Pile of Parts
Posts: 29
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:28 am
K-8 Firetruck 1940's
I'm still searching for my truck. As mentioned before to haul some water. I have down graded from my original 2500 gallon capacity requirement weight-wise down to around 1000 gallons, which seems far more manageable.
I have looked at Loadstars, S Series, DT466...blah... blah...they are all mighty nice but, I keep harkening back to the K series trucks. The vision of mot using any computerized equipment (other than a meter or timing light) to repair the engine or transmission really floats my boat. I like the K-11 with airbrakes, as I have a CDL. But, they seem rare. I have seen a few fire trucks mostly K-8 series that may foot the bill both for hauling water as well as possibly dirt ...parades...and are just plain the best looking machines ever! I'm a handy guy and have been welding, wrenching, painting, fixing, and repairing most of my machines throughout my life. Have tools and machines and watch the neighbors flock to your barn!
I have been thinking that fire apparatus is far more taken care of and usually has less mileage than regular duty trucks of the same age. At an 18000 GVW for a K-8. I could remove the hose bunk and rusty baffle tank, and have a slide in bed for dirt, dump runs and a slide in poly tank. Is it a sacrilege to demount a fire body and put in a rack body? I have heard mixed opinions about this one.
The engine options for the K-8 seem limited to the triple diamond 6 cylinder- which have mechanical fuel pumps- where might I find a stock pump and master cylinder for this kind of truck? Vendors? Also It seems like the particular engine options have a cylinder sleeve which can be removed in frame? Really?!? That's a HUGE bonus! A few of you have mentioned that brakes can be an issue and I have seen one without this exception needing a master cylinder. Likely will need brake work- Dot 4 silicone fluid all around.
So, dispite the great advice you have all given me to buy an S Series and move on. I respectfully feel I have made a decision to ignore the good advice and plunge into finding a K-8 series. I am a realist, my vehicle expectations are relatively low compared to most hot- rodders. I loathe computerized modules and settings I cannot observe with an indicator or my own two peepers. I love the sound of the 1-2 gear wind up and the 3rd gear clunk shift. I have no expectations of exceeding 45 miles an hour and expect I will have great day if I get 10 miles per gallon, front windshield open and smelling slightly of oil. Rusty floor- no problem. My longest ride will be into town to fill up the gas tank, and water tank at my local water yard, and possibly to the dump with leaves and brush. I adore old patina and rusty paint and lose rattles and chips. Even better is imagining myself with my twin daughters years from now changing oil, spark plugs or doing brake work.
So what the heck do I do next? More research? Sell that kidney for a payment. I have a ton of things to sell and possibly trade for said truck. My last vintage truck (now gone 'snif' ) a 1977 Dodge Power wagon Military Ambulance 886 just found me at work- that search was easy! I have looked into the American Historical Trucks Collectors sites. Online craziness, local shows, etc...
Is there any other further advice you guys can give this K series wannabe? I would love to find a link to a service /parts manual for a 1940s K8- I'm thinking it will answer most of my particular questions.
Thanks in advance, Greg