The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts About to acquire a new big bolt

Looks like I am about to "inherit" a new big bolt. My uncle has given me my grandfather's old grain truck as he is settling up and cleaning up the estate. I'm currently unsure of clear title but knowing my grandpa and my uncle, there will likely be no difficulty in obtaining or finding documentation for clear title.

Background...a 1965 2 ton truck, started life as a Falstaff beer delivery truck. Once retired from delivering libations, the bed was changed to a grain bed. I remember riding in it as a very small kid, but I am hoping that the grain bed has easily removable grain sides so that I can utilize it as a seed delivery truck, as I sell Pioneer seed as a business. It would provide a flatbed option for delivery. It would be an interesting and nostalgic delivery for customers. I just need for it to become dependable. I need to get over to my grandpa's farm and figure out what it will take to get it moved as well as getting numbers so I can confirm engine/year/more information.

Besides the obvious change the oil, points/condenser, battery, master and wheel cylinders to get it loaded on the trailer. I just want to make sure in this process that I don't make more of a mess and create more work for myself. Any other "watch-outs"? I'm going to try and get it from the spot in the barn to my trailer and back off again without any issues. After that, I guess we will just go from there. I'm sure I will find more than one rat's nest, figuratively and literally, as I get it cleaned up.

I drove a GMC 1963 in high school, so I have a strong nostalgia for this year model truck. I still have the 63 and it is in the queue for the next overhaul. Hoping I can get the 305 V6 back to humming like it did in the day. And for the price of free, hard to pass up the opportunity, because the alternative may be a scrapper. And I definitely don't want that.

I guess I'm just posting to see if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions that I haven't already thought about. I am not planning on a frame off like the one I am doing on my 49, just a clean up and give it a "Midas touch" paintjob with some tractor paint from TSC. My primary focus will be on making it mechanically sound and dependable as a delivery truck for in-season use.

I think it has a two-speed rear end, which I have zero experience with both use and function.

How long has it been since it last ran? If it's been awhile you may want to read this Tech Tip on waking up a dead engine.

https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engines/Dead%20Engine%20Start/index.html

Mike B

Depending on the type of trailer you will be using (with or without side rails), will a truck with duals fit on the trailer without taking the outside duals off? You might want to premeasure both truck and trailer. I'd take a jack and an impact wrench along. I removed my duals with a 3/4 inch socket set/breaker over bar AND a cheater pipe. JP

I think that this is covered in the tech tip that Mike linked to--but if the truck has not been run for a long time, DO NOT run it on the gas in the tank! Rig up something temporary till you can get the tank either cleaned out or replaced. If you run that old varnish into your engine you could have all sorts of problems. Don't ask me how I know this!

Otherwise, sounds like a neat truck! And the fact that it was your grandfather's makes it even more special. We'd love to see some pictures of it when you get it home.

Make sure no stuck valves, oil, then tap gently with something soft to make sure they are all loose.

Ed

Thanks all! I plan to trailer it home, for a multitude of reasons, but mostly because I don't want to ruin anything and make more work for myself. I have a trailer that is large enough that I can load without removing anything. If it won't fit on my 32' dovetail, then I'm in trouble.

My grandpa has been dead since 2001, so nearly 20 years at best since it last ran. He retired from farming some years before then. I am confident that the gas tank is toast. Hoping I can find a replacement without too much issue. If I can't, then we have a whole issue entirely. I'm planning to head over there tomorrow to take a look at it and assess several things...exactly what model, motor, and issues are obvious.

The 2-Speed Rear can be used easily if you just start in Low Range (Button Down), go through all your gears in the Trans and then just shift the Rear to High last (Button Up). We can go over how to "Split Shift" at a later time for you.

Your last Gear and when in High Range is 1 to 1.

Low Range gives you the option of a Lower Gear.