A few months back I made a newcomer post to the forum about my 55 Chevy truck. At the time it had been sitting in the driveway for about a year collecting dust. The fuel system was shot, and the motor seriously lacked compression on at least 4 cylinders.
Using a budget of less than a few hundred dollars, and braving long days outside in 40* weather, with the help of friends and family we managed to successfully complete a budget rebuild on the old 261. Leaving the block in the truck we pulled the head, and dropped the oil pan in order to put in a new set of rings. While we were in we cleaned out the pan, lifters, oil and coolant passages by hand, dingle-honed the cylinders,and installed new rod bearings.
Removing the head shed light on another compression issue, several valves were so crusty light could be seen through between valve and seat, with a days worth of work we were able to lap the old valves enough to retain water in all the flow chambers on a bench even using the original valves and springs.
Most of this work was done outside, on a budget, on off days from full time jobs, without an engine hoist or machine shop, by unseasoned 20-something year olds. In a month's time we were able to turn a few thousand pound paperweight into something that is starting to look and sound like a real truck. If you have a winter project you're struggling to get motivated on, or an ongoing restoration that's been stalled, I hope this will give you some inspiration to keep at it!
And Dad, if you find this post: thanks again for your continuing support and knowledge.
Hy 55grainer, thank you very much for the update and thank you for caring about your truck enough to work on it outside in less than ideal conditions. Keep up the good work and good luck the rest of the way. Remember we're always here to lend what help we can.
Thanks for posting this. I've had my 56 6100 dump truck sitting in my barn for 5 years and haven't touched it. I've decided that this is the year to at least get it running, moving and stopping all on a shoe string budget.
I also have a 1955 6400, is yours a dump bed ? If so do you know what kind of hydraulic pump was used. Mine has the pump mounted vertically with a two tube manifold lying flat going back to the top of the ram. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
