Junk to Treasure... Bringing This 1934 Federal Fire Truck Back from the Grave

[@kingranch8516]

Well done sir I rebuilt a 1938 American LaFrance. It was original to our department. They are a ton of work

[@jimmymccracken9702]

Just a tip from an 82 yr old welder, before you weld that crack drill a hole at both ends of the crack before you start welding and the crack won't keep growing, I knew you had a crack when the acid wouldn't stop driping, great great video

[@scottgm321]

Mario’s smile, when you guys took off in it, was worth it all.

[@dwymans]

Your neighbors must love you. There goes Crazy Merlin again.

[@MrBeltaine]

That was fun, Merlin. Nothing like seeing a couple kid's eyes light up when the engine says "heck no, I ain't done. Let's go for a ride!"

[@jimasman550]

You're absolutely correct, if it's already broken, you have nothing to lose to try and fix it. You will learn things in the process. Thanks for sharing, you work is totally awesome.

[@SteveLaVoy]

Merlin you are a genius with years of knowledge and experience.

[@jamesringler5977]

Loved seeing your 1934 fed. Fire truck. Our fire dept. bought one new in 34 ,.first truck in our dept. ,had 250 gal. per min. Piston Pump. Took every pumping contest we ever entered. Great parade engine

[@gregdelagrange8573]

Great video! Nice job getting that running and back to life again.

[@edwardglamuzina3421]

I have a 1935 Marmon Herrington tracked vehicle that is a perfect candidate for the muriatic acid trick. Thanks for the tip. And I'll say it again,"Your living the dream".

[@mattstone545]

Love seeing old stuff come to life.

[@inekelassooij840]

Bedankt voor de geweldigen beelden het is geweldig om te zien hoe jullie het samen doen prachtig 👌👍😲 Groetjes uit Holland 😲👋🏼🇳🇱

[@charlesalden9167]

Dr Frankenstein brings back the dead again. Love how you just jump into your work filling minds with automotive knowledge & a history class all at the same time. Thanks for the great entertainment on this grey wet day here

[@kimetherington2252]

The content you share is like going back to school in one of my favorite classes ( Power mechanics) that class taught me a lot about motors and the maintenance that it took to keep them running! I was always able to keep my lawn mower, my weed eater, and my blower running! Not to mention some maintenance on my vehicles! Thanks for taking me down memory lane! Til next time take care...

[@kurtburkhardt5862]

Very cool, old stuff was overbuilt and tough. Your knowledge of mechanical equipment is amazing! Will be restoring older vehicles in a few years when I retire. Will learn by doing, I'm a decent mechanic but have mostly worked on more modern cars...

[@garysorrells8133]

Sorry to hear that it had to leave my home state of Oklahoma to be saved but I was literally laughing out loud when you got fired up and driving around the block. Hopefully the rings will reseat and cut down on the smoke a bit. Thanks to you and Rosario for saving a beautiful classic vehicle.

[@shanes_bs2659]

Merlin the magician! It lives!

[@carstenbuilds]

Your neighbors just must love you Merlin

[@IEchuckie]

No, don't call the fire department. It's only Merlin again!

[@richw9205]

Yeah cause he fixes all their stuff!!

[@bryansmith3739]

I would love to be neighbors with merlin

[@waynefields4813]

Thanks for the acid tip, my grandfather was an old farmer and tinkerer, he passed down the “it’s broke ya can’t do nothing but fix it” attitude to me, thanks for saying that, brought back a ton of memories

[@patrickvanhoesen9425]

Totally thought that said thanks for the acid trip.. 🤣

[@waynefields4813]

@@patrickvanhoesen9425 to be ho eat when I read it back after typing it, I had to look twice, I thought it said trip 😂😂😂

[@whammond511]

The power of suggestive thinking!!

[@RattyFlyer]

@patrick same lol

[@chrisfenner5949]

That's pretty cool. Old school engines and transmissions were so simple.

[@waynegilling6048]

I sure wish I lived beside you Merlin, You are doing all the same things I used to do with things. I love tinkering with vehicles and old wore out parts to get them to work. I do appreciate your knowledge and patience. The fire engine has a tough motor in it that could run forever. They were a common industrial engine here in Canada, but getting harder to find now.

