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Good morning. I am a proud new owner of a 58 Chevy Viking. It was my great grandfathers cattle truck, my grandfathers water truck, and now I am hoping to restore it. It may be a Johnny Cash truck, parts from a few different years. I have not gotten into it too deep yet. Not sure about posting pictures, but it can be seen here. [url=http://twoheelers.tumblr.com/post/157317555024]Taking the Fifth[/url]

I am not a mechanic, although I could maybe play one on t.v. with enough prep. I definitely know the difference between muffler bearings and flux capacitors.

I found this website searching on the internet for information about the square head lugs on the rear wheels. Good thing, because I had no idea about the left turn lugs.

There is a ton of information here that I want to read through and absorb before I get into posting and asking a lot of stupid questions, so I will just lurk around and sift through the forum for a while.

That being said, because I have some time constraints, I have two starter questions that if someone could point me to an old thread or FAQ, I would appreciate it.

1. The truck has been sitting for 12 years but according to my grandfather "it ran when I parked it there". Is there an accepted recommended procedure for firing up a truck that has been sitting for so long? I plan to drain the fuel, but any other advice would be welcome.

2. Just for moving it around the yard, I need to do tires. I was debating getting some of the wider rims on the rear to replace the duals like you see on some semi's these days. My question is, has anyone put wider wheels on the front of a truck like this? Will they clear the fenders on turns, or should I stick with the stock size.

Thanks all

Congrats, and don't be shy about dumb questions. Those are the only kind I ask.

Tech tip from this site on reviving an engine:
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engines/Dead%20Engine%20Start/index.html
There are a few variations here and there, but that one won't steer you wrong. Bypass the tank initially and save a lot of headache.

As for your tire question, if you're just moving it around the yard...might just think about some used ones for cheap/free until you have some better info. There are experts who can chime in, but you likely have some sort of multi-piece wheel. Some are safe and a few are not. Need to identify first before trying to dismantle or even air them up. I'd stay stock, but that's an opinion. It's you're truck.

See a thread in the Big Bolt forum for more info on the wheels.

That tech tips sheet is exactly what I was looking for, thank you so much. Lots and lots to sift through.

I have been reading the sticky in the big bolts about rims and tires. Lots of good info. I did not see anything on fender turning clearance yet, but I have not finished it either. The rims are not multipiece. I had enough "fun" yesterday trying to get a tire with air on each corner to start seriously considering replacing the rims. This is why I was wondering about the wide tires up front.

Ayway, lots of fun. Thank you for the help


[quote=JW51]Congrats, and don't be shy about dumb questions. Those are the only kind I ask.

Tech tip from this site on reviving an engine:
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engines/Dead%20Engine%20Start/index.html
There are a few variations here and there, but that one won't steer you wrong. Bypass the tank initially and save a lot of headache.

As for your tire question, if you're just moving it around the yard...might just think about some used ones for cheap/free until you have some better info. There are experts who can chime in, but you likely have some sort of multi-piece wheel. Some are safe and a few are not. Need to identify first before trying to dismantle or even air them up. I'd stay stock, but that's an opinion. It's you're truck.

See a thread in the Big Bolt forum for more info on the wheels. [/quote]