The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1950 Chevy 3100 Truck Tuesdays "Bringing 'OId Blue' Back to Life

1950 Chevy 3100
Truck Tuesdays
"Bringing 'OId Blue' Back to Life"

A little re-cap from my Welcome Center post.

I have a 1950 Chevy 3100. I bought it in 1981 for $1850 from a used car dealer. I traded in a '52 Plymouth Cranbrook as partial payment. (Got $300 credit.) He called the car a sleeper -- it would sit on the lot and sleep for a long time.

My fire wall has the name Cliff Durr 6-8-50 scratched on it. I assume it was the original buyer. Thought that was really neat.

I drove it till 1992 and then parked it in a barn. Now it's in my neighbors shop to get running again. He is helping me, or I am helping him. He is the mechanic.

Drums were pulled and taken in for turning. New wheel cylinders, shoes, hoses and hardware are here. Front wheel bearings cleaned and greased. Need to flush the lines and see if the master cylinder can be rebuilt. Radiator was dry and have not added water yet. I did buy a nice original for the possibility of it being bad. Want to keep the hand crank possibility.

Then the engine. I plan to keep the 216 and the truck original. Rebuilt carb from forum member and new fuel pump.

Going to leave the patina. Just make it a sound driver again.

Reupholstered the seat. It was sweat stained and had a small tear from screwdriver in back pocket. I had never been under the seat before I took it out. Underneath were the jack, handle, hand crank, 2 lug wrenches, unused can of Texaco 30 wt oil, a new now old water pump, and 1 dried out mouse.

I am going to put a new gas tank in. It did have some gas left in it that drained out slowly after removing the shutoff valve underneath. The smell of that old gas would scare a skunk.

Work stopped for a bit. It was so hot here in Abilene. Just finished up a week of 100 degree temps, two days at 108* and one at !07*. I am a firefighter and have been busy lately with grass and structure fires, plus some shifts of overtime. I don't like the summer or the heat. Think I would be used to it with my 31 years on the fire department, but I am not.

Driving this truck ... well, times sure are different now. Don't think I can drive the interstate now with speed limit at 75. It does bring back memories from when I was younger.

William Moore
Abilene TX

Keep a picture trail of all the work you do. It will be fun to look back on all your busted knuckles. Also the guys here would like to follow your fun as well.

Nice looking truck. As you know it has been hot here also. At least it is a little less humid in Abilene and your night temps drop into the low 70s. When I got up this morning it was 82...tv said 76 but that's at the airport. Is this the truck you bought the odometer for a year or two ago?

Jon G, yes on the odometer. I bought it for a spare, but also have new repo gauges. I just wasn't sure about putting the repo's in. I also have a 67 and 69 vette and repo items sometimes are no good. When I bought this 50 Chevy it had been cleaned and restored up some. I has the floor shifter granny with 3 speed, original radio. Even has the spare tire carrier under the bed. I don't think it is original paint, but looks it now. My plans are to leave it original and just drive it some around on slower roads. The 67 and 69 vette are hardly ever driven, getting to old maybe or always need a truck. My 72 Cheyenne was just inspected to get sticker with only 41 miles driven in a year.

I want to get the 50 drivable, take me back to my younger days if possible. Just turned 64 years old, and I am the oldest guy on the floor at the department. I am a Lt on an engine, and the young guys take care of me. Just a lot harder to recover after a long hard night when we do have one. Plan to retire in 17 months, will be 65+ and will have Medicare and max pension. After that I don't know what.

Any 67 Vette sounds nice. I always wanted one of those (the convertible) but never could afford it and time hasn't helped. I hear a lot of people say that about the AD trucks...taking them back to younger days. They do have a way of keeping memories alive and that's a good thing.

Hope you enjoy retirement. I'll say this...I never expected it to involve so much physical work. But maybe that's helping us stay younger.

