The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1941 general driving question

Hi,
I got my MOT test today (UK Annual inspection and safety test, can't register or drive without it) and this is a major part of getting the truck registered and on the road after 18 months.

http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo45/dalbuie/41%20Chevy/

I drove her 10 miles to and from the testing station and she ran well but I did find the steering rather vague and some vibration at anything above 30MPH and on to her top speed of 45ish.

None of this is an issue and I realise this is an old farm truck almost 70 years old but I have nothing to compare this to so wondered what the general driving experience was for a stock 4 speed 1941 216?

If a bit of vibration through the steering and general noise is the norm then I'll learn to enjoy it, if it should be smoother and quieter then anything I should investigate?

Thanks
D

Thanks

Hi D
From the looks of your photos everything up-front
has been rebuilt.(?) Vibration is an indication that something isn't quite kosher in the front end. I'm assuming your kingpins are good, tie rod ends rebuilt or replaced, spring shackle pins and bushings are in good shape and the wheel bearings are adjusted up and the shocks are working properly. Beyond that you could have a bent wheel, or an out of balance tire/wheel. You could try rotating the tires and see of the vibration goes away. You mentioned the steering was "vague". There is an adjustment procedure in the shop manual to adjust the play out of the steering box.

Noisy and a top speed of 45 is about normal.

Nice photos on your link.

Good luck, enjoy the ride.

Good lookin' truck. Nice work.
Jeff

What helped my 46 was adding a slight wedge between 'I' beam and springs to give a bit more caster, helped in tracking better down the road. Also radial tires make for much better driving. I'd jack it up off the ground and have someone turn the wheel side to side and just look for slop in steering components and rock the wheels top to bottom to see if king pins are tight. just expect all front end components to be worn out after all these years.

Oh and don't drive on the wrong side of the road, sorry couldn't resist. Years ago stationed in Scotland the taxis would only use parking lights at night, scared the hell out of me.
Cheers
Jim

Thanks for all the advice.

I've replaced the kingpins, spring shackle pins and bushings along with the track rod ends and drag arm. Still a bit of play in the steering so I'll look at the manual and adjust that. I'll also swap the wheels round as the ones on the back are brand new and balanced and recheck the bearings. Looking back it was about a year ago I done that job. How time flys when restoring.

I did wonder if the tracking could be out slightly as I just lined them up with a basic rope system so I might ask take it to a garage to get that checked if there is still a vibration when I'm finished tomorrow.

Also wondered about the engine mount at the front - I didn't change that and wondered if that could have any affect.

I'll try to keep to the wrong side of the road

d

Cheers
D

you don't need to drive it anyway, I would be content just looking at it. beautiful job you did. congratulations

mighty fine ride any body would be proud to bang around in that wonderful American iron .i cant wait for my ole mans 40 to be back on the road ,we used to love junk yarding in it,there wasent any back road down in mississippi that we wernt welcomed !!!!!they still ran them all the time .

Dalbuie,
You've done a really fine job on your old truck,I'm sorry I can't add to what the other guys have said...I think they've covered all the bases.
I'll bet she turned a few heads going to the MOT though.
I've got some catching up to do as Joe from Linlithgow has got his '42 Ambulance on the road as well!
Well done.
Jock (John)

Hi John,

Yes it caused a bit of a stir, just got the manual out and going to check the front end over.

I was in contact with Joe and was planning a trip to see his ambulance but I've not heard from him for a while.

You certainly seem to be making a good job of your 50s Chevy. Think that might be my next search as although the 41 is my favourite to look at the 50s trucks can be actually be used on modern roads, and are pretty nice as well

I'll have the truck up at Glamis show so might see you there.

Cheers
D

UPDATE:

Jacked up the truck, took the front wheels off and went to work tightening wheel bearings, track rod ends and all the suspension bolts. Then followed the instructions in the manual to take the play out of the steering and then swapped the wheels putting the new balanced ones on the front.

Took it out for a test drive and what a difference! Tight steering, good straight line tracking and no vibration. Thanks for all the help and encouraging words.

Hoping for a dry warm day tomorrow to paint the bonnet.

Cheers
D

Hmmmmm......paint the bonnet? Over here we just buy a new hat if we need one

Glad ya got that beauty driving better.

Thanks Waldo

Got my Easter Bonnet painted today

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo45/dalbuie/41%20Chevy/P6210001.jpg

Cheers
D

That truck is cooler than the other side of the pillow. NICE JOB! 'Course I'm partial to green and black. Not sure why...

Love the 'in action' pic of your 46.

Did the photographer have to run to get the blurs, didn't think the trucks went fast enough

I've been driving my 46 Chev for about a year now, I replaced the Kingpins and that seemed to get rid of most of the vibration. I got tired of double clutching and 45 mPH top speed soI replaced the old 4 speed tranny with a Borg Warner T-5, 5 speed. I can run 70 MPH now but it's scary because I still have the old drum and shoe brakes, it's hard to stop. I'm chasing different types of vibrations now!

Hi Jimbo,

Did you just need to change the tranny or did you have to replace the rear diff as well?

Think I would be happy with 50 - 55. Has anyone tried the Ring and Pinion change from Jim Carter, the 4.11 to 3.55 one. It says they are for the 1/2 ton but I think they could be the same for the 3/4.

I think 70 without a brake and steering upgrade would be VERY scary

The ring and pinon from Jim Carters will not work for a 3/4 ton. The 3/4 ton has a third member that attaches through the front of the diff. But I did gat a third member from a 65 chev, 3/4 ton which was a bolt on, all I needed was the gasket. That took me from a 4.56 to a 4.11 ratio. I can go 70 now, but do not like it. I used a GPS to check my speed, 73 MPH was enough for these old trucks!

Hay Dalbuie:

With that long bed yours looks like a ¾ ton. Does it have an open driveshaft (with an exposed universal at the back)? I can not quite see it in your photos, but if this is correct look up my tech tip. With a little work you can have a 3.90 gear instead if the original 4.56. I get just over 50 MPH at 2500 with 205 X 15” tires

Additionally once you get that ’55 to ’62 differential you could get a 3.38 gear set from Patrick’s.

Hi Kip,

I've had a look at your great tech tip and will have to look out for a diff - although I think they'll be fairly rare over here in Scotland so a new complete rear axle may be the best option if I can get one that fits easily.

Any idea what would fit reasonably easily and still look stock. My first option will be to look for just the diff as that does look the best option to leave it as original as possible.

I think I have the same diff as in your pics so I must have a standard 3/4 ton.

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo45/dalbuie/41%20Chevy/P6250001.jpg

Cheers
D

Please ask your differential questions in the engine and driveline forum.

Thanks.