The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Original 235 in '49 3100?

I've got a '49 3100 with a babbit 235 in it. According to the casting numbers, the engine is a '48.

Someone told me you could have ordered a 3100 with a big-truck 235 in it back then. Does anybody know if this is true? Is it possible this engine was original for this truck?

Thanks,

chico

chico,

The 1949 Truck Data Book for Chevrolet Salesmen shows the 216 engine as the only engine available for 3000 series trucks.

The 216 engine was also standard in 4000 series trucks and the 235 engine was an option in this series.

5000 series and larger trucks came standard with the 235 engine.

Tim

Thanks. As usual with this stuff, you never know if the stories these older guys tell are accurate or not. But they were there, I wasn't. The book says you couldn't get the 235 installed, the old guy I know insists you could.

50 years from now they'll be arguing about Prius original colors.

Welcome to the bolt. It's always nice to hear from more local dudes. Where abouts are you in San Francisco?

John

Man i've met an awful lot of people in the last few years that talk like they know every thing there is to know about these trucks, and have you convinced that what they say is absolute gospel.

I mean, why not? They're old. For some reason, it sounds a whole lot more creditable when it comes out of the mouth of an old person.. like why wouldn't you believe what this guy is saying? He sure looks old enough to have been around to have seen the it he's talking about first hand.

But most times, it turns out to be at the least, inaccurate.. and at most, pure 100% USDA Grade A bull.

And these people will argue till hell freezes over that you absolutely couldn't get a orange johnson rod as an option in 1941.. you can show 'em a factory booklet that shows it as an option and they'll still swear up and down you couldn't get one.

So i've learned the best way to get the real scoop on anything regarding these old trucks is to get it from either multiple sources, or ask Bill.. or a handfull of guys around here that seem to know their stuff.

Chico,

A dealer could install anything. And, there are some people who say you could get the factory to install anything. Who knows?

Tim

Noe Valley area. I had the '49 3100 truck here, working on it in the garage, until my rattle-can paint fumes started leaking into the next door neighbor's house. Not so good for their kids.

So I moved it up to my rural spot in west Sonoma county. Slowly making progress on it, along with a '51 F*rd and a '66 Chev 1-ton dumpbed.

There are a few nice old trucks in this otherwise-tony neighborhood. A blue '53(?) up at Sanchez and Hill, a beautifully restored red '4? Ford flatbed in lower Noe Valley, a green '51(?) beatup GMC usually parked near 16th and Market, and a late '40s-early '50s Studebaker pickup in the same general area.

Are any of those yours?

Chico

Welcome to the BOLT! I don't know if you could get a 1948 motor in a 1949 truck. I do know that there is an "early" 1949 and a "late" 1949. I also know the trucks are FUN to work on and to drive. Good look!!

No, none of those are mine, but my beat up awaiting restoration 40 gmc is on the street a couple of blocks from city college.

John

I remember the local Chev. dealer installing a parts dep't. 235 in an AD pickup when it was new. They put the 216 in another car and the cost was really minimal, I think around $75.00 installed. I don't think it was available as a factory option.

Hey chico, was that beat up GMC near Market and 16th a green longbed fleetside?

No, stepside type of bed as used in the early '50's.