I’ve owned this red 1953 Chevy 3/4-ton truck for about 19 years. I learn and do everything I can myself. I joined Stovebolt back in 2015 as I worked on the project. So I was always looking for advice on what I really need to do and how to move forward. I’m over 70 and going as hard as I can. I was so glad to be on the forum!
The truck is a 4 speed in the floor, ignition switch in the dash, no radio. Has blinker and brake lights. Some original instruments work. Three were added on and put into the dash.
The bed had wood over a sheet metal. The wood got so bad I removed it and now she has just the metal bed which I like fine!
The first thing I did was get the clutch working. The pressure plate had stuck together. A screwdriver fixed that!
Next I replaced the very wide wheels with black wall standard size with new aluminum rims. This helped with the steering.
I replaced all the glass with gray tented, other than the back. It is a one window in the back.
She was throwing oil out all over the place, using a quart of oil in 45 minutes! There were two air vac ports on the valve cover, one was being used at the carburetor, the other was just plugged off. One day I removed the plugged off one and walla, she stopped using oil!
It has a flat 6 cylinder Chevy engine. I was not sure of the size then but I was told it looks like it came out of an early 70's Camaro. I ended up replacing it since it was worn beyond specs. So, now it has the same type motor that it had in it -- an overhauled IL 6 Chevy 250, 4 in the floor.
Next I pulled the original old seat out and did a basic upholster job, using a piece of plywood under so my butt would not sink into the springs. Now it is too bouncy on dirt roads!
So that was my next improvement I wanted to do.
Problem with the steering. When driving over 45 and hit large bumps, the wheels would go one way then the other (over steering problem) dangerous if passing traffic. I put an anti sway bar on her. Seemed to fix that big issue!
I kept having problems with the brakes. They had to be pumped up and they pull prior to pumping up. I bled them and repaired a slave cylinder on the right. I repaired the driver side one (it was leaking) and it does better. No longer pulls much but still requires one pump.
While observing the master cylinder, I keep seeing small bubbles come up after compressing the brake and releasing. Just don't know where they are coming from?
I put a new clutch in last year.
It came to my attention that the right side of my cab was low so I had to figure out why. I removed the carpet etc. that I put in a couple of years back. Removed the piece-meal tin floor, numerous screws, foot boards to find a lot of rusted and missing metal. Both front side bolts that hold the floor down were essentially fused together with rust.
So I began my journey to learn how to MIG weld & cut metal.
I found a good source for sheet metal nearby and began measuring, cutting and seeking advice.
At this point I have a 16 ga floor pan and foot board ready to install.
The right front side panel had also collapsed. I was going to just re-cover the inside with a fabricated panel, cover the rusted holes, kill the rust and move on with it.
My friends on the forums advise me to replace all of the cowling side panel (3 on each side). More thinking, figuring and work! I’ll be glad to post some pictures.
So I’m looking for advice on what I really need to do and how to move forward.
These folks on these forums have always helped me so much, sometimes scolding me. I can handle it.
