2 years. Black smoke from choke on start up followed by some whiter smoke. Not sure- it was in shade.
Body wise the cab has typical rust at door bottoms and patches in floor pans and heater plenum. The frame is the double type with some rust in the under cab crossmember where it meets the drivers side as well as the RH rearmost cross where the rear spring hanger is riveted. The axle is a single speed but may have Posi-traction?
It is a Rockwell Standard axle
Heres what the tag says:
ROCKWELL STANDARD
C19 3201 Y 3431
334481 C21
KN 000550509
N. AMERICAN ROCKWELL 10/72
Not sure what this all means- a decode would help...
I ALSO should mention the owner ( Super nice guy BTW) gave me two manuals Part 1 and part 2 IH manuals for the Loadstar and Cargostar he got on Ebay.
I had arranged a trade as exchange for the vehicle but things have changed a bit...
SO HERES THE KICKER...READY? The truck is FREE! Yup gratis...no charge..freebie. Titled and bill of sale. I have to arrange transport to my home 1 hour away. I would ultimately like to drive it back but with brake situation not likely. So a tow is in order. The PO and I have come to an agreement and I am looking for moving options.
Is this crazy? Am I crazy? I can perform the necessary work but it will take time as my cash flow is relatively non existent.
Input needed...