The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk A new adventure in Chevy land

Hi all.

I've already introduced myself in the welcome bit...but I'm new here. My name is Alex, I'm from East Kilbride in Scotland..want to know anything else just ask!!

So after deciding that i had far too much spare change floating around i decided I'd buy a 51 Chevy 3100 to sink all my hard earned cash into. After having a good look over it i realise i may have bitten off slightly more than i can chew!!
The amount of welding required is more than i first thought. The wiring is bordering on dangerous. The paint work is horrific. There is no stereo, seat belts, window washers, door locks, parking brake. Steering is pretty loose. Needs a new brake drum. Needs a couple of wheel studs and nuts. There is an oil leak. Small fuel leak at the carb...i think thats about it to start with!! So I'll slowly be plodding away at fixing it up. Any advice, ideas, offers of help/parts greatly appreciated.

Och aye, Jimmy,

Steering adjustment - you will need a spring-scale. If you can get the steering gear into adjustment, you do not have to worry about a rebuild. Check all the front-end parts and adjust/repair/replace. If the journals for the king-pin bushings in the spindle./steering-knuckles are wallowed-out, you have a problem (report back here). If the king-pin is loose in the axle, over-sized king-pins are available.

If you cannot weld and you do not have a friend you can barter with, you might want to learn to weld (or, make friends with a welder).

After figuring that problem/solution:

Brakes - first/next order of business. You'd be doing this on any vehicle. If you need help shipping from over here, just ask.

Then, parking brake. This is any easy adjustment - used/reproduction parts are available (over here).

Seat belt - appropriate used ones can be found a good knacker's yard (do you still use that term)?

Is there a lock on the right side?

Stereo - you can wait.

Windscreen washer - an modern add-on.. But, needed for the showers/rains in Scotland. Ask about that near the end of your efforts.

Alex, just take your time and enjoy the journey. Take it very slow and and just work on one system at a time. To keep from getting overwhelmed, work on the mechanical issues first so you can at least test drive it when it is more sound. Lots of us have been through this very thing and are here to help.

Ditto what the guys have already said.
I'd like to add this. Make a list to work from then start marking them off by doing some of the simple things first like fixing the wheel studs. Mark it off and then on to the next.

......and now that your hands are greasy and dirty your ready to tackle the harder items on the list. You can do it and we're here to help.

So you believe that you may have bit off more than you can chew.
You have two choices.
Spit it back out.
Or double down on your chewing efforts.
Restoring these trucks is like eating an elephant.
How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time.

Thanks for the replies.

I've so far managed to source wgeel studs (but not wheel nuts)
A washer bottle (because it's an easy job)
Hand brake cables (but not the clips they attach to on the brake shoe)

I really need to look at the steering and try to sort it out.
And the brakes pull harshly to the right.

There is a lock on the passenger side door, but not the driver side. Is this normal?

What do people do for rear lights? There are lights on it but they are pretty small and rubbish.
There is a retro fitted indicator which is utterly horrible looking and very slow flashing?!

As for the welding..i have never welded anything before!!! Seems as good a time as any to learn though!!

Hi Mark,I didn't realise you'd actually GOT the truck....

It's very easy to get overwhelmed by the scale of things,like the others have mentioned write a list and check off each one as you go.
Many of us are, and have been where you are right now.
Make a plan and do your damdest to stick to it,try not to get sidetracked.

Top Tip.
If there's any small parts you remove for any length of time,apart from the larger obvious ones, "Bag and tag".
Get yourself some of those zip lock freezer bags and an inky.
NOT for writing 'menchies' on bus shelters though
Write on the bag what it is.

Also invest in a set of clutch head screwdrivers (I think Trevor sells them or can get them at his place near Edinburgh).
They're not expensive and will save you a bunch of heartache....
I had a set I loaned to someone a while back,he obviously thought they looked far better in HIS tool box,I never got them back!
You could have had them....

If you can work out how to post pics,there's a guide in the left side bar,post them up and the "powers that be" will provide the help and advice you obviously crave right now.

Perhaps of an evening or weekend I could take a run over and see it in person,I don't claim to have the depth of knowledge most of the folks here have but I have been through the mill myself and if there's anything I can do (even offer a shoulder to cry on) just shoot me a message and we'll take it from there.
You're just up the road from me a wee bit after all...

First and foremost...don't panic!!
We'll get you there in the end.

Mark,I explained the FAQ about the door lock in my PM,the rear lights unlike our European set ups are triple function,tail,stop and indicator.

I opted to convert mine to LED including amber turn signals in the bedside rolled sections at the top.
(These are NOT a legal requirement in the UK given the age of the truck) but rather peace of mind,that just leaves the tail-lights as a simple stop/tail function.
As an additional safety feature I fitted a third brake light in the cab rear window.
Again these are readily available and are easy to install and above all else very bright and visible,they don't detract from the rear appearance unlike some of the hideous add-ons some people fit here.
I'm assuming your truck is still 6V electrics?

The electrics are 12v. I like the sound of separate indicators. Might need to look into that!!