Stovebolt.com Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Inherited a 1953 3100

Hello all, I am new to the site and found this site while attempting to learn more about my new '53 PU. I am excited to get things rolling as far as restoration and I am still working out the details in my head about what the future for this truck is.

My truck belonged to my grandfather who passed away in January at the age of 94. This truck has been around for as long as I can remember and there are so many memories attached to it. Everything from Fishing up in the mountains to grandpa and me towing a travel trailer on an 800+ mile trip for camping in Oregon. This was the first vehicle, besides tractors, that I ever drove.

Parked in a covered outdoor area in 2006, it has sat somewhat protected from the elements and has been pretty much ignored. When I got to it, we first towed it out of the covered area and backed it into the garage type building so I could see if I could get it up and running rather than loading it on a trailer and towing it home.

First thing I did was drain the gas. There was only about 2.5 gallons in it. It was sure nice of someone to make draining the tank an easy process! Next, I replaced the plugs and wires. I also have new points and condenser but haven't felt like putting those in just yet and I forgot to buy a new rotor. I also partially rebuilt the carb.

I replaced the gas, hooked up the battery and then noticed there was no coolant in the radiator. I grabbed a jug of water and poured it in the radiator. And then watched as it ran out the side of the block! Initially this seemed devastating, then I came to the wrong conclusion that it was a freeze plug. Turns out, there is a drain plug at the back of the block and grandpa had the foresight to pull the plug. I eventually found the actual plug laying on the bench.

I plugged the block, put water in the radiator and went to turn it over. and it didn't turn over. After lots of figuring and testing, everything checked out. The mechanical linkage from the starter pedal was shorting out on the starter wire.

I rebuilt the carb, figured out why the starter wasn't working (short) and determined why I had no spark (coil wire not seated). With the help of a friend, and a can of starting fluid, the truck slowly but surely rumbled to life, with a lot of shaking and a lot of smoke.

I put it into gear and rumbled out of the garage. Once out of the garage, I couldn't resist driving it around grandpas loop driveway. Now, there is part of this loop that is down hill and it was at that point I clearly remembered why one should probably check the brakes before driving a truck that has been sitting for 9 years. While having the pedal go to the floor was a bit disconcerting, luckily I wasn't going very fast and the parking brake worked really well!

So, that brings me to where I am in the process. After I figured out where the brake master cylinder was hidden, I determined that the problem was probably caused by the fact that the brake fluid ran out of the front of the cylinder just like it shouldn't. Today I actually got a re- manufactured master cylinder and can't wait to go find out that I have to replace the wheel cylinders as well. It's all part of the fun!

1953 Chevy 3100

Welcome to the site, always nice to inherit a truck, did your grandpa purchase it new? Just make a plan and take it one step at a time. If you need help, you know where to go.

Leo

Welcome, Helitack, and what a great story so far! Your Grandpa must be smiling at your little downhill loop adventure.
Not sure why, but your photo links didn't work for me. I'm sure Peggy, the magician, will sort that out for us ;-)
Cheers, John

Andy, Great looking truck. Nicely preserved. I liked the patina finish. I`m sure your Grandfather would be happy what you did knowing the truck is in good hands. Keep us up to date on your restoration.

Steve

Try this guys... http://s288.photobucket.com/user/helitack32f1/media/unnamed_zpsp5g9xxmy.jpg.html

helitack, welcome to the Stovebolt and WOW what a great pickup. We just don't see many "barn finds" like that anymore. Your grandpa is a smart man. Enjoy the memories while you work on it and make a few memories of your own. Be patient, take it little at a time and the guys in the individual forums will help out. There are surely other bolters in your area so watch for them.

Very good hand me down! Looks like a Oakland built truck too.

Thanks all for the kind words and welcome. I am currently unsure of when the truck was purchased though it seems as though it was late 60's early 70's. I forgot to mention that the motor is from a '58 car of some sort and was originally mated to powerglide transmission. The truck originally had the three on the tree shifter but was changed to the 4 speed stick shift.

While digging around, we found what seems to be the original rear bumper up in the attic, the column shifter and linkages, the original hubcaps and out in the barn we found an extra transmission. I think we even found the original wheels.

