1923 Fire Truck Trials and Tribulations.

[1925 Touring]

Hello all, I am new to the form, and "T" Affliction. I would like to know how easy it would be to rewire a commutator without the need of taking off the radiator. the Truck is all original (Sorry, TT) and we do not really want to take the radiator off at this time.
Also, please forgive my ignorance, but if one was to flush a radiator and cooling system sometime, do you use soft or hard water? or does it matter?

https://br-fr.facebook.com/McConnellAre ... 0882311735 (I am not the person in the video.)
I am hoping this works, here is a short video of the museum where the truck is housed. We want to get it running just to get it out of the museum. The owners want a new roof, and we do not want it to get damaged in case anything were to go wrong. (We also would like to drive it a bit.)

THANK YOU!

[speedytinc]

No need to pull the radiator. You should get a copy of the T1 manual. Available thru the parts vendors. The manual will give you all the info you need to service & maintain.
Cooling system should be treated like any automobile. Distilled water & some anti rust/system protectant. Anti freeze mix or water soluble oil. AKA water pump lube @ any auto parts store. Since you are not running the motor much, mix well before putting in the radiator.

[speedytinc]

There is a finger that holds the commuter on. Loosen, swing out of the way, lift off timer.

[1925 Touring]

No need to pull the radiator. You should get a copy of the T1 manual. Available thru the parts vendors. The manual will give you all the info you need to service & maintain.
Cooling system should be treated like any automobile. Distilled water & some anti rust/system protectant. Anti freeze mix or water soluble oil. AKA water pump lube @ any auto parts store. Since you are not running the motor much, mix well before putting in the radiator.

I have the T1 Manual, but have not yet read it completely...
Since I do not have ready access to the truck, or camera, what is the commutator finger? Where is it located?

[speedytinc]

Its a strap about 3/4" X 4". One end is under a generator mount bolt.
Look thru your manual. There is a complete Index in the back.

[Scott_Conger]

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/59 ... 1472805470

[1925 Touring]

Thank you! I hope to get to it with my Uncle sometime this weekend.

[A Whiteman]

Hi Austin,

Welcome to the hobby!

Thank you for asking, please do not hesitate to ask anything as there are many here who can help. There is a saying "you don't know what you don't know" so NEVER be afraid to ask.

All the best and looking forward to seeing pictures of the work as you progress.

(By the way -= I liked your cartoon of nature in the other post - nice one)

Cheers,
Adrian Whiteman (TT driver too)

[TWrenn]

Plain and simple....not hard at all. Just keep the numbers on the timer hooked up to the same respective posts on the coil box. Not rocket science for sure!

[Norman Kling]

You can remove the cover from the timer by loosening the bolt holding the flat spring which presses in the center of the commutator. Then move the spring out of the way and pull the cover to the front of the car and lift. This will give you access to all the screws which hold the wires. Depending on which type commutator you have, if it has nuts holding the wires, do not move or twist the nuts under the wires or things could get out of adjustment. Just remove the outer nuts which hold the wires.
Concerning flushing the radiator and cooling system, you can use any kind of water, but after it is flushed and drained, use either distilled water with rust inhibitor or a mixture of the old green type ant-freeze. If your TT is parked where it is subject to freezing temperatures, be sure to drain the cooling system before cold weather or use the proper mixture of anti freeze. If the system freezes it could ruin both the radiator and the engine.
Norm

[1925 Touring]

Thank you all!