The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Improvements

I was just thinking about all the Chevrolet trucks (6 Cylinder 235) around and what improvements you have done to your truck that has improved its drivability , performance and looks, etc etc. I would love to hear from other owners.
I will start with my truck.

1954 Chevrolet Truck 3800 1 Ton Flat bed, owned since 1975

Things done to improve trucks performance

1.Fenton headers
2.Clifford intake manifold 6=8
3. Four barrel carburetor 390 4160
4.SoCal steering damper
5.Gear Vender overdrive GV-RX
6. Flowmaster mufflers (2) 40 (a little loud).
7.Convert 6 volt system to 12 volt (no need to change starter still 6V)
8.Moon electric tachometer 2 5/8 inch
This truck just hums down the road, very nice.
http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/richardO54/library/?sort=6&page=1

I've swapped to 8R19.5 tires and suitable wheels.
And 4.10 axle gears.

Otherwise just been driving, it's happy at 50-55 but can handle the interstate for a stretch here and there at a brisker pace, and once had it over 70mph briefly under its own power.

Complete build of "Dually" bed
Replace fuel pump, (old one quit)
Re-wire with Jim Carter Harness retaining 6 volt
Restore Gauges and Speedo
Replace 5:14 Pumpkin with 4:10's
Have new cab, door seals, ect to be installed this winter
Also hope to fabricate and install rear bumper
Drive and Enjoy!

12 volt alternator
Radial tires
Front disc brakes
Juliano 3 point shoulder harness
Newer Chevy rear end with 4.10 gears
Large outside mirrors
Newport wiper conversion
Halogen headlights
Altman door latches

Installed a T 5 trans. which made the truck 100% more drive able , and as an experiment a coat of Home depot bear latex house paint semi gloss as close to the original as possible and even coated a section with automotive clear coat.
Its been 2 years and 6000 miles and its still hanging in , but easier to clean where the clear coat is.
I did the whole job for $75.00 including masking tape.
I used a typical spray gun for the job.

12 volt alternator
disc brakes on the front
tapered roller bearings
16 inch 1 piece wheels
HID headlights
'56 GMC 270 with 3 speed trans
3.90 rear axle gear
bendix brakes on rear
fuel tank under the bed in rear
electric wiper
radial tires
turn signals

1947 - dally 3800

When mine goes back together it will have the 4:10's and 8r19.5 rims with radials
12V. Alternator, probably an electric fan.
1962 full pressure 261, stock carb, intake and exhaust. SM-420
Fully rebuilt front end, sandblasted and painted frame
Cab will be "patina" farm fresh. New passenger floor panel and drivers cab corner.

Still figuring what to do for a wiring harness, wipers, oil filter and fuel pump

Goal: roll under its own power for Labor Day parade 2017

1949 3800 flat bed
A complete rebuild (Still in progress)

Also blasted & painted the frame
I replaced the 217 with a 283
SM-465 4 speed with a hydraulic clutch
14 bolt rear diff, 3.93 gears
17" 1 piece steel rims
12 volt wiring harness
Alum Radiator with electric fan
Harrison Deluxe Heater
Dual Master cylinder with booster
L&R Inner & Outer Cowls, R/side floor panel and L/rear cab corner.
painted the interior & exterior
Every seal on the cab and doors
All the bed boards were planed from reclaimed red oak timbers.

Next adventure on it is to install hanging pedals and add a steering gear box.

That T-5 sounds interesting. I would like to research bellhousing match and where the shifter protrudes from the floor. I imagine it would improve the driving experience. - Joe

'49 3804 here.

-- Upgraded to early 261
-- Stock SM420
-- Upgraded the rear axle to the 4.10 gear set
-- 17-inch wheels (bias plys)
-- Added seat belts
-- Original Huck brakes and they work just fine. I drive defensively so have not yet had to deal with a stab/panic brake situation.
-- Cruises 65 MPH, dashes to 70. Slow on acceleration, though. Easily cruises at 80 to 85 mph ... on the trailer
-- Not a daily driver. That's what the '88 Army-surplus Hoopty van is for And farm work gets done by the two Fjords ...

1950 GMC 250 w/ duals and flatbed

Fairly new to this site and finding it a great resource.

In past 10 months

Replaced front axle with one that's not bent
Replaced king pins
Replaced front spring shackles and bolts
Replaced both front main springs.
Replaced front brake shoes
Replaced front wheel bearings and seals
Replaced rear wheel bearings and seals
Front end alignment
Replaced all four brake wheel cylinders
Removed worn out 228 and installed a 1955 270.
6V pos ground to 12 neg ground w/ alternator
Installed headlight relay
Replaced rt park brake cable
Welded up cracked inner fenders
Welded cab floor cracks
Replaced cab mounts
Cleaned all mouse crap out of cab
New cowl rubber and hood rubber bumpers

Currently this week:
Replacing 3 u joints
Replacing carrier bearing and bearing cushion

Next:
Rebuild master cylinder
Replace front fender supports
Replace battery tray bottom
Rebuild door hinges
Install three whiskey barrels on flatbed just cause i want to.
Drive the crap out of it after all this snow goes away.

Gonna be a WHILE before that snow goes way!

New carrier bearing and bearing cushion installed
Replaced all three u joints. Put it on jackstands are ran it to 50 mph. Vibration is significantly reduced, but not al the way gone. Suspect the slip joint. Good enough for now.

Rewired firewall forward. Much better/
Rebuilt master cylinder and bled brakes.
Waiting for the roads to clear of snow for a test drive.

Next. Off to the Portland swap meet in April in hopes to find at least one rear brake drum. Maybe even a metal frame for flat bed rebuilt.....hey, a guy has to dream, right?

Next winter...remove rear springs and have worn main springs rebuilt and new spring perch bushings installed. Fix leaky rear diff while it's down for the winter

EDIT. New battery tray installed.

This is fun.

The snow went away and roads cleared. Took Jimmy out for its first ride after a lot of work, including engine change, driveline work and front end work. Runs much stronger than before and wobbles are almost gone

Two troubles appeared. 1. It died one time at a very busy stop light....thankfully started right back up with a little choke.

2. I still have a vibration that starts about 25 MPH and goes away at 40. Much less intensity than before. Seems to be about driveshaft speed. That leaves a slipjoint suspect or driveshafts simply need to be balanced. Another day..

No Leaks!!!
It was good to have it on the road again.