The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1949 Chevy Thriftmaster-VERY slow restoration (VT)

Well, this trucks future looks very bright.
Unfortunately, the future could be 1 year or 10 at this point. Being only a high school sophmore with far too much on his plate already, this is a mind boggling build for me. Last summer, I lost my father to cancer, and among other things, this truck is what i inherited. The alleged truck is a 1949 Chevy Thriftmaster, with a good number of original parts. He and my mother originally intended to sell it, but I've been in love with it for as long as i can remember, and couldn't let that happen, so I ended up with it. Now, since most of the hard stuff's been done, my part in the build is the fine-tuning, with some minor mechanical issues. Nevertheless, being 15, its rather hard to get a good paying job. That makes this diamond in the rough stay in the rough longer then anticipated. Here's hoping some good money comes my way so this truck can start turning heads like it used to.
now, once i figure out how exactly to post pictures, I'll keep you guys updated on my slow but sure progress.
sincerely,
Trevor

Welcome to the Bolt Trevor. Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I understand as I was also a sophmore in high school when I lost my dad to a massive heart attack. Remember those favorite moments and move forward.

Sounds like you have a great project and a good vehicle to get you through your senior years of school. You will be the envy of many.
Take it easy as Rome was not built in one day but do work on it a little as money and time permits. (school first!) Make a plan and let all the stovebolters help you along when needed. Lots of good folks here on the bolt and we also have several young members that are doing pretty much the same thing you are.
No stupid questions here so fire away. This truck could last you the rest of your life if fixed and maintained. Plus NO PAYMENTS!!

I think you'll find some info on how to post pics in the I.T. section. You put your pics on something like photobucket or webshots and then post a link here in your post.

Came through a part of Vermont several years ago and had some Buffalo burgers in a resturant called Sweetwater Cafe. Nice country up there.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Welcome to the Bolt, Trevor!
Good luck with your truck! As Alvin said, be patient. These things take time. If it is drivable, or if you can make it so without spending a lot of money, do that first. Get some enjoyment out of it, rather then tearing it into a million pieces which may never get put back together.
And keep your schoolwork up first and foremost.

Well, it's a good thing that there are no stupid questions, because I've got more than a few. First off is something obvious to most of the seasoned veterans. How do you start the blasted thing? I've been for plenty of rides in it with my father, but never quite paid attention as to how he got it running in the first place. I know for a fact all of the fluids are at correct levels, and it is definitely not seized up.
feedback would be much appreciated

Nice to meet you Trevor. If the battery is fully charged, and the fuel hasn't gotten old and gummed up the fuel system, the process is simple.

Put your left foot on the brake pedal and put the transmission in neutral. Turn the key on, pull the choke knob out, and pump the gas pedal twice. Then you push down on the starter button. Sometimes you will need to pump the gas pedal with your right heel while your right toe is holding the starter button down.

Pictures should be downloaded to another site such as photobucket, and then you post a link to your photos here. That process can be found in the Stovebolt Forum Operators Manual.(the yellow square at the top right of the forums page)

Enjoy your time at the 'bolt.

.... these old trucks can be cantankerous sometimes. To much choke and the carb is flooded with gas, not enough and it won't fire a lick! Since it hasn't ran in a long time I'd have a helper close by and very carefully pour just a little gas down the carb while trying to crank it. If it fires then you know your getting spark. If it fires but won't keep running then the likely hood is its not getting gas.

Lots of things can happen. Just keep us posted on what your doing, how its acting and the guys around here will have you running before long. Good luck, keep us posted.

Trevor.... Welcome, I, like the others am sorry for your loss.
I lost my Mum the same way.

Patience is a virtue as they say, Your trucks been around for a while,so another few years ain't gonna hurt!
Concentrate on your education,and when you start earning the $$$$$ ,then you can treat the old truck to a freshen up.

You've already had some good advice,just one other point...if you do pour the gas down the carb just make sure you keep well away from the carb opening,just in case of a backfire!

If nothing else...Be Safe!
Good luck

Jock

I dont know what its like in Vermont or even if High Schools still have auto shop, however When I was in School we could take auto shop if we didn't plan on going to college (I lived in a cow town not many of us had bigger plans then the military or taking over the farm) Our shop teacher would let us bring in our cars and trucks and work on them there we had a paint booth and all the tools just had to get our own parts. I didn't take shop I was to busy in the gym working out on the weights for football but it was an option.

best money you can put into the truck-
$20 shop manual

The old car manual project has it online for free, but that does not help when you are driving.

That along with a correct year owners manual are inexpensive and with help from the folks on this website you will be all set. They have gotten me through 4 truck projects so far.

Best of luck.

Well, it is nice for once to be surrounded by people who care equally for a good old truck. I believe I actually still have the shop manual for the truck, since my father had already rebuilt the engine and tranny. As always, I appreciate the information and insight greatly. And of course, I'll keep firing off questions, such as this one: I've gotten it started, and had it idling for a few seconds but much to my dismay, both the choke and throttle knob are jammed. I suspect they're rusted in the lining. How would I go about dislodging them without destroying the lines themselves?
Also, I've heard that removing the original paint is not a good thing if you want to keep it as original as possible, even if you repaint it original after.
once again, thank you all in the stovebolt community for your continued help and sympathy, you guys will definitely help get this truck on a road to recovery.

Trevor
Take the choke and throttle loose from the carb and hold them up while squirting some PBlaster down the line. Really soak them letting it run down inside. If you can leave the hood up then see if you can keep the lines "up in the air" for a day. After that put a pair of vice grips on the end of the wire that is exposed and see if you can PUSH it back which would push the knob out on the inside.
The paint deal is a personal thing. Some have gave their trucks a good "washing" and actually sprayed some type of clear over it to preserve the patina look. If there is enough to paint on there to give it a good bath and "car skin/wax" job that should do the truck. Don't worry about it being to shiny, it'll dull up to just right after a few weeks in the weather
Note: if you had it Idling and it just quit there is something wrong besides the throttle and choke.... unless the choke is stuck closed.

You may want to ask the "paint" question in the Paint&Body forum. It will get mover views and responses and most likely someone who has already done it!!

Trevor, sorry about the loss of your father. I'm glad for you that you are able to have the old truck. You are now in good company, as we all love the old GM trucks.

The first thing I learned about this hobby is patience. I'm not overly smart with the restoration process but I've learned a lot here on this site. Everyone here tries to help, so be bold with your questions, just ask. You will soon need to ask your questions in the appropriate forums, I'm sure you will get the hang of it soon.

Leo

Hello
Again, I would like to thank all of you for the warm welcome to this community, and hope to be involved in it for some time. As expected you will hear many more questions, but in different, more specific forums. But this thread will be my primary spot for pictures of the truck. I tried uploading, but my connection is very unstable, so it will be a while.
Thanks,

Trevor

did you get your cables loose?

yes, I did, thank goodness. I took chipmunks advice, and it worked wonders. Although it was still rather sticky after sitting, they came free.