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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Hello everyone! I'm new to the forum and I've got a '54 Chev that we're working on. I'm really trying hard to get this thing on the road soon so I can start hauling all the junk around for our other projects... that and the stuff for my animals! This forum looks like it's got all the answers, and believe me, I could use the help! I'll post videos of our project as we make progress. Here's the first couple.. The intro: http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/371/85/First update: http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/484/1/Let me know what you think of the truck... upcoming projects include finishing the brakes, fixing (or swapping) the transmission, a 12V conversion, some cool old interior upgrades, making some patch panels... the list gets longer every day! But the main goal is a cool old truck to toodle around in. I'll see you on the boards, and hopefully on the road in the next couple weeks! - Kelle
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 | Hi Kelle, What a cool "Blog" You have one good looking "StoveBolt" I wish you the best and ... Welcome to the "Bolt"  Cliff59 | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | Welcome to the 'bolt Kelle. Cool '54. I like your build philosophy, get it on the road and make it safe!!
I'd keep that 235. The '54 was the first year of "full pressure oiling", they run forever and make decent horsepower unless you plan on really doing some heave hauling.
In the video you mention the distributor. After the 12 volt conversion (lost of tech tips on this board) I'd consider a Langdon mini-HEI distributor. I've had one for 2 years, set it and forget it, no problems.
Good luck with the build, keep us posted. Love the videos. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | Welcome to the Bolt. After watching your video I have the feeling you're going to keep seeing items that need renewing until you have a brand new truck.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 | Hey Kelle,
Nice truck for your project, it's going to be fun to track your progress. That V8TVshow is an interesting website.
Welcome to the "Bolt"
John
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 346 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 346 | Welcome to the Stovebolt, Kelle.  Good luck on the '54. Keep us posted on your progress!
Terry K.
1951 5 window 1/2 ton
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson-
| | | | | | Dave Giorgi Unregistered | | Dave Giorgi Unregistered | Kelle,
Thanks for the introduction and welcometo this site.
Your site also seems to be very interesting. Your on the right track already, being a member to this forum. You will find an overabundance of helpful, friendly and knowledgable folks here who are thrilled to see pictures and jump to the occasion to offer help in any facet of the restoration of your early rig.
So, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy the ride.
Dave | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 | Will you marry me?  | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,109 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,109 | i thought the same for a number of years, 23, but 2 years ago i started a full on redo. still the orginal six but many up dates. now a year and half later and about $16,000 or more and it still is not done but soon. your ideas are great, and by the way in am single and live in central indiana. ron
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 120 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 120 | Kelle: Welcome to the Stoveblot website. As you have all ready found out this is THE place to be. The guys and gals here belong to the best source for all your 'Bolt' needs. My wife and I like your idea to not paint your truck. The patina is great. Love the videos. Hope to see more soon. Have fun with your new truck. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Thanks for the welcome. Glad you like the truck too.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | So far I'm planning to keep the 235. My carb leaks like crazy so if I can fix it and the water pump doesn't leak other than changing the plugs, wires, distributor, I shouldn't have much to do to the motor, just hope it goes fast enough to keep me safe on the highway, to slow and I'll get run over.
Thanks for the tip on the distributor. Glad you are enjoying the videos. stay tuned, much more to come.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Welcome to the Bolt. After watching your video I have the feeling you're going to keep seeing items that need renewing until you have a brand new truck. I really hope I can keep the truck mostly original. I need a beater and that steel floor in the bed is perfect. I don't want it to be so nice I'm afraid to drive it. Thanks for the welcome.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Kelle,
Thanks for the introduction and welcometo this site.
Your site also seems to be very interesting. Your on the right track already, being a member to this forum. You will find an overabundance of helpful, friendly and knowledgable folks here who are thrilled to see pictures and jump to the occasion to offer help in any facet of the restoration of your early rig.
So, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy the ride.
