The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 46 2ton upgrades?

I,ve just gotten a 46 2ton and also came across this great site.I want to keep this truck as origional appearing as possible, but also upgrade it to make it safer and more usable, not that they didn't do a lot of work in their day.What are proven upgrades?I have a 1960 235? and trans in a Chevy 40, but it has a hydraulic clutch.Don't know about putting in that clutch? what about brakes, and rearend upgrades? Can parts be gotten to redo the front axle?I want to have this truck so that it is capable of doing some light work around my farm, as well as travel to shows. Thanks for any help, Jim

Hi jcarter!

Welcome to the 'Stovebolt Page'. If you hang around, there is a ton of information you can pick up.
I've got a 46 2 ton that's original and drive it around Winnipeg all the time. You can see it here:

http://www.geocities.com/jarge46/46_Chev.html

This site is one you can look at for parts. They are in Penhold, Alberta. There are other places you can find from the 'Stovebolt Page' too.

http://www.scottssupertrucks.com/

The guys here will tell you about the engine and rear end questions you have, but from what I've seen here, most will say trying to go fast with these old trucks doesn't pay.

I've hauled 3 yards of gravel on my truck and the brakes handled it without a problem. I was on a country road and tried a 'panic' stop to see how they performed and I was impressed. Those originals should be OK for you if they are in good shape.

Hope to see you and your truck at the Pony Corral in Winnipeg some Sunday evening. There is another 46 1.5 ton that shows up sometimes too.

Good luck with the truck.

George

Hy Jim welcome, The 235 will be a drop in if you get a short water pump from one of the vendors. You can use the stock clutch linkage, it worked in hundreds of trucks for years. Rear end upgrades, just exactly what are you looking to do improve top speed, get better brakes, what? Front axle overhaul parts shouldn't be too hard to find, as to front brakes I think 52 and newer use bendix brakes, a self energizing type

Thanks for the replies.Jarge,I have came across pics of your truck already.hope to see you at a show somtime.We live west of Brandon.Hav not got to any Wpg. cruise nites or shows yet.We have a 57 Buick we cruise around in.Manitoba threshermans reuion at Austin is commemerating farm trucks in 2008, so this one will be finished for it, if not sooner.3B little things like needing a short waterpump for a 235 are some of the things I was looking for.I have not been to involved with inlines,so didn't even know there was a short or long one.I guess I was wondering if there was any advatage to upgrading the trans. with the engine. The one out of the1960 should be synchronized, but you would loose the reverse lockout handle.I was wondering about changing the rearend to get a little more speed,as it will be doing more running around than working. Dad had a 46 when I was little, which I kind of learned to drive with,so I know what they were capable of doing,but when I go thru this one,I'm looking for areas of improvement, but still keeping it stock appearing. Jim

Jcarter
God's speed, jcarter. I am just finishing up a nine year project that you are discribing here. I took an old fire engine and turned it into a dump truck. I put in a rebuilt 54 235, short water pump. I also used the front and rear axels out of a 54 2 ton. I put new bearings in the rear end at the cost of $1500! The front end mounts up on the springs but is 2.5"s wider on each side which fills up the fenders nicely without sticking out. I hade to make a custom drag link. I did all this so I could use solid wheels and ditch the split rims. It now has tubless radial tires, another $1500! Changed the transmission too used the 54 Muncie, with the biggest clutch I could put in there. For this mess to mount to your crossmember you need to use a 47-53 bell housing this means the clutch and brake peddles will have to be custom made, but what the .... it's a hobby and we love it right. Good Luck , Joe Newton

On putting the later 235 you might think about using a water pump adapter that let you use the old style water pump. With the adapter the fan runs at the correct height with the shortened pump the fan runs real low on the rad. I've used the short pumps in the past and have had heat problems when the truck was worked hard. You can get the adapters from several of after market dealers.

Jcarter
On second thought, find yourself a 261, bore it out put in a bigger cam, go with duel carbs, headers, get some real HP! Then put in a modern rear end under it so you can go faster and get better milage. That would be the ideal. A hot rod six!, I hear the big GMC engine of this era still holds the land speed record for inline sixes. Might help you get across the wide expanses of Manitoba more readily! Good luck on whatever you do. J Newton

Welcome to stovebolt. I have a 47 3 ton alot of fun but not alot of fun shopping for parts. As long as you maintain the truck it is just as safe as any vehicle. Land speed records are not in the cards for these vehicles so be prepared for the scenic cruise.

Matt

always gotta welcome another 46 2 ton owner
my truck has 44k orgnl miles so not planing to change any thing on mine. But best of luck to you and your project

Hi jcarter! I have a 45 2 ton, it can be seen at

Our 45 2 ton

or at

Another site of our 45 2 ton


Where abouts are you from?

Hi Tempest;I come from just down the road from you at Kenton.I checked out your truck info and seen your car club link.My wife and I have a 57 Buick and had planned to come up to Russell for your show and shine, but couldn't make it at the last minute.I bought this truck in Sask. as well,at start of August.I plan on getting it into my shop this winter and get the brakes and other stuff fixed up.Plan on keeping pretty origional now.I'm rodding a 39 chevy 2dr and hope to have it drivable by spring, so the 46 may have to wait it's turn.Look my phone# up and give us a call.I'm interested in what you are doing with your trucks. Jim.

Thats Great! I will do that! No only are you not far but we got similar trucks! There is also Madtrapper with a 65 who is from Oak Lake and Jarge from Winterpeg with a big ole 2 ton!

aprox 1.5 hrs from Russell to Kenton