The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1949 3600 - just bought a new truck

Well,
The Mrs and I were out for a drive in central kansas. We drove through one of our favorite little towns with a museum and sitting out front was a 3100 3 window cab in great original shape.
Green of course
still had all the hub caps,
No pics yet.
So it has a " For Sale" sign on it.
So without thinking I whip the car up the street it is parked on and pull a U turn to park behind it.
We jump out and look it over- All original- in great shape- 1 small rust spot on the right front fender where mud would sit on the fender support.

The seat had been recovered with the correct seat cover- the shifter knob was broken, but that is fixable.
There was a phone number on the sign, but I went into the museum to ask first. The man working inside was the owner. That's right "Was"
So we look it over with the owner there,
He had all the original documentation. all the maintenance records,
popped the hood-
216 with a three on the tree-
everything under the hood was original except a replacement fuel pump and new exhaust.
The stickers on the air cleaner and oil filter were quite legible and in good shape.
Everything looked clean. So I got the guy's number and we said good bye and then jumped in the car.

We sat there for a few minutes talking about it. You know the conversation
Me: This truck would be a great investment
Wife: are you crazy?
Me: it is all original, in great shape
Wife: We already have an old truck
Me: I know, but you could drive this one
Wife: ha ha ha ha ha ha(Laughter)
Me: this truck is in such great shape, with everything original, and would be a great investment, if we had to sell it, we could easily get the money out of it.

So we headed back to the house and discussed it further.
We ran numbers and looked up other trucks on line to see how they compared.
So I called the guy around 7 last night and set up a test drive for today.
So We drive out to meet him. I drove it. Ran great, brakes a little grabby.
Engine ran very smoothly. all electrical components worked except heater switch/fan, and the dome light. all easy things to repair. the engine weeped a little oil as well as the trans underneath( hey that means it has oil) ands the speedo needs a new needle, but works.
I bought it.
I am picking it up thursday.
Now the 3600 has a little brother.
What a great weekend.
I did go ahead and ask if he had any other similar vehicles hiding around his place that I needed to know about so that I could avoid that town if needed

It sounds like a really good find!
I look forward to seeing the
Jock

very cool.. cant wait for the pics.

what year is it ?

leonard

it is a 1949 just like my 3600

man its almost the 22nd hurry up with the pic's!

ya and how much did you spend on it ?

How much did I spend? Less than he wanted to sell it for, more than I wanted to buy it for.

Pics thursday

Congrats!

Wish I could find one like that! Not a truck a wife
Sounds great
Kevin

The first day I saw my new truck

So here are a couple teaser pics until this weekend.
And the rest of the story(where have I heard that before)
So last Saturday My wife and I were driving from Wamego Ks(home of Da OZ Tinman,
Home of OZfest a Stovebolt upcoming event OCT 4,5 in Wamego Kansas)
To my folks lake cabin in Wabaunsee County Kansas(West of Topeka, East of Salina)
As we passed through Alma Kansas we saw the above truck sitting in front of the Wabaunsee County Museum. I made a hard right and then whipped a u turn to park behind the ole chevy in my modern conveyance.
Rhina(the Mrs.) was commenting on how good the truck looked.
So we jumped out and gave it the one, twice and three times over.
You know you are hooked when you are on your hands and knees looking underneath the vehicle within a few minutes of looking at it.
So I went into the museum and Asked if the owner was present.
Alan Winkler, the part time curator of the museum was the owner, and was present.
He came outside and told us about the truck(you can see his yellow shirt in the pic)
He started it up, ran strong and smooth. I snapped the above pic and then took down his info. I told him I wanted to think about it(I hate lying, I actually just had to sell the Mrs.)
So we Thanked him and headed off(You can tie this in with the earlier post with the story.
So that night called Alan and set up the next day for 1pm.
So slept like a baby with visions of stovebolts dancing in my head all night(almost like a red rider bb gun shooting the bandits, but me driving the truck in the county, breeze blowing. . . . you get the idea.

The next day we drive up to McFarland Kansas and meet Alan at his home.
The truck sat in his driveway.
We spoke briefly before he gave me the keys for the test ride. I checked oil and coolant, horn, and lights before heading out. then once moving the brakes, left front needs slight adjustment.
So Rhina and Alan stood in the driveway talking while I drove the truck around scenic McFarland. Really nice town. no stores, just a small farm town with a post office in a small valley. If you go to the OZfest the first weekend of Oct. in Wamego ks. and are heading west on I-70 to wamego, then get off at the McFarland Exit(I think it is 305 or something around that, It says McFarland on the sign, then go through town, take the road to the southwest to Alma, City of Native Stone, then head north out of Alma(you will backtrack slightly on the highway 99) then right into wamego for the show.
Great Kansas Flint Hills
scenery.
So back to the story. I get back from the quick test drive.
It runs like a champ, very smooth, very quiet.
I turn the truck off, climb out and offer Alan my buying price in Cash. He thinks about 1 second and accepts.
So I tell him that I was not planning on purchasing a new truck that weekend, so the best I had to offer at the moment was a handshake and my word that I would return to pick up the truck Thursday morning, with the cash at 9AM.
He agreed and we shook on it.

