My New Project C15A Water Truck

[Ian Johns]

I just started a new project for the Georgina Military Museum (volunteer of coarse). It's a 1943 C15A Cab 13 Water Truck. Pictures will be coming. I don't have them here at the shop. Luckily I have a spot at my work to keep the truck and work on it over the winter when I have time. I'm going to have a lot of questions for everyone. Engine paint color etc... My first question does anyone have any photos they can post? The water truck doesn't appear very common. Thanks

Ian

[Ian Johns]

Here's some photos

[Private_collector]

Hi Ian,

Great looking project. Something not seen every day, thats for sure.
Looking forward to following your progress.

[Ian Johns]

finally resized some photos

[Brian Gough]

Hi Ian,

On YouTube there is a short clip of a 1943 C15A Water Truck driving down the road. The video was shot at the Caldwell Convoy event June 25, 2006.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o_R3bEkops

I think this truck is now owned by a CMP collector in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Brian

[Ian Johns]

That's a great video. It's nice seeing it racing down the road.

[Euan McDonald]

Hi Ian,
Good looking unit, the original pic shows a 101" wheel base. What is the wheel base of your truck as it looks a bit long?

[Ian Johns]

The frame had some extensions added but they'll be gone soon. I have somebody coming in to cut it out and set things up for the guy thats going to do the welding. For something like this I prefer to let a pro do the job, then I know it was done correctly. It is the original water truck frame though.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Very nice project! Indeed, you don't see the Water tankers too much nowadays. I guess most water tanks ended up in farms and the trucks were fitted with homemade beds.

What is the wheel base of your truck as it looks a bit long?

My idea exactly, also the rims seem somewhat small(?)

Excellent project though Ian, please keep us updated on the progress.

Alex

[Ian Johns]

Those are just the rims and tires that were on the truck when I received it. I have the proper rims to go on it.

[Grant Bowker]

When I saw the truck a few years ago at Andrer's I don't recall thinking there was anything odd about the wheels, they look like CMP wheels.
The frame length question might be an illusion due to lack of fuel tanks and tin around the tank to fill up the space between cab and axle....

[Ian Johns]

Someone at one time though it was a good idea to add 24" to the center of the frame. The rims on it are just a set of 15' split rims.

[Ian Johns]

I have 2 quick questions

1. Whether I can get the engine running or not I need to paint it. Replacing would have to wait until the future. What do you call that color?

2. When it comes to the wiring harness this one is chopped to pieces. A new harness is not in my budget so would replacing wire by wire with modern wire work? I've done a 60's era muscle car that way in the past.

Thanks for all your help.

[Svenn Ryen]

Hi Ian.

Please have a look at my mystery shifter post again.

We have the same type of CMP. Please let me know if I can assist you in any way.

Svenn

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here are the pertinent pages from the DND parts list for the water truck and water trailer bodies.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Parts List

[cletrac (RIP)]

Rest of Parts List

[Ian Johns]

Thank you everyone

[Ian Johns]

I thought something was wrong with this picture. Then it dawned on me, no starter switch.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Ian

Do you need a switch, most of the Chevy parts have them around $20 - $ 30 dollars US.

Picture shown is the NAPA ECH ST11 which list for $54 and sells for $32. Also found them on http://www.obschevy.com/ for $19.95.

The same switch was used on a lot of GM cars and trucks from 1931-1956

Cheers Phil

[Ian Johns]

I cleaned it up a little today, taking a cup of mud out of it might help a little.lol I'll PM you tonight Phil.

Thanks Ian

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Scott

Good to hear feedback on parts sources, see you have used some of the same ones I've have. Always wonder which of these US sources can and will actually ship out of the US so many don't.

One more comment that I would add about a couple of these that I have used is if you don't find the part your looking for don't right them off as a source. I've fount that the ones that are actually dealing in NOS have a constantly changing stock. So if first you don't succeed check back later, I've had parts searches that have gone on for years before I actually found the part I needed.

Cheers Phil

[Ian Johns]

thanks guys

[Ian Johns]

Is it normal to find wood in the rear frame of the cab deck?

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Ian Johns

Is it normal to find wood in the rear frame of the cab deck?

Only the rifle butt holders, and locating lugs for the side curtains on some Australian Ford cab 13s.

[Ian Johns]

I found rotten hard wood strips under there where the cab mounts to frame at the back. The bolts passed through the wood.

[hrpearce]

Hi Ian attached is a picture of that piece of timber from my blitz.

[Ian Johns]

These were about 3 strips, about 1" thick each stacked and about from frame rail to frame rail wide. The 3 cab bolts passed through the wood to the frame. Maybe it had something to do with dampening the bounce because of the 250 gallons of water. I'm not sure.

[Private_collector]

So, is the wooden piece an original item?

My Ford has a metal spring across rear of cab.

[Ian Johns]

Yes mine too but inside the frame of the floor just above the spring was where it was. The 2 bolts that go to the spring and the middle one in your photo pass through the wood.