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18 March 2015
# 3106

 
  Owned by
Andy Robson
"helitack32f1"
Bolter # 39653
Washington

 

1953 Chevrolet 3100

 

More pictures of my old truck

Join the discussion about this truck in the Welcome Centre

 

 

From Andy :

I am new here and found this site while attempting to learn more about my new 1953 Chevy pickup truck. I am excited to get things rolling as far as restoration and I am still working out the details in my head about what the future for this truck is.

My truck belonged to my Grandfather who passed away in January at the age of 94. I am currently unsure of when the truck was initially purchased, though it seems as though it was late 60's early 70's.

This truck has been around for as long as I can remember and there are so many memories attached to it. Everything from fishing up in the mountains to Grandpa and me towing a travel trailer on an 800+ mile trip for camping in Oregon. This was the first vehicle, besides tractors, that I ever drove.

Parked in a covered, outdoor area in 2006, the truck sat somewhat protected from the elements and has been pretty much ignored. When I got to it, we first towed it out of the covered area and backed it into the garage-type building so I could see if I could get it up and running rather than loading it on a trailer and towing it home.

First thing I did was drain the gas. There was only about 2.5 gallons in it. It was sure nice of someone to make draining the tank an easy process!

Next, I replaced the plugs and wires. I also have new points and condenser but haven't felt like putting those in just yet and I forgot to buy a new rotor. I also partially rebuilt the carb.

I replaced the gas, hooked up the battery and then noticed there was no coolant in the radiator. I grabbed a jug of water and poured it in the radiator ... and then watched as it ran out the side of the block!

Initially this seemed devastating ... and I came to the wrong conclusion that it was a freeze plug. Turns out, there is a drain plug at the back of the block and Grandpa had the foresight to pull the plug. I eventually found the actual plug laying on the bench.

I plugged the block, put water in the radiator and went to turn it over ... and it didn't turn over. After lots of figuring and testing, everything checked out. The mechanical linkage from the starter pedal was shorting out on the starter wire.

I rebuilt the carb, figured out why the starter wasn't working (short) and determined why I had no spark (coil wire not seated). With the help of a friend, and a can of starting fluid, the truck slowly but surely rumbled to life, with a lot of shaking and a lot of smoke.

I put it into gear and rumbled out of the garage. Once out of the garage, I couldn't resist driving it around Grandpas loop driveway. Now, there is part of this loop that is down hill and it was at that point I clearly remembered why one should probably check the brakes before driving a truck that has been sitting for nine years. While having the pedal go to the floor was a bit disconcerting, luckily I wasn't going very fast and the parking brake worked really well!

So, that brings me to where I am in the process. After I figured out where the brake master cylinder was hidden, I determined that the problem was probably caused by the fact that the brake fluid ran out of the front of the cylinder just like it shouldn't. I got a re- manufactured master cylinder and wondered if I would have to replace the wheel cylinders as well.

When I got the master cylinder installed, I took the rear wheels off to check the condition of things. I don't want to have to replace all the brake stuff just yet. I found that the left rear brake drum is cracked which was a bummer. It appears to have been driven that way for some time.

My daughter will help me bleed the brakes. Should be a good learning experience for a 10 year old. And with luck, it should at least stop after that, I hope! I just want it to drive so I can bring it home.

The motor is from a 1958 car of some sort and was originally mated to a Powerglide transmission. The truck originally had the three on the tree shifter but was changed to the 4-speed stick shift.

While digging around in the attic, we found what seems to be the original rear bumper, the column shifter and linkages, the original hubcaps. Out in the barn, we found an extra transmission. I think we even found the original wheels.

I am kinda of the mind to spruce up the engine and engine compartment, followed by cleaning up the interior.

As for the exterior, I will probably just pressure wash it and leave it as is for now. I just don't have the time for big plans.

It has been an interesting experience to try and figure out what the original hubcap and inner grille color would have been. I have yet to come to a true conclusion but I brought home what I believe to be the original hubcaps with the hope that they may hold clues as to their original colors. I love a good mystery!

It's all part of the fun!

 

Keep track of the restoration project details in Andy's posts and be sure to check for new photos to the Photobucket album. Any and all questions welcome! If you post in the forum, others can share in the discussion. Thanks ~ Editor

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