The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk I think I am an official Stovebolter now

I just won a bid on Ebay for a 51 chevy truck!!!!! I can't wait to get her to MD. Got a real good price for her. The man I bought it from sounds likes he's going to work with me on transport. Can't wait for the work to begin.

Now, big question is should I street rod it or try to bring it back to original ? Um, I guess I will let the wife decide that one.

Jase

Ohhh man, has that question raised some debates here! The bottom line is, it's your truck, only you can call that one!

Tell the wife she has to learn to drive it as built before you go changin' it. No ulterior motive... just that everyone should have the experience.

And welcome aboard!!!

Post the eBay auction number so we can get a look at your new baby!

The question to Rod or Not comes up often, and while i'm the type of person who says, "Go old, or go home" the decision is yours.. it's your truck.

I prefer them stock.

Rod it or Restore it.... Just DONT crush it. They arnt making too many more of them these days.

Seriously, I decide based on how complete/what kind of shape the old girl is in. My '56 just needs some cleaning and paint, a few knobs.... it's getting restored. My 56 panel on the other hand, is almost a hulk.... she'll get rodded to some extent.

I just cant see cutting up an original to make a rod, but thats me. Above all, enjoy your new truck

Ever consider a "period correct" hot rod? Keep the truck basically original, but put in a hot 261 chev or one of the big jimmy sixes like they did in the 50s and 60's. My truck is a 1970 C/10 so it's kind of a different animal, but a period correct hot rod is what I would do with an AD, but hey, it's your truck you get to make all the decisions. They aren't always easy. In any case, welcome to the brotherhood of the busted knuckle where all true stovebolters and their trucks have been baptized by both blood and fire!

Boo Radley

Jase, Congradulations on your new truck, and of course, welcome to the Stovebolt. Like everyone above has said, to go original or rod is a personal choice. I, myself, gave this same subject a lot of thought when I acquired my '56 3100. For me, "near original" ended up to be my goal for the restoration. (Click on my profile for a photo.) I did those things I felt necessary to insure a "safe driver", and am real happy with the results. Another item is to consider how you're going to use your truck. Will it be a daily driver, are there any plans for towing a trailer, will it be mainly used for week end cruise in's and shows--just lots to consider before deciding which way to go. One of the biggest considerations is how much you are willing to put into it money wise. Best advice I can give, is just enjoy it!

Congratulations! Enjoy the project!
K

Boo, where were you in '62? Of course I wasn't even born, but my dad lived the American Graffiti days and I would think a 283 with a 4 speed and a 3.90 rear out of a TF or a Buick nailhead hooked up to the 3 on the tree through the TT would be "period correct" for a hot rod AD.

My 52 coupe is period correct for early-mid 60s, transplanted power pack 283 with PG (had a 4 speed, but I got tired of shaking hands with Mr Shifter), Ansen racing wheels, mexican blanket interior, nosed, deck and flat black.

My 39 1.5 ton has a 55 235 with all kinds of hop up six stuff, offy, fentons, chromed crap everywhere . (This attracts a lot more attention than the boring V8 in the coupe)

My 53 one ton dump will be getting a v8 and SM465 and maintaining the farm truck look (necessity is the mother of invention) to pull my boat.

Period correct is a relative term, then there's the period correct metalflake 70s we'd all like to forget or the orange pro street 80s period.

As I read back over this, it didn't convey the correct tone, I Boo's idea is the easiest and best thing to do to an AD as it keeps it simple and very driveable.

Chris

Jase already has his answer to the question: let the wife decide! - usually the best alternative, especially if she tends to be more interested in the finances than the cool-factor or the acceleration-rush quotient

Bill

look at how your going to use the truck if your out in the country or on a farm stock is good if your in the city high speed driving might go for automatic v 8 defferent front end its up to you me i got one of each 500hp small block and one stock 235

Jase I think the underling theme is just enjoy the truck!!

4.3-I thought the phrase was "Necessity is a Muther"...Skiff-congratulations on the new addition to the family,don't let anyone bully you into changes YOU don't wanna make. And keep in mind to tell your wife,BEFORE you let her drive it as it is,it's YOUR truck,she can't have it,and if she likes it that much,you'll help HER get one.

Skiffman,

Where are you in Maryland? And where's the truck coming from?

Do you know about the Hauling Board on the Yesterday's Tractors web site?

And welcome aboard! Be sure to check out the rest of the site, too.

Regards,
John

John,

I live here in Rising Sun, located in Cecil County MD. The truck is in Iowa. Thanks for the welcome. Great website. I have neot seen the "hauler" website before. The man I am purchasing the truck from may deliver the truck straight to MD IF he can find something to haul back. I will be calling him this afternoon to try to find what he is looking for and see if I can help him line something up. Worse case, I will have to meet him in Ohio and pick her up no biggie. Anyway, great site. Oh yes, how do I go about getting my 56' in the gallery ?

Jason

If it runs drive it like you bought it and give yourself plenty of time to make the right decision.
This happened to me and I wasted several thousand on parts, then I decided I wanted a stock truck.

skiffman, welcome aboard. i have been to rising sun many times when i was a kid. i was born in harford county, pylesville md.been in indiana since 1956, still call maryland home. RON

62 was the year my dad wrecked the first hot rod I have a clear memory of: A 1941 Chev coupe with a screamin hot 270 jimmy six. My first car was a 51 chev sedan delux with a 58 235 that had fentons and dual rochesters.

One big drawback to building an older chev or jimmy six is that you can go to the wrecking yard and buy a 350 that will produce more horsepower than a really hot 261 or 270. And it will cost A LOT less. However, I personally would never put anything as pedestrian as a 350 in an AD truck, but that's just me, and it ain't my truck we're talking about.

Boo