Pile of Parts
Posts: 29
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:28 am
1973 Loadstar...possible water truck
My water hauler search has taken me all over the spectrum of older trucks, International, Freightliner, Mack, REO, and Brockway. While I love the KB series Internationals, and REALLY LOVE The Brockway 128, I have come to understand the upgrades of the S1600 series IDI diesel engines...I think my needs and my budget will fit nicely with an older Loadstar. Once every couple of months a ride into town 20 miles round trip for water in a 1500 gallon poly tank.
More specifically a 1973 IH Loadstar 1700. It has seen service as a local firetruck and then has been relegated to water detail at a construction company, before being purchased from its current owner as a cab and chassis.
I have not yet had a chance to crawl around on it but heres what I got from a phone call...
The truck has a 5 speed (no split?) rear with a PTO off of the gearbox( for water pump or PTO for a tilt bed), the former owner had replaced all wheel cylinders, new drums and pads, as well as an engine rebuild for the 345 gasser... 7000-12,000 miles ago. Reciepts are "somewhere"... "Runs like a sewing machine".
The truck had blown a rear brake line and the current owner replaced it and has tried to bleed the brakes but has had issues. They "work and then dont work"...leading me to believe the bleed procedure was not followed correctly or that pesky Hydrovac unit is FUBAR. Looks like he pushed the pedal with open rear cylinders and then closed them down. Maybe more to it?
Other than that the truck has a glass hood (rather ugly compared to the sheetmetal hood but...oh well) Tires are good and appears rust out is not much of an issue. GVW is likely under 26,000. More pics will tell.
Any helpful brake suggestions or more specific lookout points to share upon inspection?
Thanks!