Hey fellow Stovebolters!
PICS:
link to a gallery of photos of my truckMy name is Andy from Mandeville, LA.
I am the proud owner of a really nice dealership owned shop truck since new and now a clean driver in a 1953 1/2 T
3100. I had it delivered from SC on 12/26/2011 and so far I have spent lots of time just turning wrenches and learning about the vehicle.
I have been busy cleaning and tuning the original 216 up. Replacing all of the plugs, cables, coils, grounding straps, rebuilding carb, vacuum wiper motor and so forth.
I live in a pretty hectic suburb just north of New Orleans in one of those upscale subdivisions that don't look kindly upon mechanic types, so I do all of my work in my neatly kept garage. I just got my truck fully registered and insured yesterday, so it was time for a legal test drive!
With the new plates on and Hagerty insurance in my box, I drove to the nearby gas station. I was nervous, never driving something this old (at least on the public streets, as I have restored and used several old tractors) and this unpredictable. I will tell you the last time anyone probably saw a vehicle this old around these town was probably 1953.
People thought I was driving a spaceship or perhaps that I was just Amish. 
Additionally, I recently also replaced the speedo cable and greased it up and took apart the odometer/speed assembly and cleaned it out as well, so it was good time to see if I had made any progress on that front too.
Starting out and the Issues:
TEST DRIVE 101 1. The speedo worked now, but once it got to about 40 MPH, it started spinning wildly up to about 90 and made a whirling noise that was really loud! Worked when I got back down to about 30-35, but for some reason it didn't like the 'high speed' --- thoughts?
2. When I got the gas station, about a mile away, I started to brake and immediately the truck swerved left very strongly. (this was a light touch of the brake as I felt the pull pretty quickly)
This happened again as I got back to my subdivision. Ideas and adjustment help?
3. Upon pulling into the gas station, the truck just died and coasted to a stop. (I was not out of gas, just using the gas station as an excuse to take the ole girl out for a spin) - After pumping the 3 gallons that it took to top it off, the truck would not start with the choke in any position. Started just fine cold, now after idling for 15 minutes before I left and now, it wouldn't start. Starter sounded very weak, like before I replaced the battery (upgraded to Optima 6V and heavy battery cables to starter and new grounding all around) - starter issue???
Wonder why it died?
4. What is the top speed on a 3100 1/2T with 216, about 50? Just curious.
5. Probably a long shot, but anyone recommend any old school mechanics
OR PREFERABLY FELLOW STOVEBOLTERS in the New Orleans or Northshore area that might be able to help assist with these repairs?
NOTES:Shifting was remarkably smooth and drivetrain felt solid and seemed to have plenty of torque and power.
Overall, just as untamed and nervous as I imagined, but I need to determine the stalling, restarting and brake issues before I will ever feel safe in this old truck.
Thanks STOVEBOLT community. I have learned so much from this site and my daily visits to this glorious institution of knowledge, history and fanatical obsession with these great old trucks.
PICS TO COME!!!!
All the best,
Andy
