The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1950 Chevy Dubl-Duti 'Gladys' resto thread

It's been a long time since I've been on here, but I think this is a great way to get back into the community. Here's the backstory:

Some years back I worked as a USPS CCA (City Carrier Assistant), and ran across this old gal. I struck up a conversation with her owner, agreed on a price, but had some financial difficulty. Flash forward a few years, I finally get it together and buy it.

As the thread title says, she's a 1950 3942 Dubl-Duti step van. The original owner used it to sell Cornwell Tools (thus the paint scheme) up to 1978, when he retired and the man I got it from bought it. Nothing has changed since then - not even the tires! At some point, the babbit 235 had been replaced with a '54-up high-mount water pump 235 that didn't have a stamping behind the distributor; a factory replacement engine. That's the engine that's still in it. Mileage? Who knows? Transmission is an SM420; rear axle is an Eaton HO72 with 5.14:1 gears. All five wheels are Firestone type AR 'Safety Ring' split rims with 7.50 - 17 tires.

When I bought it, very little of the electrical still worked, the tires were ancient and shot, the brakes didn't work, and the engine had a dead cylinder. Interestingly, someone installed a Grote 966-4 turn signal switch with hazards. One less thing I need to do!

Here's what I've done so far, in the year I've owned her:
- Removed the cylinder head (848 casting), fixed the stuck valve, replaced a burned valve and had the seat touched up
- Cleaned the points, replaced everything else
- Thermostat and water pump
- New hoses
- Fresh oil, coolant
- Overhauled the carb, fuel pump, and restored the fuel tank. Replaced the sending unit, repaired the air cleaner and installed a new element
- Overhauled the master cylinder, wheel cylinders. Located a replacement return spring for one rear brake
- Re-sealed the rear wheel hubs
- Cleaned and re-packed the front wheel bearings
- Greased everything
- Changed the trans and axle oil
- Restored the steering wheel; replaced the speedo
- Restored the five rear marker lights
- Located a replacement front marker (purely luck - spotted a NOS at Jim's Vintage Auto while looking for a rebuilt water pump!)
- Replaced one wheel (crack at the ring flange) and two tires and two hubcaps so far. Restored three wheels
- Removed the non-functioning vacuum wiper motors, searching for suitable electric replacements
- Built new battery cables
- Bought a CS130 alternator, modified the original generator bracket to accept it, and installed a 5/8" belt pulley
- Restored the Panelray heater the original owner installed. Works great!
- Restored the original horn and found a vintage boat/train Reon air horn at Jim's. Restored it, gonna mount it to the roof!
- Restored the Mopar model 53 Comfort Master heater that came installed on the doghouse. Had to replace the housing with one I pulled from Jim's, out of a '48 DeSoto. It was missing parts, and generally pretty beat up.
- Got both doors working again. Currently searching for new latches
- Obtained a Brown-Lipe 5531 auxiliary transmission and shifter to add an overdrive

In one year, it went from beat-down, not running and ready for the boneyard, to running sweet and driving... well, it drives. That's the point! Steering is more suggestion than steering... But the brakes work!

Check my YouTube channel for some update vids, time-to-time! I work nearly every weekend on it, so there'll be more pics and vids.

Welcome back after 14 years. It’s about time.🛠

Looks like a good solid truck to work on! Good luck to ya!

*laughs* Right? Well, better sometime than never. Actually, I hadn't realized I even had an account here. I'd forgotten after so long.

Thanks! She has some great bones, anyway. It's a Boyertown 10-foot body, and there's a good reason there's not many around - they're riveted steel bodies! The roof seams on mine have leaked in a few places, and caused rust around the beltline. I'm going to need to replace both roof panels (flat, thankfully, and they'll be fully welded this time. No seam, no leaks!) and a number of small patches around the outside. All of which will require de-riveting the interior panels. Since those will be out, I'll be adding the insulation she never had, in the form of 1" thick semi-rigid fiberglass duct panels; scraps left over from my work.

Getting pretty close to ordering the wiring harness from American Autowire, now. Handful of things to do in preparation for the 12v conversion, like get a 12v coil and Pertronix Ignitor unit, LED lamps, figure out what to do with the ammeter (I've seen the thread on that!), and how I want to repair the marker lamp sockets - new sockets, crimped in place or just the guts? Might convert them to use #37 lamps and GM marker light sockets, like later cars and light trucks used.

Oh, and I should probably take a look at that Grote turn signal switch. See if it needs repair.

For now, I'll concentrate on re-shodding. Needs it desperately!


Been thinking of different engines to use, for more highway-friendly power. I have a line on a 261 (multiple carbs on my own manifold, maybe?); already have a 401M GMC V6 that needs finished up; haven't fully discounted using a Detroit 6V53/Clark 285VO. Not sure I want to do that much surgery, though. Suggestions?

Nice truck! On its way to being a really nice rig. Good work.
That Panelray heater bring back memories of cool mornings in the plumbing shop with my Dad. We'd take turns backing up to one like that to toast our backsides before heading out on a job. That would make your rig a potential camper.

I'd think a 6V53 might be too heavy, a 3-53 or 4-53 can work.

A 6V53 would have nice power, but might be a tight fit in the engine compartment, too.

Ed

4-53 is too long. I ran into the same problem when contemplating a GMC 360 (similar to the 477/503). As the doghouse butts right back against the entrance, I'd rather not have to push it back much, if at all. A 3-53 or 6V53 is about the same length as the Stovebolt.

Weight? Eh. It's rated at 10,000, has a curb weight of about 5500. Front axle is the same one used in 1 1/2 and 2-tons. It'll take the weight. More so, if I can locate a lightweight military version! I still have friends in TMO and DRMO! I'd definitely need power steering, however.

