The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1950 Chevy 3100 -- "New Passion Project"

Hello everyone,

I keep ending up on this forum when I search for help to questions I have about my newly acquired truck, so thought I would join.

My Uncle John passed away recently. He was the cliche "weird/cool uncle" of the family and mostly kept to himself. I saw him more when I was a kid and hadn't seen him in many years. He is the last of that generation in my family and didn't have kids, so he left his stuff to me and my siblings.

We had no idea what we'd find when we visited his house, but my sister (she lives closest) sent me the attached photo of an old Chevy 3100 pickup truck that was sitting in his garage. I told her that if there was anyway I could have the truck, I wanted it. I knew nothing about it except the photo, but I've always wanted an old truck and the fact that it was my Uncle John's makes it that more special to me. From what I could find out online, because of the door handles, I was guessing it was a 1949/1950, and it turned out to be a 1950.

Anyway, I live in southern California and my uncle lived in Minnesota. We all gathered at his house for week and cleaned out the house, painted, repaired, etc. and got it ready for sale. I rented a trailer and towed it back to my home.

Though I really don't have room for it, I am excited and nervous to be taking on this new passion project. I've always been into driving and motorcycling (I have commuted on a motorcycle for over 20 years now) and do most of my own maintenance. But, this is a whole new thing for me and am looking forward to learning more from everyone on this forum.

Welcome to the ‘bolt. Please visit the various forums when questions pop up.

How cool to keep your uncle's truck in the family. Post more pics after you get it cleaned up. It looks pretty nice.

Welcome to Stovebolt! Great to hear of another truck staying in the family. It looks like your Uncle had already done a lot to it and very interested to see more pictures of it unburied and cleaned up.

It’s cool to add more pictures an info on the truck and it’s story in this thread. To help you decide where to post when you have questions or need help, give this Welcome and now where do you go post a good read.

See you in the forums!

That truck looks like it's in pretty decent shape. I bet it won't be any trouble at all to get running and driving. Parts are readily available.

I got a truck that hadn't been started or driven in 5 years and only rarely used for the previous 15.

Tune up, rebuilt carb, rebuilt fuel pump and new fuel tank and lines got it running. This only took a few weeks or so. Parts are easily obtained and relatively cheap.

Rebuilt the brakes a year or two later when the mc started leaking and have put 10,000+ miles on it.

Do you know if it still has its inline six and 3 spd transmission? It has "hotrod" wheels so maybe the mechanicals aren't stock?

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. The truck is in really good shape and from what I can tell, mostly "original". When I saw those rims in the photo, I, too, thought that maybe other mechanical parts had been changed, but the only major thing that I can tell he changed was the exhaust manifold which I am assuming originally was one part, but on this truck is two separate pieces that lead to dual exhaust pipes. It has been changed to a 12V electrical system. The battery was the first thing I replaced. I didn't know if there was a specific battery I should use, so I just got the same exact battery he had in there. After connecting the battery, I turned the key just to see if it turned over and it did. I knew it wouldn't start, but I figured it turning over is a good place to start.

Over the last few weekends, I've done the following:
- Replaced Spark Plugs
- Replaced Tires
- Replaced oil and oil filter
- Drained gas tank
- Topped off the coolant
- Replaced the air cleaner filter
- Rebuilt the carburetor
- Washed and waxed the body and cleaned the interior

After doing the above, the truck started and ran! It ran pretty rough at first, but now it is running pretty good. I've taken it around the block a few times now. I've only owned manual transmission cars my whole life, but the clutch on this is unlike anything else I have ever driven. It doesn't help that my 6 foot plus frame means that my knee is pretty well bent at the top of the clutch travel.

I'll share some more tomorrow, but I've attached a few more photos.

Wow! The truck cleaned up nicely. You said the truck is now 12v, is the regulator on the firewall just for show? I thought when changing to 12v, the regulator was no longer needed? When I get mine wired for 12v, I'm thinking of putting my regulator on the firewall just for looks.

He may have converted it to use a 12v DC generator, which would require a voltage regulator.

If an alternator was installed, it may still need a voltage regulator if the alternator was for a pre 1967 or so vehicle.

It definitely isn't for show as it is very much wired into everything. I happen to have already taken some photos, so I've attached them. I am guessing it is indeed a 12v DC generator.

So, as everyone does, I took a stab at trying to identify the engine. It looks like it is a 1954 235 (according to this website: Engine Serial identification).

