What is this thing?

[overdrivesteve]

Hi,
just took possession of my new (to me) '65 International 4x4 truck two weekends ago.
Just today finally had time to look at it.
A few questions, starting with what is this thing and what is it's purpose? It appears to be an electric pump or filter tied into the water heater hoses and side of the block by the starter. Could it be some type of combination block heater and water pump/filter? And how does it attach to the side of the block - possibly at a freeze plug location? Does it have any practical purpose for which I should keep this assembly attached?
Thanks.
Steve

here's a picture of the canister looking up from under the truck:

Here's a picture of the canizster from the top. The dark hose goes from the bottom of the can to the block by the starter.

Here's another picture with it's a/c plug dangling to put it in perspective with the truck.

Here you can see where the lower hose goes into the engine.

And here the can's upper hose ties into the two water heater hoses.

And here the two water heater hoses ties into the block at the normal locations:

 

[blue smoke]

That I believe is a "tank" heater. It is foe warming your coolant for winter starting. That is why the electrical plug is hanging there. Do you need t keep it? Probably not, (unless you run in real cold winter climates) it is just another place for a hose to spring a leak.

 

[overdrivesteve]

that I believe is a "tank" heater. It is foe warming your coolant for winter starting. That is why the electrical plug is hanging there. Do you need t keep it? Probably not, (unless you run in real cold winter climates) it is just another place for a hose to spring a leak.

Thank you.
I never heard of a tank heater before. But I do agree with you, it's just one more thing that could possibly cause a problem, and not needed where I live in southern calif.

My next "what is this thing" question is shown below. It appears too complex to just be a brake tail light pressure switch. And with single circuit brakes that leaves out any type of proportioning valve or pressure differential switch. My guess is it's some type of hydraulic parking brake. Does anyone know for sure what this is and how it operates, and if it's something I would want to keep, especially after converting to a dual circuit brake system?

Thanks.
Steve

.

 

[blue smoke]

That appears to be a "line lock" which locks the brake line pressure on. In your case it would be all four wheels. When they are new they work pretty good but after age and corrosion set it they tend to stick.

 

[ken fahlman]

I agree with blue smoke - the first pic is definately a heater for the coolant - I believe this particular one will circulate your coolant as it is heated - I had an earlier one on on of my scouts - 345 - and even at -40*, the heater would blow warm air even before the truck was started. Turned over like it was a warm summer day.

Again, the second pic looks like a line lock for the brakes - I have seen them used on race cars to hold the car in place with the front brakes while allowing the rear to spin in order to warm up the rubber.

Hth, ken

 

[1975IH200]

I agree the first item is an electrical tank heater for the engine coolant. Very useful in cold climates.

I disagree on the second item. A line lock, roll control, or a stage control (as typically utilized in drag racing) all have a solenoid operated valve to secure the brake fluid.
The item pictured is simply a block with a brake pressure switch installed.

The high loop in the brake line will also provide a location for air to accumulate and give you "spongy" brakes.

 

[overdrivesteve]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies.

As for the tank heater, if it works ok, I May someday re-install it inline with my cab heater. But for now it's removal is planned. I don't like the way it's installed. Unless I'm missing something, it seems as long as one hose is connected before the thermostat and one hose connects after the thermostat, it should circulate the water just fine through the block, radiator and heater core. I don't see the point of the y connection unless it's to bypass the radiator.

As for the brake line modification, I don't see any practical use for that in this truck. It's permanent removal is planned.

And that was an excellent point about the brake line loop being a place where air can accumulate. The brakes are definitely spongy but I attributed that to the leaking wheel cylinders. But with fluid getting out, air could be getting in, and most likely accumulating there.

Another question - in the 3rd picture of my first post above, you'll see two little cut-off rivets, as shown close up below. And in the last picture below you'll see the corresponding bracket on the other frame rail, but with the bottom cut off the bracket. Are these supposed to be the axle bump stops? If so, can anyone find a picture of what they should look like? This is for a '65 loadstar 1600 4x4. I'd like to replace them, but have had no luck in finding a picture of what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

Steve

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[overdrivesteve]

Hi,
as shown above, since one front axle bump stop was removed completely, and the other had the bottom half of it cut off, and since I have no idea what they actually looked like, what are your feelings about using these as my front bump stops?

timbren suspension products

Has anybody ever used these on a vehicle? If so, feedback is appreciated. And how do they compare to these for my application?

http://www.IHPartsAmerica.com/store/CPT-bumpstop.html

Thanks.

Steve

 

[Robert Kenney]

Call Jeff tomorrow and ask him or buy the product that Jeff sells. He would not sell them if they were not a good product.