Hey all just wanted to say hello! Have already learned a ton on here looking around while working on the old truck, thank you all for sharing the knowledge!
Got this truck as a project for me, my Dad, and my son/daughter. Something to make some memories with!
Plan to keep the patina look and just get it fixed up enough to drive it. Possibly upgrade components later if desired. Lots of work to get done long before that, for sure Already got engine free'd up and running, working on brakes right now.
We're located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.
Edited August 2023 by Peggy M. This story began in the Welcome Center. After a bit of exchanges, we moved it the DITY Gallery. HERE IS WHERE that part of the Big Story starts.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/18/20238:23 PM. Reason: added more info to the title
'49 3/4 Ton "It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere"
What a nice looking survivor truck, and a great family project. When my son was eight years old he helped me repair a 1954 3100. He caught the old truck bug and works on old trucks of his own now at age 35. It might be a good idea to put a couple of stumps under the truck for a backup safety plan. I don't totally trust jack stands.
I am interested in all old Chevy and GMC trucks and still learning about the Canadian models. There are lots of subtle differences between them and USA built trucks. I suggested not showing the last few digits to protect your privacy... See the attached chart - I think I copied it from another post on Stovebolt. It shows how the model numbering system in Canada is different, and in some ways better, maybe, than what was done here.
I am interested in all old Chevy and GMC trucks and still learning about the Canadian models. There are lots of subtle differences between them and USA built trucks. I suggested not showing the last few digits to protect your privacy... See the attached chart - I think I copied it from another post on Stovebolt. It shows how the model numbering system in Canada is different, and in some ways better, maybe, than what was done here.
That's awesome! thanks so much for sharing
'49 3/4 Ton "It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere"
that's a beautiful truck 49ratty. Please don't make a monster out of it, or at the least if you do modify it, be tasteful and don't damage original metal
my philosophy is to keep all repairs or minor modifications period correct. i don't have any silicon (transistors or diodes) in my trucks, and i use original style parts or i make home made one-off parts that could have been made in 1950
"they are only original once" - someone wiser than me
I should have said right-off - looks a great family project. Nothing wrong with getting the kids started early. It can be great fun. Just do it Safely!
Welcome 49ratty, love the pic of one of your kids hanging over the fender, is he (she) trying to install the fuel pump? Nice truck, nice to have the Canadian model. Your engine may have been made in St Catharines at the McKinnon foundry that GM owned. There's a bunch of us from Ontario here, I'm 45 minutes north of Oshawa. Leo
Nice truck , it's interesting that your ID plate is the same as we have here in NZ . Our Chevrolet came as Knocked Down Kit . and were assembled locally (with some local content , just to confuse subsequent restorers)
That is a nice truck! Welcome to the Stovebolt. I am in Bracebridge Ontario and enjoy driving my 1951 1 Ton to as many shows as possible during the season.
Wow great to hear there's so many 'local' people on here also! Can't wait to get out with the truck and see everyone's projects. |
Originally Posted by 2ManyTrucks
that's a beautiful truck 49ratty please don't make a monster out of it, or at the least if you do modify it, be tasteful and don't damage original metal
my philosophy is to keep all repairs or minor modifications period correct, i don't have any silicon (transistors or diodes) in my trucks, and i use original style parts or i make home made one-off parts that could have been made in 1950
"they are only original once" - someone wiser than me
-s
Great advice and point! For us on this one, not sure if that is going to be the way it goes on. If it were more of a 'collector' vehicle, absolutely would be worth considering. that said, I have no plans to butcher it! I hope to keep it as original and vintage as possible within reason, with the goal still to be able to drive the thing around. That could mean a new front suspension, etc, but we will see!
