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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | Mike, I spent double what you did and took 5 years. I work on it when I want to, not to get it done immediately. I really enjoy driving it, even if not everything works perfectly. I'm wishing the best for you. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 | Ditto what the others said. Sit on it a while and think it through. Don't make any snap decisions that you may regret later.
It's supposed to be a hobby. Keep it fun. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,422 ODSS President | | ODSS President Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,422 | Over $8000.00 bucks into a vehicle and no way to get it all back...darn....I do feel stupid now....should have put that money into the stock market...
MikeC
C'mon man, did you really think you were going to get your money back on one of these?
I may be way off (I often am) but I've heard no joy only pain and 'Woe is me' in all of your posts.
Sell it now and take up another hobby, this is not for you.
Just one opinion.
PS, this is not an April Fools post.
Last edited by Cosmo; 04/01/2016 4:37 PM. Reason: added PS
~ Cosmo
1949 Chevy Half Ton
Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities.
"...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,074 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,074 | Our '49 1.5-ton was way more than that and was over 10 years. Only had the bed to go ... but by then we had two '49s, and several other trucks on the farm. Even then, we went back and forth about letting it go. This was John's first frame-off restoration. Finally, just went with the sensible thing. We could use the "hobby money" and the "time you don't really have" for keeping the '49 1-ton going, plus other toys and what not for the farm. No regrets - ended up with a cool OLD backhoe, that has been quite useful - and takes up time and money, too.
Don't feel bad whichever way you go -- just think about the pros and cons. We've had a lot of stories come in here where people get away from the "hobby" for a few years and then just have to get back into it again.
Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804"Charlie" - The Stovebolt FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | 8500..is that all? Gosh, your doing good Mike. I won't even say how much I've put into a couple of mine before I ever got to start the engine! But boy, once I heard them run it was all over but the shouting.
...but I do understand where your coming from. I think we all been there a time or two. Just don't make any "snap" decisions. Waterpump is piddling like a leaking water faucet....NAPA had nothing...Advance Auto didn't have one...finally found one on Rock Auto...thought I had it done...darn it...had to package up my old water-pump and ship it on my nickel to Cardone Industries in Texas ($18.00 shipping fee)....should be there in a week or so...then 5-7 days to get it rebuilt...then they ship back...so looks like another 3 weeks before it will run again.... No snap decisions....wish I could drive it work and make money with it... MikeC
Last edited by mikec4193; 04/04/2016 11:50 PM.
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Just bought a water pump, 3/8" pulley for a 53 235 at O'Riellys for $47. Had it the next day....why I even needed to buy one would make a nice "Howard Knapp" story! So lets just say your not in the boat alone. LOL
But we will conquer. You are closer than you, or me, think we are. We're survivors! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | hi Stovebolters A white box from Cardone Industries showed up on my back door step 3 days ago... see part number here went to mount up the old front pulley and they swapped out the front hub on my old waterpump...the hole on my pulley measured .851 dia...the new hub o.d. measured .980 dia....hmmmm....I found a hole opening tool and went to work... new front hub shown here... pump was supposed to come with a gasket and it did...kinda looks a little home made to me... shown here Jim Carter truck parts got a call....then my credit card got hacked right after I sent in my order...I let them know about it... Half of the parts came in...so I put the parts that came in on the truck...master cylinder hole rubber...and these door panels too... door panel end view blurry but you get the idea... Got a new glove box also...no picture tho...I think the spacers for the door panels are back ordered...some other parts I am waiting for too... until the next time... MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 465 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 465 | i just love this thread.....
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | put some gas in it...pulled the choke out a little...fiddled with the throttle cable too... RRRRRRRR....vroom vroom vroom... didnt even know where reverse gear was....did figure it out...4 speed on the floor...have had one of those since the early 1980's... Rear axle is leaking from the axle tube.....it was free...I welded on it 2 weeks ago...guess I didnt weld it good enough... Scratching head on this one.... Drivers door wont shut except from the outside...(all new hinges and Altman latches too).....hmmmmm Scratching chin on that one side view 3/4 view next comes the quote from Geico and then we try and drive it on the highways and byways of upstate NY... MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Whoaaaa, congratulations. All I can say is Awesome! Never doubted you for a moment. I think the entire stovebolt community is on your side. Waaaaaay to go.