So Today, I returned.
Rang the doorbell.
Alan had sold the truck to someone else, for less money last sunday after I left.












Just kidding!


We said our hellos, I met his wife. I showed him pictures of the 3600. we then exchanged payment and title.
We then went outside and I loaded the truck on the trailer for the ride home.
He was kind of sad to see it go, So I snapped a pic of him next to the truck, promised to bring it by regularly for him to ride in, as well as for him to use in the annual fourth of july parade and such, then He headed to work. I snapped the next pic before heading home.
Loaded up

So I got on the road and got home around lunch. Unloaded the truck. Have drive a few miles on it, maybe 30 or so today. This weekend I will put in a new speedo, new speedo cable, and new 0 lbs radiator cap. I will also replace the bad ranco heater valve and run new heater hoses.
I will also change all the fluids to see what condition they are in.
I will probably have the generator refurbished, and I will test the voltage regulator. Other than that, it will get a light bath, some non silicon wax, and some armor all on the tires. Hope to see you at a reunion in it sometime, thanks for reading.

We'll measure you for the straight jacket soon, and there's a waiting list for rubber rooms, so you'll have to make due.

Nice story and a Sweet Ride!

The Stovebolt Gods were truly looking down on you!! Sweeet story. Congratulations are in order. Congratulations!! Oh, be sure to take the wife out tonight....tomorrow night and and ...you get the picture

You are a wonderful story teller, and really had me going. Congratulations on another great find.

wow. very cool truck... i would leave it just the way it is..perfect.
leonard

That is the game plan, I changed the oil to rotella today, it had carquest 10w30 in it, I think it needs the rear main seal replaced from the amount of oil that is dripping from the clutch pan cover, I might pull the pan tomorrow and look at it. I am returning any non-functioning component back to service using the most correct parts I can find- In the future I think some wiring work is in order- mainly for the tail light. It likes to alternate between working and not working. Tomorrow I plan to change out the ranco heater valve, the gear oil in the trans and rear diff, possibly investigate the rear main seal, as well replace the heater core and radiator hoses. For the hoses I am going with the bellowed looking original type- I plan to reuse the heavy screw clamps that were on both the 3600 and this 3100, the originals on the 3600 I did not reuse at first, but they are so rugged that they had to go back on. This truck just drives so smoothly, and is such a pleasure to drive. The 3600 is not bad, but it is so interactive that you cannot relax enough to enjoy the ride(Which just means more work to do on it until it gets to that point.)

I Think this truck is the embodiment of my fond truck memories that created my desire to own them.


Now ask me to repeat that after I replace the rear main seal. Might be a different story.

Too bad you're not closer. I do a bit on ol' trucks on the side in addition to my daily wrenching. I love these ol' trucks. Tehy're so simple and straight forward.

Devin

That's a honey of a truck, Yelostn! Congrats!!

So I am going to pull the radiator and heater core for a once over by my local trusted radiator shop.
The truck seems to get a little hot, so that is the first thing I am checking, that and the heater core leaks

Great truck though runs very nicely. I will have some action shots at some point, been out of the loop on a hunting trip for awhile.

WOW .. what a great find !! Look forward to more pics

Very nice truck, and a great find. I'm always amazed that there are still vehicles out there like that!

~Bruce

A little update.
I was driving the truck from the barn to the house the other day(about 15 miles cross town)

I heard a little pop sound and did not think anything of it(if you have to ask, you must just be a visitor, and not a resident!)
So I continued and began noticing a little smoke behind the truck(it was dark out.
Then I noticed the climb in engine temp.
Oil pressure was still good and it was running fine. So Go another mile trying to find a safe place to pull over(room wise that is)
So I get pulled over and shut the truck off. I start seeing a LOT of smoke.
I also hear boiling and the steam sounds. I grab the extinguisher


One of those words you do not ever want to see in a post, unless it is mentioned in the must carries list.

