The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Stovebolt painting

OK...I know this topic has been asked a gazillion times before. Where did the definition of STOVEBOLT come from? I heard that the oldtimers used stove bolts for quick repairs...etc. But I would like to know what kind of bolts used(size and style), what years did the term refer to, types of engines refering to, if a certain style of truck, which one...etc. I'm looking for as much detail as possible. The reason is this: My wife is an accomplish artist(airbrush and oil on canvas) and she mentioned last night doing a painting representing the evolution of the stovebolt. Kind of like the evolution of man pictures but with trucks and stovebolts. Sorta like a transformation from a bolt to truck thing or vise versa.

So if anyone has any ideas they would like to see in the painting, let me know. The more ideas the better.

The Stovebolt Page definition: What Does Stovebolt Mean?

Chevrolet "Stovebolt" Six "the Stovebolt Six (so nicknamed for its lengthy 1/4"-20 head bolts that held the thing together)"

are you saying that the head bolts are 1/4 (one quarter) inch in diameter........? Kidna hard to believe ....

I used to refer to the same quote as Jeff does, until I looked at an original 194 cubic inch 1929 Stove Bolt Six (Cast-Iron Wonder) engine at the 2006 National ATHS show in Baltimore. The head bolts are not slotted pan head 1/4" diameter x 20-thread machine bolts (stove bolts).

Look at this page from "Cast Iron Wonder" by Doug Bell, 1953 , published by the well-respected Floyd Clymer (who also wrote the forward to the book).

The exterior bolts/machine-screws were not 1/4"-20, slotted head-bolts; they were 1/4"-20, slotted-head bolts holding many sheet metal parts (and other parts) to the block and the head. This caused jokers to say the engine was held together with stove bolts - it was a stove bolt six engine.

I think that mistaken notion that the head bolts were 1/2'-20 stove bolts was made long ago by people who mis-read the description slotted head bolts.

Tim

Jeff has answered your wife's question with a link to what Sovebolt means on this site.

Classic Parts provides a time-line of 1947 and newer Chevrolet trucks.

There used to be a similar time-line of GMC trucks but the website has disappeared: http://www.imbris.net/%7Econrad/gmc-history.html

Here is a history of Chevrolet trucks (a picture of the 1929 Stove Bolt Six is on the homepage).

[img]http://www.chevytrucks.org/resources/C2-2.gif[/img]

Thanks to all for the input. Personally, until now, I thought "stovebolt" refered to the vehicle itself. But after reading the attachments, it sounds like it refers to the engine. When slotted bolts were mentioned, without measuring since I'm not at my truck right now, does anyone know how long they were and slotted as in using a straight screwdriver? Preliminary thoughts for the painting so far, and since we're a little bias for trucks, is to start with a bolt as mentioned in the attachments and progressively transform the bolt slowly into a straight 6 then slowly again transform the engine into a AD truck. Prolly using 5-7 figures.

Sounds pretty cool. She's real serious about how the painting will come out...so any suggestion or comments would help.

Thanks...

~Ron

We are not supposed to post images, but a few pictures of stove bolts seems an appropriate reason to break the rules. The 1/4" diameter 20 thread stove bolts were typically 3/8" to 1/2" long and had rounded heads. They were used to hold side covers, timing gear covers, oil pans, and other small parts to the block and head. "Slotted head" refers to the type of screwdriver needed with that bolt-head:
[img]http://www.smithfast.com/images/is16.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.boltdepot.com/images/catalog/machine-screw-slotted-round.gif[/img]

Thanks TClederman for the images. I pretty much knew which bolts they were, just wanted make sure I crossed every "t" and dotted every "i". Trying to make this painting as accurate as possible.

Can't wait til it's done. Was just gonna hang it in my garage. Depending how it turns out and it pleases everyone, maybe we can have posters made or hats and T-shirts made.

Again...any ideas, sugestions are welcome.
Thanks,
~Ron

Ron,

Your wife's idea sound very interesting. My only suggestion would be to morph as your wife describes from bolts to engines to bodies; but maybe morph through grills from '29 (or earlier) through 1972 and then morph backwards through bodies, maybe. I am partial to 47-55 years but a longer history morph would better represent this site.

Good luck and please post prototypes as the project advances.

If your wife needs photos of trucks from a specific angle, I bet you would get a lot of responses if you posted a request for photos (and show a photo or two of what angle(s) she wants).

Tim

sounds like a neat project.

I'm trying to get my wife to "tole" (sp) paint my vehicles...

I met a fellow at a carshow that does that sort of thing.. gets a nice price for his work.

I know this is an older posting. But, does anyone have a reference drawing of a chevy 235 "full pressure" engine? I'd like to have a exploded view if possible. Also, if possible, any inline 6 head and tranny reference drawings would be great as well.

Thanks alot,
~Ron

You might find something here at the illustration index for the 1929-1957 Chevy Master Parts and Accessories Catalogue.

http://chevy.tocmp.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0055.htm