The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Time and patience paid off

Well all, after a little over 7 years of restoration work, my '53 successfully fired up this week. It was truely a rewarding experience for me. The truck is virtually a complete rebuild. I bought a 235 block out of a '61 Biscayne at a junk yard, had it boiled and a new cam put in. The had new valves, springs and seals put in the head and the cylinders were honed. Aside from that, I did all of the work myself and that's the rewarding part. I painted it burgundy maroon with black fenders, new yellow pine bedwood, new bumpers front and rear, complete tear down to the frame except for the cab. I painted the cab interior the original color, reupholstered the seats myself, put in all new weatherstripping and windows, painted the frame, all new brake lines, wheel cylinders, and brakes; complete rewire to 12-volt, and painted every nut and bolt. I used the original clutch-head screws where I could. All new tranny seals, complete drive-line rebuild. All of this I did myself -- well not quite. I did it with the help of many of you out there on this truely fantastic web site. If you could go back and look at the number of posts I've put on here over the past 7 years, you would know just how much help you've been. So when I say "I" did this, it's a "we" thing. But aside from what I mentioned about the engine work, the only time I had a mechanic involved was when we started the engine. Thanks to all who have helped over the years and I still have a few things to do like finish the door glass. I'll still be here checking on you all and posting questions from time to time, but for those who are working on a project and get frustrated from time to time, hang in there. In the end, you will be glad you did.

looks real nice rick. a job well done. thanks for sharing.

jordan

Nice Job !!!!


Paul

Wow, some guys have all the talent!! Fantastic job and no one can appreciate it more than you. Way to go Rick.

Rick:
Great looking truck, your hard work and persistence has paid off. Thanks for giving us that are still struggling in the barn some encouragement. Also and most importantly, thank you for your service to our country.

love the 2 tone combo on your truck. this means there is hope for some of the rest of us to get toward the end of our projects.

Good job!

I know what you mean about feeling great. I can remember starting up my 55,with just the headers on it and driving it to the exhaust shop for the Flowmaster system.Nice lookin truck ya got there. I am sure you will enjoy it.

So your saying that there is still hope for me.

Your truck looks great. I'm planning on doing all my work as you have, except engine rebuild and having rusted rear cab corners replaced. Im curious about you paint job. Did you ever have previous experience in a body shop. Can I obtain a decent job by just reading "how to" books.

Also if you have any more pics on that truck we would love to see them all to help us along the way.

Thanks,
Dana

I'll see if I can remember how to post photos. IO still have to finish the door glass, so can't wash it yet without soaking the interior.
Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 5

Picture 6

Hope this works.
Rick

Well, the photos got there, but I have a feeling I attached them wrong because somehow I think you are supposed to click on the link and the image isn't supposed to just be there until you do. My apologies if I didn't do this right, but at least you can see the photos.
Rick

I fixed 'em for you Rick but you sure worked me hard. Next time use the URL button, please. Thanks.

OK...I got truck envy again! Great job.

What a cool truck! Once again I am impressed by the talent of the "bolters".

Graeat looking truck ! When you put your side glass in, get two nylon rollers from the HELP board at Carquest or Napa that have a threaded stud on one end. Replace the steel rollers on your window regulator with nylon. It makes the windows glide oh so smooooth.

Yeh, I'll check into those nylon rollers. Thanks for the tip. Hey Cletis, sorry about posting those photos wrong. I knew I messed up somehow putting them in. Thanks for all of the comments guys and good luck with your projects. I'll still be here and as we all know, there is no such thing as being finished with one of these old bolts. One of these days I'll have to pull out all of the receipts (oh why did I keep them?) and see just how much this little project cost me. Still, there is no better hobby. I'm thinking about a 1928 Chev Imperial Landau restoration, but my wife may have something to say about that. We shall see.

WOW! That is fantastic.

The picture from the drivers side with the mounted spare is exactly the look Im shooting for.
You certainly have set the bar high for me.

However my side fenders look like a wadded up piece of paper. I don't know if I could ever achieve quite as clean of a look without extreme bondo usage.

Thanks for those additional shots. Can I still that picture for my computer background.

a REAL NICE JOB - Rick
nice photos and workmanship
thanks

i agree
if i didn't have access to you guys and gals on this site i'd be in trouble also. every time a rig gets back on the road, we all share in the joy

i'm gettin there .... some day sooner i hope