The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1948 1.5 4100, I think! Need some help

I finally got one! But what is it???

Edit August 2023 by Peggy M: Sorry, much the image link provided did not work. Check some of he other posts. Maybe some images will show up there. (He's got over 300 posts! )

Found it in a field full of 'Bolts... Based upon the information I found while trying to crunch the VIN 14RJ-L**** it is a 1948 1-1/2 ton 137" WB made in Baltimore in December. Some of the "tell tale" indicators of the year are curious though. It would seem to be a model 4100, but I cant find anything on the truck to indicate a model.

The parking brake is located next to the shifter... not by the kick panel... I thought this indicated a '47 ????

The hood emblem seems to be chrome plated steel, which apparently would indicate a later model ????

The valve cover doesn't have any bolts going through the center of it so I am guessing it is a 235 ???? Also, the VIN plate says 81.5 HP at 3100 RPM.

At any rate, It has a 5 window cab and stainless trim around the entire windshield. It also has stainless trim around the door glass... inside and out. It has a dump body with what looks like a home-made cab protector. Curious that someone would have a 5 window and completely block the view???

The truck is in remarkably good shape for it's age. one hole in the floor about the size of a Half Dollar. The body is SOLID, but the fenders have some dents... Nothing a hammer & dolly can't fix. Both door windows are cracked, but the rest of the glass is good.

I don't have a place to post pics right now, but I have submitted it to Peggy for the gallery.

I will be looking for all sorts of advice and technical info so any help will be greatly appreciated. I am ordering the restoration pack today.

I plan to get this back as close to original as possible and put it to work.

Congrats on your purchase!

Your VIN crunch is correct. The RJ prefix ('48, 1.5-ton, 137" wheelbase) is a 4100. There was no exact series identification on the exterior of the '48 trucks. The hood side emblems contained the word Chevrolet, along with the word Thriftmaster (small truck) or Loadmaster (big truck) to indicate the load capacity group. In '49, they scrapped the Thriftmaster and Loadmaster and added the exact series number under the Chevrolet. They still used those names for the engines, though.

The big trucks (1.5 and 2 ton) had the hand parking brake, as opposed to the foot pedal.

It sounds like this truck has the deluxe cab option, with the 5 windows and the stainless window trim. Is there also a driver's door arm rest and a right-side sun shade (visor)?

The engine is probably a '54-up 235, though could be a 261 too. We'd need more clues to identify it. Try to find the engine serial and casting numbers.

This truck should also have the exterior frame-mounted gas tank. The in-cab tanks started in '49.

Good luck!

Some things are different on big bolts than little bolts.

Late '49 is when they started putting series numbers on the trucks hood for the little ones, anyway.

You'd have to cop the numbers off the side of the motor to know for sure what it is.

In '47 windlace around door opening is held in place with screw-on metal retainer. Headliner center bow is screwed to roof of cab.

In '48 Windlace around door is black rubber and secured with metal strips screwed in place. Headliner center bow screwed in place.

It was my understanding that the parking brake on all the big trucks was next to the shifter.. but I could be wrong.

Thanks for your help, I did some research and found that the 235 was optional on the '48's.

I'm thinking this is the original engine because of the horsepower listed on the VIN tag.

It does have both visors. I don't recall whether or not it had an arm rest.

The truck is about an hour away from home but it will be coming home one evening this week. I tried to take lots of photos, but looking at them, I realize I didn't take nearly enough.

As for the headliner, I do recall that it had become so weighted down with mouse crap and nests that it was sagging. I don't know if there were screws. I remember seeing the deteriorating rubber around the driver's door, but I couldn't say how it is held in place.

Fumblin46, Your VIN cruncher is the only one I found that deciphered the VIN correctly... YOU DA MAN...

A program is only as good as it's data!

Had it not been for the help (and frequent correction) of folks like Xram, MikeB, and many others (including the folks who compiled the data in the Stovebolt tech tips section) it would never have been possible.

MikeB provided valuable data on 55 2nd thru '59 trucks (i've still got '57 thru '59 to add) and even reworked some of his published data in order to make it easier for me to understand.

I just put it all together in a quasi-simple to work interface.

So while I do take a measure of pride in making something that works and that folks can use, it's the folks who made sure the crunchers data was accurate that really deserve the credit.

As far as the engine goes, if it doesn't have the valve cover with the two studs through it, it's probably not the original engine. All the early pre-'54 216 and 235 engines had the two studs. The horsepower on the ID tag would be for the original engine, but that has nothing to do with what engine might be in the truck now. The standard 216 had a max. net hp of 81.5. The 235 had a whopping two more net hp.

I was going to mention that, but i've always been kinda foggy as to when exactly the change happened with the 235 valve cover.

My '46 2 ton has a 235 with the "acorn nuts" holding down the valve cover.. it looks identical to the 216 in my '50 3100.

Only way to ever really tell what ya got is with the numbers on the engine.

Interesting information on the engine... So you're saying it is probably a later engine... Right? Would that mean full pressure?

I know... you need numbers...

