The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Help IDing truck. 49? 52?

I was told the truck is a '49 3/4 ton though the title says its a '52, by the previous owner. He had bought the truck drove it 3 times then parked it for 14 years. Someone did a half-assed resto on it before he bought it.

The block is a 54 235 with a 1953 head. There are no tags on the firewall, floorboards, or upper drivers door pillar. The only tag is on the bottom of the drivers side door pillar, it looks as if its been removed and replaced though. Heres what it says:

Max gross weight 5800lbs
Certified net hp of 81.5 @ 3100 RPM
Serial # I46R C
on the bottom right hand of tag is 2561

The I may be a 1 in the serial number.

Since this tag maybe unoriginal. Are there ways to tell what year and model it is by chassis parts, wheel base size, etc..?

Thanks for any help you can offer, Kevin.

The 52 had push button door handles & vent wing windows.

No wing windows, it has one piece door glass. And the door handles turn, no push buttons. Looking inside the door hinges and the way the overspray is from the repaint, I'm guessing the door are original.

Kevin,

Parts may have been changed over the years, leaving many of us with "Frankenstein" trucks (not monsters but trucks with a variety of body and mechanical parts).

Here is a link to a collection of distinguishing characteristics of Chevrolet Advance-Design trucks.

What are you block and head casting numbers? It is possible but highly unlikely that you have a 1953 (Powerglide) head on a 1954 block.

Tim

Hi Tim, thanks for the help. I think it is a '49 3/4 ton. It has the gas tank in the cab, lever action shocks, 8 lug wheels and a long bed. Does that means it has to be a '49 3/4 ton? The headliner is two pieces held in place by screw in metal strips. Does that mean its an early '49?

Head casting #: 3701887

Block casting #: 0382355 T54Y

Intake casting #: 3835590

There is a red plastic knob between the defroster and brake release that says "Flarestat 105" on it. What is that? 4-ways maybe? If so, they don't work.

Kevin,

It looks like you have a 1949 body.

You are right about the head being 1953 235

Your engine ID (not the block casting number) T54Y = 1954 235 engine used in Powerglide equipped 1500 (Sedan Delivery)

The Flarestat looks to be a four-way flasher unit (6v and 12v versions were available).

Flarestat 105 on eBay

Flarestat 6v (I think) series 100 unit

Tim

Thanks again Tim. Will having the 53 head on the 54 block cause any problems?

Not if it is now working OK. Have you run the engine?
:confused:
If the bolt patterns on the block/head match, I'd say you are OK.

Maybe someone else will respond about these parts matching?

It does run so I assume its no big deal. The carb needs rebuilt so it doens't run so well, but it does idle ok and you can move it(I've only drove it around the driveway). I know these engines changed oiling systems and lifter styles, but thats about all I know about them. I didn't even know what engine I had until now, LOL.

Kevin,
As for the body, since you have the gastank behind the seat if it has a side cowl vent it's either a '49 or '50. Look at the firewall in the engine compartment. If the indented areas on both sides are smooth, it's a '49. If there are strength ridges stamped in them it's a '50. 2 ways to tell if it's an early or late '49 is the center strip in the headliner and the cab windlace around the inside of the door openings. If the strip is held in with screws, it's early. Late had the floating type. If the winlace is held in with cilps and screws, it's early. Late had the slide in the track style.

pablos49,

Would you be willing and able to post here or mail to me a few pictures of the 1949 firewall that distinguishes it from 1950 and later trucks? I would like to add this to a list of distinguishing features for A-D Chevrolet trucks (and I will reference your assistance).

That change was supposedly made in late 1948 on GMC cabs. Here is a photo made by Rob English for GMCs:

Change in GMC firewall in late 1948

Tim

lederman@siena.edu