Just saw your post, and I have a V40B Ser#81M791 which as you probably know, doesn't come up on any searches. I Got this forklift as and Extra lift with our hardware store. It ran but barely. Had a bad head gasket. Runs okay now but really smokes, but what the heck, it runs. It's a 4 Cyl flathead gas. I'm looking for the emergency brake pads, if anyone knows where I can get one. Really frustrating trying to locate parts at a decent price.
I've spent two days just power spraying this thing, as its the dirtiest equipment I have ever seen.

We just got a V40b lift with nearly the same serial number, just the last two are different. Did you ever figure out the year?

Does yours have three control levers? We have a lift, a tilt and a third on the right lever that doesn't seem to do anything.

We are also looking for a repair or owners or part manual. Did you ever find a good source?

I think everyone mentions brake problems. We have the same. Does everyone just ignore this?

Sparkplugs are easy, is there anything else that is preventative maintenance? It's a flat head 4 but LP and not gasoline.

Has anyone looked into getting a bucket for it? If so, what did you find?

Thanks for any help or advice anyone can provide! We will learn stuff about this machine and we will be glad to post our finding here.

Hi
I have recently got an old {1980?} CAT V40B with a 3 cyl perkins diesle engine. It runs well but brakes are hopeless. I see you have a serial number for yours. I cant for the life of me find one on mmine, any pointers on where to check?
It is impossible to get parts withoput it
Thanks
iain

Man these things are fun to work on, NOT...

I installed a new battery, disassembled the intake, changed filters, added fuel and Seafoam to help with the old gas as i could not find a way to drain the tank and there was not much in it.. added coolant and she fired up.

Runs a bit rough, but no engine noises to be concerned with.. probalby just needs a carb rebuild/cleaning and or fuel pump rebuild.
The only thing I am concerned with is it seemed to be running a bit hot, did not have a heat gun so do not know.. I may take the radiator out, but that looks like a major job..

I think if I have to do that, I will just pull the entire engine and clean everything while replacing all hoses and having the radiator looked at as well as the water pump.

Being the novice that I am, I cannot see how to change the oil because the drain plug is so hard to get to.. I guess i could always buy some bottle jacks and lift her up.. or use a suction pump throught the dipstick tube.

Oh well, I am pretty happy it runs and the hydraulics seem to work.. i will get back on it next weekend.

GB

Thank you mrfixit..

We are starting on this truck tomorrow.. can't find anything major from outside inspection so far..

Gene

Adjust the valves by removing the side cover behind the carb. Intake.012" exhaust.020"

Thanks guys for the input..

I did look at the manuals on ebay.,. 391.00..

We are pretty good mechanics so am going to try to get it running ourselves.. it was delivered today and is in pretty good shape.

I checked the oil and did not find any metal or water, so that is a good start.. bought a new battery and am going to change fluids etc this weekend. since i am a chain distributor, i will let one of the manufacturers donate new mast chain to the deal..

Other than that, spark, fuel & air it should run.. we just don't know how to adjust valves, but it is probably similiar to any flathead engine.

Thanks,

Gene

Gene,

I did see a couple of service manual for sale on Ebay.
Use the search terms Cat V40B service manual.

if you need any service manuals for this truck you will have to try and locate a hard copy of one. Cat does not list any electronic service manuals for a truck this old, only parts.