Tyler Bolles working on his 1959 Chevy Apache     We usually begin Stovebolt March Madness with John Smith's article on bringing your Bolt out of winter storage. But this year, we thought we'd better grab your attention BEFORE you grab any tools!     We've updated our Shop Safety Primer thanks to some additional input throughout the year.     Whether you are a seasoned and experienced restorer, or new to the old truck restoration hobby, you should always practice safety in the shop. The following story and safety primer should help the novice, as well as the expert, remember that Safety is Job 1 in the shop -- always!

"How to Restore Your Chevrolet Pickup" on sale for $14.97! Motorbooks International Sportsman's Guide Weekly Specials These folks have GREAT deals (up to 70% off) on name-brand items. Tools, gear, equipment, and some really neat stuff! You need to check this out! It's not just for hunting and fishing! Help keep this site going and growing!

A Shop Safety Primer        We all know that working on our old trucks is dangerous! But sometimes, either through lack of knowledge or complacency, that danger can rise up and strike even the most competent and skilled restorer. Living to enjoy our finished work demands safety awareness, common sense and care. For your own safety, as well as that of those around you, please read these safety tips and be familiar with the safe operation of the equipment in your shop and its proper use when working on your vehicle. Even if you're an old shop vet, re-reading safety tips can keep you from the clutches of complacency        Every year, people die while working on their vehicles and more are injured. Almost without exception such accidents are due to human error.        The three commonly observed factors contributing to these deaths and injuries are: Lack of knowledge Inattention or distraction Violation of safe practices        Serious hazards include dropping heavy components, improperly secured loads, and incorrect use of equipment and tools.        Thanks to Tony Pascarella, Jim Proffit, Kip, Racecarl, Chief, Boyoconnor, TT, Barry Weeks, Joe H, Ken, Jeff Nelson, Phat, Stingray, 52CHEVY, and Dakota for contributing to the following. Please learn from our experience -- there's no need to learn these lessons yourself the hard way. PLEASE READ ON ...

Feature

	Destined for a crusher and a future as a soda can, a left-for-dead '52 1-Ton turned rat rod helps Dad by... Motivating the next generation
The truck was built on a whim because of a rat rod the boys saw at a car show that was built by adults for little money. They thought it looked unsafe and poorly built, and commented to me that they could build one better.            So I challenged them to do it.            I knew of a '52 GMC 1-ton I could get for free if I hauled it away. So we had their truck and a starting point.            Because they decided an 8-lug 1-ton would not be very cool AND the boys wanted to show the truck at the local car show, the Cowlitz County 30th Anniversary Unique Tin Car Show, the clock was ticking and the job was on!            To make this come together quickly, I donated my wife's 1984 Monte Carlo (bought at an auction for $200). It ran and drove with a V-8, power steering, power disc brakes and the body was shot.            In five 10 - 14 hour days, we put the '52 on the '84 frame. The boys got all the bolts holding the truck to the frame off in two hours and then we lifted the cab off with a tractor. It took another three hours to get the Monte off its frame. We left the Monte's engine, transmission, and brakes intact on the frame and welded new mounts on. Then we set the cab.
There's plenty more to Dale Holt's story ... with lots of pictures.

Green-light specials from the Stovebolt Hoo-ya Mall

Prompted by a suggestion from In2Deep and Buddy in AK, we now have a new design in the hoo-ya mall
(maybe we should make our "school colors" black and red for blood and grease?):

Order directly from the Hoo-ya mall if you like.

You can order this dimage e on a t-shirt, ball cap ... well, anything you want.   AND ... we can add your name to it if you like! i

If you want something customized, you'll need to contact us!

The "Living t" Thanks to Ray Oehm, Jr. for helping get the list of names started. And if you'd like to be included ... this is a "living shirt" so we'll keep on adding names ... even if we are crunching them in there! So, get in while there is literally "space available."

d And here's the latest version of the Greasy Spoon Hanging Out t-shirt (or whatever you want it smacked on) d e And we have the It Ran When I Parked It 2004 Wall Poster e Our next design undertaking is a cool idea for those Texas Stovebolters!

Mailbag

      "I am very exited to get my truck on the website. I appreciate all your time and your effort doing this for people and not charging to post. I think it's awesome what you are doing and I hope stovebolt.com never dies. Thanks again!! ~~ Andrew Bogle / 1961 Chevy Apache 10 1/2-Ton

      "I followed your advice and requested a restoration package for my '70 CST-10. I spoke with a Lynnette Evans who I told was probably one of the most courteous and helpful people I'd experienced in a long while. I know it's her job but it sure was a breath of fresh air in today's world. Thanks for the tip and keep up the good work! I've been enjoying your site for over two years years now. ~~ Michael C. Moffett / Chantilly, VA

      "I am from Bloomington, Indiana. I did post under the General Truck Talk forum (1957 Chevy Bread Truck Questions?). The members on this site are amazing! The information they gave me has led me to pictures and articles and now I know quite a bit. I booked a flight to Providence for the 23rd and can't wait to see the truck in person. I will be sure to send new pictures as soon as I get her home and cleaned up a bit! Thanks again for the great site and all your efforts. ~~ Chris Foster / "JupiterCoyote"

