The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New member. Look what I found in the barn

Tiny's advice is exactly right, I started one after it sat for 30 years on old gas, and it ran great the first time, then I shut it off and a few days later tried to start it up.......BANG!!!! bent several push rods and had all 6 valves stuck. That mistake cost me about $300.00 for a valve job and gasket set, I did the labor myself. Be sure to drain every drop of that old gas out and clean everything thoroughly before running new gas in it. I bought a new tank and fuel lines, rebuilt fuel pump, overhauled caarburetor, now everything's fine.

if i ever get back to see a friend of mine in vernon(150 mi.south of you) i will look you up. last time i was there was 4th of july 94' the reason i remember that was old car rental reciepts. they have 90 acres and lots of lightning bugs, those things are a trip!

Are you kidding me? That truck is a wet dream! I had one just like it with the exception of the dump bed. I love those 34-35 year models. As previous posters mentioned, take lots of photos and do it right. You have a really original piece there and it looks to be really complete. What a gem in the rough. Now, I love street rods as much as the next guy but this truck is so original that I hope you are going to bring it back to it's former glory and restore it. It's just too nice to do otherwise.

Hey guys, remember that fellow up in Massachusetts that found that '31 chevy in the barn complete with original paint, pinstriping, tires and the rare factory air option (wink, wink). Yep, he took that old truck and chopped the top and dropped a 289 in it, if I recall. It's a shame what happened to that old boy. He seemed like such a nice fellow and all. He sure looked surprised when those 3,000 'bolters showed up at his place at 3:00am carrying torches and pitchforks. Anybody ever see him again?

Just kidding...I hope you enjoy the process and if it takes ten years, who cares? Don't listen to these other cheapskates either. If you get tired of it I figure a truck like that is worth at least $750. Just give me a call. ;-)

Denny is correct..I got my 55 2 years ago, I thought it would be a hop skip and a jump to the freeway...ya right...I even told my wife , I would have it on the road this fall...ya right. So,I am into it for about 3000$, I still have to do the interior,buy back rear fenders,all the body work,paint....tires.. new bed... I will tell you one thing though frank..If I did not find this forum, I would not be doing my project correctly and it would have ended up like Denny stated. This place make you feel real guilty about restoring your truck, I cant even cut a corner..I know i will end up buying a drivers side door too. I keep a picture of my truck next to my computer from when I first brought it home..There is something about this truck..its in my head..and i must complete it no matter how long it takes me. I dont have the fancy shop or tools...oh ya..forgot about all the tools I am buying..ha ha ha ..it goes on and on..I have never worked on an engine or done any body work at all till now, my dog jumps in it and watches me tighten bolts and krimp wires, I sit on a 5 gallon bucket and she leans on the gas tank. I am hoping I will finish by next spring...Thats what I said last spring..

Frank, WELCOME TO THE BOLT. What a great find, looks like they ordered a cab and chassis. Most of the dump bodies were added from a seperate source. That old 194 cid is a work horse of a motor 4:1 compression and will run on nearly anything you can put in the tank once the engine is warmed up. Clean the carb, check the points and cond. add a good battery and a fresh source of fuel,(connect the fuel pump to a fresh can of gas don't try to start it with the old fuel) turn it over by hand if possible a couple of times to make sure nothing is stuck (piston rings, or lifters) drain and change the oil and it never hurts to dump a little on the top of the rocker arms also. And let her rip, I wouldn't be a bit suprised if she starts right up, may take a couple of trys. Don't get discourged you can get it to run it ain't rocket surgery.

Here is a good link for great info:

www.vccachat.org

Take lots of pictures. Let us know how you are progressing.

Welcome to the BOLT! You have gotten some excellent information. Your truck is a beauty but will require some serious work (time AND money). If it is any help though a NEW dump truck will cost in excess of $30,000 +/-. At $400 a month truck payment, fixing your truck won't be TOO much of a moneypit First thing I would do is clean it real good (hand wash & pressure wash). Nothing like working on a CLEAN machine. Second thing would be to write down on paper/speadsheet what your goals are for the truck.

Hope they all got ya convinced to take on the restoration Frank, ya have a real nice starting point and it sounds like you have the right connections to get it done right. Do it right and you will have some fun with it, meet some real cool people and be able to get your cash out of it when you tire of it. Now the time you invest in the restoration, well that’s another thing entirely. Chances are that your going to domate that to the next owner, after all this usually ends up a labor of love. These old trucks are like the girl friend you had in high school, the more time you spend with them the deeper in love with them you fall and before you know it, you can’t live with out them in your life.

Mike, about that dog thing, it’s just fitting to have a mutt sitting up in the front seat when ya take her out on the road. I’m just worried about what she’s gonna do to my new upholstery and interior paint that I agonized over for six months.
And yes, we all have those plans to get them on the road that fizzle on us. I’ve completely rebuilt all of the running gear and all of the other mechanicals and thought I would be able to drive her to a few meets this summer even though cosmetically she taint the best looking gal. Ran into my “Brick Wall” and been held up now going on two months trying to get a carburetor that doesn’t dump fuel all over the engine. I made my mind up that I’m simply not driving this unless I can get in and drive it for the day with out having to stop along side the road and work on it to get it home. I scratch built my biplane (Pitts) and flew it from the first flight and for 250 hours more with out ever making any changes, repairs or adjustments to the rigging. Oil changes, Fuel and fun should be all that is necessary when you put a project on the road or in the air from the get go.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

The engine looks to be a 207, so it could be original.

I'd also wager it is a 1935, based on the grille. What's the body number? How about the Engine number?

As a new bolter myself, I envy your find. That is what I wish I had to start with. I have collected (3) 1934 1 1/2 tons and hope to make one driveable. I had just got started at this and hope to learn more from this great group bolters.

very nice shape, welcome to the bolt

Welcome to the Bolt! Very nice ol' truck there.

I'd like to add one bit. Aint nothing like having your Dad's old truck. My Dad passed away 25 years ago and his old wrecker is one tie back to him for me.

Great truck, Frank...

With a little (ok a LOT of) work and money she could be a real beauty... I say go for it!

I like the truck's history too... given that it came from your dad and the 'bolt bug has bitten you too, you kinda HAVE to finish it, huh?

In the meantime if anyone can help you with advice, suggestions and anything else you need, the guys here certainly can...

I too was a newbie just a few months ago in march and have learned so much just reading and talking to some of the guys while others like 1958GMCNut and Hotshoe36 who both live in the area have gone out of their way to come over and try to work some of the bugs out... Another member (Achipmunk) has sent me a tailgate that should be here in a couple days too...

Like I said, a terrific bunch of guys who know lots and always seem happy to help... you're in good company, so welcome to the bolt... Keep the updates coming!

~Trev