One of my oldest friends asked me to come up to his shop he had just helped transport a truck he thought I would get a kick out of. That and the guy who is goi g to redo the truck for the owner, whose family are the original owners of the truck since new, wanted to pick my brain on the motor.
So I made the hour drive and was he right. Look at this truck! When I think wrecker, this is the kind of truck I think about.
I think it’s a 52. I also think it’s a 235 from the valve and side cover. To much junk to grab some casting numbers. Truth be told, it’s a littler earlier truck then I am use to fooling with.
"I think it’s a 52" It looks like it has a turn-down door handle with the vent-window door? In 1951, the outside door handles were still turn-down type. If so, 1951 was the only year with vent windows and turn-down handles.
"I also think it’s a 235 from the valve and side cover." How/why do they make you think that it is a 235 rather than a 216? Were 216 valve cover and side cover different from those?
Is there a "series" name (Thriftmaster or Loadmaster) under the "Chevrolet" on the side emblem?
Nonetheless, a low-pressure 235 would most likely been used on that type of truck?
On the engine, the only thing to tell you if its a (babbitted) 235 rather than a 216 is the casting number. Don't guess, give us the casting number and we'll tell you.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
If you rotate and zoom in on the engine picture you can see a smooth bulge between spark plugs 1 and 2. It also has a short lifter cover. That would be correct only for a 50-52 low oil pressure 235, and the correct original engine for a 50-52 2-ton. I agree, check all the numbers to be certain. Very cool old Chevy Big Bolt!!
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Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
It has to be restored. The front sheet metal is in extremely poor condition. I think the rust is all that is holding it together. There are other components that make the truck unsafe if not repaired properly and those issues are more then cosmetic. On the other hand, it’s all there and complete. All the winch components, cables, everything. And the wrecker body, with the flat sides and the grab bar, It’s just way too cool.
Looks like pull down door handles ? If so, it's a 51. I can also tell it's a 2 ton, by it having the heavier front axle, with bolt on front dust caps. All 47-53 Chevrolet 2 tons came with the Loadmaster 235 engine. All that said, it looks like you have a 1951 Chevrolet 6100 series, 2 ton, with short wheelbase, medium duty, Holmes Traffic King model 515 Wrecker. Holmes also had a model 460 Speed King, that used that same short Chariot Style service body, but different rear fenders. Should be a Ernest Holmes serial number plate on the passenger side boom mast vertical beam, to verify the model. That's a nice old wrecker right there. I've been collecting Vintage Holmes Wreckers, for many years. Here's the Heavy Duty Holmes model W35, I'm now working on.
Spanky Hardy Collector Of Fine Old G.M. COE Trucks & Antique Holmes Wreckers
