Fixed exhaust brake valve, new tires and a broken ankle...

Welcome back to my blog!

Let's see what has happened since the last post!


I got a new Christmas sweater!

And I had a little motorcycle accident :-(

So progress was slowed down a little bit.


The firetruck is fitted with an exhaust brake that blocks the flow of exhaust gasses. This makes it possible to use the diesel-engine as a compressor. When the extra pedal (the far left one) is pressed down the valve closes and the flow of diesel is cut. When the pedal is no longer pressed down, a spring returns the valve to its open position.

However, the valve is stuck open and the cable linking the pedal and valve together is disconnected...

So let's get to work! One of the alan bolts is rounded so some welding is needed to get it out.

After the valve soaked in a lot of cola (for almost a week) and oil, it is moving a little bit.

It turned out that the centre bolt wasn't properly threaded in, but just hammered flat. After removing it, the main shaft could be driven out

After taking the entire valve apart, everything is cleaned put back together with lots of ceramic grease applied to all the components

With some nice new bolts, everything can be mounted back onto the firetruck

The main fuel tank is just 70l, and with a vehicle that uses 1l to drive 9km, the range is somewhat limited. So, an extra fuel tank has to be built. As preparation, an extra fuel cap is needed. I used a cut-out section from a donor LT.

 

 

 It does feel kind of bad to make a hole in a nice piece of bodywork..

Two of the last rust spots on the outside of the truck are just below the windshield

 In order to repair the rust, the windshield has to come out

First a template is made out of cardboard

 

There was also a rust hole on the back of the front wheel arch

 But there was an old repaired section just above the rust spot found earlier...

As a test the camera at the back is tested, it works! :-D

The 2x 55W halogen lights are changed to 2x 36W LED's

When the time has come to send the truck to the RDW (Dutch motor vehicle department) the requirements state that there must be at least 2 seats in the living area. So an extra (folding) chair is placed as a mockup. I'll make a solid base soon for it to be permanently mounted. Also, a turntable is placed under the driver's seat to make it rotate.

Another rusted section is cut out

 

 

Also, a new welding table is purchased!

 A nice little welding corner to be! Extra lighting is also added

In the rest of the shed LED is also used to make a nice workshop

Also after saving for almost 5 months I was able to buy some new tires :-D

 

 

 
The tires are allowed to stick out from the bodyworks by 20mm. However, they are now sticking out by 80mm.

Some fender flares should sort this out!

Hope to update you next time a little bit quicker than this one! ;-)