This is what I have.

Yale G51C050NFT071 SN# 174003

It is a 5000lb capacity forklift with cushion tires, manual trans, running on LPG, with 3 section lift and 3 controls. (up/down, tilt, left/right). Engine is 4 cyl flat head.

Low hours and works when I need it. Just found the manual on Ebay. Has a coolant leak when hot and needs a squirt of starting fluid to start.

I'm thinking thermostat on the leak (happens after about 10 minutes of use) and a vacuum problem with the hard starting. Otherwise a nice old lift. I'll get to fixing it once the manual arrives.

Can anyone tell me the Date of Manufacture on this thing? I am guessing about 1964?

Thanks.

my bet on the 5 digit plate is some companies inventory/equipment number
as far as the pertronix kit, yea we put bunches of them in. ?"worth it"? how much do you like the pertronix kit? in my opinion, the points were just about as good, and did better as the distributor wore out, as the point had a tendency to keep pressure on the distributor shaft so that loose bearings didn't not really create any side play that caused a change in the dwell/gap, where the pertronix kit had such a tight allowance for side play in the distributor shaft that in realllly old distributors the kit just was not as good as the points.
so I guess the answer would be that if there is NO side freplay in the distrib shaft, and you don't want to have to gap the points ever, then ther pertronix kit is "worth it".

It definitely has a F163 in it. I found the engine id plate tonight. I still haven't found the sn yet. What length of number (alphanumeric or numeric) am I looking for? Will this be on a plate or stamped in? Roughly how tall will the number be.

Any idea what the silver plate with the 5 digit number is?

Also, has anyone ever put a Pertronix kit on a F163? Is it worth it?

I may be wrong about the 3000 lbs. capacity. That may be a 4000 or 5000. The pneumatic one used a Chrysler engine in the 5000 model but I think the solid tire truck still used a Continental F163 in the 5000. Look for the model # where edward mentioned.

I would agree if you see ice on the regulator when it starts running bad, otherwise I would say tune it up (complete, including taking a timing light and gapping the plugs) first, then check the valve adjustment.

There are two new pics in the gallery. One that shows the mast better (it is a 3 stage btw) and one of the engine. It is definitely a flathead 4 cyl.

In terms of capacity, if tire size helps the fronts are 18x8x12 1/8 and the rear are 16 1/4x5x11 1/4.

P.S. I know the air filter is disconnected. It will be hooked back up shortly. Also this has the issue of running great while cold and then just barely idling once warm. Sounds like the regulator freezing to me. Would you agree?

I worked at a Yale dealership in the '70s. It sure like a 3000 lbs. cap. that used a Continental F162 or F163 flathead motor. It's not the 5000 lbs. or bigger G51 that used the Chrysler IND30 6 cylinder. It should use a Fram P3 cartridge type oil fiter and had a Delco ignition that used the same points that GM autos used. I can't remember where the serial number is stamped but a dealer should be able to get you any parts needed knowing it is a G51C030. Napa auto parts should have filters and tune up parts also.

prop the seat up and take a photo (and post them to your gallery) of the engine and a straight on from the front so we can see the mast clearly too...
you may find some numbers stamped into the frame, from memory (and no doubt there are some folks like mrfixit who may know exactly where) it may be near or under the battery, or under the floorboard where you step into the truck. these will be the actual serial numbers so that someone at a yale dealer can spec out the truck more correctly.

I googled that model and came up with some different capacities and two different engine options. Any chance you could help me out with that info?

That would be a Yale G51C