47 GMC 450 fire truck

[eagleuh1]

Anyone know where you can buy brake parts, like master cylinders for these things?
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[NEWFISHER]

Just use the trailer brake and leave the Airstream hooked to it

Try Jim Carter truck parts. They have come through on some odd ball stuff in the past for me. You should be able have the shoes relined and I would bet your local Napa will have cylinder kits.

[vht]

I've got a lot of early stuff from KOI, or Ky Motors as it's sometimes called. Also, JC whitney may have something.

[eagleuh1]

Newfisher, like the old school Suburban and small airstream. I use the trailer brake to stop my 68. Until now, finally put hydraboost with disks up front on the 68 C20. No more locking up the trailer brakes to stop in time.

[eagleuh1]

Been looking for something that's more rounded, like the airstream. this firetruck fits the bill. Not quite as good as the suburban though.

[special-K]

If you've already asked at Napa,etc.,try commercial truck brakes businesses. Even if you can't get shoes and cylinders any more you can have shoes lined and cylinders sleeved/rebuilt. Perhaps www.whitepost.com could help. If no luck anywhere,you can change the brakes with newer ones

[55dude]

Local clutch rebuilder could reline the shoes and check with local machinists about resleeving the cylinders,I was having old most ones done with brass sleeves 40 years ago by a local guy before he passed. He would bore cyl and freeze brass sleeves put some heat to cyl until sleeves dropped in. When they cooled fit was right and I never had issue with 20+ he did for me. Had to sweep shop floor to get him to do them but it was worth it plus I made sure he had cold cases of beer when he stopped in my dads store.
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[eagleuh1]

Thanks for all the responses. The seller is going to have the truck looked at by a mechanic to try and get the brakes working. I'm thinking at least replace the master cylinder. No fluid, looked pretty crusty inside.

[eagleuh1]

It only has 16 k miles on it. Should there still be brake pad left ? It is in pretty hilly area though.

[eagleuh1]

Pics

[eagleuh1]

Still trying to find info on break parts, such as master cylinder and wheel cylinder replacements. No luck searching parts stores yet. Anybody have a diagram of the break system on these 450 series trucks. It has a big canister that the master cylinder output goes to. Haven't figured out what this is. Thanks. Jim

[eagleuh1]

Well, offered to give him $500 deposit, but he wants $1500 deposit. He bought from city, but dosn't have the title. The brakes don't work. I'm thinking About driving back up 2.5 hours and paying for it tomorrow and having it towed to brake shop. What do you consider a valid deposit?. Thanks. Jim
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[eagleuh1]

Anybody know anything about this series or model truck. Looking for a break system diagram so I know what I'm doing if I go there today.

[55dude]

One thing that most people fail to see is that it may only has 16K "Road miles" on it but when these are in service at a fire the engine is at a very high RPM for extended hours to run the pump so I would check the hour meter and then go from there. Their is a formula to calculate running hours in miles. Keep in mind they are usually going within 5 miles from the station. My friend used to buy GMC trucks for the 302's and even with low miles the engines were usually ready for overhaul.

[eagleuh1]

Well, it's mine. Waiting till Friday for the wrecker truck to deliver it, since no brakes. Thanks for that advice 55dude. Plans are to update power and tranny later anyway.
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[NEWFISHER]

Look for the up fitter tag or coach builder. if they are still in business like Seagrave, maybe they will have brake schematic info for you. www.stovebolt.com is also a good source.

[mr48chev]

That is one go looking fire truck that looks pretty complete. You should be able to load up all the grandkids for parades on it.

Those trucks still get used out in the fields and on the road around here so there has to be a source for brake parts. If the wheel cylinders will hone out you should be able to buy new cups for the cylinders at Napa or some other real parts house. Also as said before I'd check the truck shops and parts houses that cater to bigger trucks.

I'd hazard a guess that you can polish and wax that truck and it will have a nice shine to it along with real "patina" from years of loving care by the fire crews rather than the signs of neglect that too many people call patina.

[OrrieG]

Nice truck here are a couple of suggestions. Do not know if GMC and Chevy big truck brakes are the same but here are the spec pages for 46 and 48, 47 is missing. I would assume chevy 4000 series is same as GMC 450?? Quick measurement should get you to the right series.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...resto/4885.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...resto/4676.htm

The TF factory assembly manual has very detailed information on how the components go together, I assume the AD will have the same, but again do not know if GMC FAM is available or Chevy is the same. I will dig thru my Dads old manuals, looked quickly and only one I could find was 60-69, but I know he had them for the AD trucks because we used them when I was a kid.

Also see if there is a big truck jobber near you. Those same trucks were used by farmers for hauling grain etc. so there would have been lots of sources for parts. Here in Boise we still have one old time shop that is pretty good at working on old chassis, etc, that "modern" guys and equipment cannot fix. An older over the road repair place that services big trucks might be able to help too.

edit here is a link to an original factory shop manual for 47 450 for sale: http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1...l--P15783.aspx

Here is a link to a 47 master parts manual: http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1...et-P26067.aspx

I found those with a quick google search. The parts manual should give you numbers to start with.

[eagleuh1]

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[eagleuh1]

Thanks for all the info. The manual reprint was about the only thing I could find for this truck. I've ordered the manual and parts guide, also operator/ owners manual. Already bought some Maquires cleaner wax and rags. That's the first thing I'm going to do. Ordered the NAPA rebuild kit for master cylinder. Has to come from the factory. Might put hydroboost brakes on it like I just did on my 68 C20.
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[eagleuh1]

It's finally in my driveway. I took pics of it being loaded and hauled away, but forgot to take pics unloading at my house. They took it an extra 150 miles to get another load in Springdale, so I didn't follow it being hauled away.
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[eagleuh1]

Won't upload pics from cell phone still.
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[eagleuh1]

accomplished