One question here, what is wrong with my photos? I am used to a different forum format and attempted to do it the way I do on those. Now I realize that is not how it is done here but I have tried about ten times to create a link to my album as shown in the thread on how to post photos and I have failed! Most likely brain failure.

helitack, I can't answer that question about the pics. All I did to make your link work, above in my post, is I left off the url and the brackets at the end, and entered it in my address window and your photobucket came up.
When you open your photobucket go up to the address window and click on it, then copy the link, then come here to a post and paste it.
Probably telling you wrong as I don't speak geek. Once you get this straightened out you can have a photo bucket link in your signature line.

....OH, that is a good question for the IT forum. Those guys there are the guru's.

Welcome to the Bolt!
Congratulations on the family heirloom! Looks to be a solid old truck, and the upgraded engine should be a plus. Keep us posted on your progress. I'm sure your Grandpa would be proud!

Hi Helitrack

Welcome from the upstate NY area...if I were you with all the memories attached to this truck don't tear it apart....like you have been doing fix stuff as you find it needs to be fixed...this way it wont end up sitting in the garage forever either....they are cool old vehicles just as I have learned over the years...nothing like what we drive on our highway and byways today...so be prepared...they don't start stop or turn like anything else you see today...good luck with your grandpas project truck....

MikeC

Good idea. I am kinda of the mind to spruce up the engine amd engine compartmemt, followed by cleanimg up the interior. As for the exterior, I will probably just pressure wash it and leave it as is for now. I just don't have the time for big plans and you are right, I would probably tear it appart amd then lose interest.

Today, I got the master cylinder imstalled and took the rear wheels off to check the condition of things. I don't want to have to replace all the brake stuff just yet, I just want it to drive so I can bring it home.

I found that the left rear brake drum is cracked which was a bummer. It appears to have been driven that way for some time.

Anyway, tomorrow I plan on having my daughter help me bleed the brakes. Should be a good learnimg experence for a 10 year old. And with luck, it should at least stop after that, I hope!

It has been an interesting experience to try and figure out what the original hubcap and inner grill color would have been. I have yet to come to a true conclusion but I brought home what I believe to be the original hubcaps with the hope that they may hold clues as to their original colors. I love a good mystery!

helitack, you can find out about the hub caps and colors ect by asking those questions in the Paint and Body forum. Guys there know their stuff.
....but a hint is that during the Korean war there was a lot of "black out" on stuff. Meaning that bumper were painted and not chrome. Practically all the chrome disappeared somewhat, during that time.

top of the grill bars, the hubcaps and bumpers are thistle/anvil gray in color.
Here is a correct finely restored 53.
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index.php/2000/11/1953-chevrolet/

Welcome to the forum, helitack- very nice truck & it sounds like you're on the right track. The "heirloom factor" is definitely a neat touch. Your story sounds very familiar; so familiar to mine, in fact, I don't hesitate to suggest you take a look-see to make sure everything's oiling properly...nine years is a lot of sitting. It's cheaper to check before you think you need to is what I'm getting at.

Good luck & be sure to keep your daughter as involved as possible !

Brad

Alvin,

Sorry for the delay in getting in here (am working on Andy's story now). Your advice was good. I don't know why PB puts all those choices for sharing links - none of them work here.

I find the easiest is like you said ... get the picture or album up in a window or tab. Copy the url from the address and then just use the links button that comes with the Full Reply Screen. The first box you'll fill out is the url; the next box is what you want to call the image (My truck, my 1953, my beater, etc.). When I'm editing a bunch and worried about messing something up (haha), I usually just copy the url in the box and then type "xxx" in the second box. I'll go back later and put in the name. It's usually because I have forgotten what the picture actually is (front passenger, rear view, head on, etc.). I try to put a good description to go with the image link. I helps (me) remember if I have already looked at the picture!

Should have Andy's truck story in there soon. Welcome to the site Andy. Cool story to have with Grandpa's truck. One of many ... do a search and you'll see -- we've got Dads and sons and daughters and grandkids. Always neat.

Peggy M

Edit - well, that was easier than I thought! Got Andy's story done. You've read most of it here already. Hope to get a few more details from him.

Thanks for the thoughts on the hubcaps and grill colors. Nearly everything I have read agrees that the colors were thistle gray. But then I read one thing where it was said to have been anvil gray. another thing that causes confusion is that so many trucks of the same color green, that I see in photos, have the yellowish cream color on the grill and the stripe around the cab. Then, the stock bumper we found in the attic of the chicken house is the same cream yellow color. That bumper was removed long before my grandpa ever had the grill and the pinstripe painted. then, to makes things even weirder, the backs of the original wheels are the same color!
It's not all that important and I really like thistle gray better than yellow anyway, but I am just used to finding a definitive answer online and I haven't got that yet.


