CFD Engine 69 with numbering for both Backdraft Engines 17 and 51. Tom McCarthy photo Engine 17 on April 4, 2004. Engine 17 photographed on September 15, 2012. Centrifugal Cast Cracker Tube,Ethylene Cracker Tube,Casting Tube Section,Precise Casting Manifold Jiangsu Taigoo New Material Co. Ltd. , https://www.spun-castings.com____________________________________________
This is the third installment in a 3-part series by Dave Weaver, founder of the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show — visit www.EmergencyVehicleShow.com for more information.
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More details about the Engine 17 restoration are being shared on the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show Facebook page. If you're interested in purchasing or learning more, feel free to send a private message to Facebook.com/ChicagolandEmergencyVehicleShow or leave a comment on this post.
What Happened to the Original Units?
80-287/D-372 E126 – Rehabbed to E122 – Crushed in Blue Island in 1994
80-288/D-373 E73 – Converted to E103 in 1981 – Not rehabbed – Crushed at Cicero Iron in 1984
80-289/D-374 E8 – Rehabbed to E17/51/69 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on August 28, 1996
80-290/D-375 E106 – Rehabbed to E113 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on September 4, 1996
80-291/D-376 E22 – Rehabbed to E46 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on September 9, 1996 (later crushed)
80-292/D-377 E113 – Used as a spare at T61, O’Hare, E34, E19, E109, and E72 – Rehabbed to E14 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on August 29, 1996
80-293/D-378 E49 – Rehabbed to E34 – Sold to a private party, then later to a PA FD
Current Status of Engine 17
The owner estimates that 75% of the rig remains intact, with 20% of parts needing to be purchased and 5% requiring fabrication.
It is equipped with a complete Cummins NTF 365 Turbo-Diesel engine (365hp @ 2300 rpm).
Missing an Allison HT70 6-speed overdrive transmission.
Lacks $1,100 worth of copper radiator cores from the original Mesabi radiator (MN).
Features a non-functional Hale Q-2 2,000-GPM pump, but includes a replacement PTO gear box, some stripped pump valves, and gauges from E14. These can be rebuilt by SPAN Gauges in Wisconsin for $30 each, plus a new pump gasket set from Hale.
Includes a 500-gallon water tank and a 140-gallon foam tank added during the refurbishment.
Equipped with a 50-gallon diesel tank.
Measures 35 feet long with a 178-inch wheelbase.
The original grille was removed but replaced with a high-quality reproduction.
Still has its original deck gun.
Needs some diamond plate and steel work, but comes with full refurb blueprints from E-One.
Retains its original Imron paint and could be repainted in a close match to the 68–69 Dodge red color.
Includes 500 feet of 5-inch LDH hose.
Equipped with working lights, sirens, horns, and a period-correct Motorola radio.