The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop new COE - getting started

After an intense search I just picked up a '54 COE. In the next few months I will restore and upgrade for safety and reliability to put it back into use as the 2-ton delivery truck for my business. I have restored and rodded a lot of cars and trucks, and have done all of the work myself but have never worked on one of these big guys before. Frankly I'm a bit intimidated. So before I hit you all with a bunch of questions I thought I would start with this introduction.

Any of you who are into COE's please say hello and pass along any info that might help me get started in getting to know this truck. Please pass along any website addresses, parts sources, book titles or anything else that you wish you had found before you jumped in on work on your COE.

Just to test the waters I should also let you all know my plans. First, I am not going to drop the body on a late model 1/2 ton chassis. . . which may comfort the restorers. But unlike the restorers I will need to use this truck as part of my business (the only way I could justify the expense - and it will sure be cooler than a Mitsubishi Cube Van!!) . . .so I will need to make a few upgrades for safety and serviceability. Other than that I am figuring on taking everything apart, cleaning, re-building, painting and putting it back together again.

I need to keep this a 2-ton truck so the frame and springs will stay but I expect to find that the brakes, rear end, and wiring need to be updated. It seems that the muncie 4-speed and I-6 motor were standard equipment for enough years that I can re-build them and keep that part stock (though slow- but that is o.k.). Am I correct in assuming that brake parts are not in stock at common parts houses anymore? Is there a common later model Chevy 2-ton rear end that I will need to make this a an easily repaired service vehicle? Are there later model spindles or a complete axle assembly that will bolt up to what I have up front? And, surely I need to replace the single reservoir master cylinder with something with dual reservoirs and maybe a power booster. Is there a common swap for this?

Praisethelowered, I can't help you with the 2 ton info, but I'm sure you'll be getting plenty of help from the board soon.
I'd like to know about your truck. What are you going to haul with it? Was it used for anything uncommon that required a special bed, like a soft drink or beer bottle truck?
Also, post some pix if you can, we all enjoy that

Welcome, Praise, check out these sites for starters, http://www.favorites.com/~jolly/COETrucks.html http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldcoetrucks/ http://www.classiccoe.com/

ooyea pictures dis iz de place to hang ifn your roddin oops restorin or hackin oops
resto rod stocker [img]http://photo.starblvd.net/~bullfoot/2-1-3.jpg?i=1051594404[/img] [img]http://photo.starblvd.net/~bullfoot/3-1-3.jpg?i=1064414241&pw=*6CBD3F52AB1F[/img]

Now you've gone and done it, 'lowered. All them COE hawnyocks were sleepin' over in the corner of the garage, and you went and woke 'em up.

Watch out! They'll be pesterin' the rest of us to get our ladders so they can (once again!) show us all the purty lights up on top o' the cab.

Welcome, to ya. Keep us posted on your progress.

Praise: Hello and Welcome. This board is a great source of information and helpful knowledge. Post often and keep us updated on your progress.

A fellow I know named Clark Huff has tons of old COE and LCF Chevy and GMC trucks. I have done business with him several times, and would highly recommened him to any who seek BIG TRUCK PARTS! He has years of experience with these old beast's, and should be able to help guide you with needs of metal, glass, engines, etc. If for some reason he cannot, he will be able to direct you to others who can, as he knows many folks with COE's and parts sources for them. As for the upgrades you are seeking I would talk to him as he knows others that have done the same.
Go to website:

www.antiquetractorsandtrucks.com

Hope this helps.

Think Chevy!

Thanks for the links so far. . . any suggestions for running gear and brake swaps for a 2-ton application? or are new brake parts easier to find than I think?

And to answer the question about the COE- it was a beer truck . . .it even has faint remnants of a schlitz logo on the front. I will be keeping the the box - just closing some of the extra doors- there are 5!

Hey 'lowered, Got any pictures of your COE you can post. I to have a '54 Chevy COE, it's a 5400 series with a "Trucktor", chaindrive Tandem setup.I also have a '53 Chevy 5400 series COE Wrecker, '50 GMC 600 series COE & '52 GMC 450 series COE.

Welcome "Low". I have a 47 [ 2nd series ] COE & a 54 COE. I was supprised at how many parts on the 54 will not interchange with the 47.

If you need to replace the engine and you want to keep it 6 cylinder, a 261 is a good swap, it was used in 55-62 2 tons and busses. Mine about doubled the power that was in my 216 powered half ton. It bolts right in. A GMC 302 would also be a good swap.

here is a photo [img]http://photo.starblvd.net/praisethelowered/1-1-1-1065102989?m=0&pg=0&ro=0&co=0[/img]

did that work?

photo try #2 [http://photo.starblvd.net/praisethelowered/1-1-1-1065102989?m=0&pg=0&ro=0&co=0/IMG]

intelligence test- FAILED. there are no instructions for posting photos in the FAQ list?????? why not?

thanks greg- how did you do it?

Hey I saw that COE in the trucktrader and thought it was neat.

PTL - looks like your rear view mirror might work a little better if you lowered it just a tad

Press the image button under (Instant UBB Code) and past the link into the dialogue box and you will have the picture of your COE show up in your post. OR . . . if you just want to link to it, press the URL box and past the link there followed by a description in the next box that appears after you press the OK button.

photo try #3 [img]http://photo.starblvd.net/~praisethelowered/t1-1-1.jpg[/img]

That URL points to a web page, not a single photo - which is why it shows the box with the red 'X'.

You can put a link to the web page as an alternative.

Nice truck! Wish it was mine!

-Boyo

it's a starblvd thing- I post mine by figuring out what the code is like {http://photos.starblvd.net/guitarzan/1-1-2.jpg}

Here's your photo:
[img]http://photo.starblvd.net/praisethelowered/1-1-1.jpg[/img]

O.k. that's what I like to hear but every day this thing is broken down is a day I will loose business so I need to set it up with that in mind. Preaching "no upgrades" is cool and all- but am I wrong about parts availability? I hope so. But comments about yuppies aren't a very convincing argument.

Anyway, philosophy talk is great but how about ponying up some information? Can I still get wheel cylinders of the shelf? How about drums? What about wheel bearings? Do these parts cross reference over the years? Where do you guys get them? I have never owned a medium duty truck before.- are there specialized sources for parts?

And single reservoir m.c.'s, even heavy duty ones, just don't cut it. So what bolts up?

I have built a lot of cars and there are always things that experienced guys know about particular cars. I always try to share that stuff with newcomers and hope I can get some of that karma back now that I am in a new ballpark.

WOW ! ! !, I LIKE THAT TRUCK, 'lowered, looks like it has lots of potential. Looks like those "1st Gear" Die Cast Beer Truck Models, on the market.

O.k after asking for advice from everyone I could I am pretty much settled on keeping things stock- It seems that if I need 2-ton stuff I don't gain much with a swap anyway. I was just hoping there was a no brainer 2-ton swap out there. I'll keep you all posted and please keep the advice comin'.

Hey 'lowered, check this out www.oldgmctrucks.com you'll see my COE's on there.

Nice stuff Spanky- leave some for the rest of us , huh?