Help Identifing Parts on a 1907 Rapid Firetruck

[firefighterf_06]

Hi and hello to the community. With great research this group might be our last hope. Let me start with a backround.

My name is Jeremy and I am a firefighter with the Lamar Fire Department. We have a 1907 Rapid Fire Truck, that ledgend has it was the first motorized firetruck this side of the Mississippi river, but has never been confirmed. The fire truck was purchased November 10th, 1908 From Anderson Coupling & Fire Supply Co. in Kansas City, Kansas by the City then Town of Lamar, Colorado. The truck served for several years , almost 40, as one of the front line appartus. After an extencive history of the truck being stored in varouse locations in the town it spent the last 14 years in our Station #2. The truck was in poor repair, although the engine had been rebuilt in the late 80's.

In February of this year I felt that this dimond in the rough has set enough. I lead the department in a restoration of the firetruck. We had a specific goal of having the truck compleeted and running under it's own power in the "Lamar Days" Parade in mid May. We met our goal with only four hours to spare, many late night's/early morning's, I became a poster child for a popular energy drink. The truck ran under it's own power, for five blocks but it did it. In the days leading up to the event it was a big question of who would drive it. We have two active members who have seen the truck sit for all of their 40+ years service to the department, and two more retired that I decided needed to drive it long before any of the currnet members could earn the right to.

Now for my questions on the truck. We have just compleeted our second parade and it made it the same five blocks. We have several parts that are worn out and need replaced. The Rapid Motor Vehicle Co only existed for around 7 years. The ignition system was partialy figured out and made to work, by dumb luck, with two modern day coils. Also the transmission was an endevor to figure out. We made a photo journal of the restore and have the pictures online. The following links will be to specific picures of items that we are needing help on and possible resouces to replace/repair. The final link will be to the whole album for viewer enjoyment.

The following photo is one of the passenger side of the truck, driver's by today's standards. The item in question is located in the lower right corner of the picture just under the brass cooling line. It, from what we call it, is the distrubuter. We are looking for replacement parts as the point's and center brass ,forgive me, "wiper thingy" are worn and broken in some spots. I had to rebuild one of the points the day prior to the parade out of some scrap strap steel. What would be even better is if we could find a direct replacement as the bakelite that it is constructed of is starting to seperate.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...k/DSC06944.jpg

An updated photo of above item with closer view.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...k/DSC07299.jpg

The next photo is of the driver's side, again passenger by today's standard's. The item in question is the transmission, does anybody have any manual's or resource guides on teardown, maintance, parts, and tips/tricks.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...k/DSC06939.jpg

Also in the above photo is the oil pump and resivor. If anybody has any resources on it would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a link of the entire album. The images are unsorted but to the trained eyes of this forum i know you will figure out the order.

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t...0Fire%20truck/

Any help is greatly appreciated. If anybody might know of a make and or model of the engine it would be of great help. If you have any questions don't hesatate to ask for i would be more than happy to answer, and egar to learn! Also my day is free all day tomarow, if you need more photo's , closer, differnt angles, or what ever just state in the post I will be watching egarly for reply's.

Thanks again in advance
Jeremy

P.S. I know my spelling is horrible and i apologize in advance.

[Ed Carry]

Hi Jeremy-The Rapid Motor Co. was purchased by General Motors in the teens. You might check with their archival department in Detroit for pictures and literature. My grandfather was in the 1907 Glidden Tour on the Rapid team and they went up Pikes peak. Good luck with your search. Ed

[Bill Geyer]

Jeremy, your engine looks like it might be a Buda, there is another thread on the old engine section, it is not the same engine but looks similar. I'm only guessing here too, but I think your engine might run better with two Model T buzz coils. I believe some of the sponsors here on the Stak can rebuild your timer/distributor thingy. Just give it a day or two and I think you will get some better answers. Looks like you all did a fine job of bringing her back to life.

[Elden DuRand]

Jeremy:

The previous poster was right! You need to get those two modern coils off of it and go back to the original-type buzz coils. When you do, you will most likely have to re-time the ignition because buzz coils fire when the points close as opposed to modern coils that fire when they open. Any buzz coil will work although someone here may have a lead on a set of originals and their mounting.

The engine will be a LOT easier to start when it has the right coils and is properly timed.

The carburetor shown is a buggered up Ford Model T carb. I have no idea where you'e get an original, although the T should work all right.

It looks to have a planetary transmission. If it doesn't have easily accessible oilers or grease cups, it should be disassembled and all the dried grease and oil replaced.

The spark plugs (If you need new ones) are available at NAPA, etc. Ask for plugs for a Model T Ford. They are 1/2" pipe thread.

It's good you have a photo of the engine when it was in service! Good for restoration purposes.

GOOD JOB, guys!

Take care - Elden
http://www.oldengine.org/members/durand/