Federal Signal Q2B into a bumper install

[wfd67]

Tried the search and got nothin, and the Federal install doc was hazy to my novice read.


We've got a 83 Pierce with the "v" base for a bumper mount Q2B, but not the budget to go retail (and with ELB and eBay, why go retail.). The V very much appears to be the factory's clone to the Q-MT bracket I saw on the FedSig site.


Most of the Qs I see are pedestal mount on the used market (again, novice here), and not sure if thats a whole different body, or just something lurking under the pedestal and easily accessed.


Anyone with insights? I'd hate to buy and find myself with a shelf ornament, or end up with the vaguely worded "flush" mount sirens (one like that on eBay right now) that lack the bits to attach it into that V mount.


Thanks all!

 

[Torpedo]

I don't think it correct however at the plant in Ocala they mounted Q's by 4 countersunk flat head type screws (after drilling and counter sinking tool) through the rear of the stator. 5/16" I believe. I do not think there's any difference in the Q2b pedestal vs. flush product as they would regularly remove pedestal and rear cone and semi flush mount them into CS900's and other engines. The cones always got used eventually when one would get damaged on line on the ped. mounted ones. If you have a V bracket I would use it. Anybody in group from Riverside Cali? We built many Ford CS800 for them before they were discontinued by Ford. I think they got the last ones. Maybe they could tell me if these sirens fell out or failed otherwise.


:|

 

[Torpedo]

....looks like it may be one of those I mentioned. (For what it's worth I have purchased from that seller before and was satisfied with his products.) Does your V mount have two 5/16" holes about 1" apart in one wing? These would be the mounting holes for bolts into motor case. Be careful of the length bolts you use as damage to motor will occur if too long. Check available depth with a chopstick or similar and do not approach/exceed that depth with your bolt lengths. Otherwise, if siren is well supported by V bracket maybe a large U bolt clamp or even good quality worm gear hose clamps would hold it down*. Also if you get this one you will need to consider covering that brake or deleting it and covering the motor's brush windows with some metal and a hose clamp or the correct clamp, any Fed distributor should be able to source the correct covers. Also we used a large (6ish" diameter by 1/2'' stock) rubber O ring between stator and surface to seal and dress up the transition and reduce dissimilar metals/paint contact.


*Whatever you do to mount that siren will likely also be carrying the ground current to the motor. Just some tips as I have installed a few in my day.


Durrr! I just reread your post and see now you are looking for bumper mounting not semi flush? I'm an idiot. Nvm all above cause I don't dare delete it.


:bonk:

 

[Skip Goulet]

Tried the search and got nothin, and the Federal install doc was hazy to my novice read.

We've got a 83 Pierce with the "v" base for a bumper mount Q2B, but not the budget to go retail (and with ELB and eBay, why go retail.). The V very much appears to be the factory's clone to the Q-MT bracket I saw on the FedSig site.


Most of the Qs I see are pedestal mount on the used market (again, novice here), and not sure if thats a whole different body, or just something lurking under the pedestal and easily accessed.


Anyone with insights? I'd hate to buy and find myself with a shelf ornament, or end up with the vaguely worded "flush" mount sirens (one like that on eBay right now) that lack the bits to attach it into that V mount.


Thanks all!

Check with Kevin O'Connell at B&M Sirens in L.A. (B&M Siren Mfg, home of Super-Chief and Siro-Drift Sirens). He has flush and semi-flush mounts,etc., for his Super Chief sirens. Since the motor sizes aer somewhat similar, he might be able to fix you up. And at the same time, he might talk you into a Super Chief. He puts on siren demos that show how the Super Chiefs beat Qs hands down! There should be a contact phone number on the site; I don't remember it at the moment.

 

[Henry455]

A pedestal mount Q should fit your V shaped "Bumper mount". Here is a homebrew bracket I made up about 25 years ago. Notice the offset of the mounting holes from side to side. The Federal bumper bracket uses a slotted hole to accommodate the offset holes in the motor case. Cannot remember why I drilled 4 holes, only 2 are used. Also enclosed a picture of a pedestal mount on a vintage Q I rebuilt a few years back.

