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| | | | Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 58 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 58 | Hi guys. As always, I was looking through Craigslist to see if there were any good deals. I came across this 51 3/4 ton (I think) and I was wondering what everyone thought of it. Not sure if I'm supposed to post the link, but I'll copy the description. He says the engine, tranny, and rear end were rebuilt but he doesn't have reciepts. The whole frame is restored apparently, and he's asking $3000. Just wanted to know if this was an ok deal or not. Thanks.
"1951 Chevy pickup can be a nice rat rod project, chassis has been blasted and coated, the rear fenders are available just not installed, solid cab, solid floor boards, have all the glass for it, the engine has been rebuilt and painted 235, the transmission has been rebuilt its a 3 on the tree, the rear end has also been rebuilt and fresh gear lube, this is a great buy at a great price, half the leg work has already been done" | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 | Not without looking at it. The red flag is the "can be a nice rat rod project" comment. Does that mean that it isn't quite good enough yet to be considered a nice rat rod project? I would rather read something like, "very restorable" for that kind of money.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 58 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 58 | Thanks for the advice. I'm planning on possibly seeing it tomorrow since it is local. If I do see it, what are some key things to look at? How would I be able to tell if the engine was rebuilt? (Compression test?)
Last edited by Bryce S.; 11/18/2016 3:54 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Go over it just like you were buying it for a daily driver. Inspect every nook and cranny for rust and wear. King pins, tie rod ends, springs and other suspension parts. As for the engine by all means run a compression test if the seller will allow it. Otherwise you are kind of on your own as to "rebuilt" or not. Pick, poke and prod everything. Ask LOTS of questions and think through the sellers answers. Good luck.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
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| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 | I will look into this further - but I don't recall a 3 speed colum shift for a 3/4 ton. Others might weigh in here about that detail.
Last edited by tom moore; 11/18/2016 8:05 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I will look into this further - but I don't recall a 3 speed colum shift for a 3/4 ton. Others might weigh in here about that detail. Hello, Tom, In 1951, the 3-speed transmission was standard equipment on 1/2 and 3/4 ton Chevrolet trucks. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/51148.htm | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 | | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 243 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 243 | 3/4 ton will be long bed,8 lug wheels and most likely 4.56 rear gears.
3 or 5 window cab? | | | | | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 82 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2013 Posts: 82 | NOT the original engine. 235 wasn't introduced until '54 or '55 if I understand it right. So, that is not necessarily a problem, as the 235 is a good engine, but it is not the original 216.
Last edited by daveboy; 12/05/2016 2:50 AM.
'52 Chevy 1/2 ton running original gear
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 201 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 201 | I would look at break lines and such too make sure that it stops ha ha. I have had a rusted line pop on me in my dad's truck as I'm sure many if not all the guys on here have, that's scary.
Also check cab corners, I've heard that can be a bad rust spot. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 914 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 914 | 2 ton's had the 235 in 1946. Jeffrey | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | The low-pressure 235 was available in large trucks from 1941 onwards.
The high-pressure 235 was introduced in trucks in 1954. | | |
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