Last time I posted, I mentioned that I was going to have my daughter help me bleed the brakes now that I finally got the new master cylinder installed. Well, we went there and i filled the MC with fluid and pimped the pedal and was rewarded with a very solid pedal feel. I removed the right rear wheel and attempted to open the bleeder but it just didn't work. It was rusted solid and I didn't want to risk breaking it because I really do not want to replace the wheel cylinders immediately.

So, plan B. Put the wheel back on, fire it up and give my daughter her first ride in the truck, around the yard and see if the brakes work well enough without bleeding.

Astoundingly, the truck fired up instantly and ran well. I have been starting it with the air cleaner off and this time it was on, but uncovered. I went to put the lid on it and it seemed to over choke the motor. It started to die and gas began pouring out of the carb. Of course, with this unique design, when gas runs out of the carb, it runs down on to a nice, hot exhaust manifold. I decided to postpone my daughters first ride to save her from the indignity of having to recount how she got to ride in her daddy's new truck, right before having to bail out and watch it burn to the ground.

Oddly, a lot of the gas seemed to be pouring right out of what turns out to be the vacuum advance line! I took the carb off and brought it home and found that the floats were extremely maladjusted, probably due to my mishandling the last time I opened it up. Hopefully that fixes the issue.

Anyway, I have added more photos to the album so take a look if you get a chance! 1953 Chevy 3100

Helitack, here is a link that may be interesting to you to read over.
http://www.1954advance-design.com/
We have some really great guys here who have a lot of documentation on stuff and you'll find them and read their stuff as you visit here. Much to learn and we all took baby steps at first. There is also some on line manuals, as well as master parts book numbers. It will take a little time so don't be so critical on yourself. I'm still learning every time I come here.

You'll find the answers to most of your questions in the garage forums. You have a nice truck.

(the bleeder screws can be a pain) had one the other day that I had to take the wheel cylinder off, heat it in a vice till its HOT and squirted some Kroil (penetrating oil) on it while it was hot to suck the oil done into the threads. Then, instead of using a wrench, even a line wrench, which will spread open under pressure, us a big pair of Channel locks that you can grip and twist as hard as you want to and it'll come out. I've only had to drill out maybe two in my lifetime. Good luck, see you around the garage.

1953 hub caps were Thistle Gray
1953 bumpers were Anvil Gray
http://www.1954advance-design.com/chev-specs/1953-Chevrolet-t-col.jpg

Stovebolt.com Tech Tip: Advance-Design Paint Colors

Here is the GM 1953 Chevrolet Truck Specifications Manual (it is a large PDF file).

Thanks for the info. Now, that website you gave has me wanting a Suburban! Beautiful truck on the front page of that site.

I will probably replace the wheel cylinders fairly soon on the truck once I get it home from where it currently sits but I may try some of your methods for bleeder removal in the mean time, especially if it won't stop the way it is now.

I have yet to explore this site a whole lot but will have to meander over to the garage section as well as the paint section. What a great place this is!

Thanks for more information on the colors. It makes me happy every time I see confirmation of the grays as being the proper colors, mostly because I am not a fan of the cream and yellowish color that is currently on it.

Well, got the thing up and running today. I re-installed the carb and hooked everything up. Once again the truck fired up immediately. I adjusted the idle a bit so it would stay running and I let it run for quite some time to see if adjusting the floats in the carb eliminated the gas spewing problem.

Next, I eased the truck forward and hit the brakes to see if the unbled brakes would work and they seemed to do ok. So, around the loop I went. The clutch is a bit grabby and I need to remember to start out in 2nd gear, 1st is just too low. i made it around the loop a couple of times without a repeat of my brake failure episode so decided to venture a little further down the road. I drove about a quarter mile and turned around, came back and parked it.

There is some gas seepage from the carb but so far, no cascade of petroleum like the last time. Also, the brakes do sorta work. It seemed as though it would lock one front wheel before anything else but I was just super happy that I had a way of arresting forward momentum!

Welcome to the site! Cool story about getting the truck.