I've attached some photos from the engine. Two are from near the starter motor, and then the last one is closer to the dipstick and matches info on the link referenced above.

Anyone disagree, or does it look like I have a 1954 235 "regular" engine in my 1950 truck?

Good job with your initial investigating. Your engine is a 1954 235 "regular" engine, but originally a passenger car unit per the data screenshot below taken from the 1954 Chevrolet Truck data file from the GM Heritage Center.

An original pickup "truck" engine would have ended in a "X" for the 3100 model. Not a problem as the vast majority of our trucks probably are supporting transplanted engines. As a "Z" unit, it originally came with a solid cam and lifters VS the automatic equipped engines which sported hydraulic camshafts and lifters.

BTW - Just a note that it's best to ask specific questions like your engine ID in the appropriate Shop Area Forum as the Welcome Center is more about introducing you and your truck to the community.

Good old Uncle John took good care of that old truck and it’s great that you’re taking over. You’ve got a real little creampuff there.

After all of my initial work, it just has never run quite right enough for me to feel confident driving more than a block or so away. So, I bought another carburetor rebuild kit, cleaned and rebuilt the carburetor doing some things I didn't do the first time (like sand the accelerator pump bore) put it all back together and now it is running great! Such a difference. The brake lights weren't working either. All of the other lights worked but the brake lights. Did some investigating and found the brake pedal switch was working and the wire was good all the way back to the turn signal switch. Since the turn signal switch didn't cost much, I just bought a new one and replaced it. Now the brake lights are working.

I've now driven it a few miles around town and went to the gas station and got gas for it. Now I need to get it to the DMV for inspection and transfer of title (Fun!).

Next up: new shocks and general inspection of suspension.

You have yourself a beautiful truck Ic!

You're doing a great job giving good dialog and images as you venture ahead. We've moved your thread to this DITY area so folks can track your progress better.

Congrats on this "passion" and keep us posted.

First, a bit late but “Welcome to the ‘Bolt”! Congratulations on inheriting such a beautiful truck. You’re making your uncle looking down at you, proud, especially since it’s being kept in the family.

To expand on Dan’s note on the appropriate forum for posting questions, here is that link again to help you navigate Stovebolt forums.

Again, Welcome to the ‘Bolt!

Well, here's what I've done since last on this thread:

- Replaced all four shocks. I don't know how old the shocks were, but when removed, they didn't work like a shock should: each one wherever they were compressed, they stayed in that position. The ride has vastly improved (relatively, of course).

- Replaced the battery tray because it was rusting through. Took a little work to remove the original one because it was riveted on, but got it done and now with a hold down in place the battery is more secure.

- Replaced the fuel sender unit. Fuel gauge wasn't working and pulled the old one out and it was shot. New one installed and now the fuel gauge works. The only minus is I may now find out just how bad the gas mileage is on this old truck.

Next: Parking brake doesn't work. The mechanism that holds the pedal depressed is not holding the pedal and even when I hold the pedal down, the truck still rolls.

I should also say that I have been driving a little farther afield and getting better with the shifting. Wish I lived in a less densely populated area with less busy streets. It is hard to get around here without having to go on busy roads with everyone driving much faster. But, I'm making the best of it.

Great to hear about the continued progress. Got any pictures to go along with the text??? BTW - Did anyone tell you we are kinda obsessed about seeing pictures - lol!



Post some pics of your work and progress. It's inspiring for others!

Well, I didn't take photos of the shocks, but here are some photos of the battery tray work (also posted elsewhere).

I also have a few photos from before my ownership. The first one is from 1978, about when my uncle purchased the truck. I am assuming this is a photo he took. The two following it, I have zero information, but look to be from before he owned it? The last one seems obviously taken after he did restoration work and the truck was repainted. I unfortunately do not have a date for that, though from what I can tell he had a lot of work done to it around 1990. It still looks pretty much the same now only with some scratches, scuffs and a couple of small dents (the dents may have only happened in the last couple of years when he wasn't driving it and it was stored in the garage with a bunch of stuff piled on it).

I think your 2nd and 3rd pics are also from 1978. If you zoom in on the license plate in the 3rd pic you can see its got a 1978 sticker present. Great early pictures and the one after his restoration work provides more history for the truck.

Thanks for posting and sharing!

Nice catch on the license plate. Maybe the murkier photos are from when he first looked at it and the first one was after he purchased it and brought it home.

It looked remarkably good for a 28 year old truck at the time. Looks like it's still getting lots of love!