The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1952 1/2-ton - "To be My Fun Daily Driver"

Hi you guys. I'm new here and not so good at this computer stuff, but here goes. Here is a picture of my new 1952 half-ton. I bought it from the estate of an old fella in California. His kids had taken his keys away 25 years ago, drove it into the garage (where it had spent all it's life) and shut the door. It hadn't moved till I winched it up on the trailer for the ride home to our farm in Ellensburg, Washington.

The body is in great shape, NO RUST (yea!!) no patch panels, no major body damage (a few dings here and there) not even broken glass.

He had apparently just had the tranny rebuilt and a new clutch installed when he parked it. The tranny has still got clean red paint on it from the tranny shop.

Haven't started it yet, have to clean the gunk out of the tank and fuel lines, clean the carb, new points etc etc. Hope to get it running next week. Keep your fingers crossed. Engine rolls over, no water in the oil, decent compression ... ought ta go!

I have already taken off the dreadful western mirrors and the Sherman-tank step bumper. Looks better already. Planning to restore it back to stock and use it for a fun daily driver. If the engine in shot, might replace with a 235. Any thoughts on that subject? Well ... there she is. You'll be hearing from me with lots of questions down the road.

Thanks,

Pat

PJS....I just checked out the pics, your 'bolt looks great!

The Ca. climate is really kind to old tin! I love the front bumper guard. I believe these are quite a sought after accessory.
BTW don't throw the 'Sherman' bumper away,post it for sale in the swap meet. Someone may want it!
Keep us posted with your progress.
Good luck
Jock.

Looks like you got a dandy there!! Good luck with it, and keep us posted!

........and you didn't mention it was also a FIVE window. Nice find, a very nice find.

That truck is in GREAT shape. Good find!!

nice truck!

Very nice truck, excellent condition, you will have a lot of fun with it.

Pat,

I sent you an e-mail about my truck and would like to see pictures of your project start to finish. I sent pictures of my Blue Truck in the email. It is now finished and going back to the family farm where it has been since new.

Tom "Teach"

Good for you, I love success stories. As far as my opinion goes a good running 216 is a wonderful machine. I'm not a betting man but I would be willing to wager that that old engine will run good. You know what to do and don't be discouraged by thick sticky gas residue.

I had a '53 that had set inside for 12 years, I took the tank out and the lines off. 1 gallon or more of denatured alcohol in tank ( pending how full it was when set up). Put a good thinner solvent or denatured alcohol in fuel lines and close both ends and move up and down several times a day for a week or so. Clean out tank with high pressure and Zep, Simple Green, Purple Stuff etc. will do the job.

On the other hand, a pure stock truck will bring more if you decide to sell. However, you can get a 235 that will run down the Interstate all day long at 75 mph.

Good tires required. One of my '55.1's has been up to 95 mph with a high end rear end.

Have faith..... I'm sure the old 216 will meet your expectations but remember 55 to 60 is their best speed. I have a nice sign on the back of my '52 that sez "if you don't like this speed you will definitely not like my other speed". Doc.