The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New 1953 chevy 3100 Truck! Pictures and a question?

Hey there everyone!

Well as of yesterday I'm a proud owner of a 53 chevy 3100. I am very excited, and a little scared since I don't know well, much of ANYTHING about maintenance. But I figured if I waited to learn everything I needed to know I would never have gotten up the nerve.

I also have a question, if ya'll wouldn't mind checking out the image below. What are these connections?!? The instrument panel isn't hooked up or working so I figure it might have something to do with that?

Anyhow, here she is: 53 Chevy

And here is the picture of the connections in question: Mystery Connections

Thanks everyone, and I'm glad to be 'in the club'!

Nice looking truck.

Not sure what those connections are but a quick glance seems to show a modern day alternator in there. I would guess if that's the case they converted it from 6V but never changed the gauges to work with 12V.

I am sure someone with a lot more smarts than me can answer more accurately though

Beautiful Truck! Couldn't tell you though what those connections are for without knowing were they came from. But with a couples hours somebody will give you that answer. These guys are great like that.

Congrats on the Truck and have fun. And yes the easiest way is jump in and pray you can swim. And with these older trucks it is easily done.

Beautiful 'bolt y'got there! Love the color. Very clean.

Does the upper line go to the alternator? I can't tell. I was thinking these could be the lines going to/from an oil filter canister. If it runs from the alternator, then cancel that thought. Could it be from a vacuum reservoir? That would explain it going to the dash (and then on to the wiper motor.)

I'll bet you get the right answer from someone on the forums. If you can tell us where they come from and go to, it'll help.

Welcome, neighbor!

Bill

The hose on top looks like an oil line form the bypass oil filter. I would assume that the hose on the very bottom is disconnected also. Both of these hoses go to the left side of the block.
The hose connected to the side of the intake manifold goes to the vacuum wipers.

Do you have a service manual yet? They are very helpful, and available reprinted from the usual parts suppliers. I recommend reading it, or at least looking at all the pictures, it will help you learn a lot about your truck.

Good luck,
Grigg

The only thing to change to convert the gauges to work on 12 volts is the gauge lights, and a resistor in line with the fuel gauge. I would assume the truck is now 12 volt, and someone has done this already.

Nice looking truck.
Grigg

Hy GirlDriver, First of all welcome, now to your mystery connections, I think the one that is tie straped to the support rod is the return line from your bypass oil filter, the one actually connected to the engines intake manifold is the vacuum line for the windshield wiper motor, hope that helps.

Hey...Welcome aboard GirlDriver! Heck of a nice truck you've got. Really like the color.

You've definitely come to the right place for info...lots of good folks here to help.

If you haven't yet, you need to get that submitted for the Gallery!

Welcome to the bolt.

super nice truck.

pour through the tech tips section:

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/


Also, the BillyBob Maintenance Log, might give you a good idea on what to check and how often:

http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/2001/bbmaint.htm


-W

Hey Ya'll!

Well thanks for all the great input, what a responsive board this is.

I'll check on where I figure these might be going to and I'll get back to ya.

Thanks again, I'm really excited to have her!

-Sarah aka GirlDriver

oh, and you that guessed the truck has been converted to 12v/alternator already are right.

I haven't looked very hard at an AD engine... but that engine sure looks the same as the one in my '63. Am I out to lunch.. or has someone worked hard at an engine swap?
Nice looking truck btw!

Hey there

Yeah it was converted from the 216 (I think) to the 235 version

Sarah

GirlDriver Sarah: Wow, what a way to get into Stovebolting. I like your truck.
As to you questions I agree with the earlier post. We can narrow it down more you let us know what is on the other end of those lines...if anything, or where they "appear to go".
Welcome to the best truck site worldwide! This is the place. Lots of nice, knowledgeable folks here. Nice place hangout and you stay out of trouble....well, most of the time!!

Good catch there GirlDriver, very nice indeed.

Welcome to the Stovebolt.

John

Nice truck! Welcome and yes I agree that the lines are the ends from the remote oil filter connections.

Welcome Sarah!

Gorgeous truck. Its nice to see another girl around here. We are slowly taking this place over... :p

(Just kidding guys!)

Great looking truck and welcome to the 'Bolt. If you would link a couple of more pictures I think someone will give you the answer pronto! Like the color.

