The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts HELP WITH MY 47 COE

HELP ME! PLEASE! I have always dreamed of having an old COE now I got a beauty. I put a battery in it and all the lights even worked. The engine turns over but dont run yet and I need some ideas on what to do next. I thought about taking the body off and shortening the wheelbase and putting a 1 ton dually bed on it and turn it into a 2 ton hauler with a fifth wheel trailer hitch in the bed. Can I change out the front end to accept disc brakes? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Money is not much of an issue on this one cause its so cute. I need help finding parts for it . I dont think I can put a V8 in it because of the room but I am sure I could rebuild whats there and produce more power. Let me know what you guys think, I am open to most anything.
Thanks in advance Roy

Maybe you could just put the cab on a 1 ton dually .
The v8 ones I saw had the motor behind the cab but I dont know why it would not fit where the stock motor is.

Brian

Thats a good idea worth looking into. The reason the engine has to be set back is because of no room on the floorboard with anything bigger than a six and even then they used the old downdraft carb that sets under the manifold in order to have enough room to step on the gas pedal. What about a body lift??

Hey I could do some research I see a 50 COE at the local car show I know he has a 454 in it and like mentioned above the engine is set back behind the cab he made his into a flatbed carhauler. if you give me some questions I can ask this guy he seem really nice or I can get his info for ya

Welcome to the 'Bolt!

A sbc is a lot shorter then the inline engines. A friend of mine has a 50-53ish 2 ton COE and hes running a 292 with downdraft carb. My father in law has a 1948 Dodge COE with a sbc also. It would be less work then you think. A sbc weighs about 150 pounds less then the old inlines and you can come up with almost any combination of carbs, intakes, fuel injection, to fit your needs or room.

I think your a little all over the place on where to go and what to do. First thing you need to do is decide what you want out of the truck.

Do you want it to go todays highway speeds? How much weight do think youll tow with it? How far will you travel? Theres a lot to think about when you consider how often or how its driven that you should really consider before making up your mind. Try to identify what it will be used for primarily and base your decisions off of that.

We'd love to see some pics!

Jeff

Roy,

Just try to get it running and driving-- then see what you want to change. If you need a different motor I agree with Jeff that a SBC is probably the way to go with maybe TPI because it is a low profile fuel system. Or go all out and put a Duramax with the Allison in it. Or put one of the big sixes in it with a few speed parts-- but be careful and do like Jeff said-- plan what you want to do and finish one thing at a time so you don't get discouraged and no finish anything.

The really cool COE car haulers that I have seen have used Oldsmobile or Cadillac front wheel drive with 455,475,or 500 cid engines up front and a two axle car trailer grafted to the frame for the rear.
If a guy wanted a heaver front suspension I would think that a good fabricator could mix the upper and lower control arms, spindles and torsion bars from a one ton 4X4 Chevy pick-up truck with the Olds or Caddie motor and transaxle that would give you the ability to use 8 lug 16.5” wheels or find an old GMC front wheel drive motor home as a donor they had 8 lug dulie style wheels with the Olds FWD 455.

Hey Roy I don't see that anyone has asked the one questions burning in my mind...

Is this '47 an early '47 or a late '47? The cab designed changed part way through the '47 model year, and while it may not change anyone's answers to your questions, it does make a lot of difference when you start actually doing the work!

Boy I got a lot to respond to and think about, I just started downloading some pics for you to see. I think I would like to make the COE look like a 1 ton dually pick up or a car hauler to haul my 32 Plymouth to Louisville. I want it to drive and handle on the highway so I will definately want to upgrade. I have a brand new 1965 Vette 327 265hp setting on a stand ready for some action so maybe that will be a good fit.Thanks Jeff and hope you get to see my pics.
Roy

Hey sbafarm, Thanks for the input. I got new wires plugs a cap and rotor and coil and tomorrow I will see if I can get fire. I dont have a lot of compression but I will check that tomorrow to. I cleaned out the gas tank which was half full of fuel from 1981. Our whole 50 acre estate reeks from old varnish gas now. My shop needs air freshners. The carb is a Carter Updraft BB-1 which I definately need a new one. Got any ideas on a carb?
Thanks Roy

Hey Oldsub, Maybe you can look at my pics and tell me
Thanks, Roy

THANKS EVERYBODY FOR ALL YOUR HELP. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU FELLOW STOVEBOLTERS

You can rebuild those things till the screws won't tighten anymore. Good carb for what it was designed for. Haven't seen any for sale in a while, but Spanky Hardy might have one or know where one is. I'm sure he is lurking around on this forum or over at oldcoe.com

I removed the cab today and it was really easy to do. And when I get it running all I need is a 5 gallon bucket