The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Ernest is back on the road!!!

Hey guys- I've had Ernest (1950 3600)about 4 years now- each year I pick a project for him. In the past I've rewired, added brake lights, horn, turn signals, replaced bed front and bed wood, replaced the seat, new carb, radiator, bumper, etc.etc. I'm sure you can relate. Well, this year was- new ('53) 1/2 ton axle + a disc brake kit, new master cylinder, new rear end (it really went over well when I told my wife I got her a new rear end) off a S-10 (3.42, drum brakes), new brake lines, wheel bearings, new wheels and tires. Got him back on the road yesterday- now he goes 65+ mph... and stops on a dime!!! Anyone know if the spedo can be calibrated??

Anyway- I feel like a kid at Chrismas and wanted to share- heres some pictures-

http://s1002.photobucket.com/albums/af147/hardcrab_photos/?albumview=grid

The truck looks great. I'm sure the answer to your question is yes but I don't know how yet. I am sure I will have to calibrate mine too.

contact local taxi service and see where they get their annual speedometer cert. state patrol might know

good job!

Nice looking truck!!

Great truck , most of the time You change the speedo gear that go's into the trans to change the cal. Next time You see a cop setting on the side of the road checking for speeders stop and ask if He would check it on a run past Him .


Pete

Thanks for the compliments and speedo advice. I had my wife follow me in her car- my speedo said 43, her said 63!!! What a difference a new rear end makes (on the truck).

It's obvious you are a stickler for detail and spent lots of time and money bringing your old truck back to life. It looks superb!

What size rubber did you put on him?

Is that an original color? If not, what brand is it and what is the name?

Glad you got your new toy on the road after all the years of work you've put into it. Good for you!!

Spot

the speedometer gear is in the transmission, what transmission do you have? If a 3sp. you could just change the gear yourself, it's on the side where the speedometer cable connects. you just need the gear for the 3:42 rear.It's easy, 7/16 bolt holds it in, take bolt off pull speedo gear out change and reassemble. The only problem may be finding a speedo gear for your transmission, may try napa or a chevy dealer near you, poosibly an old transmission shop may have one. good luck, nice looking truck.

Thanks guys!!! I'm ready for a road trip now!!
- I originally wanted to go back to the taller 16.5" or so wheel like was on it before, but after pricing both the taller wheels and then tires to fit it just made more sense ($$$) to go with a 15" x 7" wheel. I ordered them from Rally America- they provided the offsets I needed for the front and rear. I got just a standard radial 235R15 tire. I would have liked to have had wide white walls but had to draw the line economically somewhere. Maybe after I wear these out I'll get them next time.


-color- the old guy I bought the truck from from told me "You'll never match that color.... I mixed up every blue I had left over in my garage and sprayed her with it". He was right. I put a new bed front, tail gate hinge, and a few other parts on and never could get an identical match. It's good enough for who its for, though. Especially with my painting skills.

I'll have to look in to the speedo gear. Its got the 4 speed floor shift. Right now I'll just go "45" and not worry about it too much.

These guys seem to have every speedo gear know to man and they also have ratio reducers that you can use to change your speedo to match up with all the rear end and tire changes that you might make. The ratio reducers can be a bit spendy but they work great when you can't find the correct gear for your application.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/speedometer_calibration_______va.htm

Stan