Thanks to all who helped with the VIN cruncher...

Probably a later engine, would need the numbers to see for sure regarding the size and stuff.

I thought they made a full pressure 235 before '54.. at least I remember reading that somewhere.. that the 235's went full pressure and the 216s remained "splash" or "oil bath".

I believe the 1953 with powerglide was the first full pressure 235, 1953 manual transmission were still splash.

Baldy

I have a few Pics... I am going to try to link...

Never did this before so bear with me...

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/4809.JPG

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/4802.JPG

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/4803.JPG

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/4805.JPG

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/4806.JPG

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/4808.JPG

pics are good, Inky, and the truck looks like a good score - dual horns, no less! a real deluxe model later 235 I'd bet

Bill

Thanks Bill...

I see you have a mouse family also..Great truck.Good luck with your build,Steve

Yeah Steve, Thats why I couldn't tell how the headliner was held in place... The weight of the mousey stuff had it pulled down...

The guy I bought it from said the last time he had it running, it would occasionally cough and spit a confused mouse out of the exhaust... 6 or 7 total.

That's why you need the steel wool in the exhaust pipe when storing..Bet those mice woke up with a heck of a bad dream..Take care, Steve

In the following picture can someone tell me:
Is 1 the vac line for the wipers? If so, where should it connect? If not then what is it?

Is 2 part of the Hydro Vac? If not? What is it?

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/questions.JPG

1 is the drain for the cowl vent to let out the rain water that gets in. I never understood why they made those drain right on top of the engine. It seems water could get into the vent slots on the earlier valve covers.

2 is the optional oil filter.

I guess you can tell... I don't know much about these old relics... But I still love 'em...

nice find dual horns who needs brakes

Cool... I guess I don't have to fix the brakes after all...

Very interesting truck. This is a very early production '48 model. It has the smooth cowl, & no rain gutter, to the front edge, of the cowl.'47's, & early '48's were like this. The later '48's-'55 1st series cowls, had raised re-inforcement areas("H" pattern), in the cowl face. They also, had the ran gutter.

Nice Truck.

Spanky,

You're right. Based upon the VIN Cruncher, This was made in December of '47.

By the way, it is coming home today. I will be able to get some more details from the engine, and some better pictures. YEEEAAAAAH...

Inky,

Please forgive me for not getting it in the gallery yet. I have two pages of them now and I'm going to try to make some progress over the weekend.

Peg

Take your time Peg. I'm in no rush. I just can't wait to get it home!

I got it home Friday evening... YEEAAH...

Once it was off the trailer, I hooked up a set of jumper cables and got it to crank over.

Saturday morning I pulled the battery out and was a bit confused... it was a 12 volt battery...

I put an old lawn tractor battery in it to see if I could jump it and get it to turn a little faster... Cranks good...

I pulled the drivers door latch off to see why it wouldn't hold unless it was locked... Found a broken spring... made a new one out of a coat hanger... It works...

Aired up the tires... Checked the oil and anti-freeze... Changed the spark plugs... poured some gas down the carb... got it started... drove it around the driveway... backed it in along side of the garage... shut it off...

Sunday morning I realized that I couldn't get close enough to jump it again... Made a set of heavy duty 20 foot jumper cables... got it started again... Engaged the PTO... dumped the bed... Took some pictures with the bed up...

Got the casting numbers from the block and head and the serial number from the block. It is a 1956 235...

Now for some more questions...

Lets start with the battery... It had a 12 volt battery in it. I put a 12 volt battery in it. It runs... the headlights, the running lights, and one of the cab lights work... The gas gauge pegs to full as soon as i turn the key... The heater fan works... The volt meter sits slightly on the D side of center... Without the jumper cables attached the voltage slowly drops when measured with a digital volt meter.

I didn't pull a battery cable to see if it would run on its generator, so I am not sure if the generator is working. The cover is off of the regulator.

Do you think this has a 12 volt system in it?

Wouldn't the '56 engine have been 12 volts?

I want to get a new battery for it, but I don't know what to get.

I plan to re-wire the whole thing as I go along.

Next question... How do you turn the wipers off? I tried every knob in it but finally cut the Vac. line and plugged it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated... This is my first "old" truck.

I think it's probably 12 volts, man.

While the '48 originally would have been a 6 volt system, they probably went to 12V when they put the newer engine in there.. the real way to tell for sure i'd think would be to look at the metal tag on the generator.. it outta say 6 or 12 volts.

Pulling the cables off and having the voltage drop slowly suggests to me that, assuming you have a new or for sure good battery, the generator isn't putting out enough juice.. the fact that the gauge is leaning on the "D" or "Discharge" side seems to confirm that.

As far as how to turn the wipers off, in the '50's theres this silver "chicken head" sort of knob right on the dash by the windsheild.. turning that off outta turn them off and on.

Big Bolts kick [censored], man.. and a Big Bolt dump.. well that kicks [censored] x 2!

Fumblin'

I thought the little knob you are talking about was it, but it just spins around... Guess its broke...