...now for the road test. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 | Glad you stuck with it. Now comes the fun part-driving it around. The other things will get worked out over time. For now, just have some fun with it. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | I went and got Gieco to insure the truck...then Friday went to the local DMV and plates for it too.....We took Howard Knapp up to get gasoline in the new gas tank....the wife and I...I think it was maybe 2 miles up and about 3 miles back (around the new tech park they just built)...
Still no gas gauge (reads full all the time) and when I turn on the flashers the dash light flash too...speedometer needle bounces all over the place...volt meter doesnt work at all....funny all these new parts and all this issues with it....As I say to myself all the time...."when in doubt swap it out"...
Never knew where reverse gear was on this truck...I have not driven a 4 speed since about 1986 or so...
First gear....hmmmm....second gear is more like first gear....third gear is like second gear...and fourth gear is like third gear...needs a fifth gear with out a doubt...motor is wound right out and even with big tall tires and 4.10 gears of out a 1985 Blazer....it still wont run over 45 mph...sounds like it wants to blow up at 45 too...
This week...try and get it inspected and the front end aligned on it...hoping to drop it off at a guys house who is really good with electrical....
The DMV says a minimum of 30 days and maybe up to 60 days to get a clear transferable registration....once that is done...I think it will be up for sale....
Very cool trucks but...but I had not sat or ridden in one in 36 years so I must have forgetten....they wander around the road like a drunken sailor....the dont like to turn too well either....and most folks do stupid stuff around you with their "point and shoot" fuel injected daily drivers...
My hat is off to our predecessors for driving these vehicles..."just like John Wayne"
Sincerely Yours
Mike C
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 | Sorry it's not your cup of tea. Me--it sounded like a fun ride! Regarding the 4 speed-You most always start out in 2nd gear. First is only used when fully loaded-or pulling stumps!  | | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 613 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 613 | Mike,
I find the best part is working on these old girls. There basic, no computer drivin anything. I always loved these trucks, call it a case of "nostalgia" learned to drive on a truck like this back on the old long gone farm. I too put in a lot of cash and still am. It's a hobby of love. I started by a simple task of replacing gaskets and before you knew it, the whole front end was down to just the frame. I just started saying well since I'm here I might as well take care of this then that. Luckily, there is a web site available that I could look any issue up in the search index, and find an answer. (STOVEBOLT). A little reading goes a long way. I actually had to pull the engine out 3 times till I got it right. 99% all on my own, unprotected in my driveway, winter and summer. Am I done yet? Hell no! Kid going to college and the second still in private school, greatly reduced cash flow to nada! Oh yeh, and the M.S. Really slow's you up. Next will be fixing the cab the correct way. No bondo for me.
Anyway enjoy your work, don't thret it!
Mine is a way to escape for some "me" time.
Good luck to you | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Doggone it, I just can't imagine the stovebolt without Howard Knapp. He's been part of my life for so long I take it for granted.
...yep, start off in Second gear! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Drove the Howard Knapp truck the 9 1/2 miles to work today...he is getting the toe set on it and the inspection needs to get done too....first thing tho...I had to readjust the brake pedal switch before I could drive it in...I hooked up the power lead to the battery and the brake lights were stuck on...
Kept having to pull off the side of the road to let traffic pass...the ride home is gonna be a white knuckles for sure...not gonna be fun at all...I will say a little prayer for a safe ride home...the round abouts here are crazy...trying to shift and steer all the same time...
Also gotta noise coming from up underneath cant figure it out at all...only happens when I am rolling forward...no smoke and no sparks...not sure what it is...
MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Unhooked the speedo cable and the "woop woop woop" noise went away...