 

[ERIC6913]

I don't think it correct however at the plant in Ocala they mounted Q's by 4 countersunk flat head type screws (after drilling and counter sinking tool) through the rear of the stator. 5/16" I believe. I do not think there's any difference in the Q2b pedestal vs. flush product as they would regularly remove pedestal and rear cone and semi flush mount them into CS900's and other engines. The cones always got used eventually when one would get damaged on line on the ped. mounted ones. If you have a V bracket I would use it. Anybody in group from Riverside Cali? We built many Ford CS800 for them before they were discontinued by Ford. I think they got the last ones. Maybe they could tell me if these sirens fell out or failed otherwise.
:|

I live right around the corner from there.

 

[ERIC6913]

Tried the search and got nothin, and the Federal install doc was hazy to my novice read.

We've got a 83 Pierce with the "v" base for a bumper mount Q2B, but not the budget to go retail (and with ELB and eBay, why go retail.). The V very much appears to be the factory's clone to the Q-MT bracket I saw on the FedSig site.


Most of the Qs I see are pedestal mount on the used market (again, novice here), and not sure if thats a whole different body, or just something lurking under the pedestal and easily accessed.


Anyone with insights? I'd hate to buy and find myself with a shelf ornament, or end up with the vaguely worded "flush" mount sirens (one like that on eBay right now) that lack the bits to attach it into that V mount.


Thanks all!

you got pictures of the "V" base you have?

 

[ERIC6913]

By the ways guys, i am looking for one of those "V" base brackets to install a Q if anyone has one for sale!

 

[Skip Goulet]

A pedestal mount Q should fit your V shaped "Bumper mount". Here is a homebrew bracket I made up about 25 years ago. Notice the offset of the mounting holes from side to side. The Federal bumper bracket uses a slotted hole to accommodate the offset holes in the motor case. Cannot remember why I drilled 4 holes, only 2 are used. Also enclosed a picture of a pedestal mount on a vintage Q I rebuilt a few years back.

Wow, that siren looks strange w/o the rotor guard and grille, Tim! Did you say this is a restoration you did?

 

[Henry455]

Yes Skip, it was a 1960's vintage siren but with a late model grill. A few more pics:

 

[Skip Goulet]

Yes Skip, it was a 1960's vintage siren but with a late model grill. A few more pics:

Ohhhh that siren is gorgeous, Tim! Good job. That one reminds me of my first Q that I bought from Henderson Funeral Home in Lubbock for $35 in 1972. It went on my '63 Consort ambulance. It had the 3-bolt bracket like this one. In ' 73 I bought a '61 Olds ambulance that had originally belonged to Henderson, to replace the Consort. The Olds already had a 77GB on top behind the beacon. But I decided to replace it with my Q. Much to my surpise, when we pulled the 77G, there was the 3-bolt pattern in the roof. My Q had originally been on that car. Henderson had kept the siren when they sold it to the small town where I bought the car and had put the 77 on it for them to have a decent siren. I love the way that Q sounds. Good job.

 

[wfd67]

Thanks all -- I somewhat guessed that the body wouldn't be materially different, and the discussion and photos seem to confirm the hunch.


The initial post noted bumper mount, but I edited to reflect its indeed a flush mount into the body (and through the bumper, hence my mis-speaking).


I haven't done one of these mounts yet, but a buddy did on his Beck Ottawa after modifying a bumper mount, and managed to have the damn thing shake loose on the interstate, leaving a trail of Q parts in its wake. (He never managed to recover enough to repair it.)

you got pictures of the "V" base you have?

Ill go snap a few of the mount when I get back to the rig this evening. Its a fixed widget of two metal bars that form the cradle (in the V shape minus the lower point of a V). If we end up getting our hands on a pedestal with a siren purchase, I'll drop you a note... last thing I need these days are more parts sitting on the shelf unused.

 

[wfd67]

... Anybody in group from Riverside Cali? We built many Ford CS800 for them before they were discontinued by Ford. I think they got the last ones. Maybe they could tell me if these sirens fell out or failed otherwise.
:|

I'll ask around; I'm on the other end of the state, but know of a guy in Riverside County with a fire service background and may know such things. I've not heard of anything during my travels down there, though frankly dont see many E-One rigs there these days. (Heavy into KME and HME builds over the last 5-10 years, and the few older pieces I have seen were Q-less -- somewhat tragic, really; our Cyclone was also built without and we got lazy and went the e-Q2B route on it.)

 

[shues]

I've managed to locate the missing images from this thread: