1965 GMC VH5000 Sanford Fire Truck

[mrtheroofable]

Here is my 1965 GMC VH5000 (Vacuum boosted heavy duty) Sanford fire truck. It has a 401 V6 engine, 750GPM Hale pump and a 2,000 gallon steel water tank. Cab has heat but no air conditioning or radio.

This was originally a tanker (water hauler) for a local fire company and was in service from 1966 to 1997 when it was replaced with modern truck and sold privately. It was in near mint condition when sold but had been parked outside and not run since about 2010. It has a bit of surface rust on the hood but only a couple spots where the rust is through.

My primary project is getting the truck operating smoothly. I was able to get the truck running decently after replacing the points, condenser, coil, spark plugs, battery and gas. Also the plug wires were in the wrong spots but fired right up after fixing that.

You may have seen some of my posts looking for parts. If anyone has links or part numbers for any engine components for the 401 feel free to reply or message me, it would be greatly appreciated (hoses, gaskets, oil filters, thermostats, etc). I have trouble finding correct part numbers due to obsolete part numbers from the service manual and limited information available online.

[Funky61]

Welcome and very nice truck!
Would love to see more photos of the interior and engine bay.

[mrtheroofable]

Welcome and very nice truck!
Would love to see more photos of the interior and engine bay.

Anything specific you would like to see?

[mrtheroofable]

Some additional photos.

[Funky61]

Thanks so much for those. Exactly the areas I wanted to see!

Such a low mileage truck and that seat cover looks PRIMO too. I am surprised to not see a dual cluster with the tach in it.

Thank you for sharing those photos with us. :coolphotos:

[mrtheroofable]

I thought it was odd there was no tach. I know at the time it went to bid they went with the lowest, which was the GMC so probably why it has the most basic one. The seat is in great condition, just has some stains but no holes in it. I will grab some additional photos of the interior later. The original purchase price of the chassis was $4,974.10.

[mrtheroofable]

Some progress up until this point. Cleaned up the rusty chrome grill which came back nicely. Replaced the old style fuse panel under the hood with a more modern blade type panel and cleaned up wiring. Pulled the old master cylinder out with the lines attached so I can recreate with new lines and hoses. Still need to pull the slave cylinder out but it seems pretty tough to get to. If anyone has tips I would appreciate it!

[Funky61]

Nice work and check out those Tow Hooks!

Here's what I found in the manual about the slave cylinder.

Is there something blocking access from underneath?

[mrtheroofable]

Nice work and check out those Tow Hooks!

Here's what I found in the manual about the slave cylinder.

Is there something blocking access from underneath?

Seems to be in a tight spot. Have to take another look underneath but it looked like it was going to be a pain to get out. Is there a better spot for access other then directly under it?

[BillT]

Interesting truck.

Like the Spoke Wheels, Wide Fenders and the Chrome package to boot.

As maybe noticed, I used to drive a '62 6500. It had the Dual Cluster, but no Tach in it. Just a dummy plate.

Must have a heavy Front Axle. What is the GVW on the truck?

[Funky61]

Oh boy we see your dilemma now!
That’s pretty tight space to work in.

Maybe removing or turning the front wheel might provide better access?!?

[mrtheroofable]

Interesting truck.

Like the Spoke Wheels, Wide Fenders and the Chrome package to boot.

As maybe noticed, I used to drive a '62 6500. It had the Dual Cluster, but no Tach in it. Just a dummy plate.

Must have a heavy Front Axle. What is the GVW on the truck?

Thanks, I will have to look at the plate on it but I believe it was around 22,000lbs.

Oh boy we see your dilemma now!
That’s pretty tight space to work in.

Maybe removing or turning the front wheel might provide better access?!?

I will give that a look but I believe it is on the inside of the frame rail next to the transmission. The inner fender would be in between the wheel and the slave from what I recall.

[mrtheroofable]

Pulled the floor access panels out today. Still not able to access the slave cylinder bolts easily. Thinking the best option is to remove the side transmission mount so I can get a socket on the slave cylinder bolts. Not a very serviceable part for this model!