So i quickly tap the hood to feel for heat.
Nothing unusual. I try a quick glance through the grill
nothing. It is dark out.
So I pop the hood ready to combat the worst.
Clouds of steam and burnt oil roll up into the nights sky.
No Fire



NNNNNOOOOO FFFFFIIIIIIIRRRRREEEE!

So I must have looked stupid.
I was kind of celebrating the lack of fire while the engine sat there smoking.
So I put the extinguisher back in the truck.
I fan the steam/smoke out to get a closer look.

It looks like a blown head gasket.
So i go back to the cab to get my cell and call the house.
Whoops left it in the other truck.

When I say across town, I mean the long way through the country, that is not lit, and not heavily travelled.
You know the one where NOBODY pulls over to ask if you need help, even three sheriffs deputies that passed me. You know, cause a old truck with the hood up and tons of smoke pouring out mean I just pulled over to finish a call on my cell phone!

So anyways back to the story.
I remember that I have a mirror(the original mirror from the 3/4 ton in the box of emergency parts.
I take the mirror and angle it towards a bright yard light and use it to look at the dipstick.
There is oil on it, and no detectable brown foamy fluid, and no green fluid. SO no noticeable coolant in the oil.
So I sit there, and sit there, until the engine cools off. Which takes awhile on a 60 degree night(did I mention I forgot my jacket also)

So a couple hours go by. I look at every set of headlights that go by hoping it would be the mrs. scorning me for not calling here and not carrying my phone.
No such luck.

So it cools down enough that I decide a test start up.
Starts up, runs smoothly.
By the way.
I was a soldier in Iraq in 2004. My humvee was hit with schrapnel and the cooling system was destroyed. Did I also mention it gets hot in Iraq. So to get back(radio also out.
We began rolling back until the vehicle began overheating, then paused to let it cool, then kept going. Took awhile, but It beat sitting in one spot in the sunni triangle.
So anyways, remember my fondness for sitting in one place overseas I roll on to towards the house. until the engine got really hot, which was about 5 miles.
I would then use the mirror to check the oil, I would use my spare oil to add if it got low, but only after letting it cool, then would repeat the drive and the cooling until I got to the unfinished(probably for some time in the economy) part of my neighborhood.
I parked it under a street light popped the hood to look for any signs of damage(other than the smoke, steam, and overheating!)
I could see oil on one side that looked to have been blown out by a bad head gasket. I could see no leaking coolant other than the jet hot steam part.
I locked up the truck(By Accident- key wont open the lock outside)
and walked the rest of the way home-
Left to get truck at 8:30, supposed to get back around 9:15pm, actually got home,
2:24am
So a slight delay.
The mrs was asleep. She figured the barn gremlins had sucked me in causing numerous hours tinkering on the old trucks or tractors.

So the next morning went and got the modern truck and trailer, and returned for the 49 1/2 ton. So the door lock would not work with the key. So instead of breaking anything I cut the rear window gasket and pulled the back glass, opened the door and loaded it up on the trailer. Drove it right on.
Still no coolant in the engine.
So this past weekend I began to tear down the engine. No broken head gasket, all the pushrods and lifters were good, the head is still flat(no warping) the pistons are clean, the cylinders mirror like. the babbits all in order tolerance wise.
The cause of the problem was a small crack in the oil filter hose- near the housing that was showering the oil.
So I began cleaning parts and the rebuild, Since I have it in parts will repaint the correct gray(no new thread please), new sticker(thriftmaster) new oil hoses and heater and radiator hoses, radiator and heater core to shop for refurbishment, and then reassembly.

Thought I would share,

Remember to CHECK your oil filter hoses
Original is cool, but stranded sucks, so find the proper original replacement and get them replaced, your cool 1949 advance design cab that is all original is great until you lose it to fire or whatever.

Enough soapbox, back to browsing threads

I always heard that a Stovebolt engine can take more abuse and run hotter than anything else and get away with it.

Wow...A bit of an adventure! I'm sure nothing your old 'bolt can throw at you compares to what you experienced in Iraq.

Glad you got the old gal home and the damage wasn't too severe!

Shame you had to pull the engine apart,but at least you know everything will be fresh for your next 'adventure!'.

Good luck with the rebuild.

Jock

Okay, here are the long awaited pics-

of my engine compartment. I repainted the rocker arm cover, the side cover, and the head and manifolds. Everything else is original.
Here is a link to the gallery containing everything.

http://yelostn78.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=6066529&AlbumKey=5ojar


Coming up will be new cloth braid wire harness, and general cleaning of everything.
Including the engine compartment. Notice the old spare tire- It is one of the original front tires-

Wow! Great find!

Thanks for the pics.

sounds really cool