bobs1918

after sandblasting the outer ring found out these are Firestone made rims

Yes getting the wedge out was most difficult at the start and slightly easier as we moved along . Yes it is a soft metal so should be not problem to reform it. The wheel surface is smooth and the tire rim may be beveled to accept the wedge truth is I didn't pay it any attention. I will get pictures when I get back there next week. Only got two rims removed . Took about 4 hours!!!

Despite the cold winter weather I was determined to begin work on the FWD. One of the tires had totally separated from the rim and the other 3 were pretty beat. I contacted the only supplier for hard rubber tires in the States and after explaining what design I had on the wheels he told me that my tires were NOT pressed on but rather wedged into place with inner rings between the rim and the wheel inside and out. OK no need for the BIG press. Getting these wedges out after 100 years was a very labor intensive project. After removing the outer band and 12 bolts the wedge was exposed . It is a tapered ring that is driven into a recess and then snugged up when the outer and inner bands are reboltediThe one that looks deformed was severely distorted during removal but a little grinding and rolling should bring it back to usable. Once the outer ring was removed the tire and rim could me removed from the wheel with a sledge hammer and the inner wedge basically falls away. Now the rims minus the old rubber can be shipped to the tire company and I hopefully will have them back by late spring . There are 12 tires ahead of me in the que.

Came upon this on line . Interesting motorcycle and bicycle I don't know any details about them but it was taken here in the US

no need for a speedo I will remove it

Not sure what this geared unit is for. Maybe a PTO for one of the machines?

Today was separation day...That is the removal of the body from the chassis.All went well and the body now rests on the back of a c 1926 Commercial Electric truck

Wow! Is that load bed original? That might be the only one left...[/quote

 

:red: Yes indeed all original I hope to preserve it

I was fortunate to find an original water pump from a man who specialized in Stutz cars. The Stutz also used the wisconsin engine. The Magneto is an anti rotational model Eisemann with impulse starter. I was told that it made a good spark but as yet untested. Crack in casting of mag but I have spare cases

Hi Bob

Nice to see that you have got it home. Not sure if I would have parked it on a railway line though! Very interesting to see that it has the American Car and Foundry data plate still on the body.

 

The wood panels on the side are unusual. I assume that they are not covering up holes cut into the metal? As the side of the body folded down to form a working platform could it be for them to rest on something else to make it steady?

 

Good luck with the restoration. Please keep us updated with progress and if there is anything we can do to help please ask.[/quote

 

 

There are no holes in the body and the wood panels will be removed as they are quite warped. On the subject of wood here is a view of the wood floor inside the body.

Day One

removed broken lower water manifold prior to having new one cast. Began to clean out the engine to evaluate components. Noted that there are no covers surrounding the valves as seen on some FWD's while others are coverless as are mine

Yes, I think Kissel only made 500 of the FWD trucks. Can you photograph the two lorry data plates from the scuttle/firewall.

Thanks

Tim

Here are the data plates

Hi Bob

Nice to see that you have got it home. Not sure if I would have parked it on a railway line though! Very interesting to see that it has the American Car and Foundry data plate still on the body.

 

The wood panels on the side are unusual. I assume that they are not covering up holes cut into the metal? As the side of the body folded down to form a working platform could it be for them to rest on something else to make it steady?

 

Good luck with the restoration. Please keep us updated with progress and if there is anything we can do to help please ask.

yes there is NO hole in the body . I believe you are right when the sides and back are folded down this most be part of the support. As you may recall the truck is of Kissel manufacturing as a subcontractor to the FWD Co.

A few more pictures

An absolutely wonderful find - well done!

 

The Side Panels on our engine were cut down to half size and we had new ones made. I am sure that Steve must have the Drawings for those somewhere - and if we still have the drawings and you would like them, then we shall be pleased to send them to you!

 

Steve is correct - overheating did appear to be a problem with this truck and that is why we assumed that those Side Panels on ours when we got it were cut back - to allow more air to circulate over the engine. The later rebuilt ones from the British FWD Factory were fitted with bigger radiators - same shape to look at from the front but deeper with additional tubes.

 

We wish you well !

 

Tony

Tony actually 2 of the original side panels were found in the bed of the truck!Not sure which ones I have or need but I will have a pattern.

Hi Bob

Nice to see that you have got it home. Not sure if I would have parked it on a railway line though! Very interesting to see that it has the American Car and Foundry data plate still on the body.

