The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts '59 Chevy 6400 parts trivia

howdy all

one bit of news, and one bunch of questions

it seems the answer to my radiator question was, more or less, in the GM supplied restoration info pack! there are specs for frontal area on all the models radiators, and there was a match between what i needed for the 2-ton, and the 'heavy duty' cooling option for the 'smaller' pickups! the brackets for the fan shroud are different, but it bolts right up, fits fine, and til the engine died (not related), cooled just fine. clearance to the fan is tight, but it looks like the original other than the shroud brackets. if i care, and find a shroud not as bent as mine (looks like a fan hit), i can whip those up no prob.

sorry, meant to share that earlier, figured it might bee good trivia if everyone didn't already know. work has been keeping me busy and NOT happy.

now the questions....

frame is pretty good on my truck. steel flatbed is tolerable. cab is rusty but all well within the bounds of patch panels, and i want to learn how to do those anyway. front end, on the other hand, is just plain crap. 40 years as a lunber delivery truck in illinois, all full of holes.

so, anyone have a clue where i might find some fenders, and all the stuff that goes between them in the front? it seems my hood is just fine, at least i had some luck. a friend who knows the little trucks thinks the lower pan across the front and the stuff behind the grill is common to them, but i REALLY don't see that. clues or opinions anyone?

i'll be taking my 'before' pictures this week and will post for comment, after will take awhile, but doesn't it always?

Did you ever get in touch with Mike Boteler, of Hughsville, Maryland. These "Task Forc" Trucks, are his Specialty.

Spanky,
You know my good friend and neighbor, Mike Boteler?? Holy Smokes! You know everybody!

Mike IS the Task Force bubba. We need to get him on the site more.


John

howdy. remember alot of bolters are "out there, out west". some southern states and western trucks are still rust free after decades, so keep in touch with the bolters who live in those areas. to me that is one of the main advantages of this website, to maintain contact with folks as sick as the rest of us about old g.m. iron. i strongly suggest you use this website in it's entirity, and remember it's value as a great source of knowledge, friendship (where possible) and a fantastic resource for parts.

oh yeah---pictures--i like pictures. we need more of 'em on the big bolt side of things. we have seen the "weenie" trucks.

Yep John, i've known Mike for a couple of years now. I converse with him on about 3, or 4 other websites. Had the pleasure to finally meet him back in May, at one of our ATHS Truck Shows. Took him to see a '57 model Chevy 10500 series truck that was For Sale near me. I've been meaning to get back to you on the COE's, on the Tech Tips. Just forgot about it.

ok, i've been entirely too busy with the world to be sociable lately, but will definitely look this guy up! i've had old cars in a past life, but this is both my first old truck and my first BIG truck, so there should be alot of fun (and too much work) in my near future.

pictures? did someone say pictures?

www.sykotec.com/trucks.jpg
www.sykotec.com/trucks2.jpg
www.sykotec.com/trucks3.jpg
www.sykotec.com/trucks4.jpg
www.sykotec.com/trucks5.jpg

sorry the pics are big, and the connection isn't too fast. it runs on an old imac sitting at home. the 'little' one has been my daily ride for the past 145k miles, and if i can find parts to haul, will be parts hauler for a little while yet for the big one. when the big one is 'done' i'm giving the little one to my dad. thank god he learned to drive in a '56 half-ton on a farm in PA - at least i have ONE person on my side in the family when the 2-ton comes up in conversation

Nice truck Sykotec, When you do contact Mike Boteler, you should think about buying that Holmes twin Boom wrecker, he has For Sale, to go on your '59. That's if you don't keep it a flatbed.

oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaankyyyyyyy!

i think i stumbled onto a 1930 something chevy or gmc with a hand operated ernie holmes wrecker body.

are ya interested???

OHHH YEAHHH !, You know I am. Email me, with the specifics.

ok, everyone here seems to know this guy but me. anyone care to pass along some contact info? for that matter, hope he doesn't mind hearing from somewhat random people with old trucks and questions....

Mike Boteler, '55-'59 Chevy Task Force Trucks,(301)870-6886 [email protected]

thanks - just emailed him, hope i'm not being a bother. it's a pretty hunk of iron sitting in the carport, but i wanna get it driving, y'know?

Mike's a nice guy,he's aways been very enthusiastic, about helping with truck questions,& problems. He's got a nice '56 8400 series, with the big back glass. Has a Holmes 525 twin boom Wrecker on it.

Cool ole Chevy (I won't hold it agains you that it's a Chevy...)

Here's my '58 GMC 370: Big Blue 1958 GMC

thanks. pretty ride there - i'm jealous just because you can drive it! i'm a ways off from that.

i'm forgiven for it being a chevy, huh? thanks, i think.... if that's an issue, you guys would crap over my daily ride.

i've been warned about potential parade duty btw. i'll have to have it finish in, say, august of some future year, just to miss at least one