      "I really enjoyed doing the project (1952 Chevy 1/2-ton) and could not have done it properly without the help of all those great Stovebolters! ~~ Ken Adams / "Shoeless" / Oklahoma

      "First I would like to say THANK YOU to The Stovebolt Staff for all the hard work that goes in to maintaining this site. I must also say how glad I am to have found this site. I mostly just lurk quietly in the corner because I am not much help with any technical questions and there are so many more knowledgeable people than me here. 'Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.' I have owned my truck for two years. I bought it to satisfy a longtime desire to own one of these trucks, even though I had next to no practical working knowledge of it and initially I felt alone and uninformed.
      "Searching the web for info I stumbled upon this site. Hallelujah! Here were people just like me! (except they know the answers to my questions). I read all responses eagerly to hopefully gain some insight into my own truck. I have learned that any question I might ask has probably been asked a hundred times before and will probably be asked hundreds more but you know what? Someone will always be there to answer patiently every time! This place is amazing. So many people willing to give of their time and know-how to perfect strangers and expecting nothing in return except maybe a "thanks."
      "What a GREAT PLACE. The Stovebolt Page is like a favorite T.V. show. There is drama, comedy, excitement, and a cast of thousands. The cast of characters is ever-changing. They come and go, though some have stayed for the long haul it seems, and of this I am glad. I want you all to know that I consider many of you my friends even though we have never spoken or communicated directly. I still look forward to hearing from you daily. Sorry to ramble. Really just wanted to say I LOVE THIS SITE [Big Grin] P.S. To all newbies - Be polite, say please and thank you. Thanks all. ~~ Jeff Moore / Hays County, Texas

• Sportsman's Guide -- Yes, they have quite a selection of tools, at discounted prices! (Tools)
• Truck Tool Boxes -- a complete line of professional grade aluminum truck toolboxes (Tools)
• www.aircompressors.bz -- Air Compressors Manufacturers (Tools)
• Truck Steering Parts -- This site just might have the steering part your looking for (Parts)
• ABC Auto Upholstery -- Truck Interiors Center (Parts)
• Bruce Horkey's Wood and Parts -- Bruce Horkey has a new site up for Bed Wood (Parts)
• Automotive Restoration Forums -- A new information resource for automotive restoration (Other Neat Stuff)
• Classic Car Insurance -- List of several classic vehicle insurance providers (Services)
• Speedy O Truck -- Kris Schneider's Personal Truck page (Personal)
• Classic Cars Rotting -- A virtual tour of the worlds largest known antique auto junkyard (Parts)
• Randy's Ring and Pinion -- All sorts of driveline parts, info and technical help (Parts)
• Ted's Garage ~ Gear Ratio Combinations Calculator -- Cool Calculator For Gear Ratio's (Tech Specs)
• Cut's Old Trucks -- Dick Cutting's site. Huge asset in Big Bolt land! (Truck/Personal)
• POR-15 Depot -- Authorized distributors of POR-15 in Mt. Vernon, Texas (Parts)
• Midwest All Truck Nationals -- Truck show in Kansas City, Missouri (Shows)
• Genuine Chevy GMC Truck Club of Kansas City -- Chevy/GMC truck club in Kansas City, Missouri (Clubs)
• Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants (Parts)
• Cool Springs Cabins -- Ned Leuchtner's neat "old" place On "Route 66" -- Oatman, Arizona (Personal)
• Old Carburetors -- Manuals for old carburetors. Awesome Resource Paul!! (Publications)
• Gas Tank Renu-USA of Mid-Michigan -- Rick and Carolyn Hess specialize in gas tank restoration (Services)

February Tech Tip Articles

• How To Wire Your Turn Signal -- An often asked question, Cletis presents it in a pretty easy to follow tip -- By Charlie Hardin / Cletis
• Chevrolet Engine Serial Number Prefixes -- Is your engine correct? Don't know? Here's how to find out -- By John Milliman
• Chevrolet Series/Model List -- At long last, a comprehensive list of pickup AND big truck Series and Model codes -- By John Milliman
• Deciphering your Chevrolet VIN -- Learn how to let your Chevy truck tell you all about itself! -- By Barry Weeks UPDATED!!!!
• Ordering the Chevrolet 'Restoration Package' -- Did you know Chevy will send you a free packet on original info about your truck?
• How do I get on the Stovebolt Page Newsletter mailing list -- We've had several people ask so here's the answer -- by Margaret
• Calculate RPM, Tire Size and Rear Axle Ratio -- A combined effort by Arlyn Unrein and Gordon "Gord" Hillsden
• Mongo's Low-buck Cab Dolly -- A little scrounging around and a few bucks makes this an easy project for your Project -- by Steve Mosely
• Painting your Firewall -- "American Pride" at its finest -- by Bruce Michaels
• Chrome Basics -- We had a Guest Forum with Bobby Baker of Superior Chrome. This is the last of the information gleaned from that forum
• Chrome Process Questions and Answers -- This is the last of the information gleaned from Superior Chrome's Guest Forum appearance