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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 151
When I purchased my project, I thought it was a 1940 Chevrolet KC 1/2 ton pickup, so I purchased a 1940 Shop Manual and a Master Parts Catalog through 1950.
I have found that it is a 1940 cab on a 1947 frame with a 1937-'39 bed...and a 1954 engine.
As I move slowly forward getting the parts together to start the engine, I realize that my 1940 shop manual may not be appropriate for the 1954 engine that is in the vehicle.
Should I pick up a reprint of the 1954 Chevrolet Shop Manual (which would have a lot of information that is not applicable to my project) or is there a more appropriate source I should pursue that is engine specific?

Thanks!


Nick
1940 KC Model 1/2 Ton Pickup Project
(with '37-'39 Bed and '46 Frame)
Taos, New Mexico
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
The 235 got a pretty major upgrade in 1954, and stayed more or less the same through the end of its production run in 1962 (63 on some models of truck). Just about any service manual that covers those years will provide the basic specifications and procedures for servicing and repair. The 54 and early 55 engines are somewhat unique- - - -they use a different water pump design and position on the engine block than later engines. There's also some difference in the oil galleries and rocker arms on engines from 57-62.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,390
Nick - While you ponder purchasing a reprint of a 1954 shop manual (or maybe not smile ), you can always just check out this electronic 1954 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual to help you with your work on the engine. wink

You can also find a 1929-54 Chevy Master Parts and Accessories Catalog as well as a later 1929-57 Chevrolet Master Parts and Accessory Catalog that will help you when trying to ID parts. There are many other publications and documents in this Chevy Old Car Manual Project website that you can easily refer to, all free of cost thanks to some very dedicated individuals! thumbs_up


~ Dan
1951 Chevy 3 window 3100
Follow this story in the DITY Gallery
"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"
1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver)
US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 151
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Dan,

Do you know if it is safe to use one of the many PDF download software options that are present on the Chevy Old Car Manual Project site? The site certainly is a valuable resource, but I am always hesitant to download something. That said, it would be handy to have the file saved locally.

Thanks for reminding me of the option of seeing these references online!


Nick
1940 KC Model 1/2 Ton Pickup Project
(with '37-'39 Bed and '46 Frame)
Taos, New Mexico
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 4,100
AD Addict & Tinkerer
AD Addict & Tinkerer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 4,100
I've personally downloaded many pages from the Old Car
Manual site and had no issues. I generally just download the pages that I need and not the whole manual. I thank Keith for supporting such a great resource.


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
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,390
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,390
Nick - I would say it’s absolutely safe to download from the site.

I do it regularly, mostly for providing specific help on questions fellow Bolters ask. Sometimes it’s easier to look at a specific extract of a publication to help not get confused searching through an entire section.

Your choice on how much you want to download and save, but for me I find it easier to go to the site and search. There is just so much info available! thumbs_up


~ Dan
1951 Chevy 3 window 3100
Follow this story in the DITY Gallery
"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"
1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver)
US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 151
N
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 151
Thanks Guys!
One more question: Did you use one of the "PDF Download" programs that advertise on the site, or did you use some other program?
(Today, I only see opportunities to chat with an "online expert" instead of ads for several different programs to allow you to download the content.)


Nick
1940 KC Model 1/2 Ton Pickup Project
(with '37-'39 Bed and '46 Frame)
Taos, New Mexico
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,003
2
'Bolter
'Bolter
2 Offline
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,003
You do not need special software or apps to download PDFs
Almost All operating systems can save PDFs and images
If it’s displayed on the screen are looking at the file is already downloaded on your device
It’s just a matter of saving it locally

Right click or press into the window usually brings up a menu that will contain a way to save it
iOS
Android
macOS
Windows
All have this ability

The offer to download an app to save a pdf is likely the path that would lead to malware as such an app would ask for permissions and then do harm.

Think of it this way:
The programmers who write such apps are proficient enough to know their app is 100% useless to average users so how are they benefitting from writing this app? that app could likely be doing something bad in the background and that’s what the programmers of such a silly app would be benefitting from.
-s

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,390
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,390
2ManyTrucks is spot on. No app required. Your operating system/existing software should have a selection to download pdf’s.

If you have more questions related to this, start a thread in our IT Short Bus asking for further help with that. wink


~ Dan
1951 Chevy 3 window 3100
Follow this story in the DITY Gallery
"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"
1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver)
US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,696
C
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,696
I have the following book.... "chevrolet inline 6 engine book" by Deve Krehbiel. Manual # SA455.


Craig

My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear
My truck ....... Respect The Rust
If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 151
N
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 151
Thanks Craig, I will look into it!


Nick
1940 KC Model 1/2 Ton Pickup Project
(with '37-'39 Bed and '46 Frame)
Taos, New Mexico
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,696
C
'Bolter
'Bolter
C Offline
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,696
Here’s a pic. Amazon and many others have it in stock. I'm sure there are other manuals out there which are as good if not better than what I show. Hopefully this will help you.
Attachments
IMG_1808.jpeg (395.24 KB, 35 downloads)


Craig

My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear
My truck ....... Respect The Rust
If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 389
T
'Bolter
'Bolter
T Offline
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 389
FYI Linux (all distros) can download and view PDFs just fine. Most of those online 'apps' are the malware vehicle, not the file you are downloading.


1965 C60 school bus | 1967 GMC 6500 school bus

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