Dave Dave Thanks for the welcome, you are right, the people on this site have been very very helpful already and I really enjoy the site. As for your cup of coffee and relaxing - got no time for that, I got a truck to build... Thanks again
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Will you marry me? Sorry Czechman, married already to a very wonderful supportive and great guy. Good luck finding a woman who will work with you, side by side as my husband and I do.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | i thought the same for a number of years, 23, but 2 years ago i started a full on redo. still the orginal six but many up dates. now a year and half later and about $16,000 or more and it still is not done but soon. your ideas are great, and by the way in am single and live in central indiana. ron Ron as I said to czechman, I wish you luck finding a woman to work with you. I imagine someday I'll have a nice fully restored old truck, but for now, the parts hauler is all I need and I'm so anxious to get the truck on the road, I don't have the time for a full tear down right now. Little by little though.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Kelle: Welcome to the Stoveblot website. As you have all ready found out this is THE place to be. The guys and gals here belong to the best source for all your 'Bolt' needs. My wife and I like your idea to not paint your truck. The patina is great. Love the videos. Hope to see more soon. Have fun with your new truck. Thanks for the welcome. I agree that the patina look is back in style and with me driving on rock roads all the time, I'd cry if I messed up a new paint job so it stays natural looking for now. Glad you enjoy the videos, definately more to come soon. Thanks again!
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 507 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 507 | Kelle, Welcome to the BOLT. Nice to see more females interested in old trucks. Lots of info and more than enought BS to keep you going. You have the right idea make it safe and road worthy to start. Paint a shop logo on the doors and cover the whole truck with a coat of clear to protect that finish. Then dive it till the wheels fall off. Really enjoy your Blog keep it comming 
Last edited by 41Chevy; 01/22/2008 10:17 PM.
"If it ain't Steel it ain't Real" "Earth the insane aslyum for the rest of the Universe" 41 1/2-ton, a work in progress 68 Shortbed stepside 327/325hp/700R4
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 | Kelle, Welcome to the 'bolt. I really like your site V8TV. Great video blogs. Cool old truck too! Being a '54 model myself I really like them. Have fun and do it safely. 
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 331 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 331 | Hi Kelle, Welcome! It's good to see more girls here, as well as another 54! I've got a 54 like yours, that I've had since 1976, and always kept fixing it up, little things at a time. Now I'm in the process of a complete frame off restoration. It's a lot of fun, both owning an old truck and the folks here! There's a lot of good people here with lots of information! Samantha | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 319 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 319 | Kelle, Your appearance on this site reminds me alot of the flap over at the Hotrodders.com http://www.hotrodders.com/where "powermelissa" has spammed numerous auto forums with stealth marketing campaigns. v8 tvshow seems to be an entertaining site where restoration knowledge and product advertising are packaged together in an entertaining "watch this build" format. Congrats to you and your husband for apparently being in the video/advertising business and helping companies sell more of their products. I just think you should be upfront if this is your intention in coming to the Stovebolt site. I don't buy your "I'm going to need a lot of help" line. Watching a few of the other videos on your site convinces me otherwise. You have already told us "Stay tuned much more to come." Much more advertising of restoration products, I bet. Just my 2 cents.
"Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 | Emerson was right on that point, Randy, but lighten up on the girl. We all have our own agenda, and if I didn't have my own way of restoring appearance (wire brush and rust paint) I might be interested in her sponsor.
Kelle, welcome. I think you will come to like that engine/trans combination, but you might as well start loking into a diff swap: Nova, Camaro, whatever. Lower numeric ratio is what it's all about when you think of keeping up with traffic, and you'd be losing the enclosed driveshaft at the same time. Don't know what's wrong with your tranny, but they are stone simple to rebuild. A rebuilt or reproduction carburetor, on the other hand, might be a good way to simplify your fuel issues.
1951 3800 Be the change you want to see. -hotshoe
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 16 | dude?if ya check out her and her old mans web site real good you'll see where some guy in their forum told her about the SBP give the chick a break geesh ...I'd get rid of half the dudes in here just to have 5 more girls with her attitude hangin' around and ya know guys as flattering as ya might think some of your macho comments are, they're not, in fact it gets pretty annoying...I know first hand because the women at the knitting forum I hang out at treat me the same way..."oh gas I want to marry you"..."oh gas I wanna have your babies"...roll eyes and fade to black... | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Way to go GAS!!! Yeah, and some people on here say "who cares what somebody does to the truck, as long as it's saved by the crusher". Why not do the same here. If she is trying to market products, so be it. Just as long as the trucks bein' saved. Just don't watch the site or don't reply or something! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 | ."oh gas I want to marry you"...roll eyes and fade to black... It was a joke, jerkoff :mad: | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 | I don't know if she's selling products or not. And I guess it really doesn't matter. Anytime a gal knows how to do mechanical stuff.....I'm impressed!