I'll throw a pic of the engine bay in, so y'all can see what I'm working with. The width of the 6V would require some sheet metal work. 3-53, and I'd have the same problem I have now: power. 150hp out of a 3-53 is doable... And so is 200hp from a 261. 6V53 silver series had factory ratings up to 350hp! I'd be happy with 200-250. Thus, the 261, my GMC 401M, or a 6V53.

I'm still learning towards that 261. Bolt-in fit, and it'd look right at home. The 401 would be neat, and that Detroit scream... but I love a Stovebolt.

Have some more pics:

I have a 292 in my 78 GMC 2.5 ton. It used to be an Asplundh chipper truck. I installed a cast iron header set fro Langdon's Stovebolt and a pair of carburetors from a 1979 Honda CX 500. The performance level is fabulous! The I added a Brownie behind it. If you want to keep costs down, get performance and mileage, I'd lean toward building a 292 from the bottom up. The intake would have to be custom if you want to retain that updraft, though.

Even if the suspension will take the weight, you'll be asking more of the brakes than what they were designed for. You'd also want to put a sway bar on it in a big, big way!

Brakes will be upgraded! Found the conversion for the 1-tons. Might do the rears too, since those are just about impossible to find parts for. Means I'll need to upgrade to power brakes and re-plumb for dual-circuit, but those are excellent safety upgrades anyway.

I'm thinking of inverting an Offenhauser or Winfield or Fenton 3-carb intake, see if I can run that without mods, and build my own exhaust header. Maybe turbocharging? Run a draw-through setup with a Weber DCOE, should be able to mount it just about anywhere I like. Just thoughts for now, but eventually we'll see.

Wait a min... I recognize you. I watch you on YouTube! Nice to meet you!

Yeah, I remember the Brownie setup you installed. Spicer 5831, wasn't it? Ol' Jimmy sounded pretty mean without a muffler! Mine's the smaller 5531, a Spicer-built Brown-Lipe. This'll be a bit down the road, after I fix the roof leak and the rust it's caused, but I'll be doing the same - installing it in place of the carrier bearing. Need new driveshafts and companion flanges for Spicer 1350 U-joints (smallest I can get flanges for), so I figure it'll cost about $1500 to do it all.

I'll be tearing down the trans this weekend, see what I'm looking at for parts. Feels like at least one bearing is getting rough. Gears and clutch collars look fine, aside from a touch of surface rust. Pics and maybe a vid to follow!

Hey Alister, sent you a PM

Don't let that get around... ;-)

Lips are zipped!

Don’t know if you seen the video of a older double duty on turnin rust.cool trucks

Yup, saw it. Pretty big change in ten years! I can't remember where I saw it, but GM didn't want Boyertown changing their Dubl-Duti chassis to forward-control, in the early years of the model. That's supposedly why there are fewer than 100 made prior to '47! Ford, Dodge, etc didn't care and actually adopted the FC-type chassis a little later, for regular production.

I was really impressed that old 216 fired off as easy as it did! Not surprised, per se, but impressed.

Nice old Step Van. There used to be one near me, that was also a Boyertown Body Van. It looked exactly like yours, except it had a grille in it that resembled the pickups, of the same model.

Very cool! I'd love to get my paws on another!

Sorry I've not been here much, lately - haven't been able to work on Gladys at all, because I was involved in a crash on March 24th. Demolished my (best friend's) 1969 Olds Cutlass, gave me a nasty concussion (still dealing with vertigo and some memory probs), big gash on my head (21 staples, eight stitches), two fractured vertebrae, and some bleeding on the brain.

I'm still walking and talking, so there's that... and I'll try to get some more done on Gladys this weekend. My 'new' wheels are a 1963 Ford Fairlane - 302 (originally a 260), 3-on-the-tree. No options other than a radio!

Any donations to help get the Fairlane in as good as working order as the Cutlass would be great.

Sorry about your injuries. Asking for donations especially for a Ford is inappropriate.

Lol

Yeah, but... It's an -old- Ford? Actually not a bad car. Different from the GM products I'm used to, but not bad-different. Like the fuel pump with a built-in cartridge-type fuel filter. Clever design!

I'll be headed to work on the Dubl tomorrow, for sure. Ditched the points on the F*Rd (condenser went out, anyway) in favor of a Pertronix unit. Runs a LOT better. The truck will be getting the same, with the 12v conversion. Plans for tomorrow will be to get the one new tire I have on hand mounted, and break down the next one for cleaning and inspection. Might do some abrasive blasting of parts I already have off. I'll need help with the tire, of course.

Got the third tire mounted, and finished blasting part of the spare tire carrier. Took a peek at the front brake while I was there, and all looked good! Plenty of meat on the shoes, drums are a bit grooved but still decent, hub and bearings looked and sounded fine. No signs of leaks.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Fourth tire is on, so time for a little joyride! Man, the difference is night and day.

That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing the drive with us.
Do you want to sell it?

Lol!
Nope, not a chance.

Decided to take her out to my buddy's place about fifteen miles away, at something near highway speeds. First time in probably 30 years she's been over 35!

Then something shorted under the dash. Isolated that, hotwired the ignition... and the battery was too weak to restart her. Ever try roll-starting a 6000lb truck with ridiculously low gears? Doesn't work well. But a friendly sheriff's deputy came by and had a jump pack. So fired her off on 12v and went on to my friend's place. Charged the battery for an hour, came back.

Ok, lesson learned: no road trips 'til I do the wiring and 12v conversion!

Nice to see a side shot of Gladys, she looks good!