The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1953 Chevy 6400 Just starting a restoration

I just bought a 1953 6400. This truck is in need of a total restoration or something. I'm not sure of which direction I want to go. This truck is rated at 16000lbs, I want to stay close to this when completed. I would like to put a stake side bed & possibly dump capability on it. This much I know. The rest I haven't decided on. I could keep the patina or do a full new paint. I do need to do some body work, mostly in areas that are not exposed. With just a little time so far on checking out the drive train, I have determined the engine is locked up, the exchaust is missing, there are no brakes, parking brake is missing shoes & the drum has heavy surface rust. More than likely the master cylinder needs replaced or rebuilt & the hydrovac is most likely in need of a rebuild. I am not a purist, I am also thinking of possibly changing the driveline to diesel & modern axles. Not sure which way to go here. More research on my behalf is in store.

dsbike,

Just a note here that we moved your post from the Project Journals forum as your topic and questions may be better suited in Big Bolts for getting feedback and suggestions from fellow Bolters' on the topic of "Just starting a restoration".

As is mentioned by many of the responders to your Welcome Centre post, please post lots of pictures to go along with your questions.

As the saying goes, pictures speak a thousand words (or something like that ).



Dan

Here are a few of my pics of the new to me 53 6400. The rusty one is the lisence plate I found in the cab. it's from 1975, possibly the last time this truck was on the road.
Thanks for the welcome.
Dan

Dsbike Hmmm no pictures yet,on your booster,give it hydraulic jack oil from your losal FLAPS. About 2 oz. thru that 1/8 plug on it the service book tells about this. Get the book from Carters,keep it by your chair,My 2 over 70 yrs. old work fine. Soak your cylinders and valves in Marvel Mystery Oil or equivelent . Good Luck big bolt =big fun !!

fix,

Pics are there but currently not able to view because of a technical glitch. Hoping that will be fixed soon.

Dan

Thanks for the references. Hopefully the pics have come through now.

Pic’s are back up for all to see and enjoy! 👍

Dan

Curious that it has the fuel tank is located in the cab. Is that common on a 6400? or did the cab come off a lighter truck?

Early (47-48) pickups and big bolts had frame mounted fuel tanks. After that if a truck had a cab, the fuel tank was located in the cab. Panels & Suburban and truck chassis produced without a cab had frame mounted tanks for all AD years.

I purchased this book. 1948-1951 Shop Manual with 52 Supplement also 53 Chevrolet Pickup Truck, & 1947-1954 Chevrolet Truck Factory Assembly Manual. There is some reference to the 2 ton in both books. Is there another manual that is more specific on the Big Bolt or in addition to these?

1 week into trying to get the motor to turn over by hand, I put 1.5 ounces of ATF in each cylinder, then a couple of apllications of Kroil, both squirt bottle & also aerosol spray. It now turns over by hand. Next step, pulling valve cover and distributor cap & making sure all movement is correct.

dsbike That is the book I have,tells about all sizes and how to service them,a lot of info in there.

dsbike Be sure all of your valves are free to move,so pushrods wont get bent from sticky valves snapping closed.

dsbike The neighbors gave me a 54 shop manuel they got with a 54 they bought new. It is kinda oily but in good shape. I don,t know of anything newer than that. I suppose they had shop manuels for task force too. Used my 54 book for brake work on my 51 6400 plus that older one. Best info I got was from Jim Carter live on using hydraulic jack oil from your local FLAPS to service the boosters. It will lube that big leather cup and make the booster make it's special happy noise when working. Mine will slide the tires if you climb on it. I havn't seen a reason to do much else to it. ABS system doesn't exist for those does it ?? Anti lock breaking system.

dsbike Looks your deep into it there ,my 51 6400 made into a pickup is the best AD truckin' Iv'e done drive the wheels off of it every day,has about 80 % rubber with an insert 235 I put -.002 bearings thru-out with the engine in the truck. Had a bearing noise that oil pressure would silence,it now keeps the 30 pound gage pegged year round like I never had happen on about 30 of these trucks over 50 years. Have a 216 and 235 babbitt models both good useable trucks. the 235 is my dump truck,216 was our wood hauler till I wore out and also a winch truck,very handy for heavy stuff.

She's purty! I'd get it running and safe to drive, put on an old flatbed from another farm truck, and drive her like that!