 

The wood panels on the side are unusual. I assume that they are not covering up holes cut into the metal? As the side of the body folded down to form a working platform could it be for them to rest on something else to make it steady?

 

Good luck with the restoration. Please keep us updated with progress and if there is anything we can do to help please ask.

Yes it is parked on a trolley line. Well actually a long unused piece of track. It is housed at a site where the truck will be sandblasted and primed to stabilize the metal. The body will be separated from the chassis so as to entirely complete this task . I was also surprised to see that body data plate undisturbed.

I bought the truck because it is so complete and unmolested. Was it not for the many areas of surface rust I considered leaving the truck in it's present condition and perform a mechanical only restoration. However it retains about 10% original peeling paint and it would be better preserved with a fresh coat of paint and body straightening and minor repairs to the frame of the drivers seat pan. Not yet sure about the wood deck It seems almost salvageable as it is but further examination to follow. I will post more pictures as I move along. Likely several weeks from now I will get back to it and perform the body chassis separation.

After several months my FWD with ordnance repair truck body has arrived. . First step will be to remove the body from the chassis for sand blasting and primer. New wood for the bed if needed. Can use a steering wheel and the step to get up into the seat. Also missing 2 of the four louvered engine panels. I have a good lower water intake and water pump and I have a chap fabricating the connection between the two. Yes Tim this is the truck we discussed MANY months ago. Any idea why the wood panel on the side of the body??

I thought I would share a picture of the WW1 Liberty searchlight I bought last week on ebay. It is a Solar WT67, and is in excellent condition. I have been looking for about 18 months without sucess, and then one popped up, I was the only bidder. I only need a period pintle hook and a fuel transfer pump, and I will have all of the parts I need for my restoration. I would make a reproduction of these if I could find one to copy. [ATTACH=CONFIG]113851[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]113852[/ATTACH][/QUTE]

I use the Solar searchlight on my M1918 Light Repair Truck. Here is a picture of if at dusk preparing for a night drive at the WW 1 event in Newville PA. I do not use the generator but rather have a small acetylene bottle under the seat piped to the light with a regulator on the tank

Hello

as I get ready to embark on the restoration of 1917 FWD I wonder has anyone in the States used a domestic supplier for replacement of hard rubber tires with polyurethane? I know that Tim has in the UK. thanks

No joy, sorry.

 

There were three FWD-Bs on the trip, all three listed as cargo trucks. Just in case any of these turn up, they had the following serial numbers/motor numbers/USA Reg numbers: 8175/9979/415766, 13325/21426/415768 and 8044/9371/415767.

 

The heavy repair/machine shop trucks appear to be Liberty Bs or Macks, though it appears there some Dodges listed as "2-passenger" or "light delivery" that might have been light repair trucks. Seems to me I have seen a pic off a light repair truck on the run.

 

Only one other 4x4 was on the trip, a Militor artillery tractor with a winch and, with all the 4x2s, it was often used on the trip.

Thanks

well it was a shot in the dark.Interesting that the serial numbers were sequential

bob

That is great news Bob. I knew it wouldn't be far away from the rest of the truck. I better start copying my manual for you then.

Good luck with getting it home.

Tim

Tim actually got it from a STUTZ car guy The Stutz used the same Wisconsin engine.

Data plate reads 29138 thanks

That is great news Bob. I knew it wouldn't be far away from the rest of the truck. I better start copying my manual for you then.

Good luck with getting it home.

Tim

Tim

Take your time with winter laying down heavy blanket of snow in the west and now bitter cold in the east I am not going to bring it here until April.

It has been inside for the last 35 years. It was formally in California I wonder if it may have been one of the repair trucks on the 1919 cross country trip made by US Army vehicles in 1919 It is serial number 22 of the Kissel made trucks

bob

went and looked at this today . The tow bar has been cut off at the end and the deck is not original but there is most of it remaining Working on possibly buying itWhat do they look like way back when?

I just finalized my purchase of an FWD that retains the original drop down side repair truck body. It is unusual in that it is a contract truck that was made by the Kissell car Co. Motor turns .Tim you need not look any further as I have been fortunate to find the missing water pump. The water manifold fitting is snapped off. Any one ever repair one of these? I would like to see a picture close up of the magneto set up. I am familiar with Eisemann type but I do not know what is correct for the FWD. I do not expect to begin any restoration until late spring or summer.The truck had been for sale for a few years so the seller had became more amenable to a more realistic sale price.