The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Finally took my big bolt out on the road...

Well, as the title states I finally got my 1946 Chevy 2 ton in running/driving condition. I knew going into the project it would be a loud moving truck, but it almost sounds like it is whining too much. Granted, I am only 23 and have never touched anything this old, so I have no idea what is and isn't normal for this truck. I don't really have anyone I can refer to for help around town and essentially I'm on my own with the help of you guys! I have read enough to know that it is NOT a modern day truck by any means. I'm just wondering if something could be wrong that's causing more whining and noise then necessary. She(he?) made it six miles round trip(SLOWLY) and didn't sputter once. I can only imagine everything is working fine if she made it back in one piece. Just looking for reassurance that everything is probably normal. I'll end on this note...I was extremely happy to be driving it after working on it all winter and was proud the truck made it through the short trip. Not disappointed by any means! Thanks in advance for your reassurance

How fast were you going? Those are low-speed geared trucks.

By the way: congratulations.

What kind of 2-ton (bed style/bed)?

The speedo cable is non-existent so couldn't really tell you. If I had to guess though I would say right around 35MPH. It felt like the most comfortable speed for the truck without becoming TOO Loud. Not to mention the front end still has quite the play in it. Like you said, they are low geared and our backroads are quite bumpy out here so that had a role in the drive. Anyone close to southeast Michigan? I wouldn't mind driving a little ways to see someone elses big bolt and possibly going for a ride to see how it compares. There is currently no bed on the truck, but I have plans drawn up for a stake bed to be put on. Has a PTO but I doubt I'll ever do anything with that.

I am in Indianapolis and have a 46 2-ton I use for my business. If you are ever close or driving through I would be glad to give you a ride.

These trucks are big, but I wouldn't say loud. Keep in mind that these were once new trucks and they wouldn't have sold many if they were known to be loud or unusually noisy. Rumbly and crude by todays standards, yes. Maybe a youtube video posted would help us understand what noise you are talking about..

Glad you enjoyed your first trip and it was without incident...

Hi Paul here
1948 2 ton ,216 engine
My big bolt is my every day driver and it was loud and hot inside the cab .
1 Look to see what kind of rear end you have ,if you have this funky thing bolted to the side of the diff housing with lines going to it ,you most likely have a 2 speed rear end .But a 2 speed rear end back then was not overdrive rear gears like they are now,you had low and very low .You have to make sure it's in the higher gear someone here should be able to help you with this.
2 get yourself a little Harbor Freight 2 inch tach ,I keep my 216 at 3500rpm and not over 4000rpms
(45 mph) .you will have to get a small 12v motorcycle battery to run the tach unless you convert the truck to 12v .
3 Speedo I bought a cheap Garmin gps at a pawn shop for my speedo when I drive my 1952 Chevy 1 ton panel with a non working speedo .Works great .
4 Tractor Supply has 3/4 rubber horse stall matt 4'x 6' sheets for $30 - $40 .1 sheet will do the whole floor that's under seat and behind the seat also .I put down this aluminum foil backed bubble wrap type insulation first , then the rubber matt .Even at 106 degrees in AZ last year I had no heat coming through the floor ,and very quite .
PM me for my tel number I will explain to you how to cut the matt it cuts like butter if you do it right.
I've done some big trips with mine and love it . Hope you have a fun summer cruising in your truck .
Paul
Here are some specs for your truck from the Gm heritage center.
55 pages 1946 Chevy trucks specs (1st page in blank)
https://gmheritagecenter.com/docs/g...hevrolet-Trucks/1946-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

menu page for other years
https://gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html

main page
https://gmheritagecenter.com

Oh my gosh Awick

Congrats on getting it up an running...I am amazed a 23 year old kid trying to drive a 69 year old truck.....that is so cool...hope you can figure out your issues...I myself am not looking forward to trying to drive mine ( I can hear myself saying what you are saying now)...they are cool old trucks to look at tho.....keep diggin on it...worse come to worse you can sell it and maybe make a buck too...

MikeC

Awick,

I think a '46 is the same style as my '41 2 ton fire truck - Art Deco series, they call it. Usually, when someone describes the noise as "whining", they're talking about the transmission. If your truck is original, it probably has the "crash box" 4 speed. The gears are straight cut, and require double clutching to shift smoothly. Straight cut gears are just plain louder, and any pitting or wear only adds to the noise they can make.

Does it get noticeably quieter in 4th gear? 4th is direct, so there's no gear clash in the trans, and it's quiet.

My buddy the former gearbox salesman likes to say "singing gears are happy gears!"

Loud? YES! But also almost indestructible.

By-the-way, the engine noise is ALSO loud on these trucks. Not much insulation between you and the noise-maker under the hood. And, it was undersized for such a large truck, so it has to work pretty hard. As you drive it, you'll learn to distinguish between the engine noise and the tranny.

I hope this helps - keep updating us on your progress - we love hearing about it!

-Michael

Hello all, figured I'd update since a few of you replied with valuable information! I ended up draining some fluid from the rearend and the tranny and adding lucas oil; this did help quiet it down a little bit. Not much, but seems to take the edge off it a little. I can definitely distinguish between the motor/tranny noise and after driving a few times it sounds more natural and like everything is in order. I'm just too used to the 70/80 era vehicles where there's no straight cut teeth besides reverse and things are a little quieter. Teeth all looked fine with no visible chips or marks. Another problem I may be having is the motor is actually from a 1955 235 and the tranny is a 3 speed. So all that combined with the 2 speed rear end is probably my culprit. Having another problem with the rear axle, but I'll make another thread for that! Thanks for all of your replies.