Way to go, Kelle! And welcome to the 'Bolt! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Exactly, Rich. I don't even see any advertising in the videos, so how is she advertising?  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Kelle, Your appearance on this site reminds me alot of the flap over at the Hotrodders.com http://www.hotrodders.com/where "powermelissa" has spammed numerous auto forums with stealth marketing campaigns. v8 tvshow seems to be an entertaining site where restoration knowledge and product advertising are packaged together in an entertaining "watch this build" format. Congrats to you and your husband for apparently being in the video/advertising business and helping companies sell more of their products. I just think you should be upfront if this is your intention in coming to the Stovebolt site. I don't buy your "I'm going to need a lot of help" line. Watching a few of the other videos on your site convinces me otherwise. You have already told us "Stay tuned much more to come." Much more advertising of restoration products, I bet. Just my 2 cents. Wow Randy. I understand your comments, but I should clarify that this project is a personal undertaking for me.. you'll notice that all the V8TV projects are American Musclecars, save for the '49 Chevy, and that's a privately owned project that I'm not promoting here. I probably can get help from the guys in the shop, but they're up to their eyes building the Cutlass, GTO, and other car projects. I finally found a simple project of my own to play with, and this is the perfect forum to help me learn about it. It's true I work on the muscle cars too, and I do know how to weld and do bodywork all that stuff, but to be honest, I don't know the first thing about a 3 on the tree transmission or drum brakes. That's why I came to this forum, to learn about the old stuff that's not very common. I'm not here to promote anything, I'm just trying to get my truck put back together. If I mention a product that I'm using on the truck, it's because it works and I thought others might like to see it. I mentioned Rock Auto the other day, I have a $500 bill for all those parts... I have no need to promote them, they just happened to have what I needed and they ship fast. I'm sorry that you're feeling "sold", but you have me misread here.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 16 | MOMMY!... Czechman called me a name! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Kelle, Welcome to the BOLT. Nice to see more females interested in old trucks. Lots of info and more than enought BS to keep you going. You have the right idea make it safe and road worthy to start. Paint a shop logo on the doors and cover the whole truck with a coat of clear to protect that finish. Then dive it till the wheels fall off. Really enjoy your Blog keep it comming Thanks for the welcome. I do plan to paint a shop logo on the door. It would be a logo of my family farm. Blandford Farms. I know a great painter and he said he could make it look washed out or old so I'm gonna get it road ready first, then see about him doing a few touches on the old paint. I wish it would warm up here so I could get outside again and work on it. I'd love to give it a good bath and see how it really looks with all the dirt and (I think) moss off of it. Glad you enjoyed the blogs too.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Kelle, Welcome to the 'bolt. I really like your site V8TV. Great video blogs. Cool old truck too! Being a '54 model myself I really like them. Have fun and do it safely. Frank50 That black truck on your link is really cool!! Can you tell me if that metal in the kick panel area in the picture is factory or did someone put that in recently. Your interior looks much better than mine and someone seems to have rivited in Tin panels as kick panels on my truck. I'm interested to learn what used to be there or what was original. Thanks for the welcome.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Hi Kelle, Welcome! It's good to see more girls here, as well as another 54! I've got a 54 like yours, that I've had since 1976, and always kept fixing it up, little things at a time. Now I'm in the process of a complete frame off restoration. It's a lot of fun, both owning an old truck and the folks here! There's a lot of good people here with lots of information! Samantha Samantha I'm so glad to meet another girl with a truck even better that your's is a 54 too. I wish you the best with your frame off, maybe someday I'll get there. Do you have a link that I can see your truck pics.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | Emerson was right on that point, Randy, but lighten up on the girl. We all have our own agenda, and if I didn't have my own way of restoring appearance (wire brush and rust paint) I might be interested in her sponsor.
