Stovebolt.com Forums The Parking Lot Welcome Centre The DITY Gallery 1953 Chevy 3100 - Making a daily driver

I bought my 1953 3100 a few weeks ago knowing it needed a lot of work. It ran and drove but the brakes were shot and had to be replaced with new wheel cylinders. The carb was leaking all over the place and would only run with the choke pulled out. The carb is out getting rebuilt now. I have cleaned up the engine and replaced the manifold gaskets . I also got the heat riser freed up with a new spring installed. I'm replacing the engine mounts and transmission mount this week. Wow, that driver side mount was fun removing!
I also removed the rotten bed and will start prepping for a new one.
My next big goal is replacing the rotten floor pans and kick panels . I'm trying to find someone to do this for me. I'm removing all the rust I can with Evapo-rust but will either blast or wire wheel the frame. The more items I take apart to fix, the more problems I find. Now I know why a good, clean AD truck goes for $20k or more. Anyway, it will all happen with time and good help from this forum.

Way to go. Looks like you are well on your way to having a nice driver. Thanks for sharing. Those pictures sure to bring back a lot of memories for me!

rebuilt the rear transmission mount this evening

Got my carb back and adjusted the valves and she purrs like a kitten. Went for my first drive and guess what, the clutch slips bad and second gear grinds unless I double clutch or shift slowly. I know I need a new clutch but any chance that could be my issue with 2nd grinding or do I need to go ahead and put in new syncos?

I pulled the clutch and transmission this weekend and found my clutch slipping problem. Some of the pressure plate springs seem to be broken. I will have the transmission rebuilt while it is out.

Since my last post - new clutch, pilot bushing, pressure plate have been installed with resurfaced flywheel. A new gas tank was installed along with a new fuel pump. I also replaced all the seals related to the torque tube. A new oil pan gasket was installed as well. Its the first time since I bought the truck I don't have an oil leak! Although, wiggling the fuel lines around when removing the old tank did cause a leaky fuel petcock and 7 inch rubber line connected. Those have been ordered.
I almost forgot, I got the windshield wipers all working again with new transmission arm bushings and a good cleaning relube of the vacuum motor. Almost time to start some body work.

The truck didn't have parking brake cables when I bought it. Those were installed tonight so I can leave it running without rolling away now. I've been fighting a fuel gauge problem that's driving me nuts. I bought a new sending unit and gauge and with the tank full to the top it only registers 1/2 to 3/4 tank. If I remove the sending unit and move the float by hand it almost goes to full. I guess I will bend the float shaft to compensate.

New exhaust front to back!

Next big project will be replacing rear main seal. I'm tired of the leak.

I've been taking lots of short trips trying to figure out all the "issues". Today I went on a 60 mile round trip and it ran great. I love this old, rusty, loud truck! I've yet to go anywhere without someone giving me a compliment or asking about it.
Trip to the country

This weekend the dash got a coat of Rustoleum Flat Chestnut.
Dash 1
Dash 2
Dash 3

welcome to the site! Great to see pics and hear about your progress! I love these old rigs as well!