[@charlesahon]

That is awesome. What a great looking truck. Please bring it back after he cleans it up.

[@steveschmitt2849]

Merlin that was sure something you don't see everyday, very cool thanks for sharing and thanks for showing how you got her running. Stay safe.👍

[@johnperun232]

Merlin the Machanical Magician Great Content and Recovery of the old Iron God Bless 👍and God Bless America 🇺🇸

[@johngeorge5285]

Growing up, we had a '35 Dodge pick-up truck with a flat head 6 in it & when it rained, the wells around the spark plugs filled with water, but she'd start right up & ran great. Had a lot of adventures in the old gal. Cruise at 50 on the hwy, rattle apart at 55, LOL, but she did it. Miss her

[@rickb5946]

Totally awesome Merlin! I would have never guessed that you could save that transmission. You are a car whisperer!

[@backyardbuilttrucks1]

One of the best KZbin channels by far , more cool old stuff and information on here then most of KZbin combined.

[@williamlind2843]

I love how you use your driveway like me!! My buddies freak the hell out if your car drips one drop on their driveway!! They make me park my Harley on the grass.

[@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage]

I paid for it so by God I’m gonna use it when I die someone can rebuild it for them🏁

[@mongo6043]

No school like old school! Thanks for sharin Merlin & Co.!

[@davidcolesr.8628]

I would love a follow up after he Details and Tricks it Out. BadAss Find! Appreciate you having us along , catch you on the next one, Keep It Safe Out There Sir

[@bobbellew9240]

Nice. Keep the old good stuff on the road 👍

[@jamesibarra324]

They look happy like two little kids

[@davebrooks6712]

I really like your videos with all the tips of the trade. I have never used muratic acid but have used vinegar for the same purpose because there is no danger of burns to the skin.

[@roostingthe6520]

Man you're a cool old dude Merlin! You can tell you just know your shit by how you approach stuff. Way cool bringing that truck back to life.

[@lonhoschar1943]

WOW!! What a cool old fire truck!! Loved watching you get it running again. Might need a few things to get it running up to par but it DOES run and that is fantastic! I'll bet the neighborhood was wondering what the heck was burning!! LOL!! You two sitting in the seat driving that around the block was great but the look on your face was priceless!!!!

[@tonymendoza4716]

It so cool bringing old iron back to life. The mail carrier, the family flatbed, the DIESEL speedboat?!?! Seriously, I'm sure that took some tinkering. I respect your ability and creativity.

[@craigbowley6783]

I love your attitude towards old vehicles. It's junk now so we got nothing to lose by trying to make it work💪🇺🇸

[@calholli]

I'll have to remember the acid trick.. I usually just spray it down with brake cleaner and keep working it.. throw in some diesel and keep working it loose-- and then you can flush that out and pour it through a filter-- and do that again a few times.. Throw in some thrash oil and run it for a short bit-- maybe 100 miles worth-- and flush it again, etc. But I'll remember the ACID trick; that's a great idea. We used some strong acids when cleaning swimming pools all summer, and it does work great.

[@marvincarter870]

Wow Merlin Rosario quite the firetruck there from Oklahoma and you pulled tricks that enlightened me especially the one using muriatic acid to remove nasty rust! That was awesome how you removed the rust in his tranny and the top. Thanks for the schooling on rust removal and getting Rosario up and running!

[@drakesrun7]

you are the coolest dude I've ever seen on KZbin, again I wish I lived next store to you

[@robertkeime4907]

One of my favorite channels ……. If not number one …….. very very close

[@primepropertymaintenance5350]

I’m always amazed when I stop in to visit Merlin’s KZbin channel!

[@craigclark3279]

That is so coo,l I learned new trick today. Very nice to see old metal back on the road, thank you thank you both again. Keep it rolling my friend.

[@JamesDavis-to1hn]

Merlin can fix anything!

[@timdunmyer4549]

That is so cool that you brought that beast back to life. That must be something else living in your neighborhood watching these relics drive by every once in awhile. I seen you have a Herbie the Love Bug.

[@michaelbidlack]

Rosario's a cool dude. That engine sounded great. Thanks for sharing this!

