My other thread got too technical and it was moved to the electrical bay. I neglected to introduce myself in that thread so I will do so in this one.
My name is Ryan and I'm from Waterloo, Indiana (DeKalb County). I have a college degree in high performance automotive and my specialty is electronic fuel injection / GM ECM tuning. However, points and carburetors are not new to me; I owned a 1966 Belvedere II for a number of years and that car had the stock poly-head 318 in it.
I recently acquired (long story) a semi-restored 1948 Thriftmaster 3100 pickup truck from a good friend; and thanks to this forum, I'm learning a lot about it. It appears to have a '54 235 inline-6 engine that has been rebuilt (doesn't burn any oil, runs too mechanically quiet to be old/have a lot of miles on it) and a 4-speed manual transmission.
I swapped a 3800 Series 2 Turbocharged V6 into my 1987 Pontiac Fiero and a built (550hp) LS2 into my 1986 Corvette with a TR6060 6-speed manual trans; but my intention is to keep this 1948 Thriftmaster 3100 as stock as I can (since pretty much everything else I own isn't stock). Unfortunately, as mentioned above, neither is this '48.
I'm finding it difficult to decide what I'm going to end up doing with this truck. On a positive note, it runs so good now I don't need to make a decision anytime soon on what to do with it. I can drive it, as-is, and enjoy it while I contemplate the fate of this truck. In the back of my mind I was thinking about restoring it to 100% factory stock (correct 216 inline-6, albeit rebuilt; correct 3-speed manual trans; etc.) so I could enter it in AACA shows. But the interior isn't stock, so things would need to be redone to restore the truck back to 100% factory original (appearing, at least).
Last edited by Peggy M; 09/29/20234:29 PM.
1948 Chevy 3100 Thriftmaster pickup Old skool engine swap ('54 pass 235) Four on the floor 12v conversion
Welcome to the Bolt!
If it were mine, I'd just drive it and enjoy it as it is. It's in good shape, and while not 100% stock, it's close enough in appearance that most people won't know the difference.
Just my opinion--it's not my truck. But the ones I have are not totally stock either.
You are not too far from stock now: interior seat appears correct except for upholstery and cab heater color. Radio delete plate is getting scarce so protect. Truck probably has original 4 speed from factory. Exterior appears stock with exception of chrome mirrors and beauty rings. You can fake the 235 engine with a 216 valve with some slight mods.
Congrats on your new (old) truck. It looks to be in really good shape. I appreciate that you want to restore it back to 100% original. I pondered that idea until I realized how much time, money and effort it would take. The 216 is probably the hardest part as parts are scarce and shops that know how to rebuild them are even scarcer.
I agree with “Papas52” that you can disguise that 235 to look like a 216 so only an expert could tell the difference.
One more discrepancy I see from stock is the hub caps are from an 1941-46 chevy truck.
Again welcome!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Yes, those hubcaps are for AD series trucks. 47-55.1, although 52 and 53 hubcaps were painted gray instead of stainless or chrome because of Korean war material restrictions. Still had the red block letters, though.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