Originally Posted by 1953 panel
Welcome 49ratty, love the pic of one of your kids hanging over the fender, is he (she) trying to install the fuel pump? Nice truck, nice to have the Canadian model. Your engine may have been made in St Catharines at the McKinnon foundry that GM owned. There's a bunch of us from Ontario here, I'm 45 minutes north of Oshawa. Leo
Awesome!! My son Noah, he's spraying some WD40 into the cylinders I think in that photo. When we first got the truck the motor was seized up. A coctail of Diesel, ATF and some WD40 (mostly cause he wanted to spray it) helped free it up without any internal damage we've found so far!
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/18/20238:12 PM.
'49 3/4 Ton "It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere"
A little photobomb update. I suppose I should start a progress thread maybe?
My wife and daughter; motor apart, bent pushrod and stuck valve sorted; replaced; Towing the snowy truck indoors at -25*C (picked the best day haha); And cleaning up the rocker's for reassembly
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/18/20238:29 PM.
'49 3/4 Ton "It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere"
Well, we've already progressed faster and farther than expected, so I better start this now or I'll never remember it all!
The truck: 1949 Chev 1420. (Canadian 3600) 3/4 Ton. Appears all original, unmolested. Was clearly a farm truck.
The buy: Purchased from a local in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Truck came in from Manitoba, Ontario
The Plan: Fix up with a working man's budget just enough so it's legal and rolling. Then Drive it and see what it needs, and plan future modifications from there. The truck was purchased by myself and my Father, with the intent to be a father/son project. I also have 2 kids, a Son (8) and daughter (2) who I hope to be involved. That said, the most important 'plan' for this truck is to build memories, regardless of what ends up of the truck!
Our Beginning: Truck was delivered to our house (just south of Woodstock, Ontario) January 2nd, 2019. Almost the dead of winter, to be sure, not much work was going to happen outdoors this time of year. Despite that, my son and I went out to tinker all the same. The motor was seized up, so we pulled spark plugs and started with Diesel oil, a little at a time and let it creep in. We also put some ATF, and some WD40 (he loved spraying this in!). After about a week on/off of spraying the top end and in the cylinders, on the COLDEST day of the year (silly me), I decided to reorganize the shop and pull it inside.
Warm inside, snow melted, we were able to really get a good look at the truck. As you guys know, and I as I soon learned, there's not really any great way to turn these motors over. I tried making a hand crank tool, but the motor was too tight, it bent the tool! I jacked it up in the air and pulled the flywheel cover off. With a brass drift against the flywheel I tapped it back and forth until I got movement. Drained the old junk out of the crankcase and then filled with some used oil for testing. When my son got home from school I said let's take the gloves off, and let him hop inside and try the starter! To our surprise, not only did it turn over, IT STARTED! It was knocking/ticking pretty good, a quick look under hood (valve cover was off) and could see that #2 exhaust valve and rocker was not moving, so we shut it down, but great success, never the less we were excited. The look on his face was priceless!
Next off came the pushrod cover. Bent rods on #2 Whoot! Haha. Ordered parts, swapped out, cleaned up a whole lot of stuff, pulled rockers and freed up the valves. Put it back together enough to run it and tried again. Not only did it run, it ran really good all things considered!
Now for some pictures! I'll reserve a few posts under this one as well to continue the story and get up to date when I get a shot to get back. Kid's are calling now!
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/18/20238:25 PM.
'49 3/4 Ton "It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere"
Now to do what I should have done before ever running it (hindsight is 20/20, I was excited and running without enough caution), I pulled the pan down and had a look. EEK! sludgy mess, indeed. Lot's of cleaning later, I was ready for reassembly. I stole the wife's Strainer to make a new mesh screen for the pickup tube, since I couldn't find one anywhere quick.
Reserved space #1**********
'49 3/4 Ton "It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere"
Congratulations and welcome to the Stovebolt World!
~ Cosmo 1949 Chevy Half Ton Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities. "...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes "If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
Already got engine free'd up and running, working on brakes right now.
Haha. Ordered parts, swapped out, cleaned up a whole lot of stuff, pulled rockers and freed up the valves.