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This was saved from the scrap pile and now I need some help. :)


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InsideTrader
Posted

About a year ago this was in the scrap pile of a local business that went under.  They got it decades ago when the Air Force surplussed it.  (That’s the story I was told anyways) I have been wrenching on it and I have it running and functioning pretty decently now.  When I was a kid my dad and his buddies restored old military vehicles as a hobby and I have a soft spot for things like this now.

 

It has a data plate that is in good shape so I know it’s a 1961 Northwestern Motor Co. JG-40-FK.  But other than that, I know next to nothing about it.  The internet has nothing to offer on it.  I think it’s worth restoring but I cannot find even a picture of one in its original configuration to even know how close or far this one is from restored.  I would also love a picture of one in its original paint job.  I have no idea what kind of markings were on them.  I’m pretty sure the original color was yellow but even that isn’t something I’m sure about.  Would anyone happen to have any info on these things or pictures of them in original condition.  The only ones I can find online seem to be in worse shape and I’m not sure if the differences in them are because mine isn’t original or the other one isn’t original.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Posted

Very cool! Good luck on your request,  I'm someone here will help you out.

Posted

Did a quick internet search on the brand. Quite a few part sellers and images available, but I'm sure you have found those. Maybe look for a facebook group that dealt with this equipment. You'll get there, good luck. 

InsideTrader
Posted
51 minutes ago, 72psb said:

Did a quick internet search on the brand. Quite a few part sellers and images available, but I'm sure you have found those. Maybe look for a facebook group that dealt with this equipment. You'll get there, good luck. 

Yes and I have contacted them.  The problem I have run into is there seems to be no such thing as a parts diagram for it that has survived history.  So, if I have a part in hand, they are happy to try to find me the same part.  But if a part is missing, they are not really able to help me find a missing part.  For example...  I am quite sure it has the wrong carburetor on it.  I asked them if they have the correct one and they told me they didn't know without me being able to get numbers off the original.
I have had zero luck with a facebook group but I would love to find one of those.

Posted

That is really a cool tractor. Sorry I can’t help you with the restoration, but wish you best of luck with it! Post more if you make any progress. 
mikie

MinutemanEMTer
Posted

I remember seeing those on the flight line while in the Air Force.

InsideTrader
Posted
1 hour ago, MinutemanEMTer said:

I remember seeing those on the flight line while in the Air Force.

You didn’t snap any pictures of them did you?  :)

The Rooster
Posted

From what it looks like, they came from the factory in Yellow.

I searched for 1961 Northwestern Motor Co. JG-40-FK - U.S. Airforce Tug

 

In Images on Google.

 

000001_Tug_01 - Copy.jpg

000001_Tug_02 - Copy.jpg

000001_Tug_03 - Copy.jpg

000001_Tug_04 - Copy.jpg

000001_Tug_05 - Copy.jpg

Posted
2 hours ago, InsideTrader said:

You didn’t snap any pictures of them did you?  :)

Taking pictures on the flight line was frowned upon. Especially in the days of the camera. You might be able to get away with it today using a phone. 

Posted
19 hours ago, InsideTrader said:

Yes and I have contacted them.  The problem I have run into is there seems to be no such thing as a parts diagram for it that has survived history.  So, if I have a part in hand, they are happy to try to find me the same part.  But if a part is missing, they are not really able to help me find a missing part.  For example...  I am quite sure it has the wrong carburetor on it.  I asked them if they have the correct one and they told me they didn't know without me being able to get numbers off the original.
I have had zero luck with a facebook group but I would love to find one of those.

 

The carburettor looks to be a Solex? The engine might be a standard light truck engine, maybe from Dodge so you could see if there are any casted partsnumbers on it.

 

Have a look around on https://forums.g503.com  if you haven't already.

General Apathy
Posted
On 3/19/2024 at 10:49 AM, earlymb said:

 

The carburettor looks to be a Solex? The engine might be a standard light truck engine, maybe from Dodge so you could see if there are any cast parts numbers on it.

 

.

Hi Insidertrader.

 

I agree it does have a similar appearance to a wartime Dodge engine, have a look for numbers along the bottom of the block just above the sump pan.  

 

I sent your images to an American car collector in the UK and he suggests it's a Continental block and sent me this photo as well, this one looks possibly O.D, certainly not yellow at this time. 

 

fullsizeoutput_22162.jpeg.fa0614dcdfd9e547460b07294e71f34f.jpeg

 

regards lewis.

 

...

InsideTrader
Posted
On 3/23/2024 at 12:56 PM, General Apathy said:

.

Hi Insidertrader.

 

I agree it does have a similar appearance to a wartime Dodge engine, have a look for numbers along the bottom of the block just above the sump pan.  

 

I sent your images to an American car collector in the UK and he suggests it's a Continental block and sent me this photo as well, this one looks possibly O.D, certainly not yellow at this time. 

 

fullsizeoutput_22162.jpeg.fa0614dcdfd9e547460b07294e71f34f.jpeg

 

regards lewis.

 

...

That is a great picture!  That looks like a Clarktor 6 Tug.  And yes in WWII I think all the tugs were green and I don't think the Northwestern Motor Co tugs were in service yet.  Or at least I have never seen one form that time.  I will check the block for numbers near the sump pan.  Where the block meets the head are the numbers 042-I08087.  (The first digit after the hyphen is India.) 

  • 7 months later...
Posted

IND5A236772 IS THE NUMBER ON THE BLOCK

  • 2 weeks later...
General Apathy
Posted
On 3/26/2024 at 3:49 PM, InsideTrader said:

That is a great picture!  That looks like a Clarktor 6 Tug.  And yes in WWII I think all the tugs were green and I don't think the Northwestern Motor Co tugs were in service yet.  Or at least I have never seen one form that time.  I will check the block for numbers near the sump pan.  Where the block meets the head are the numbers 042-I08087.  (The first digit after the hyphen is India.) 

.

Hi insidertrader

 

Have you seen the tugs assembled at this museum, there is also an email contact shown that is the curator of the tugs, might be a good contact.

 

https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/aircraft-tugs-wanted-list/

 

regards lewis

 

....

 

 

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