Hello all! I just figured I'd come to the Big Bolts section and share my project with you. It's a 1946 Chevy 2-ton with a 12'-3" flat-bed with removable grain-body sides. I found it, a 1946 Chevy school bus and another '46 2-ton cab, front clip and various other parts in a barn in Shelby, Ohio. You can read up on the finding and bringing home of these treasures here:
gallery While just about everything on this truck is original and works, a check of the engine serial numbers says it's a 1950 216 from an unspecified source. All I know is, after an oil change, a coil and a fuel pump, it runs GOOD. No smoke, knocking or rattling! The tires look new and still hold air, even though it has sit since at least 1985 and the brakes, while rusty, are not frozen. This truck runs and drives! Well, at least it did till the line coming off the master cylinder popped! LOL
I replaced the brake lines and even got them bled (PB Blaster is wonderful stuff). Just a week after bringing it home, I took it to a cruise-in. Only problem I had was the thermostat wouldn't open and it got hot on me a few times. Most of the people there really seemed to like it though!
OK. Now my plans for it. This truck has been a farm truck it's whole life, so it's gonna remain one. Both the old gentleman I bought it from and my Dad are Massey Ferguson fans and I've been around MF equipment all my life so I decided to build this truck in a Massey Ferguson theme. It will be painted Massey red and grey with a 12" x 16" vinyl graphic of the original MF emblem on the doors.
Ultimately, that good-running 216 (that needs to find a home if anyone is interested) will come out and be replaced by the perfect-running 6.354 Perkins diesel from Dad's old Massey 510 combine. The Perkins will be backed with a IH T36 5-speed transmission that came from an IH Loadstar grain truck with a factory Perkins. I realize the T36 is not an O.D. trans, and it, combined with the 6.17 axle gearing, will limit the truck's top speed to just over 40mph, but the old '46 won't be driven on anything but local county roads and if I decide more speed is needed, then a Brownie Box or replacement rear end will be found.
Ultimately, I think this will make a really fun project and I look forward to working on it. I already have a good start just due to the extra parts that came with the truck and already having the replacement drivetrain on hand. I'll be sure to post any updates as they happen.
If anyone is interested, all the pics I've taken so far can be seen here:
Pics Take care everyone!
Brian
