The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 54 Chevy 5100 COE

I just picked this one up. It has a 4 spd with a 2 speed rear. I am not sure which engine it has but was told that it runs. the photo bucket address is http://s865.photobucket.com/albums/ab216/jbakerIII/
I was told that it had been a public works truck from Minnasota
Any inputs are appreciated

The standard engine on a 1954 5100 was a 235, but a 261 was an option.

Post the various casting codes and serial numbers, and someone should be able to help identify your engne.

Has the wheelbase been stretched. Looks too long to be a 5100. A 5100 series COE is hard to find. 5100 series COE's are 110"in. wheelbase trucks. 5400 series 134"in. wheelbase, & 5700 series 158"in. wheelbase. What's the VIN (ID)plate in the driver doorjamb say. Do you have more photos.

I got the 5100 info from the trim on the sides of the cab. the wheel base is 12.5 feet. tire size is 8.25-20.
The plate inside the drivers door states that the gvw is 16000lb and
the serial #ss4f017003 and agrees with the # on the minnisota title .I can not see where the frame has been altered at all.I can tell that it has been painted at least two times. It also has a heater that draws air from the side vent on the pasenger side.My 54 pick up did not come with a heater

Bruce,
This is really your fault. I saw yours and decided I wanted one.
John Baker
Malabar fl.

It Will take some effort to unwrap this and scrape the engine down. I Should have the info soon.
Thanks

ss4f (vehicle ID from the door tag)

SS = 5100S ( 1.5 ton special )
4 = 1954
F = Flint, MI

Some states titled using that number and some states titled using the engine serial number (and some states used ether one in the same year - go figure).

What type of seat do you have (full-width or 1/3 for driver and 2/3 for passenger)?

thanks for the input.

The drivers seat is about 1/3 and the rest is 2/3. Both cushions lift out.battery cover is under the passenger side seat.

That seat is called a Ride-Control seat (Unison-type)

Nice truck

The 261 engine was a common option for 1954/55 COE trucks. Post the engine codes, when you get a chance to clean up the engine.

12 ft. 5 in. = 149"in wheelbase. Got to be some kind of wheelbase modification there. Chevy COE's from '47-'54 were only available in 3 wheelbases. 110"in.(5100), 134"in.(5400), & 158"in.(5700).I'm just curious.

I can see that i am in the right place to find out what I have and how to fix it. There are no signs of cutting or welding except for where a rear bracket that apparently helped hold what ever kind of body it had was cut with a torch.
I tucked it away in the pole building and it is not a good place to get more pictures but I will try to get something. I do appreciate the interest and help very much

just a question. The serial # indicated "s". could that mean a special order? I have no means to verify what I was told that it was originally a public works truck from Minnasota. The last registration was 1984. It was a private party that held that title that was passed on to me. I am thinking that I want to keep it as original as possible. Maybe some kind of flat bed dump or stake body. I am pleased that there is no rust underneath. and very little in the cab.
Thanks again.

No, the "S" does not mean special order, 5100S was one of the standard model designations.

The weight limit in the model chart is the standard configuration GVW. With different wheels/springs options, the weight limit differed.

Hmmmnnn,Heh, Heh,
I took a good flashlight and a tape rule and crawled under the truck to see what I could. The frame has had a section added that appears to be 42 inches, the drive shaft to the carrier bearing [ cross member bolted in] is 42 inches c-c of u joint. Who ever did it was a pro. it is not obvious from the out side to the casual eye, it it butt welded with a 16" fish plate added inside the channel.[ 4 places ] I now think it has had a dump body as the end of the frame has been cut off and what I thought was a bracket might be a guide to keep the body in line. The pto plate on the transmission does not have as much grease and dirt as the engine/trans does.
The speedo shows 23 xxx , I am inclined to think it is 123xxx.
Thanks again.

Kind of makes you wish these trucks could talk, doesn't it?

I bet it started out as a roadtractor originally. The ends of the frame were usually cut at an angle just beyond the rearward spring hanger. If you look close, you may be able to see where a fifth wheel was mounted. Sometimes 4 blocks of wood were placed between the frame channel in this area.

Spanky,,
you are amazing.There was a small bit of wood,in the channel, near the end of the frame. It had seen better days.
JB

I took another look and noticed that u bolts or something like that were over the rear axle on about 24 " centers. would that support the idea of having a fifth wheel. I also determined that the original color was Yellow. Later painted Blue and even later, a very sloppy red that faded a lot.
Thanks again to all that responded.I appreciate it. It is also why I enjoy this site and check it every day that I can. A great group of folks.
JB

If there had been another bed installed after the fifth wheel was taken off (i.e. a flatbed or van body) the u bolts could have been what held that on.
As I mentioned, it sure would be nice if they could talk. In 56 years, that truck could have been configured several different ways, and, without knowing the history, all a person can do is speculate.

Rich,
your idea of a van body has possibilities. The red paint I mentioned was not on the back of the cab. Only on the front and sides.
Thanks
JB