Don

Hi and welcome. Nice lookin' truck. Where in Texas are you?

Wow, awesome truck - thats the way to get started!! Welcome, I bet you love it already + you turn heads everywhere you go, to cool.

Hey, If I didn't know better, I'd think you'd nicked my truck! Nope, it's still in the garage. Welcome to The Bolt, lots of great people here to assist you when you need 'em.

littlebuddie

Take some more pics of those connections and the folks in here will figure it out, somehow.

They all have the 'disease'.

-W

Hey folks

Thanks for the great welcome! I will get some more pics of that engine compartment and will post them ASAP.

The great thing is I bought the ole girl from a woman--a retired police officer. Sorry guys, but these trucks are so cute I can't believe more girls don't get in one

I sure thank you for your comments!

Nice truck Sarah. I agree with the lines going to the oil filter. So are we not filtering the oil or am I missing something?

Welcome,

Keith

Thanks Keith I was wondering the same thing...if the lines are to an oil filter...um...what does that mean?

Jmoore - I'm in Dallas, though I got the truck in Tyler. I am acutally picking it up this weekend, they had some original glass and parts and such to scrape together for me.

I was wondering, do ya'll think it'll make about a 70 mile journey? The oil filter question has me a little nervous now. I was going to drive home on back roads and take plenty of time, but now I wonder if I should trailer it.

Any driving tips? I'm trying to remember double clutching--my brother taught me when he had an old beater with a souped up engine but it was a while ago.

I'd say go for it and drive it home. Take these things with you:

1) A cell phone
2) A AAA Card
3) A friend to follow you in a tow-capable truck
4) Enough cash to rent a flatbed if necessary
5) A ready pair of white knuckles

Good To Go!

I'll add another welcome to the BOLT, nice truck. Check to see if the connections to the oil filter are pluged in the side of the block and if so, I would give it a go and drive her home. Best of luck!!

Welcome to the 'bolt Sarah!

Its hard to be sure from the picture, but does that line that's hanging loose go to the canister under it? If so that confirms it is associated with the oil filter.

There should be a second line from that canister too. Where does it go?

The valve cover does look like a 235 to me, but could it be a 261? I ask because of the size of that line we all seem to think is an oil line.

It has the look of the oil filter connections lines which I installed on my truck. An oil filter is not required. It would appear the prior owner pluged it off on the motor but didn't remove the canister filter or hoses.

The firetruck didn't have a filter for 20,000 plus miles so drive it home if you don't see any oil leaks. Good luck!

For your trip, don't worry about filtering the oil- be worried about the oil leaking out of the engine. Talk to the previous owner (we call'em POs here) and make sure that she effectively plugged them. If not, get a wrench out of the tool box that you might want to add to LittleBuddie's list of items, take off the lines and go to the auto parts store (FLAPS in Stovebolt language.) Tell them to provide you with some teflon tape and caps to plug them.

Remember that your new truck probably doesn't drive at high speeds. (Again, talk to Ms. Policelady about it.) I wouldn't be surprised if you top out at 45 or 50 mph. Give yourself plenty of time to drive back.

Make sure the radiator is full before you hit the road.

Lastly, go early. You don't want to run out of daylight if you can help it!

Bill

Seriously, don't make a decision to drive the truck until you can climb under and over the whole thing first. Ask lots of questions, check the fluids, etc. While under truck, check for the obvious and spend some time looking around (lots of room under there). Check the back of the wheels for signs of leaks to the brake system. Lots of oil dripping? Smokin' out the tailpipe? Pump the brake and hold pressure on it, you know, stuff like that. Believe what your sense of smell tells you. Warm the truck up and drive it around the neighborhood. The best tool you can take with you is a savvy friend with knowledge. If this is your first experience with an old vehicle, be prepared for a sensation akin to driving a giant soap box derby car with a high center of gravity. If you decide to drive the 70 miles, make a few stops along the way and check the vitals. And as TxLaTx said, you're pushing the truck's limit of speed at about 50mph if it is stock so remember to drive 45mph or less just to be safe. In cases like this, I am always guided by what my bladder tells me, as it is more accurate that any instrument on the dashboard.
This advice comes to you from another female bolter who has had her truck for over 40 years.
Have A Safe Journey!

littlebuddie

Thanks littlebuddie! I will do exactly as you say and give her a good going over before I try and take her home. I really appreciate your advice.