Shof, Thank you for keeping your people safe. My old 54-3100 has taken since 1996 to get in shape, literally. We are breaking record highs in in Central FL. The weather has kept me inside most days. I got too hot last Monday and ignored the signs which I know better and then dang, I did it yesterday. I should have stopped a little sooner but I still had tools on the drive, because of a 2 inch rain out of the West, did not cool off a thing then got up to 101 degrees after. should have left the tools out. Oil is a lot cheaper than near heat stroke. Just wipe them down next time. Everyone out there our age 60 and over needs to be careful. Jon G you are very right, I'm well versed at saying NO! Doc.

I thank all for the comments. Not much done lately. I thought it was hot last month, but it is worse now. 108* yesterday, I was off but had to go feed cows and check on things at the ranch because I did a 72 hour stint with 1 day off and then another 72 hour shift. On duty today and is 104* out and had a grass/ brush fire around noon. Soaked with sweat, the shower felt good when we got back to the station. Work again tomorrow and then 1 month of vacation.

Today we started working on my 50 truck at 8am instead of 10:00 to try and beat some of the heat. Today is brake day. Truck is is on a lift, jacked it up and removed wheels and tires. Then we bench bled the master cylinder and adjusted the brakes.. Installed the master cylinder and filled it up with brake fluid. The brakes had been started 3 or so years ago and never finished. I am the helper in all of this, so was the brake pedal pusher during bleeding the system. It took awhile but finally got firm pedal, the master cylinder rod had to be adjusted some. My mechanic friend was underneath, sitting on a stool, truck about 4' off the ground on the lift. He hit his head on an exhaust clamp. I thought I had heard it all, glad no kids were around.
We went inside around 11:00 to cool off and watch Youtube video on installing the windshield. I had already watched them the day before and fell asleep on the second one. So next week we are going to give the windshield a go.

Outside again, 107 degrees. Decided to install the arm rests. I had already filled the plastic handle cavity with epoxy. Used the supplied template the find the holes behind the door panel. Turned out to be the easiest thing we have done. Ice pick was used to poke hole in door
panel in accordance to the template. It was spot on, perfect. Then we put sound/heat shield inside the lower door. The doors sounded so much better on closing, no oil drum sound. Put access panels on and we were done for the day.

Hopefully the update next week will say a new gasket and windshield are in place. I am still working on getting some pictures posted

Truck Tuesday

Weather was better, hi temp of 96, so not as bad. Tomorrow and the 7 day forecast is all 100+.

The windshield is in. Not to bad, just followed YouTube video and it went as planned. Probably took 1.5 hours total.

The headliner and garnish molding is installed along with a new rear view mirror. Headliner was medium hard, have a 1/4 inch gap at the sides at rear of doors that the cab windlace did not cover. We did not trim any material off. The holes aligned up fairly well.

Installed new rubber in the steering column support.

Next week will install sun visors. I had left them at home. Then maybe a rebuilt wiper motor and new speedometer to put in. Remove old radio and panel to access behind dash and install new radio if time allows.

I want to THANK all who offered encouragement (in my post in the Paint & Body shop) on installing the windshield myself and we got it done. Saved $350 from the guy that didn't want to do it quote.

The truck is not to be a show truck, just getting it back to sound condition. It was my daily driver for 10 years. Bought a '72 Chevy and a '85 S10 4x4, so the '50 got to take a long rest.

I used it for everything back then, hauling fire wood to hunting. Remember hauling a bed load of mesquite with an 8 and 10 point deer on top.

I am still having problems posting pictures, my computer won't read the camera card. I still use a flip phone and use it for calling and a little texting only. May have to take up offers to help posting them. I do take pictures at the end of each day working on it.

Truck Tuesday

Spark plugs installed and then set timing or so we thought. Read manual and some Stovebolt directions. Put 5 gallons of gas in tank, a small amount of gas in carb and would try to run. Finally figured out the fuel pump was bad. The original one that was on the truck when purchased in 1981. I had another fuel pump, so installed it.

More gas in carb and it fired up. It ran rough then smoothed out. Idled well. Let it run after adding water and started to get hot. Replaced upper hose and thermostate, idled at 180 dgrees temp. Timing the engine got us.