[@desertd2609]

Man I when I saw Rosario’s fire truck on the BLVD for run to the sun I fell in in love with her immediately, what a awesome way to redo something! Nice job getting this fire truck running again, great thinking outside the box to get that trans freed up, I’ve had to do that same technique a couple times myself.

[@moparman1962]

COOL...very cool! 👍

[@dtc1117]

Rosario's smile looked like pure joy! So great to see that in these times! I would hate to be your neighbor! All the cool wouldn't make up for all the rest of your antics!

[@markanderson9857]

Great video once again. Your braver than I am. I use a brass hammer for hitting things like those gears. I have used a lot of pitted gears over the years. I used to look high and low for perfect gears. And went to this old transmission guy. He had gears that were perfect except for pitting. When I said something about it. He said pitted gears in his experience out last new gears. He claimed that they held oil. I went a head and used those gears. They were still going strong years and a hundred thousand miles later when I sold the roadster. Of course I always put in new bearings. I don't know how old this video is. But I wish my weather was like yours about now. It was in the single digits last night. Makes it hard to work on cars without a nice heated shop. Keep up the good work!

[@brucejr.5833]

What a cold truck, let's upload was jam-packed with knowledge it was freaking amazing.

[@jcnme]

You are more than a Genius ! Love your Channel Brother ❤️ Thank you Fab Rat's for the referral to your cousins Excellent Channel 👏

[@williamtaylor1888]

Great video. We have an old 1947 Seagraves fire engine and a Packard ambulance here, just sitting under an awning. Sure wish refurbishing them were in the cards. I got to drive the Packard in the 4th of July parade many moons ago. It was smooth and quiet. Nothing else like it. Thanks again for sharing.

[@ponypwr]

Merlin... Merlin he's our man if he cant fix it no one can!

[@grahamblack4]

Every time I watch one of your videos I always think to myself, man it would be cool to have Merlin as a neighbor... I've got a 2nd gen 99' Cummins I've had for almost 20 years and I'm always tinkering on it. I do Residential Construction for a living. Love the vids!

[@stephenlewis8143]

Amazing &" IN credible," bringing life to the old piece of history that otherwise would have rusted up & become junk. The nuance, treatment, tinkering, art & experimenting; & then the engine starts up & it comes to "life". Seeing you guys driving it down the highway, was like a surgeon repairing a broken "inner body" and the "patient" got up and walked & then jogged down the street. The spirit of the vehicle was happy & both of you were too., that was the big plus of the video, seeing and feeling your quiet glee, as it "rose from the near dead, & came to life, as the wheels rolled. Thx Merlin!

[@tonyjessen8204]

That is so cool. Do your neighbors ever complain? Love it 👍👍

[@whammond511]

@George Vinson Should be no HOAs anywhere!!

[@lisaharvey4373]

Your just amazing Merlin the acid trick I never thought of doing that and hey you got it running nothing phazes you does it Merlin love your channel!!!

[@stevedahl3689]

A great video, Merlin! Thanks for sharing!

[@keithalbrecht4785]

Very cool old fire truck!!! I just retired after 26yrs of building fire truck. I built the Aerial ladders for Pierce mfg.

[@u.p.tinkering]

Awesome job Merlin, surprised how well she runs! Also amazed how well muratic acid works. Definitely keeping that trick in the toolbox!! Love the channel!

[@timothygeiger8271]

Actually muriatic acid is used to clean rust off different metals all the time. They often use it to clean precious metals, & to clean steel before galvanizing.

[@davidmclain43]

You need to learn how to double clutch, no syncronizers in those old trucks. A old firefighter.

[@marvinwestern4276]

Fantastic! Old fire trucks--it just doesn't get any better than this!

[@steve0inmontana811]

Great video. Very educational. Love seeing old tin running around.

[@DependableAutoTruck]

great job as always wish you weren't so far away would bring my old truck and show it off

[@jeffmower7156]

Super cool just got home from sema and was talking about old fire trucks ... They are always low miles and taken care of so they are cool projects.

[@tomholley5464]

I love the fact that you know how to do this and keep these old girls running

[@brucebillington8336]

That is such a cool old Firetruck. I was LMAOF, when you were grinding those gears, that was so funny!! She's a tough old girl, and that didn't do any damage to her. It is going to be a fantastic truck, 😀

[@Derf1313]

Very Kool! Definitely bringing it back to the saved... That '39 you showed pics of, "WOW"! Definitely would love to see that. Constantly seeing & learning new tricks, both my folks lived thru the depression, so ya always found ways to repair, not like the disposable generations now... Thanx for the ride along !

