The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Beginner needs info on modifications 51 1/2 ton

I am 17 years old and I am restoring a 51 ½ ton and I am restoring it stock, except for a few modifications (3.55 ring and pinion, dual master cylinder, and ball studs removed on all steering parts). I have the stock engine and 4 spd SM420 ready to be put in also. I just want to get it running right now so I have something to drive. But I am thinking later on down the line. I have recently been reading a lot of posts on crate engines, frame swaps, and other modern upgrades. I am looking for a lot of good information on what works as far as engines (crate engines), manual transmissions that fit these engines, and also the upgraded rear end and suspension (front and rear). I have already searched for and read a lot of information on this on the stovebolt, but does anyone have or know of where I could find good webshots or other photo sites that document things like engine swap, suspension upgrade, and frame swap? I am glad that I am familiar and competent with almost every aspect of my stock truck now, but I was a newbie to restoration about 3 years ago. I learned on a 53 Allis Chalmers tractor, and I have continued to learn by tearing apart and rebuilding this 51, and reading as much as possible about it, especially the service manual. But unlike the majority of you guys here, I have no experience with the things I mentioned above and I would appreciate any good information, or links, for a starting point in all these modifications to make the “guts” more modern.

Gee I wish I had your problem.
wouldn't it be wonderful to be 17. Most of us here learned by doing (with someone looking over our shoulder occasionally. Listen to the advice you will get here but nothing beats the experience of doing it yourself, making only small mistakes along the way. Some of your buddys probably have been there and can advise.

a few years ago I could have told almost exactly the same story.

I drove a 52 1 ton pickup to high school, while rebuilding a second engine and then swapping.

I think you are on the right track, and recommend you drive your truck as is for a while as you gather knowledge both from reading, and mostly from attending shows and seeing what other people have done with their trucks.

I learned from inspecting many trucks at shows that often radical changes like front suspension and engine swaps are poorly done, and not very well thought out, and pretty scary, as far as safety goes. I make it a point when I do modifications to do them in such a way to look as if it was done at the factory. I have seen to many sketchy instillations where parts cut with a torch and ugly welds are the biggest feature, don't be another one of those guys...

My truck is slightly larger than yours, but you may get some ideas on swapping axles from my picture link below.

I use my trucks as real trucks, and am not a fan of complete frame swaps, or even front clip swaps. I think that there are to many drawbacks to these approaches when compared to just axle and or brake upgrades. I also don't care much for "crate engines", as it seems everyone goes with this approach when they want more power. I like something different and more practical, like a diesel, or a well tuned and modified stovebolt.

Grigg

Hey Grigg, Might be time to pick up a diesel cheap outta California!! All them dirty motors gotta go by 2010. Not too many folks want to pay for the scrubbers to clean them up. A lot of fleets are changing over right now! I've seen a lot of 6V92's and International 466's go through my yard!

Justin, it's good to see someone your age intrested in the classics rather than a tuner. I understand that you want to just get it going for now, make sure that everything is in good working order. Think safety. I had a '49 yours ago that I just wanted to get going and almost rolled it over in a curve. (the truck had issues, several issues!)
There are many ways to approach your project. You will only be limited by skill and or finances. Take your time. I've been working on mine for a couple of years now and this site has been a valuable resource for me. I even found my truck here!
I personally went with swapping in a 327 / 700r4 combination. The front subspension is from a 79 1/2 ton, the rear is a Chevy II. You will find that there are many ways to build your truck. Here are some things to keep in mind that I've learned along the way:

1. Just because it's advertised as "bolt on" does not neccessarily mean it will bolt right on.

2. Once you establish a budget, multiply that by three.

3. Sometimes the simplest things cause the most aggravation.

4. There is always one bolt that won't cooperate no matter how much WD-40 you use.

These are just a few things I've learned along the way. Good luck with your project.

Justin,
Once you've driven your truck for a while, you'll soon know which things are top of the list to fix.

If you make all your modifications in a way that they look like they could be factory installed to an engineer who doesn't know Stovebolts, then they will all be good ones.

Good luck with your project.

Stuart.