The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Stupid questions from a new guy

Well, I searched the archives, but I couldn't find answers to a the following....thanks in advance for replies.

Just bought a "1950" Chevy pickup for my daughter. But the VIN plate is gone, the title says 1951, and everything I can tell about the body says "1953". The motor is the more modern 6 that didn't go in originally until 1954.

Question 1...is there a place to look for a "hidden" VIN number?

Next, we have to decide how much new/how much old we want to go.

Question 2...I understand the modern 292 Chevy six won't mate up to the early trans...correct? Too bad if true, there are many available as industrial engines in my part of the world. It looks like it would simplify many installation problems you have with a V8.

I have my eyes on a "donor" 1990 Chevy Suburban. I'd like to put a modern steering column on for safety, and possibly do a drivetrain swap, etc.

While looking for engine swap info, I found that folks were replacing front clips, and replacing the old frames with those from S10 pickups.

Goofball question 3...has anyone put a 47-55 on to a new pickup or suburban frame/running gear?

My daughter wants this on the street today, but I have a few more weeks with my son's 74 Nova...

I'm not sure on the '48 thru '54 series but I guess it would be the same as the '60 thru '66 models where the VIN # is stamped on the frame about a foot back from the radiator on the top of the frame. If not there, then somewhere on the frame under the hood.

Truck Tinker

CanyonAg77,
there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
Welcome to the 'Bolt.
Be sure to look in the 'Links' section - found at the top of this page for the parts links and other websites for your old truck needs.

-W

My understanding is that there is no hidden number on the early trucks. If someone can suggest where to look I have a bare frame out in the yard I can easily check.

If you can post some pictures of the truck there are lots of possible clues to its actual year.

A '50 would not have wing windows. A '51 would have wing windows and turn-down door handles, whiel a '52 has wing windows and push button door handles. Of course doors might be swapped, so its not conclusive.

A 292 is from a different family of motors, and uses a bellhousing the same as a Chevy V-8. Your current bellhousing will accept the 235/261 Chevy motors and the 248/270/302 GMC motors.

If you use a '54 transmission crossmember you can mount a '63 - '67 bellhousing that will take the 230/250/292 six or any Chevy V-8. The newer six requires some of the same changes a V-8 will require, but does not require messing with the steering, which by it self is an attractive advantage.

There were no hidden VIN numbers back then.

Your daughter wants a "look at me" Rod, not an old classic truck. Sell that one, buy one already done or more done. The orig engines are good engines, I would get it running. It won't have the pep she wants, she won't want to shift, and specially not want to go SLOW like these trucks did when new. I don't condone the "Hacker" actions of switching bodies to where they don't belong myself. 12 volt and better brakes are a good change, plus the appearance items. Radial tires maybe. Keep it stock! Vendors are full of parts to swap over to V-8's and stuff. Chevs of the 40's has one of nicest catalogs with good pictures.

Thanks, guys. I'll keep checking in.

I have a title with a VIN number, so I can title it. The exact VIN is just a curiosity I'd like to clear up.

We've got push button door handles and vent windows, and a bed with angled tops....all the signs point to 1953.

Hmmmmm....thanks for the idea on the bellhousing for the 292. I had pretty much decided the 292 would be as big a hassle as the V8, but now I may reconsider.

I have to disagree. She loves the old stuff, and is certainly aware of the pitfalls, as we are finishing her brother's '74 Nova.

I don't condone big changes to rare examples, or pristine unrestored vehicles. But this one is pretty far gone to restore, and safety is a bigger concern than restoration.

To each his own, but I'd rather see old sheet metal with new running gear on the street, than a trailer queen that only goes to shows. Or even worse, sending a clapped out truck like ours to the recyclers.

If Texas laws are anything like around here they are going to need to see numbers on the truck matching the title before they will issue a new title. It,s best to clear all that up before putting any money in it. It seems they originally used engine numbers on those models.

WB-

Thanks, but Texas doesn't seem to care. I've bought and sold a bunch of old cars and trucks over the years, and no one has ever looked at the VIN when titling.

I have a early 50s 2 1/2 ton truck on the farm that doesn't have matching VINs, no one but me ever checked, and it was several years after I bought it that I happened to check.

Perhaps it would be a different story if it were to be stolen, but I guess I can always buy one of those reproduction VIN number plates, and stamp it to match my title.

I expect I'll stamp a few ID numbers in hidden places as we go, just in case.

Canyon, that's not a 3600 is it? And you didn't buy it McKinney did you?

Just wondering...

Okay -- I have to weigh in here! If you have a full pressure 235, which is what it sounds like you are saying, bore it .125 over and stroke it an 1/8". I beleive that'll give ya about 280 cubic inches. Add Wiseco pistons, a hot cam from any number of sources, 3 carter yf carbs on an offenhauser manifold, do the ports and install lump ports, balance the bottom end, run fenton headers into two glass packs, beef up the breaks and rebuild the stock front end but be sure you chrome the straight axle. Paint it matt back with with flames and red steelies, and your kid will have the coolest old school hot rod in your county!

Boo Radley

I believed that 53 was the first yr for the 60 lb oil gauge... what part of Tx do ya live in?..Fred

I'm in the Panhandle, and I'm going to show my ignorance on model numbers...it is a half ton, so thus a 3100????

I don't have any of the badging/lettering on the side.

I sent some "before" photos to the gallery, so perhaps they will be up soon.

BTW, what's the demand like for AD COEs? I've spotted one on the side of the road near Amarillo...

correct, you are a long way from me,,I live about 15 east of downtown Dallas,,,Fred

If it is a fifty it will have a "Crotch cooler"(pop out vent) on the drivers side.