Cleaned the fly wheel to better see the symbols. Gave it a short ride and popping in the carb when slightly accelerating, only going 10/15 mph. Finally gave up and called it the day -- 103 degrees out. But it did run and idled well.

On here now printing pages from the search of 216 timing.

Adjusted driver's door. It was a little low and not shutting easily. Hope next week is better, but the engine awakes after 31 years.

Next week will be get the timing done and flush out cooling system, replace lower hose and add heater shut off. Still to do, front steering stabilizer, sun visors, vacuum wiper,new speedometer, odometer does not work and I have a new one. Plus many checks and repairs such as new brake lights for both sides, hook up parking brake and adjust,rebleed the brakes. Will get their one day.

I also found out the my power steering (my arms) aren't what they used to be.

I am planning on sending out the fuel pump. I have read about the new pumps not lasting. My Chevy S10 left me stranded last year, fuel pump. It took 3 pumps to get it right. The first two quit after one day each. The shop that replaced them couldn't believe it. I told them I wanted the best made, the two prior one were not cheap for a fuel pump.

Truck Tuesday

Last week we had the truck running good at idle, but needed to be timed. Got a late start today and started all over with the timing.

Nothing was going well. Decided to go back with the original distributor. The new one I had bought for a 216 had a slightly longer shaft and the cap was hard to snap on and there was metal dust inside from the rotor hitting the contacts. Timing set and still popping through carb. Cylinders 3 and 5 not firing but had spark.

My mechanic was frustrated and decided to call it the day. Had a beer and I asked him about changing wires, maybe with all the we had done the plug wires got out of place. He checked the wires and only cylinder 1 was on the correct plug. Couldn't believe it would even run.

Got the wires straight and it fired right off and ran good. Took it for a drive and it ran well.

So the short day was getting it timed, but all is well. Next week readjust brakes and bleed again, hook up parking brake and then move on to something else--front stabilizer, visors, new speedometer, wiper motor.

While it was running, I checked the lights. Park and headlights both worked. Didn't think to check tail lights, I do have new ones.

Heater fan runs. Radio comes on, nothing but static. I have a fresh rebuilt original.

Slowly getting there. and hopefully pictures will come later, computer fan quit and my mechanic friend is going to replace, add WIFI card and see why I can't down load pictures. He is a good mechanic and computer guy. Sometimes the easy things can turn difficult

Truck Tuesday

Today was very hot with a hi of 107 degrees. That's hot.

We re-adjusted the brakes and put on a front stabilizer bar. Put on oil bath air cleaner. Brakes and stabilizer took awhile and called it the day due to the heat.

Bought front tires LT 215/85 R16 and realized the shop didn't balance them. Took them back to do it and gave them an ear full, no valve stem caps either. They got right on it and apologized profusely.

Don't know what next week has in store, but forecast for next Tuesday calls for 90 degrees, so that will be better.

Truck Tuesday
a day late

The truck had rear shocks put on. Napa had given me the wrong ones so returned them and ordered from Rock Auto.

Installed a vacuum tank to run both wipers and steering column vacuum fan.

Then the big chore: removed radio and then the speaker grill. Then the wiper motor, then the speedometer.

Installed new speedometer and rebuilt wiper motor. Had trouble getting the wiper transmission arms onto the motor. The short one needed some bending. Have not installed the wiper arms yet, left them at home. I never know what exactly what we are going to work on.

Put on a right visor. Then changed bulb in dome light and it works now. Started to look at brake lights, factory left one and both L/R added 4'' pedestal mount all had 12V bulbs.

Going to install all new lights and correct bulbs next week and rebuilt radio. Sometimes I say we did this and that. My mechanic friend was contorted on the floor board working under the dash. I was helping as much as I could and getting / handing him what he needed. I feel like a surgeon's assistant, screwdriver, wrench, flashlight and I handed it to him.

So close to taking it home and cleaning it up underneath really well. Paint will come much later on.

