The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Soon in the market for a 1949-1951 5 window 3100

Hello everyone!

Will be seeking truck above, but wanted to reach out in forum for some help and guidance. I have been looking into these trucks for over a year and am currently tracking 3 for sale or auction. My intent is to use this as a weekend/Spring&Summer driver with the kids. I want to keep this as close to original as possible. Let me take you into my thinking and I am happy to get any advice or viewpoints.

1949-1951 due to body styling and pre-war make-up.
Original styling - 3 on column, etc.
216 vs 235 engine - does the 235 give me that much advantage?
I have heard people talk about highway gearing - what needs to be modified for this?
12 volt vs original 6 volt - seems to be common

What do I need to be looking out for? What mods/upgrades do I want to make this drive-able while keeping "original" intact?

I apperciate all of your help!

Thx,
KLM

Well, nobody has chimed in so I will take a crack at this. Ultimately, of course, only you know your mechanical skills and how fat your wallet is. Also, do you plan to drive the freeways of Atlanta, or the country back roads? The answer to those questions will take you to your destination.
I like trucks in their stock form, up to a limit. Be careful using the term "original" as a truck is only original once.
Regarding 216 vs 235, in casual cruising you won't notice a difference, but if you want to get out on the freeway and run with the rest of them, then you will need the 235, or a V8, along with a different rear end (a few hundred dollars for the rear end if you do it yourself). Once you are going faster, then you need to stop, and many opt for disc brakes which means replacing your front suspension. Otherwise, well maintained stock brakes will stop you fine at 55 or slower.
I like 6 volts just fine, but if the truck already has been converted, like my '42, then that is OK, too. If truck is still 6 volts, be sure grounds and connections are clean. If you want to listen to anything other than AM radio, or have in mind other modern gadgets then you might want the 12 volt.
Finally, adding at least lap seat belts to the truck of your dreams is easy and I would advise you do that for yourself and your kids.
Good luck and let us know what you end up getting. And if you do, don't forget to send pictures!!
Kent

Hi I just posted this
Hi you'all welcome to Stove Bolt
Here are a couple of places for you New B's to find a truck .
D I c k and Mikes Hot Rod Garage in MN
http://www.hotrodgarage.net

Here is a special place on E-bay that most people don't know about Collector Car's section then scroll down and look for Chevy then look for pickups when you get to the trucks you can filter out the years your not interested in neat stuff (at this time 4/21/15 was a bunch good priced buy it now stove bolts )
http://www.ebay.com/motors/collector_car

One other good link is http://www.onecraigs.com
This will search all the US craigslist just do simple search like 1946 Chevy or 1946 Chevy truck .When the ads pop up find what and where your interested in right mouse click and choose option "open in new window"
This way works the best.

Well I hope find a nice truck . Remember don't rush into a sale the truck that's meant for you it will speak to you .
Paul


Paul

Hi KLM. I'm in Atlanta, too. I have a '46 1/2 ton with a '54 235 in it and 3:55 ring and pinion. If you'd like to go for a ride sometime give me a shout. A bit earlier truck than what you're considering, but it might be useful to you. You've got to have a few more posts before you can PM me, though.

Nobody has mentioned the low pressure 216 vs the full pressure 235 comparison. The older engine in Chevys (up to '53 Powerglide and '54 all) had a low pressure oil system (you'll see a 30 lb. gauge on the dash). The truck you're contemplating would have this. Not sure what year they went away from babbit bearings and splasher oiling, but they had that, too. In the '53 Powerglide car and all '54s they went to what's called a full pressure system (60 lb. gauge on the dash). These had insert bearings. This is important if you need to rebuild an engine as the 216's are tougher to find a competent rebuilder - lost art. The '54 235 is the holy grail for engine swaps for an older truck as it is a straight bolt-in (provided it's truck engine). My engine came out of a '54 Powerglide car and had to have front motor mounts modified to fit the truck.

The full pressure engines have more horsepower and (I'm told) last better than the 216's. Mine was rebuilt in 1986 and now has about 70,000 miles on it. Good runner, no smoking or oil burning.

This is meaningless if you get a GMC - the 228 was full pressure during the years you're considering. Completely different engine. Much superior to the 216 in my opinion.

Another thing to consider is that Chevy went to Bendix brakes in '51. They are superior to the Huck brakes used in '50 and before. That said, I've got Huck brakes on my '46 and they do fine. I've done Bendix brakes on a '51 before and that system is superior - easier to adjust and better brake action.

My 2 cents

KLM now has enough posts to activate his PM account. Please use PMs for personal messages.

Guys -

This is the leader in my search right now and its local. I have seen this truck and talked to the mechanics about it. It is in excellent shape (on surface) except for a few small paint prep issues. It appears to be a very nice restoration, but I have not driven it yet (mechanic warns me it will drive like a John Deere).

(Ad link deleted)

2HP-Jxxxxx looks like a Oct 1950 3100 from Tarrytown, NY.

It is a 216 (rebuilt with Fenton dual exhaust) with original Huck brakes (rebuilt), 6V electrical - so a very stock truck. So, from everything I am learning from you guys and the mechanics at FD, this will be my back road ( < 55mph ) fun weekend driver. Any concerns about what anyone sees here and any thoughts on pricing? As well, I plan to ask for lap belts installed, as well as transmission/engine/axle numbers as well as their safety inspection. What else should/could I be asking for from dealer?

Your help is appreciated.

Thx,
KLM

In my humble opinion this truck is grossly overpriced at $42,950! At that price there ought to be some significant upgrades like a higher highway gearing in the differential, upgraded brakes, and maybe even IFS suspension. There's nothing wrong with a rebuilt 216, but if you want to drive it on the highway I'd be looking for a 235. I check most all the sites and that truck is the most expensive orignal resto I've ever seen!! If you've got that much money to spend then go ahead and write the check, but if it were me I'd keep walking and find something else more reasonably priced. I'd also want the binder of all the build reciepts too. Obviously it's a beautiful truck, but honestly it's WAY over priced!!!

The price is up there for sure but, it appears to be beautifully done.
It's in your snack bracket go for it.

Never saw the link before it got deleted, but that's BIG money for that truck. I think you can find one for less than that if you're willing to look around. I don't know why the truck market seems to be heating up so much. Seeing ads for incomplete rustbuckets from the 50's asking $6 and 7K - for what I'd describe as a parts truck. Nuts!

BTW, how handy are you with maintenance? Old trucks require much more than a modern vehicle. Frequent oil changes, lube jobs, brake adjustments, packing front wheel bearings, adjusting valves, etc. If you don't do this yourself it can be quite expensive, and will frequently be done wrong by young guys who have no idea what they're doing on an older vehicle.

I found the truck you were talking about. It's darned pretty, but begs the question - what do you want to use the truck for? That truck is what I'd call a trailer queen: too nice to really use. If you want something you can run to the hardware store in, that ain't it. First time somebody opens a car door against it, you'd have a stroke. Frankly, what I like about my '46 is that it's a good "20 footer" but hardly perfect. When the kids show interest it's not "don't touch it," but instead "well get behind the wheel and see what it was like 69 years ago." To me that's a heck of a lot more fun. Also, if somebody opens a door against it, it doesn't wreck my day. I figure they just knocked a dent in the edge of their door.

A guy came up to me yesterday at a car show that's trying to sell his 1/2 ton 48 5 window GMC. He's asking $10700. he said it's listed on Jacksonville's Craig's list. He owns a bar at Jax. beach.