Help & Advise Needed With FTP 60 24 Fork Lift

I have a 1955 FTP 60 24 fork lift that is finally getting some very long overdue love and attention. I have had and sparingly used the machine for over a decade with literally no real problems at all aside from a couple of starter drives and some ongoing hydraulic leaks that do not seem to be getting any better.

It finally made it into the shop about two weeks ago for what was to be basically removing and rebuilding the tilt cylinders, one of which was weeping badly. Of course, as with any project where Smithsonian Institute caliber equipment is center stage, things tend to become complicated and needless to say, expensive when you start really looking at the various components. Having to strip so much metal off the machine to get at those tilt cylinders revealed a few other issues such as missing bolts, worn components and grease fittings that I had no idea existed.

The engine is, I am told, a G230 six cylinder gas job and aside from a badly drooling valve cover gasket, it has proven itself to be kinda hard on fuel but reliable and yes, it does smoke a bit. I've ordered the valve cover gasket but I am in search of a throw out bearing to replace the one in the machine which is noisy and makes me feel uncomfortable. I have had one experience with a throw out bearing piling up and destroying an expensive pressure plate and I wish to avoid a repeat performance. It gets greased often but it's noisy and that suggests a possible problem - usually with something like that - at a very bad time. I do not see a lot of postings here regarding fork lifts, but I figured that I would give it a shot and hope for some suggestions and answers.

1) Does anyone know of a parts source for a machine as old as mine?
2) I have downloaded a manual from www.liberatedmanuals.com, but I am wondering if perhaps there may be a more detailed service/parts manual available?
3) Is the steering box adjustable on these machines? Mine has almost half a turn of free play and while I am able to drive it because I am used to it, driving the machine is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart.
4) What is the best procedure for removing the 4000ib counter weight?

I am sure that I will have more questions.. any help willl be greatly appreciated.

Hi Jay and thank you for the advice which is taken seriously and to heart. I'm not ready 6to pull the counterweight off just yet - I have to really psyche myself up for that job. It has to come off so that I can gain better access to the power steering cylinder which is of course, leaking, and try to adjust the steering linkage which will be much easier to get at as opposed to laying under the machine. It is sitting on a four post, 12,000 lb. hoist right now, so I am able to safely raise it a few inches to allow me to get under it with a creeper. .. I also want to clean away years of grease and oil buildup and check for even more missing bolts.

I'll need to look a lot closer at the steering box to see if there is a manufacturer's name or part numbers. I did look for an adjustment to tighten the box, but could not see anything. But I will look again. I think that by tightening the steering linkage ends up, I'll reduce a fair amount of steering play, but that steering box has lots of play in it as said earlier.

Thank youu for responding to my questions - I appreciate your doing so.