The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Got my Bolt Today!!

I went with my brother down to Bothell, Wa this morning and drug the truck out of the blackberry bushes... It had 4 flat tires, so we pumped those up and used the winch to get it onto the flatbed... We got it home to Marysville and I had a heck of a time pushing it onto the side of the house. Here's some questions I have for the elder members here: Where do I find the vin on this thing? ('57 3104 short box step side little window) Are the original "spiral" shocks worth keeping for anything? Any other info I should look for on the truck? Any other suggestions? When I was moving the "junk" out of the cab area, I noticed a plate by the glovebox that I thought all bolts got back in the day. After reading it, I see that it originally belonged to the US Federal Gov. as some sort of work truck. It has a contract id number, date of delivery (9-1957)and has other general info about the truck stamped onto this plate. It has the original diamond shaped speedo, heater controls, a bench seat that is not bolted down, etc. The drivetrain is a factory 283 (I think)with original valve covers, ram horn exhaust, air cleaner, etc. The trans is missing, and the rear axle looks to be original... It is missing the door latches, hood latch, grille, one step by the bed, and a few other miscellaneous things. It does have some rust here and there, but mostly surface rust. I will be needing to weld in a few minor patch panels down the road for sure. I am excited, although it is very rough and will take alot of hard work to get it back on the street... I took several pics, but have no way to post them. If someone could host a handful for me that would be great!
Dano

Cool! 57's are my fav!

the id tag should be on the drivers door post above the dog leg - vin should start "V3A57xxxxx" if it's originally a V8, and unless it was special ordered or a very late-year truck, the engine will be a 265 [283's started the end of 57 in light trucks]

good luck w/ it - and about pic hosting try one of the free hosts , it's easy and works well

Bill

Here's a link to the Camaro website where I have posted a few pics. The Guy I got the truck from swears it's a 283, but I'll find the stamp on the block and run the numbers to see what it is, then I will know for sure. Thanks for the help!
Dan
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?p=613849&posted=1

MrDanB, I took a peek at your pix, looks like you've got a decent project there. However, I think that the seller may have either been mis-informed or fibbed on the engine. The '57 truck should have had a 265, the 283 was only used in cars and 1 1/2 ton and larger trucks. The rocker cover is the wrong color for a '57 truck V-8, and i beleive that the exhaust manifold an air cleaner are later passenger car units. Also, you mentiom a possibility that it may have been a government vehicle when new. From what I've been told by my Dad and others that were in the sevice at that time, the government only purchased 6-cylinder vehicles. If you can post the VIN, and maybe the engine #'s, we can decipher this mystery.

Thanks Longbox! That's exactly what I need to know!! The vin appears to be: 3A570110814 (under that is C 57 67 The pad on the passenger front of the block reads "F418LB". I did some digging and found out that the engine is a 265 for sure. What I need to know is what transmission bolted up to this 265. At first, I pictured "street rod", but the little 265 is kinda growing on me now. As for the "government owned" part...The plate that is on the glove box says property of United States Federal Government. It lists the vin, the contract i.d. number, date of delivery, etc. I am kinda going nuts with it already because the "How to restore your pickup" book hasn't shown up yet. I want to try to start the engine (even with no trans in it) but there's no key for the ignition. I just ordered one up today from LMC. I went to take the rear fenders off, but apparently you need a special type of tool and or arms like he-man. lol
I would crawl under the thing, but it has some very flat tires. So, I'm kinda at a loss for what to start on. It needs a windshield, but I know that once I paint the body I will need the gasket set out of there and removing these "rope in" puppies isn't fun! Sorry for rambling. I have wanted one for years, but now that i have one, I'm sorta stuck...
Dano

Hey you can start it without a key just run a jumper wire from the terminal on the starter and then to the + on the coil. then take a screwdriver and bridge the main terminal and the solidnoid when you want to stop it just pull the jumper

I looked over what you have on the Camaro site. I have a truck that was old Navy that has a similar Federal tag. Its mostly blue.

I'm looking at the green in your interior and wondering if it was Forest Service at one time. Or just painted by some former owner.

Steve, The truck shows signs of being originally blue from the factory. The firewall and some other spots where the primer is flaking has a medium blue to it. The green on the dash appears to be from the factory, but not 100% sure... It's fun learning about these old bolts!! Lots and lots to learn still. I think if I break it down into smaller tasks (get it? tasks.lol) I can get her done someday and still enjoy working on it...
Thanks for all your help so far!
Dan