Jim Carter package showed up...new arm rests ans tail gate chains too....went and ordered some more little misc hardware and another sending unit for the gas gauge as the first one wont work..."when in doubt...swap it out"
got it up to 53 mph Saturday in the tech park where I live...holey family...sounded like it was going to grenade any minute...
This old truck needs a 5 speed really soon...cant seem to find one of the older ones...has anybody on here done the swap with the 1994 and up style S10 5 speeds?
MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Mike, I'm sure the swap has been made by some bolters and I've read about several of them here but not sure if its exactly like yours. I'd ask this question over in the Driveline Forum and sit back and let the gang help you out here. Glad to see your still hammering away on it. There is hope  | | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 613 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 613 | Mike,
I changed my 3rd member with a swap from a 72 3/4 ton auto. Stock tires and can run easily 60mph. Top speed was clocked by another Stovebolt member at 77mph. The truck is totally original.
My next move is stock looking radial tires 17x17.50 as soon as the money tree blooms.
Jim | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | So I got the wheels in from wheel express.....had to upsize the lug nuts...I wasnt too happy with the original ones that I had with the 1962 vintage steel wheels... little and bigs shown here.... I think summit racing products got the nod for these nuts... part number here.... these are the tallest tires I can remember mounting on anything I have had in recent years... shown here... I did have issues with the hub mount on the new wheels...I gave a sketch to a machinist and he says next Tuesday I should have the hub adapter I need to make them fit on correctly... I did get a shot of the before and after height on the tires...before size is 235/75/15" old height new tires (sneakers) on the Howard are 235/85/16" new tire shown here.... Not sure I should be driving it on the wheel studs...so I may just wait until Tuesday and get the adapters that are getting made to make the wheels fit correctly.... Still waiting for parts from Jim Carter truck parts...3 phone calls...the stuff is supposedly en-route....It has been since May 7, 2016 that I ordered those parts...it is now May 25, 2016.... hmmmm.... MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Took Howard Knapp out for a run tonight...
50 mph is it with the big tall (31") tires on the rear...and the front brakes locked up on it too...35 mph limping home...with a lot of hot brake smell coming into the cab...
Happy Memorial Day...
MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Gas gauge is fixed....(I wish I was more of a trouble shooter)...it was installation error on my part...something about a paper was on the wrong side of the instrument cluster...not getting a ground I guess..
Runs and drives like a 1953 Chevy truck should run and drive...stops a little better with the disc brakes tho...
MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Being wondering about Howard Knapp. Glad to see he is still alive. I was thinking the worst....you had shot him | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | The wife had her car in the shop....so she borrowed my daily driver (S10 pickup truck) and left me with Howard Knapp to drive to work.. trying to fit in... over looking a younger son and another younger son here I found a 1999 Chevy 1500...runs and drives....if Howard doesnt sell in a decent amount of time...a frame swap will be in the works...only time will tell... MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 888 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 888 | Those rear fenders look mighty good on there Mike......lol
Dan
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Howard Knapp has a new place to rest... nap time We got another one to sit where there Howard set for almost 2 years....this is George R...he is a 1968 VW beetle moving around date Hope all is well in the world of Stovebolts... MikeC
Last edited by mikec4193; 08/30/2016 12:48 PM.
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Be sure to keep Howard running or he may get jealous. We all know what happens when they sit and are not started or the brakes used a little along the way!
I think Howard Knapp and I must be distant cousins or something since I worry about him!! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | So I took Howard Knapp out to the local truck show...put a for sale sign in the front window and me and the wife set about to walking around the fair grounds where the show was held... Came back about 2 hours later and a 78 year old gentleman gave me what I was looking getting out of it... leaving the house So I did not really want to send him packing but I was not driving him at all....I have heard from the new owner (he lives in the next town to the South of me) a couple of times and he is all smiles...so that is a good thing for sure... My next one will have a newer drive-train under it.....hoping for 5 speed with a V6 or a small V8... Currently cruising the internet looking for something that will fit the bill...if anybody out there in cyber land knows of something shoot me a PM... Another "Howard Knapp" will drive again.... I learned tons from this one that's for sure... MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | |
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