I have a route all planned out that avoids any need to go fast, so I'm planning on keeping the speed down. Will stop frequently to make sure nothing is leaking etc. Also going to make a few gas station attendants jealous

I have extra radiator fluid, extra oil, a flashlight for crawling under, a tire guage, a compass, and a gas can.

I'm crossing my fingers, wish me luck!

Oh and BTW for everyone who was helping me id the diconnected thing, it is to the cannister oil filter. I called and was told it didn't leak at all, though it uses a little bit of oil.

Well just wanted to close this out w/ a drive report. Although it took FOREVER (Dallas to Tyler, 77 miles and 1.5 hours, Tyler to Dallas on backroads, 4.5 hours though we did stop for lunch) it was great fun. Had 2 offers to buy it at gas stations and lots of thumbs up.

The truck drives great and hardly uses oil at all, although you can see there is a leak on the right side of the valve cover. Need a new gasket I guess. Also looks like the carb is leaking a little fuel, so I'll need to get that rebuilt (sigh). I have a radiator hose leak that happened suddenly and the linkage is stuck in 1st..but at least it happened after I got home and showed it off. The guy friends are all drooling over it. They even offered to 'help work on it' lol. I am going to see if I can't look in the shift box and fix this. Also there is no parking brake and the left hand window crank keeps falling off.

Despite these issues, I'm the happiest girl in the world. I keep stepping out on the porch to look at it parked out front, and I'm sure the neighbors think I'm a giant dork

My FIL is green with jealousy and talks wistfully of his 54 and 48.

I just can't wait till i can drive it to work and show the fellas what a truck should look like

Thanks for all the support, I truly appreciate each one of you.

When you drove to Tyler, it was all about the destination. Once you got your 'Bolt, now it is all about the trip!

Bill

Glad you made it!

Hey Girl driver you stole my Truck.... Peter

welcome to the bolt girldriver!

i approve of the color choice. when i first got my 53 the 3 on the tree trans would grind going into 1st from neutral, i quickly learned to drop the shifter into 2nd then straight up into 1st without a glitch as 1st gear has no syncromesh.
the stuck in first gear problem is simply the shifter linkage under the hood being mis aligned its not in the transmission itself. all you have to do when this happens is to gently tug on the shifter rod (still under the hood on the steering shaft) and pop into neutral. sounds like you need to adjust them as they're probably worn or bent.

enjoy your new ride!

cheers from the offical welcome "panel" wagon

Hey Girldriver: My wife needs to talk to you as she just got her 1952 "O Yeller" running about 4 weeks ago. You girls are scaring me with your interests in Stovebolts! Good Luck and Congrats!

Girldriver,
Beautiful truck! You came to the right place.
Welcome to the "Bolt"

Hi Girldriver;
Welcome,and what a fine truck you have!
Glad your trip went well. Hope you enjoy the 'Bolt! There's a wealth of information here as well as a network of new friends who can help you through pretty near anything you need or want to do on your new truck. BTW-GREAT color!
You might be able to stop the "sticking in gear" problem by shimming the shift linkage. I had to do that on my '49 Chevy,and it made a world of difference.
You have two shifting rods that go from the shift box to the side of the transmission. All you need to do is remove the cotter pin,remove each end and clean it up,and find some flat washers that just fit the end of the rod. Put one on the rod,then a little smear of grease,install the rod again,add a little more grease,another washer on the outside,(or two or three if needed)and install a new cotter pin. You want almost all the slack to be gone when you replace your cotter pin. The connection should be tight,but not to a point where it might bind. Do the other three ends the same way and it should shift a LOT better. If it still hangs up,you'll probably have to adjust the linkage. When you can do it,buy an "Assembly Manual" that applies to your truck. You can get one from several vendors you'll find in the links here,or even on eBay. It'll be of immense help as you start working on your truck.
I'm sure you already know this,but be careful who you let work on your truck;people can do a lot of damage trying to fix things they aren't familiar with,trying to impress you. Unless it really requires two people,better to do as much of your own work as possible-that way you'll know what's been done,and you'll know it's done right.
Speed