The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Completed Journals 1950 Chevy 3600

I admit that I haven't read your entire thread - yet, but 60mph sounds good. Are you still running the 4.11 rear end and with the trans final drive making it 3.05? I'm hoping to at least get 60mph on my build with a 3.55 and stock 4-speed.

Utah, you will have no problem doing 60+ with your rebuilt engine. I do that with a leaky worn out 216 without breaking a sweat!

I am running a 4.10 rear axle with the NV3500 overdrive (0.78 ratio) so I believe that equates to a 3.2 final ratio but I am also running a 383 SBC so I have a lot more engine torque available than those running a version of the in-line 6 cylinder engines.

Engine speed at 60 mph will vary depending on tire size in addition to overal drive ratio. I was trying to get taller tires to be closer to the original and lowest engine speed but settled for LT215/85R16's that seemed to be the best combination of diameter and width (narrow) for ease of turning (no power steering).

Winter has arrived here so I am officially into the winter project mode on the truck.

I have several items on the to-do list including - finishing the wiper installation, installing sound deadening material inside the cab/doors, installing the door seals (which will require door removal/installation when I may try to improve alignment), installing tie down anchors in the bed area, install the headliner, resolve my dome light function, and I suspect several other items I have forgotten at the moment.

Slowly working my way through the winter project list. So far I have finished installing the wipers (although I am not sure there isn't a problem, sweep is narrow), installed sound deadening material in the rear and roof of the cab, removed the oil filled bladder from the passenger seat ('90's Chevy air bag sensor related),installed door seals, installed tie down anchors in the bed, installed vinyl lettering on my tailgate, and resolved my dome light function.

I need to obtain door windlace materials for installation prior to proceeding with the headliner installation.

I haven't decided if I will add sound deadening materials in the doors or not.

The door removal, seal installation, and door installation went better than I had feared. The drilling of alignment holes in the hinges prior to removal really helped get the alignment back upon installation.

Next up is probably the refinishing of the rear bumper from damaged chrome to canvas white paint to match the front bumper.

Glad to hear you are able to continue progress even during these winter months!

At a minimum, I would install at least one sheet in the middle of the door. That will deaden the sound immensely and take away the oil can sound when you close the door.

What Phil said about sound deadening on the doors. Even just a blob of roofing tar will help, although that would be smelly.

FYI, Rustoleum canvas white is a good match for the back grille bars on a painted grille, but the bumpers and hubcaps on 52 & 53 trucks (Korean war era) were a grey color. I think it was called Arctic Grey. But you can use whatever you want.

Thanks for the input regarding the sound deadening for the doors.

I used canvas white on the front bumper to match the back grille bars so plan to continue the theme on the back bumper. I am not going for anything approaching original on my truck even though I am keeping the overall appearance close to stock. The interior and drive train are nothing close to original (bucket seats with integrated seat/sholder belts, SBC engine, NV3500 transmission, and 14-bolt rear axle).

Matching your front bumper color is good with me. Carry on.

I have installed the door windlace (except the bottom - soon), and inner door panels. Next up is the headliner and the lower door windlace seal.

I am procrastinating on the rear bumper just because it is in place and I can ignore it too easily.

I need to do my headliner at some point and thought I'd wait until summer when the garage is nice and warm. Not sure if that will help or not.

I have completed the windlace installation (including the bottom), the inner door panels, headliner, sun visors, and painted the rear bumper.

I didn't take any pictures of the interior work (really not picture worthy) but the rear view with the bumper painted is attached.

While projects like this are really never done I think I can consider this the completion of this project for my project journal.

I cannot begin to thank all those who contributed to my ability to "complete" this project over the last 4 plus years. This forum has been a weath of information and a resource that anyone working on one of these trucks must be aware of and be thankful for.

I plan to continue to try to assist others through the various technical sub-forums and I suspect that there will be specific "opportunities" to request help regarding my truck as it gets utilized as a combination driver/show (not really) truck in coming months/years.

Please consider moving this to the "completed project" section of the Project Journals section of the website.

That's pretty cool. Now drive it like ya stole it!

Thanks for the ride along! Great job. As for the rear look I suggest a sleeve over the tailgate chains to keep them from rubbing paint.

Just registered my truck and Utah no longer has: Collector, Antique, Vintage,... plates anymore. Your truck turned out great!

Truck looks great and glad to hear it's ready for the road and fun times. Have enjoyed watching and trying to help as the project progressed. Looking forward to seeing a picture or three in the Who uses their truck as a truck? thread. Any excuse to drive and enjoy counts!

Thank you all for the compliments. The plan is to drive it somewhat regularly weather permitting.

I do plan to add chain protectors but haven't decided on which version I will use so I continue to procrastinate (I'm good at that).

I certainly hope to find the opportunity to post pictures in the "Who uses their truck as a truck" thread although I suspect hauling golf clubs doesn't really qualify.