Jared Stewart's 1965 Chevrolet 1/2-Ton

06 February 2006 Update
# 1333

From Jared:

          This is the first weekend in a LONG time that I haven't driven the two hours to go work on the truck ... and I miss it. My Dad has caught the fever and is looking at building a '57.

          My brother came up and joined my Father and me in the build. We stripped apart a 305, assuming that it was usable. Well wouldn't you know ... it wasn't. I ended up using a 350 that my Mother donated out of a '66 Chevelle. It is running now, and running well I might add.

          We custom made the drive shaft -- another bit of Dad's handy work. We ended up with a 350 / 350 turbo combination.

          Thanks to some help from the Stovebolters in the forum, I have a whole new set of plans. I am looking for a '71 to convert the front brakes to disc. But for now, the motor is strong and the truck is coming together. My wife took over the project now that it's "cosmetics" time. We hope to have it painted by the end of this summer. She wants it a pearl white. We'll see.

          This has been a blast and I have learned more in volume in the last two months than in a semester of college (don't tell my professors).

          I'll go ahead and list the original motor in the Swap Meet. I'm not sure what it is size-wise but it runs good and is still attached to the working transmission. It'll be good to move it to a new Stovebolt home.

Jared Stewart
"Ramblin_Stew"
Bolter # 9568
Conway, Arkansas

22 December 2005
# 1333

From Jared:

This is my first restoration project. My parents went halfway on the price with me for making A's in college (gotta love sitting behind the smart people).            My Father helped me locate this gem. It was in a butcher's backyard. We gave him $650 for it and drove it on the trailer. It has the original 6 and the "three on the tree."            I'm currently in the planning stages of restoring it. I've gotten a 400 small block with a transmission to match to transplant into her and bring her to life.

           This is going to be a bonding experience with my Dad and I, so I'm looking forward to the build. We just recently wrapped up the new brakes. New lines, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, etc. It'll stop on a dime (they're still drum, so it will have to be a pretty big dime. Ha).

           Anyone who knows any handy tricks or tips, please let me know.

           Thanks again. It's cool to know that there is a community of truck-enthusiasts out there that is so supportive of projects.

Thanks,

Jared Stewart
"Ramblin_Stew"
Bolter # 9568
Conway, Arkansas