As for the voltage, I took a digital Pic. of the generator tag and, according to my Resto Pack, the model # is correct for a '48. There is no voltage marked on the Gen. so I'm [censored]-uming that it is 6V.

Last night I pulled a Bat. cable off with it running and it stopped dead, so the Gen. is not putting out.

All that being said, I plan to pull the alternator off of JR's donor vehicle and convert it to 12V. This way I can use a $35 battery instead of a $70 one and I don't have to mess with trying to fix the Gen... Although it porobably only needs to have the commutator cleaned.

Since I am not a purist, the slight Mod won't bother me.

A few more interesting things I found going through the Resto Pack:

My truck appears to have the optional HD frame. It also has the HD rear springs. I'm speculating that the original owner bought this truck specificly to be a Dump. I would almost bet that it was used to haul coal, as I bought it in the anthracite capital of the world. The fact that it has a true dump body sub-frame seems to confirm this also.

I'm still puzzled that they would use a 5 window with a dump body that completely blocks the view...

You know, i've seen alot of dump and hoist beds on AD 5 window trucks.

I think it was probably more of an issue of what the dealer had in stock at the time.. you can wait a few months while we special order what you want, or you can take this one I have here on the lot today, and i'll knock a few bucks off.

Maybe somebody ordered that 5 window cab on the heavy duty frame for a reason, then never came and got it or it got repo'ed.. or it could be that somebody thought the extra glass in the back was a good idea to they could see behind them while they were dumping?

I never thought of it for seeing while you are dumping... HHMMMMMMM...

I just kind of figured that they really wanted the deluxe cab and thats what was available...

...Back to the wipers, Is the little Chickens Head attached to a needle valve? Whats the easiest way to get at it?

Inky, My neighbor has a dump truck that is the twin to yours sitting out in his pasture. I have been saving my pennies to go and make him an offer for it. It too is a 5 window deluxe cab and was specifically set up for a dump bed. It was running just over a year ago, but for some reason he just drove or hauled it to his equipment yard out in a pasture. He left the windows open or maybe they dont close, but I am anxious to get it before it decays too much. Anyway, you made a good score. Thats a cool truck.
Ralph

Hope you get it, Ralph... I would guess that it would take a little longer to decay in your neck of the woods.

I haven't got that far, bro.. mine when you turn it one way it hisses, the other way it don't hiss.

I assume my vac wiper motor thingy has a leak, or a leaking line, and that in a propery functioning system the wipers should be moving in the "hiss position".

As to whats behind that knob, my SWAG (Systematic, Wild [censored] Guess) would be some sort of needle valve.. if yours won't stop wiping, i'd again guess that for whatever reason that valve isnt closing.

Mine turns from about 10 o'clock to 2' o'clock, if thats of any help.

As far as how to get to it, I was going to have a look under the dash.. i'm hoping it's something you can get to without pulling the whole dash out.

I guess I'll have to look up under the dash and figure it out... When I do, I'll let you know "whats up" there...

I like that term, SWAG. May I borrow it?

Cool old truck. It reminds me of mine when I first got it. I'm putting it back together now. It's only been nine years. I hope your faster than me. Technically mine is a 41, 1-1/2 ton but numerous modifications have been made along the way combining no less than seven trucks. Reminds me of Johnny Cash's Cadillac. Your discussion on engines caught my eye. I would think the simplest way to tell if you have a 235 verses a 216 would be the side cover. That would tell you at first glance what you would need to know. The 261 from what I've been told, has to have an oil filter, because the oil is forced into the filter. The filter case on a 261 is also about half again as big. The 261 was in a 58 but it was a 61 engine. I found 53 235 in a 46 grain truck it fooled me at first because I opened the hood on the driver's side. It had the old style valve cover with two bolts. The other side revealed the lifter cover of the new engine. When I took the valve cover off the cool thing was that the head didn't have the 4 holes it was a "modern" engine with the old valve cover. I ran the casting numbers, turns out it was made in Sept. of 53. I guess that makes it one of the first pressurized 235's. Maybe they just needed to use up some extra valve covers. The only sure way is to run the numbers. Best of luck, Hold on to the joy. The road ahead is long, and like the guy on the other end of the phone when I bought a $1000.00 worth of wheel bearings for a 2 ton dump truck. You love it don't ya! Yah I do.

Inky,
It appears that the dump bed is a Penn Body that was built just out side of Pittsburgh. There should be a Brass plate on the right front side of the dump box. Take a look! If you get a chance take a few photos with the box up... Thanks, Gary

Gary,

It does have the remnants of a brass plate where you indicated. I don't remember what it said, but for some reason I was thinking Indiana. It also has another plate on the right front side of the sub-frame, but I didn't look closely at it.

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/dumped.jpg

http://www.mothernaturespouches.com/truck/dumped2.jpg

Well, I finally got Inky's Dump in the gallery ... and he can have it for the weekend. I somehow "dumped" his submission from last week.

But here she is!

Thanks Paul!

Peg

Nice Job, Peg... Thanks!