Ford Fire Truck Pumper Model 698T 1-1/2 Ton Howard-Cooper Upfitted (1946)
Sale price: US $8,000.00
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1946 Ford Fire Truck Pumper Model 698T 1 ½ ton / HowardCooper (Upfitted) “Jail Bar” all original all numbersmatching, no body work, no Bondo, no fiberglass, all original steel. Does have minor authentic scratches smalldents, patina, thin paint in places and minor imperfections from decades ofuse. Most of the oxidation on the truck paint has been polished out. The finishlooks like a satin, oil rubbed type finish.
The fire apparatus was built and upfitted in the 1940’s bythe Howard Cooper Corporation with facilities in Portland and Eugene Oregon.All the original identification plates, castings etc. are still in place.
The truck was purchased brand new by the Fall City Oregonvolunteer fire department and in-service from 1947 until 1986 when it wasdecommissioned. It was then sold in 1987 to a private person in Dallas, Oregonthat used it in parades and recreationally until his passing in 2021. Ipurchased it in May 2021 and have spent the last several months getting it backinto full service. The truck has always been stored inside out of the weather.The first time you see the truck and discover it is not all rusted out like everyother truck of this vintage, you will agree it hasnot spent much time outside. The cab is in incredible shape and is rust free.
Almost everything on this truck has been put back into fulloperation with the exception of the dash mounted temperature gauge and ammeter.All the dash lights work, even the high beam indicator. An aftermarkettemperature gauge and volt meter have been added to keep tabs on coolanttemperature when driving. I drove it in a couple of local parades and a longpolice processional this last summer after adding 2-160 degree thermostats andit ran very well, never overheating in the summer heat.
All the apparatus pressure gauges, levers, pull cables etc.work correctly. There is even a tachometer on the apparatus for engine/pumpspeed that now works again with the installation of 3 new speedometer cables.The dash speedometer works, even the fuel gauge works.
Both the main water pump and “booster” secondary pump workoff of separate transmission PTO’s. I’ve had the main pump spraying water outthe included 1-1/2” fire hose at 150 psi, I’m sure it will generate pressureabove 150 psi, just didn’t want to push it too far while testing. The boosterpump has been fully rebuilt with all new shaft seals.
Partial list of new or rebuilt parts installed in the lastseveral months to get this truck back into full service:
Spark plugs, points, condenser
Full carburetor rebuild kit, full fuel pump rebuild. Fuelsystem flushed, new fuel line and in-line fuel filter tank is approximately17.5-18 gallons.
Some historical maintenance records are also included. Itappears the speedometer cable broke sometime in the 1970"s when the truck hadjust over 1907 miles on the odometer. I had replacement speedometer inner drivecables made for the truck, all the specifications are included. The speedometerand odometer now work correctly including a factory shift mechanism thatcorrects the speedometer speed when shifting the two speed rear end.
Seat foam, burlap replaced and springs repaired, still usingthe original factory vinyl seat covers for authenticity, bottom cover is alittle worn and cracked, has character and fits the theme of the truckperfectly.
Lots of light bulbs and switches have been replaced.
Voltage regulator has been replaced.
Siren works, rotating red beacon light works.
Engine oil and filter replaced.
Brake master cylinder replaced, brake shoes are all in goodshape, replaced all rubber brake lines and all four brake wheel cylinders arenew, full brake fluid flush. All the brake parts are still available on-line orfrom NAPA Auto parts. Brakes are fully manual and stop the truck well, takessome leg effort for a truck this size. All four wheel grease seals werereplaced, front bearing cleaned and re-packed. Rear differential oil wasdrained, housing cleaned and all new gear oil filled.
Rear axle is a 2 speed Eaton model 1350. Low gear ratio is8.11 to 1, high speed ratio is 5.38:1, 13,000 rear axle GVW. The two speeds arecontrolled by a fully functional, all original, push-pull lever on the dash. Will do 55 milesper hour on flat ground, just takes a while to get there.
New alternator and fan belts.
Replaced one rear tire tube. All 6 wheels were upgraded atsome point and are NOT the two piece “widow-maker” type wheels that originallycame on this vintage of truck. I found a local tire shop to replace the tiretube for me. Most tire shops will no longer touch the “widow-maker” wheels.
Engine is a Ford Flathead, with 24 bolt 59A-B heads thatruns amazingly well. Transmission is a 4 speed manual, lever clutch style(non-hydraulic).
Brand new windshield glass on both sides with new windowseals, one spare original Ford logo embossed windshield glass also included.Side glass and back glass are both good. There was no rust found under thefront windshield glass seals when they were replaced and the factory blackpaint was still there, pretty amazing. More evidence the truck was alwaysstored inside.
Clean and clear Oregon title with permanent “SpecialInterest” license plates. The truck is registered as a 1947 likely because of aDMV error or because the Fall City Oregon fire department bought the truck andput it into service in 1947. All the vin codes match the title and it certainlyis not worth fighting with Oregon DMV to correct the truck registered year.
158” Wheel Base, 22’6” long, 7’3” wide, 7’10” to top of redlight, fits on a large tow truck flatbed. Truck weighs 8700 pounds withoutwater, add 2352 pounds (approximately 11,052 pounds when the water tank isfull), GVW on the truck is 14,500 per the ID plate in the glove compartment.
On board water tank holds approximately 282 gallons and hasbeen lined with a brand-new custom-built PVC tank liner. The top of the tank isnow removable to access the tank and inner bladder if necessary.
The water system has been adapted to run water pressure fromyour own chance pump out of a pond or other water source to the truck pumpsthrough supplied standard 2” camlock fittings. The tank can be filled using thesame system. I never tried to draft water with the truck suction straight froma water source but I’m told in the right configuration, it was originallydesigned to draft water. Just winterized the water system, don’t plan to pumpwater with it again until next spring. I drive the truck on dry days, usuallydon’t drive it in the rain. If you want to test drive in the rain, must proveyou are a serious buyer.
Truck sale comes with a DVD (or copied to your USB flashdrive) that includes 18 pages of typewritten notes on this actual truckincluding 25 videos and hundreds of photos showing truck operation,instructions, theory of operation, rebuild, repair, parts lists, suppliers etc.The files are in Microsoft Word, Excel, links to the Internet etc. Literallyhundreds of hours of documented research and repairs made to this truck.
Been in a couple of local parades, people absolutely lovethis truck and the almost unbelievable condition it is in for a non-fullyrestored truck. People seem to really appreciate the authenticity of this truckand the stories it could tell. Have thoroughly enjoyed this project, time forsomeone else to get some enjoyment out of it.
Can send specific photos of anything you want on the truck.Can direct you to a few operational videos on the Internet for serious buyers.
Comes with all the nozzles, hoses, ladders, water lineadaptors, axe, pike pole etc. shown in the photographs. Also comes with a fewhand tools for the hose system and a few spare parts.
If you have any interest in this truck, you will not bedisappointed, nothing has been overstated. The truck is a 100% authenticincredible piece of Oregon history that can still get the job done, 75 yearsafter it was first built.
