The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Finally, back to wrenching!

Well the weather here in central Missouri has finally given me a break. Its time to get back into the shop and get the 53 back together. I started back in November and pulled out the engine from the old girl. Prior to me getting her, she had sat in the woods for around 20 years. After a lot of work I managed to get her back on the road, but the old girl leaked more oil than gas it used. For this reason, I decided to tear her down and replace all the seals. The engine is work is just about complete, just need to adjust the valves and put some engine tin's back on. Was hoping to go through the old 3 speed to this winter, but it will have to wait till next winter. I did get a new clutch, pressure plate, disk, and throw-out bearing to install. The trans is easy enough to pull back out later for a rebuild. I am feeling the "itch" to drive her and will have to scratch it soon! Hate seeing her in pieces!1953 3100

I also love the pictures that follow the truck! Yum!!

Did I link to more than my truck?? Whoops! Sorry about that.
I just checked the link and seen what it was. That's my other hobby, I love cooking.

Loved looking through the photos of your truck. Interesting to see the clutch pedal and the indicator for an automatic transmission at the same time! Looks a lot like my truck when I started. Unfortunately I didn't see any food!

Tim

You know it would be interesting if these old girls could talk. There is no telling what someone has done to them. When I first seen my truck my first thought was it was a hydro, but after taking a second look I could see otherwise. If you look carefully at the indicator on the column you may notice it is backwards. No telling what the story is behind that! By the way I removed the food photos but if you feel left out I will link you to them! ;-)

Larry,

Maybe there is a reason your shifting world might be reversed?

Powerglide indicators and Hydra-Matic (not Hydro-Matic) indicators had the gear indicators in different sequences.

Some Hydra-Matic indicators with name/title on them
Some Powerglide indicators

4 forward gears on 1953-55 GMC/Chevrolet Hydra-Matic?
2 forward gears on Powerglide?

Maybe a former owner had to replace the indicator and mounting the wrong one in reverse was "helpful"?

Yes could of been. Maybe they scavenged the column out of another truck. I am familiar with the different gear pattern on some shifting selectors. I had a 51 Buick with the Dynaflow and if I remember right Reverse was all the way down on it too.