The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1953 GMC Shorty 1 TON .. Tinkering

I am new to the forum, I have been a enthusiast of old trucks since I was 8 when my grandfather had me help him install brakes on his 1952 3100 Chevrolet in Hillsville, Pa. That was 1962 and now with a few years of tinkering and collecting I recently had a 1953 Shorty 1 Ton drop from the sky.
What I am at odds with is that this truck was a Bell telephone service truck with a box on it and I got the box also. The Box was built by York Hoover in 1953 also. Most of the Truck is complete and the service box has been removed.
I have someone that wants the Service Box ,,
Should I separate the Service Box and the Truck... I am planning to begin a blog to document some of the recent activities ...

Here are some photo's showing the current condition,, Rear brakes are locked,, any advice would be appreciated.

Here are photo's of the 1953 GMC Shorty 1 TON .... Service Box

Made by York Hoover Company and Dated 1953,,, The Top slides like a sun roof forward and back

There are spring loaded levers to hold the sliding top in position on 1 inch round CRS bar

Interesting find. What are you planning on doing with it?

Make it yours. If you get a fair price for the box, so be it. Especially if you have no use for it. The truck wont mind. Itll be happy just to get back to the road. Let someone else build their dream. As you will wirh yours. Awesome truck, keep us updated.

It would look cool if it were back on the truck, but that's your decision to make, not mine.

I am really happy to hear your replies so quickly,, I am struggling with separating the service box but I do want to take the truck to a new life.

The guys in my car club came by and we looked over the engine etc,,, it looks really good and the general consensus was it will start and run.
I am going to get the carburetor cleaned out and check the compression ,,the stomp starter is frozen up.. looks that the pivot lever is rusted at the mounts on the bell housing,...
I have been oiling everything and doors are opening,, hood opens and closes well. It's baking in the California heat all day ..

I want to say that I am happy that I connected to this group, I am in a car club here in my location although there isn't any truck enthusiasts in my club
I am going to start logging what's happening with this truck and ..some one asked what am I going to do with it,, well I am not sure yet but I'm excited to
have the opportunity to employ my skills to reviving this old gem.

Yesterday my friend stopped by and we got started tinkering with getting the motor started on this 1953 GMC.

He and I grabbed a spark plug wrench and took out all the plugs,, what an exciting moment as all the plugs look great ,,all were burning clean.
Next we talked the carburetor ,, I added pictures..

The Hologram was reprogramed and we fingle fangled with that stomp starter lever,,
It came loose and worked, What a joyous moment.
Now I am feeling a lot better

After some finagling we got the cables loose and removed the carburetor..
EEEK,,, Inside of the carb throat was Rat feces..
OFF to the cleaning office for that

He tried to get a big a bob to turn the motor with the at big crank bolt ,, no luck,, not enough space etc ,,we moved to the starter….

Hooked a battery to it and the starter phased but no turn,,, More to come..

Removing the starter

“Rat Feces”, welcome to the restoration hobby! If you encounter a lot of that wonderful mix, be sure to mask up. Hantavirus is not something you want to deal with.

Getting an ancient engine running is the most fun one can have.

I am into shorty,s too have a 98 inch wheelbase 51 6400, is my daily driver. Built my own 4-link with 7/8 heim joints run 8;25 20 rubber 235 insert brg. engine. Hope to see your ton soon.