The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk how i got started stovebolting

when i was a kid, i wouldn't be caught dead owning a 6 banger. my taste ranged from a 409 chevy to a host of smallblocks. 6 bangers were as unkool as 4 door cars, like studebakers. ol' kool wasn't goin' for that! when i returned from the service, i was pretty banged up, and didn't get around too good. my dad gave me his 1954 chevy 1/2 ton, all original, including a spotlight that was dealer installed. it had an auto tranny, and the p.o. had installed a full guage package in the dash. the choice was to drive the truck, or stay home, and to be honest, the old truck sorta had some appeal to me, and i was grateful to my dad for the gift. he went out and found a fantastic 50 merc, so we were both happy. as i healed the truck became part of my therapy. being a gearhead, i started thinking about hopping up the truck. then it hit me, why not improve the 6? that became the plan and mission. lighter springs in the vacuum advance to increase timing advance speed, and performance parts from a company called clifford research, which advertised 6=8. they were right. split manifold, and the addition of a 2 bbl carb helped the old truck plenty. i was aware the auto tranny was the weak link, but kept it anyway. nope, it wasn't a racer, but a pretty snappy little street machine that was fairly good on gas, and real dependable. i drove that old truck into the ground. after a few years of beating the truck was starting to show serious signs of wear and tear, so i sold it. whatever happened to it, i don't know. i will say i would give plenty to have it back, but i'm sure it is gone forever. what i have left are some great memories, and a profound respect for the old iron, much the same as i have for the man who gave me my first stovebolt. this morning, i lost him too. i would give plenty to have him back as well.

i am convinced there are lessions in life. there are things we should pay attention to, learn from, and never forget. i often remind myself that the days of spring, summer and fall are short, and the winter is cold and dark. while we can, we should take the time to drive the back country roads, picnic, hold our children, and enjoy that old truck smell. while we can, we should love our friends, and forgive our enemies. these things are sometimes difficult to do, but are important. we should do these things while we can, as soon enough, we won't be able to.

i lost my best and closest friend today. he is gone as sure as that old truck, never to return, despite how much money i would give. i do have, keep ,and cherish the memories. i will keep him forever in my heart and in that place build a sanctuary to him.

the days of spring and summer were short, and now in the fall i can see the darkness of winter on the horizon. it makes those drives down the back roads alittle more special. take the time folks. take a lifetime. enjoy the ride.

I am sorry to hear of your loss, my mother passed in February and I still miss the days when I could just drop in....... George

Yeah, koolkar, sorry to hear about your loss. My dad is 75, and currently traveling for the winter. He's a pain when he's around, but I miss him when he's gone.

KK, sorry to hear about your loss, take care of your self,,,,regards,,Fred

I spent the last two weeks of his life with my dad at the end of May this year. We also had a special relationship. He is where I got my cutting, "Amsterdam style" humor and my love for fishing. It is going to be a hard time but at least we have our memories. It seems to me that they don't make them like that any more. So, I want to be like him for my kids.
Stay strong.

KK: Sorry to hear about your father. I've been fortunate thus far, mines 75 this year, and still going strong. Your post is a strong testament to your dad and the valuable lessons you learned from him. I hope that some day, my son and I will share the love of an old 6 (with a split manifold) that my dad and I have shared all these years. So far, he's just not real excited about riding in anything that might "leave me walking". Good Luck, and thanks for sharing your story.

KK,
Wow man, your post seriously made me cry. I'm sorry about your Dad. My wife often reminds me of the things you wrote. I get focused and wrapped up in truck/car and house projects and she says, "You need to spend more time with your kids. They're going to be all grown up and gone before you know it. Enjoy them while you can".
There's never enough time but, you have to make it. Take the time.
Regards,
David

I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad's passing.

Very sorry you've lost your dad.

My dad is 76 and I don't know how many more days we'll have together, so I try to make sure we get all we can.

Dave,sorry for your loss.

sorry for your loss Dave, it hurts I know, but it does get better although it never heals.
The words Ricky Scaggs sang in Cats in the Craddle cut me up one night when I was out trucking all week. Made me miss my boys sooo much and made me think about how I was missing them grow up that I quit the job that Friday. I cherish every moment with them now even if the eldest thinks he's too old for a hug from his Dad. Why do Mums get to hug their kids no matter how old they are?

Andy

Koolcar,Sorry for your loss,he must have been quite a guy. Dale

Dave: If he was anything like Pop Sr. he had to be one special guy. Sorry for your loss dad's are special in my heart. Up here if you need to talk you got my number?

Pop Sr. is 77 I hope that I'm even close to the shape he is in at that age. it was fun Sat. Dad, I, and Jason working on the "ol 59" 3 generations guys it don't get any better than that.

popcorn The Truth is Out There (Mighty Warrior Maws and I have prayers for your strength I know its been one H of a year) Ben

I'm sorry to hear about your loss Kool. I know if I lost my dad tomorrow, I don't know how I could go on, he's my hero and best friend, and he taught me everything I know about cars and such. He's also the one that told me to keep the 250 in my truck instead of dropping in a 283 or olds 330. I'm glad he did, because it's cool as heck and I have him to thank for that. I also have him to thank for having me keep my olds (my first car) during many, many rough times with it, and for pushing me to restore this truck. Restoration has begun (started the parts buying this weekend), and he's a major reason that it started in the first place, because if it wasn't for him, I would have bought another delta to throw a 425 in, and I realize now that that would be a big mistake.

Matthew McDaniel (writing this with tears in my eyes).

KoolKar, I am sorry to hear about your loss. As you may know I lost my father just last month. I know exactly what you are feeling. Here's the link to the post on my dad: Like yours, he was one of a kind.
http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=22;t=000512

Boo Radley

thanks guys. one common bond between us all, that is other than the stovebolt insanity, is that we will all lose some of those close to us. one day, those close to us will lose us.

so it goes.

the thing is, the worst feeling is the one of being truly alone. when you are alone, nobody can understand, and there is no comfort. it is a dark place filled with torment and no peace.

good to know i won't be going there. my friends have shown me they walk with me.

many are right here, and i have never met them.

thanks again, and thanks to dad and the little general for providing a place such as this where friends can meet in good times or bad.

I am sorry for your loss and I apologize for not seeing your post sooner to express my condolences.

Although your Dad is now gone, no one can take away your memories. The nice thing about memories is that they can be with you in any circumstance and any time. I lost my grandmother this past summer and take solace from fond memories. Her attitude and 'people skills' have always been an inspiration to me and I try to incorporate these atributes into my life.

Your Dad also helped shape your personality and outlook on life. Take a look in the mirror and you will see his influence in your life. I wish you Godspeed and comfort in the trying days ahead.

CARL

Sorry to hear of your loss. My grandfather was the one who got me started on old stuff. The first truck he ever bought new was a 38 chevy 1.5 ton which he lengthend the frame and added a tag axle to. My first stovebolt was titled as a 42 due to an engine change. Owner represented it as a 37, My grandfather took one look and corrected that it was a 38 1.5. I had it running and tagged for a while and he rode with me. I doubt I'll ever sell that truck.

Sorry for your loss, KoolKar. It's been a tough month - Your Dad, Woog's Dad and my Mom. Daily routines and ritual help to even things out and keep you a little numb but every so often, it will hit you hard that you will not be speaking to this loved one again in this lifetime. It's a personal milestone and life afterwards is forever different from that before.

Kool,

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. On the other hand, I'm very glad you've got great memories to carry with you and also that you've shared them with us.

Memories are how we live forever (in our descendant's hearts).

Keeping you in my thoughts.

Regards,
Shea