Note that the new speedometer had the bright light indicator at top of gauge, the original was at the bottom. I like the top better, easier to see. The old odometer did not work and I had bought a gauge set years ago.

Going to get insurance next week and get my 1950 Texas Truck plates approved. I have called and the number is not used.Five year sticker with no inspection needed.

The high temperature on Tuesday was 73 degrees. So nice to work on the truck and never broke a sweat. I hope summer is gone in Abilene TX, it was a brutal one, 2nd hottest ever.

I still don't have my computer back. Hopefully some pictures soon.

William, what did you use for a vacuum tank and where did you mount it? I'm thinking a 1 lb propane cylinder, but a little ginchy about trying to solder nipples to it to connect hoses. Maybe I can just drill holes and tap them if the walls are thick enough.

I mounted it on the drivers inner fender so my vacuum lines would be shorter from the intake nipple and then to the fan and wiper motor. The one way valve was black and not the cream colored one shown. I changed out the intake nipple and the two on the canister to a smaller nipple size to fit the fan and wiper motor. It came from eBay. They show out of stock but there are several more on eBbay just like it. "Black vacuum canister reservoir brake booster universal GM Ford Mopar #9971B"

Truck Tuesday

We got the fuel sending unit to work by putting a new one in to replace the new one I had. Same style sending unit from Classic Chevy Truck parts.

Spent several hours last week and the first one would read correct outside the tank but not in it. He doesn't give up easily, probably removed sending unit from tank 15 times, Problem was with the center signal stud reading intermittently. I ordered another one and it worked perfect.

Today was a day to finish up small things. New gaskets for tail and parking lights. Mounted a John Deere tractor headlight on the rear above the tail light for a back up lamp. Used an under dash push/pull switch to power it. Hood to cowl weather stripping, Rebuilt radio installed, get only 2 AM stations. New tailgate chains. Hood to cowl seal.

We loaded the bed up with spare and old parts and took a short drive. Back to his shop to get my daily driver, him driving it. Then both trucks to my house.

I need to get all the stuff out of the bed so we can pressure wash the truck and maybe wax. I got insurance last week and using 1950 Texas Truck license plates. Now to piddle with it on my own and drive it.

Truck color is Mariner Blue and I call it "Old Blue." Old Blue has awakened from a 31 year nap and ready to go.

I am not knocking Classic Chevy Truck parts in any way. Their shipping response is excellent. I could order parts on Wednesday and the parts would be here on Monday, prior to Truck Tuesday.

Shof,

Your work and progress is speeding right along!!!

We can help you get images loaded and posted for all to see and enjoy.

I can visualize it in my head, but really wanting to "see" what you are doing. Sometimes the brain just can't capture all the details, ya know.

Will keep watching for and reading about your weekly progress!

Dan

Truck Tuesday

My Truck Tuesday reports are coming to an end as we are finished what we wanted to accomplish.

Yesterday we power washed the bed and used air hose to clean some in the engine area. I had washed and de-greased the engine area last week.

The truck is home now. After washing the bed, I took it back home and installed new rubber hood bumpers and headlight ring gaskets, and a bed mat.

The wood in the bed is solid (replaced it in 1984) and has that patina look. Just wanted to protect it some and will probably never haul anything in the bed.

We started on the truck in May and worked on it every Tuesday through Oct 3rd. it is looking really nice. My mechanic friend and I are proud of what has been done in the last five months of Tuesdays.

Truck is parked at my shop out of the weather. It has been washed and waxed. It will eventually need to be painted and a rust area repaired in front of right door below the louver area.

I have been cleaning and straightening things up in the shop so I can park it inside under the '67 corvette that is on a lift. I had used the area behind the lift as a truck parts staging area as we were working on it. Easier to find parts that we needed weekly if they were spread out. I least like getting things picked up and stored away, but it was past due.

I now have 23 miles on the new speedo / odometer. I will piddle on it now and drive it when I can And cooler temperatures and rain is forecasted for today. I think Autumn weather has finally arrived to Abilene TX.

