Wayne Roworth's 1947 Chevrolet 1-Ton Panel

From Wayne: 

       I acquired the very red '47 1-ton Panel truck in 2000 in very good shape. I was told I am the third owner. It came to Florida from Pennsylvania by its second owner. The first owner was a farmer in PA. The second owner used it to haul a motorcycle and carry band equipment.

       The truck still has original oak floor boards attached to the original frame. I had a vision to make it look as much as original on the outside but modern on the mechanical and drivetrain side.

       It now tows a 1976 Airstream for family camping trips and some wooden boats to boat shows.

Replaced stock suspension:

       When I acquired this truck, it had a Chevy 400 small block with a '71 camper rear end with 411 gears and a turbo 400 auto transmission. The suspension was stock with add-on gas shocks. As we (who own these trucks) know, the manual steering, turning radius, braking power, and over-all handling in this type of vehicle is sometimes compared to wrestling an alligator in a small bathroom! I wanted to have a more modern suspension and have safer brakes and easier steering.

       I found through research that I could bolt on a '73 to '87 Chev or GMC IFS saddle with 1/2" spacers. I found a '80 Chev C20 3/4-ton in a local salvage yard with 8 lug wheels. The donor IFS came complete with disc brakes, anti-sway bar, power steering pump, steering box, pulleys and hoses.

Replaced 400 Small Block:

       Took out the 1973 Chevy 400 small block V8. It was leaking oil, had a bent push rod, was last re-worked in 1995 and the rocker arms were way out of adjustment. I replaced it with an engine I could depend on for towing and be proud to show. I chose an out of state shop to build me a 383 Chevy Stroker - 400 HP - 455 Torque @ 5500 rpm with the following features:

• 4 Bolt Main Block
• All Precision Machining To Block To Fit Stroker Crankshaft (3.75 Stroke)
• New Cam Bearings, Brass Freeze Plugs, and Oil Galley Plugs
• Crane Cast Steel Stroker Crank Assembled W/Tri Metal Clevite 77 Rod And Main Bearings
• A Set Of Eagle H-Beam Connecting Rod W/ ARP Bolts
• Performance Speed-Pro Hypereutectic Coated Skirt Pistons
• Hand Filled Performance Rings
• A Three Piece True Double Roller Timing Set
• Crane Performance Camshaft (Hydraulic Lifter) 270,280 Duration
• High Rev Lifters
• Edelbrock Aluminum Cylinder Heads
• Stainless Steel 2.02 Intake Valves
• Stainless Steel 1.60 Exhaust Valves
• Chrome Moly Push Rods
• 16 True Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms W/1.5 Ratio
• CRV 1.9 HP high torque starter
• Chrome Oil Pan, Chrome Dip Stick, Chrome Timing Cover, Chrome Thermostat Housing, 10" Chrome Air Cleaner
• Professional Products Crosswind Series Intake Manifold
• 750 CFM Edelbrock Carburetor With (Electric Choke)
• High Performance High Voltage HEI Distributor W/Coil (53,000 Volt Coil)
• Taylor 8mm Custom Fit Ignition Wires
• High Volume Oil Pump And Screen
• 383 High Performance Chrome Valve Covers
• Performance 400 Balancer
• Fel-Pro Performance Gaskets

Gas Tank:

       Replaced original 13-gallon gas tank with custom made 24-gallon aluminum tank.

Offset Wheels:

       Because the IFS installation made the front wheels stick out beyond the fenders, I had offset wheels built with a 4" offset.

New Seats:

       Installed four reclining and swiveling armchair seats.

Sunroof:

       Installed a flip up sun roof above second row seating.

Hardwood Floors:

       Installed oak strip flooring in all floor areas.

       I still have to replace the electrical wiring and finish the interior.

Wayne Roworth
"Wroworth:"
New Port Richey, FL