The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What to do first

Hello! Next week my father and I are picking up our first project truck. It is a '54 Chevy 1/2 ton. The truck runs and to my knowledge is 100% original. With that said, I was hoping more experienced folks could help me create an initial assessment checklist that will help me answer "what do I really have here?". So far, here is what I am thinking, in no particular order:

Check/record VIN & cast numbers; Check brakes/master cylinder; Check battery and all electrical components; Inspect frame/body for structural integrity; Check engine compression; Check/change engine oil and coolant; Check odometer; Check tire condition; Inspect glass;

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. This forum is a good resource and I hope to contribute in the future.

Sounds like you are on the right track. The first thing I would do is get a copy of the shop manual. They are readily available.
I would change the oil and do a chassis lube. I would also check the transmission fluid and the rear axle oil. At the same time make certain that the rear axle breather is not plugged. It might be wise to change all the grease fittings at the same time. The old ones could be plugged and they are not expensive and easy to change.
If you have an oil bath air filter, clean it and change the oil.
For electricity make certain you have good grounds. Older trucks/cars sometimes get rust where the wires are grounded so you want to clean that up if necessary. Then you can go onto other maintenance things like a tune-up and spark plug wires.
Good luck with it and congratulations on the new acquisition. You are off to a world of fun. Call on us anytime for help.

Hy gjberche, you said your going to pick it up, then the purchase is a done deal? Alot of the checks you mentioned should be pre-purchase checks. You can do a complete survey on the vehicle you decide to purchase once you get it home. I just don't want you to get rude suprises when you get it home. Are you looking for a project truck, or a truck to restore or what?

If you are going to restore it,take pics of every thing that comes off,before it is taken off.

The best advice I can give is prior to driving, you need to check brakes, steering, drivetrain. In that order. First you need to be 110% sure you can stop the truck. Then you need to be 110% sure you can turn the truck. Then be sure it will go.

What I mean by checking is inspect all components. Lines, cylinders, shoes, drums, balljoints, linkages etc.

Have fun!

Thanks for the responses so far. We'll look into getting replacement grease fittings and I will definitely be taking pictures! In response to 3B, we are getting our truck from a knowlegeable family member and the price is right, which is why some of this stuff will be done after we get it home .

NAY... the FIRST thing to do, is WASH IT, then put it in your garage, with the winder's down, set a couple of bug bombs off and let it sit over night... gotta kill all the critters that are hiding in the cracks and crevises...

then wash it again before doing all the things that are recommended.

The very first thing that you do is park it in front of your neighbors house just to **** him off. Then remove the muffler and drive it around the block a few times. Then put some chairs in the bed and get drunk and loud in the late evening. Then add a "boom box" stereo and blast surf music at all hours of the night while you hammer on it and curse it.

That should be enough for now. Let me know how it goes.

Oh, replace the fuel pump or you'll blow off yer oil pan.

Congrads. on your find. Hope it is everything you wanted.
Sounds like you have allready a good list. Some one mentioned before the you should do some basic check before you go any further.
1. Brakes; if it wont run well thats ok if it don't stop don't drive it.
2. Steering; This is a tossup with brakes with brake failure you can (maybe) steer around it. Without steering you are up a creek with out a paddle.
3.Running gear; Is it full of water/oil mix? Who knows untill you change the lube.
4. Engine drive ability. the last stage of inspection and repair.
After all this you need to figure out what you are going to do with this old bolt. Daily driver?
Show truck? Or trailer queen?

Defiantly get the manual, half my questions could have been answered if I had one of those first...

I took out all the door panels, headliner, seat and so forth, got a dust mask and took a leaf blower to my truck! Cleaned her out wonderfully! Also worked good for removing all the mouse left overs from inside the seat to.

Lots of pics before and after, then post them so we can look to! Good luck and let us know.

Jeff

Don't forget to get a horn that blows, "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and some bumperstickers too!

Yer gunna need that last one....

Beg, borrow, or steal a pressure washer. NOTHING like working on a clean Bolt!

Get the manual before you take anything apart. Lots of little secrets to removing parts, need all the info that you can get your hands on. If you have a digital camera take tons of pictures and then take more. You will over time forget what went where. The pictures will save you pulling out most of your hair and keep you from having to re-do many jobs because you forgot that this part needs to be installed befor you can put on another. Good luck and post some pics.

oops. Fat fingered the last reply. but i agree with tab 100%. Tab, move to houston and be my neighbor!