The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1946 Chevy Project (VT)

So, a 46 chevy truck fell into my lap. It's in decent shape, all things considered. But the engine's tired, things are seized, etc. This is gonna be a frame off resto. I'm mechanically inclined. I know more than the average guy, but I've never done anything like this. Gonna have to teach myself how to weld, even. I have a decent budget, and in the interest of time/simplicity, I'm leaning towards buying kits whenever I can (full front/rear end kits, crate engine, etc). This is gonna be my daily for a short while. I live in rural Vermont. For the engine, I know there's this whole ls/sbc debate. I had a 73 monte carlo with a 350 and a rochester q-jet, was one of the smoothest rides I've ever been in, so for sentimentals I'm leaning towards a sbc with hei and efi with a manual transmission. The front end seems like mustang ii is the way to go.. Anyway, what do you guys recommend? I'm also going to take my time and go through the original 6 cyl just because I've never worked on an engine like that before. What pit of snakes am I jumping into? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the site, TM. You've got a whole bunch of questions packed into one post there. It'll be easier for us to move your first post to our Welcome Centre and from there, you can part out ( ) those questions in the SHOPS AREA. To get a better idea of what's where in our "virtual garage," roll over to this post -- Basically, where do you go around here to get answers. We have great groups all over the place to be of help.

Welcome aboard, love to see some pictures of what fell in your lap.

My first thought is that as soon as you leave the basic L6 ‘somewhat stock’ configuration you increase the amount of work exponentially, as each ‘kit’ leads to other required mods.
ie: front end means layout/ride height/different frame stress’-new steering column-wheel fitment-mstr cyl etc, sbc means eng mounts-radiator location-exhaust manifolds, steering column clearance issues etc etc

I would ask myself now with the contemplated mods At what point would a new frame or a newer chassis under the body makes sense/safer?

It is your truck, your vision of the finished product is the one that matters.

Do enjoy the journey, I look forward to following your progress.

Chuck

Sounds like a good project. If you want to post some pictures and questions over in the HiPo forum (link HERE and in my signature line), we can give you some things to consider while making your decisions.

Welcome to Stovebolt tuesday morning! I think we are all interested in getting to hear more about and see pics of your truck. For help in how to post pictures, start by reading through this How To guide.

On a little more technical note, when you ask your questions in the Shop forums, be sure to include as much detail as you can on your truck in those posts. Lots of differences between 1/2ton, 3/4ton, etc. which can directly affect acquiring the right parts/kits and such to build your project. If you aren't sure what you have, start a post in the General Truck Talk forum so folks can help you ID what you have.

I'm on my 3rd 41-46 truck, first was stock, second was a street rod on an s10 frame, third is my 41 coe. The stock truck has been complete for 7 years the street rod for 5 years , I have about 2000miles on the stock truck over 8000 miles [the streetrod, it's on an s10 ez chassis swap. It could be a daily driver it's a real pleasure to drive. I highly recommend the s10 swap, mine has a 350 with th400 Trans. If I did it all over again I would go the LS route with an overdrive transmission. Mine cruises real nice at 60 mph but at about 2500rpm. If you Google EZ chassis swap and looked 41-46 you are looking at my truck. Dave

Welcome to the 'bolt.. please post some pictures... and work on it at least 15 minutes every day... it will be done before you know it.

I've returned. Sorry, been a bit busy. Here's a photo. I'm in Richmond, Vermont. Truck is in Michigan, a little north of South Haven if you're familiar. I'll have more when I visit next month.

Hello, Dave. I've actually come across your truck while doing research. Very nice! Wanted to hear your thoughts on using an s10 and doing an LS instead. I'm looking for something not quite street rod-ish, something more in the middle: an updated ride with a certain aesthetic and sound (subjective, of course). To be honest, any high performance parts, hei, efi, etc that I might put on here would be from a reliability/fuel efficiency angle. I know that's a main reason for the LS. I'm not looking to juice this thing to the gills with Barry Bonds-level amounts of horsepower, just a going to town rig that can handle trips to the hardware store/lumber yard. I imagine the original chassis can handle it with a few modifications... unless it can't and the s10 is used for this very reason? Thanks!

I see you are past moderated status. Post away free of approvals. Be sure to post your shop questions in the SHOPS AREA.

Your truck looks very solid. Nice find.👍
Welcome, glad you found us. John

My s10 framed truck drives very nice, power steering, power brakes. It is more of a restomod but it is fun to drive. My reason for going is would be for cost and reliability and using an overdrive transmission. My truck would be so much better with overdrive. Ijust looked at your picture, something looks fishy, why do the wheels stick out from the fenders. Dave

Dave, If you zoom in on his front wheel it looks like a late model Chevy 6 lug rallye truck wheel. Much wider than the originals were. Like the majority of our trucks, someone along the way has done some mods.

Could very well be. When, I have no idea. Last time I was out that way, I pulled that tire off to take a gander. Everything looked quite old and the drums were seized.

Just confirmed- everything is stock except rims and tires

Good morning TM. First off, great find on the ‘46. That has been one of my all time favorite trucks since about’74 when a classmate had one with a little Z28 302 in it. He could lift the front wheels on launch, which to my 17 year old self was about the coolest thing I had seen. I have a ‘50 1/2 ton I have peeled down to the frame. I’m going much the same route as you seem to be, but sticking with an inline 6. I bought a Clifford Performance package for a 292. I want enough HP to move my truck down the road but didn’t want to go the old “everybody has one, so I will too” route of a sbc under the hood. I want to pull into the parking lot and have people wonder what the heck I have under the hood, and then shock them out of their shoes when they see the inline 6. Do you have your truck home in VT yet?

I have a 46 half ton. A lot of guys are going S10. My frame was good. It’s the original frame. I have Mustang II and big disc on the front. They make aluminum radiators for the truck. My Mustang II crossmenber came from Speedway Motors. Most of the stuff to do the changes are already available. I have a crate 350 in mine with a 700R4. I can run 70 mph with no problems. The company with the S10 conversion is called Code 504. Mine is a mild street truck. No high performance. The motor is a vortex with a cam but that’s it. Street Truck. No radio or air yet. But someday. Enjoy your truck and good luck.

I reread your post and a few points I might mention. Frame: look your frame over closely. If you plan to use it you mentioned kits and I mentioned Speedway. The sell a kit to go to Mustang II. They also sell the cross member for the Mustang II and they have instructions on how to do it. The only problem was they said that the kit included boxing plates for the frame and they did not have boxing plates. I bought 3/16 steel and boxed the frame. If you want HEI you will need to give the engine room at the firewall for the HEI. Several companies make radiators for V8 in these trucks. You will need an after market steering column for the Mustang II steering. You can weld in, bolt in parts to adapt to the new stuff. It’s all available. Mine has an under dash swing pedal for power brakes. If you are not going to use the 6 cyl motor I would save the money and spend it on my truck. Do your homework. Get on line and get catalogs. Have fun and good luck.