[@LoneGroover55]

Merlin Magic 🇬🇧 ! Exceptional.

[@keitharnett1766]

Man Merlin you are Magician, I think you get anything running, so cool sharing your knowledge, My grandfather worked on Packards at dealership in Paducah KY . When he retired People would drive out to his place and leave flat head straight 8 running, he diagnose it in easy chair out yard great memories. Thx

[@MrCaprinut]

That was cool to see getting it running again. Nice work!

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Awesome old fire truck!

[@miguelgarcia5535]

That's a bad ass truck so much u can do with that love ur videos

[@skippyjones4195]

That’s Awesome Merlin hahaha take care my friend ❤️👍✌️💪🏻☮️

[@jerrycann6374]

Really interesting learning and watching you bring that transmission back to life. I never knew that muriatic acid can clean up rusted metal like it did in that transmission, I used that acid to decompose tree stumps. You did have 4 gears if you count the 3 forward and the reverse...

[@decentgarage]

This video had me smiling the whole time! There's nothing better than reviving an old rig

[@bigds6692]

This is one of my favorite channels on KZbin! I've never seen so many cool projects on anyone else's channel! Slick trick with the muriatic acid! And way smart to fix or attempt to fix everything!

[@shaneharrison4775]

Awesome saved another great old truck

[@lchebuhar9212]

Cool project. Thanks for sharing ! 💪👍🏼

[@rayinpau.s.a.6351]

I have seen quite a few Fire trucks just sitting and not being used . It seems ironic to me . they were always stored indoors , kept very clean and always have low miles . I just do not understand because they are not up to code that they are not wanted any more ? I really enjoyed the ride !

[@Ty_N_KC]

Man I wish I lived next door to this dude!!!! Man my wife would hatem lol 😂 Always getting into shit, working on cars all night. It's be a blast!

[@kingkoop408]

Merlin, you are a bad man.👍

[@1944chevytruck]

awesome fire trucks! ... thanks for the video learned a few more tricks from your channel! ... good job boys!

[@capicolaspicy]

Such a beautiful old Federal.....glad you could resurrect it!

[@lopin890]

Hey Merlin.... The WIZARD strikes again!!! Nice save on the tranny..("it's only metal" -- gotta' love it!!) Rosario knew the RIGHT GUY to take this project to FIRST THING! Can't wait to see it "detailed"!! Safe travels friend ❤️ Stay FROSTY... Keep your powder dry and your head on a swivel.. 🇺🇸🇺🇸WWG1WGA🇺🇸🇺🇸NCSWIC🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@edhellbilly]

Merlin is the man I'd trust him to work on my fire truck anytime

[@paulshannon4576]

That slammed fire truck, just add several rows of seats and you would have a Mormon Family Station Wagon. Really cool build.

[@willieb.2262]

Awesome, would have been cool to see the trans weld job! 🤙🏻

[@robertstevison1448]

Awesome video as always !!! Great talent and insight !!!

[@muhammadaamir754]

Watching from Pakistan 👍💕

[@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage]

awsome

[@cliffmorgan31]

Very cool! Both the fire truck and the video!

[@flyingmachinecustomparts8227]

Thanks for sharing with us !!! Love all your content.

[@harrytaylor6854]

Very cool well done sir Merlin

[@edwinschlee8374]

That is a cool old fire truck.

[@allenentsminger6603]

I really enjoyed this one. Reminds me of working with grandpa

[@richardwinters8933]

I bet your neighbors love you.,,,smoke,.,.,loud noises and such

[@BillyBob-uc9zp]

Well done Mr 😎

[@michaelosmon]

This is cool man. So glad I found this channel. Thanks for sharing your skills knowledge and experience. I appreciate you

[@constantinejosephides3312]

Built fire trucks the last 30 years of my career on the shop floor still intrigued when I see an old fire truck. thanks 🔥

[@TheOldaz1]

Beautiful old truck, think I would be looking for a synchro box to stick in there, maybe a NP420 or NP435, shouldn't be too difficult. Thanks for sharing.