Kelle, welcome. I think you will come to like that engine/trans combination, but you might as well start loking into a diff swap: Nova, Camaro, whatever. Lower numeric ratio is what it's all about when you think of keeping up with traffic, and you'd be losing the enclosed driveshaft at the same time. Don't know what's wrong with your tranny, but they are stone simple to rebuild. A rebuilt or reproduction carburetor, on the other hand, might be a good way to simplify your fuel issues. Hotshoe 36. Thanks for the welcome. I'm betting I'll be begging for a faster motor in no time. I have a very aggressive driving style, but I plan on purely toodling with this truck and hoping not to be in a hurry. I found some old books with pics of the inside of the 3 speed, but I haven't been able to find parts for it, so I've got a spare 3 speed in an extra parts truck, I'm hoping it is in better condition. If not, I'm gonna be on the hunt for replacement parts. Any suggestions where to find those? Regarding the carb, I'm hoping a rebuild and some new fresh gaskets help out the leak. Thanks for the welcome.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 | dude?if ya check out her and her old mans web site real good you'll see where some guy in their forum told her about the SBP give the chick a break geesh ...I'd get rid of half the dudes in here just to have 5 more girls with her attitude hangin' around and ya know guys as flattering as ya might think some of your macho comments are, they're not, in fact it gets pretty annoying...I know first hand because the women at the knitting forum I hang out at treat me the same way..."oh gas I want to marry you"..."oh gas I wanna have your babies"...roll eyes and fade to black... Gas I'm laughing out loud and the Kinks song caps it off for sure. Thanks for sticking up for me. I laugh at the marriage proposals too, not offended, just wish there were more women in the industry who enjoyed cars and working on them.
You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the animals out of her truck. Watch the build of my 1954 Chevy at www.v8tvshow.com | | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats | | Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 | Welcome to the 'bolt and the various personalities within....
The problems we face today can not be addressed at the same level of intelligence we were at when we created them - Albert Einstein Or with the same level of $ - Me
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 204 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 204 | Czechman,
Seems to me you are way out of line with this one. A personal attack should not be allowed.
Mike
My old truck's still running good, my ticker's ticking like they say it should, I got supper in the oven, a good woman's loving, and even my bad days aint that bad...Yeah, I'm a lucky man! 1953 Chevy 3100 Shortbed1965 C-30 Panel Truck 1963 C-20 Long/Fleet Pick-up California Black Plate
| | | | | | ZooKeeper Unregistered | | ZooKeeper Unregistered | I'm sorry that you're feeling "sold", but you have me misread here. Kelle I can understand why Randy feels this way. I too seen the snowballing that was done over on Hotrodders & it wasn't recieved well at all because it was basicly spam or as a free ad for the sites powermelissa worked for which was against Hotrodders.com rules. She tried to BS a bunch of BS'ers & she got caught big time and I would hope a "local" gal like yourself wouldn't try that stuff on this fine group of people. I have looked around your site & I can see why some may think of it as a TV SHOW on line because of all the ads. Now with that being said there are LOTS of forums that are covered in ads to help maintain the site just like yours is, so that shouldn't matter. You will see some companies names floating around here on Stovebolt, but for the most part we donate $$$ to help keep the site going & basicly ad free. What caught my eye was the caliper of Project Cars that not only going through your shop but the Feature Cars you have on you site. All top notch stuff to say the least . I do have one question for you, since you do live in the area have you & your husband Kevin gone to the Easter Car Show over at the Muny in St Louis??? You both look familar & so do some of the projects. I'm just wondering out loud. BUT if you need info on your old truck you have came to the right spot. This place is filled w/great information & the right people who will help you out if they can. You'd be amazed at what you will find when you poke around on this site...Joe | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 166 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 166 | Welcome to the Bolt Kelle!
So nice to see more women around here!
Great bunch of guys... we just make sure they have enough Beer and they are harmless!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS "Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan 1966 Fleetside SWB Webshots | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 16 | 65panelmike its ok man Ive been called a lot worse by a lot better...
Its what I get for venturing out of the spoon...BAD GAS! BAD GAS!
farmgirl stop by the spoon sometime we have lotsa laughs down there | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Now wait a minute Gas, if you hadn't ventured out you wouldn't have found me and offered to get my truck home! | | |
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