The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk insights wanted..HELP PLEASE..

Hey fellas , I am going to be looking at a '52 panel truck tomorrow , wondered what you fellas could tell me about them? what are some things I should know about these ? are 216 's a babit engine? should babit be a deal breaker? I am planning to use it as a daily driver.. what about 235's?
for give me if I am in the wrong forum ,I was not sure what one to post this under. is the only difference between a suburban and panel is suburban's have rear side windows?

Rust in every nook and cranny. If it truly is going to be your daily driver the mechanicals need to be 100%. Doors need to close properly. Engine should be freshly tuned. Did I mention rust? Good luck.🛠

thank you , seller claims it is a "daily driver " in good condition ... I will hopefully see for myself tomorrow.

All 216 engines had a low-pressure oil system, with babbitted-bearing-surface rods.

All pre-1954 235 truck engine would also have babbitt rod bearings.

Both types of pre-1954 engines would have had 2-bolt valve covers.

Here are locations of ID codes on low-pressure 216/235 engines. Post the codes here and we can help ID the engine.

"Rust in every nook and cranny." is excellent advice from Martin.

Check lower rear cab corners.
Check all around the edges of the interior floor panels and the interior side panels.

at least on a panel, you don't have the side windows leaking water inside! Yes, look for rust all along the bottom of both sides as well as bottom of doors. Panel is not much different than a pickup for rust spots, just like a pickup with a super long cab!

Look at the floor in the rear, I believe it is plywood with hard rubber on top of it. (My 59 Suburban was). Look right in the back, center, inside the doors (assuming barn doors) and seeif it has been leaking there. If so, it should be addressed.

"Look at the floor in the rear, I believe it is plywood with hard rubber on top of it. (My 59 Suburban was). "

Rear floors were exposed wood in 47-55 panel & canopy trucks (a 1952 panel in this post had plywood - see below).

http://www.1954advance-design.com/A-D_LCVA/LCVA-6-50.html

" . . . the [1950] floor boards of panel and canopy express models were changed to plywood construction In the new construction a single panel of wood and five skid strips replaced thirteen floor boards and twelve skid strips. The new floor was positively sealed against dust leakage and the plywood made the floor 25 to 30% stronger than the former construction."

47-55st Suburban floor boards were high-density plywood with a ribbed linoleum "mat" glued to the one large piece of plywood.

Thanks, Tim!

Mike,

You are right about Suburban rear side windows leaking water, and having rust under the window, inside the sidewalls, inside the the window frames, and on inner side wall.

As you posted, luckily, panels do not see those problems.

Rust/rot on the front floor boards, and rust/rot at the base of the rear doors - those can be problem areas?

Any time I look at one of these trucks I always look at the frame-rail near the front mount of the rear spring. I often find large rust holes.

Rear door hinges are often in bad shape on these.

I wouldn't be afraid of a 216 in a well cared for daily driver. I've used my '49 216 as an almost daily driver for about the first four years of ownership and as a daily driver and sole source of transportation for the last six years. Of course, a nice 235 would make a welcome improvement.

If it truly is daily driver quality, I would expect the price to be on up there. Way up there.

Make sure you pull up the floormat and check for rust in the floorboard in front of the battery box as well as the drivers side floor around the parking brake (assuming it's the same layout as a pickup).

Also do NOT be afraid to walk away. Usually too good to be true is and many Bolters know how easy it is to drag home another "excellent condition" (that is junker/rusty/fixable/ I see potential) truck! We have all been there. Usepatience when buying, don't be over eager and let it "blind" you to the truth. Buy the best shape truck you can and you'll thank yourself down the road.