Dear friends:
I want to begin my story just remembering high school graduation .I was so exited for my own effort. As the same way, I’m feeling today with my truck almost finished.
The beginning of my story started in 2005 when I bought my dreamed 1952 Chevy truck ¾ ton, 5 windows. It was a complete restoration. At that time, in my country, all the junk yard trucks were disappears by the iron world demand.
A friend of mine told me about this truck from a guy who had two more for his project. I spoke with him and sold me the worst of them. Really I had no much choice. I was consent of the hard work to come out.
The restoration schedule was to the 100%, because the truck had to much rust. I had to change the whole floor cab, supports, outer corners, bed sides, the front fenders from other donor and the running boards 80%.
The Engine was the easier part of the job, because we knew that the truck was stopped with the engine in good shape( that was the men said). All you know how exiting is to crank the engine for the first time. In my case it not cranked even all we fight to make it work. The “plan B” was to open the engine and make the diagnosis. The head valve block had to be sent to the shop, but the rest looked very fine, still standard.
Most of the partners not from USA, are agree with me that the restoration of this beautiful trucks are three times more expensive and slower than the USA people. You have to fight with highs taxes, shipping, etc. This force you to search another options less expensive to solve the numerous situation you have with your project. For example: to machine yours own shackles bushings, welding your hand made metal patches, to buy used parts and restored them, and the worse for me to adapt parts.
In this particularity want to mention the worse experience I had with the vacuum wiper motor. I tried to adapt two similar but, as all of you know, there is an intricate measurement between motor gear and linkage displacement…. really I can’t do it. At last, bought the electric wiper motor from classic parts. As say goes “the cheaper become expensive (in my bad English of course)”.
All the welding job, painting, electric, mechanic was made by my own. I tried to restore the truck the best I can with the concept of a daily driving truck. Most of the parts are originals that I came buying on ebay and classic parts.
Right now I’m solving the last problems like the install the 4 brand new wheel cylinders, buy the water pump adapter plate and the other coin face: fix papers!
In Costa Rica there is a special care to this truck, we count at less with 20 restored trucks. We call them “panchitos” in other Latin countries call them “ boca de sapo”.
Special thanks to the STOVE BOLT guys who join our community in this lovely passion: the olds chevys trucks.
Today, with the help of my wife (been patient), my truck is almost finished.
I invite you to visit and share my photo album on webshots page at
alfonsomarin26 album
http://community.webshots.com/user/alfonsomarin26?vhost=community "panchitos"