Pictures of this adventure of waking this 50 Chevy truck up after 31 years of sitting are to come as soon as my computer is fixed, or my get my wife to help, I am on hers now.

I want to give out a big Thank You to all who have answered my questions and gave encouragement, especially on the windshield weatherstrip and glass install. It turned out to be an easy task and saved me a ton of money as no glass shop wanted to do it.

Nice story... now drive it!!

What a great story for the DITY Gallery. Thanks for doing all this typing! If you need help getting those images loaded, just let us know. Hope to have some with you (and "my mechanic") and some driving.

Pictures from my 1950 Tuck Tuesday. Hope these pictures come up, still learning how.

Shof,

Very nice work (and pictures) getting the first batch of pictures posted to go along with your "Truck Tuesday's" stories.

Just an FYI that you can actually go back to the specific "Tuesday" post where the pictures match the story and add them by using the "Edit" button (for that post/reply) and then the "Attachment Manager" in each matching post.

We (Peggy's Mod Team) can help move them around if needed. No worries as it stands for now as getting the pic posting process under your belt is just moving things in the right direction.

Great truck and a great story.

Keep on trucking.

John

Picture of my co rider, Booger. He is a Wire haired Fox Terrier. One ear stands up most of the time which is a deduct, but we like it that way. Had new keys cut for the truck to replace the original, to save it. Put one key under the hood for Just in Case.

Abilene had a cruise night today. My mechanic friend and I went in the 50 Chevy truck. Parked and watched a lot of nice vehicles go by. Then we made the drive down and back. Truck performed well, granny gear was nice at times. Now have 48 miles on the new speedo/odometer.

I loved reading your “Truck Tuesday” stories and you’ve got a great looking truck! Nice job!

I want to again say thanks to all who helped me along on getting my truck on the road again. I piddle around with it some and drive it several times a week. Added a tack, mounted it under the dash right of the parking brake handle. Have had to use the heater and it works well. Sometimes I just open the shop door and look at it. It is backed in, so I get a good look look at it. Hard to believe that 31 years went by before it was up and going again. It brings back memories and also hard to believe that I also have aged 31 years. Retired now after 10 years working in the oil field as an open hole oil well logger and 32 years as a firefighter. Time has gone by fast. Still working a family ranch with help from another firefighter friend. Daughter is getting married on the 22nd, future son in law is a good fellow and is an outdoor type man that knows how to work. Life is good. WISHING ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS

My truck on 12/22/2023. Daughter was married in a small town, Albany Texas. She wanted my 50 to be there for pictures. I did take some bad pictures, they kept telling me to move my camera right and the bride and groom were not completely in the picture. Guess I was trying to highlite my truck more.

Nice

John

Shof,

Nice “Truck Tuesday “ posts, hate to see them end. Congratulations on the daughter’s marriage. So that means your retired and got a raise. 😂😂

I rearranged things in the shop last week. Drove the 50 into town for a swim at YMCA and then some errands.
1950 3100 - 1967 Corvette coupe - 1972 Cheyenne

I added the end caps for the bed roll. Drilled the center and added glass license plate refectors. Just another reflector for if I ever drive at night. I did drive the 50 into town to swim at YMCA and run some arrands.

Nice ,what is the bed floor made of or is that a rubber mat.

I did similar with my ‘57 3200 but I made actual tail lights by splicing wires from regular tail lights. Extra visibility to help avoid getting rear ended. I chose to push them back a couple of inches to sort of be non-visible when not in use. I have a strong hard wire hooked to the back with a loop extended toward the opening so I can hopefully pull them out easy enough to change the bulb.

Nice line up!

I've seen people adapt the little pocket sized LED flashlights to that rolled bed lip. with a red lens behind them. With a small resistor to drop the voltage down to 4.5 volts, instead of using three AAA batteries for power they will last a very long time.
Jerry

Bed floor is wood, kit installed in the early eighties. I put a rubber mat on top to protect it and keep things from sliding. Forgot who I bought it from,but it fits perfect.