The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1928 Chevy truck

Hi.... The truck was given to me but it was totally a basket case, literally and figuratively. I have spent the last two weeks, every single day, grinding rust off panels and parts, using Rust Reformer on them, and then primer to keep them from deteriorating further (email if you would like a link to my flickr account for before/after pictures). I have researched and contacted several others who own the same or similar truck for advice, but thought I would try to get the opinions, thoughts, and suggestions from others. The truck is rebuildable, but I don't have unlimited funds so a couple things are not going to happen. The frame is decent, but the axles/wheels etc. sat in the pasture for a lot of years and there is not much left. Replacement cost is out of the question too. One owner told me that he replaced the front and rear end assemblies with the closest thing he could find... from an advanced design, 1950 Chevy pickup. He had to move the perches a little. That being said, I am currently looking for the front and rear end assemblies on CL but want to know if any other options would work? Mustang II / Pinto? and what you would suggest for a rear end? My 1947 Chevy had, of all things, a Dodge Dart rear end? All suggestions and comments welcome... I am always willing to learn.

There is some 1950 running gear pretty cheap in the Truck Parts For sale on this site, but you'd have to haul them from Atlanta,GA.

Hi Drew... thanks... Atlanta is a bit too far to Minnesota and the good thing about all this is that it is probably going to be at least a two year if not a four year project and there is NEVER a shortage of something to do on the truck parts so I can wait until something surfaces near me. I was close a short while ago with a 1951 Chevy rolling chassis with a no guarantee 235 installed in it for $150 and not that far away. I was the second caller and you can guess the rest of the story. I work three seasons, but have winters off so I get to spend a considerable amount of time on my hobby and should be out there right now. Thanks for the heads up though. Keep the ideas coming. I just read one post where a guy used a Malibu rear end in his, and also I know many guys have used S10 rear ends and there must be a ton of them out there too. Thanks again!

Ya might try and get a hold of truck 26 to see if he was able to find parts for his.

I don't know how much luck you'll have, I haven't heard from him for a few years.

I will try to get ahold of him. Thanks. I was lucky in that my parts were located at three different venues. The frame and wheels etc. took the most abuse out in the pasture. The motor was in the abandoned farm house that it took an hour to clear a path to the room where the motor was and then I found the wood frame of the cab there as well, in pieces. Motor: intact, but crank laying beside, and pistons gone. The fenders and sheet metal parts? In the rafters of the garage where they stayed dry! I have to rebuild two wood pieces, but I have access to a complete shop and that will be done this afternoon. Take a look. Remember, the first pictures are the most current and as you go to page two and three, you are going back to when I started loading up the truck pieces last fall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1928chevy/?saved=1

I admire you for taking on such a project but I'm sure it will be very rewarding in the end. I think those are great looking trucks. Good luck and thanks for the pictures.
I also sent you a PM.

I just looked at your pics.Despite the work and effort you'll have to put into acquiring and restoring parts,for free, it's a good find. Did you think to look into the adjoining vehicles seen in your pics just to see if something was tossed in there or was the owner sure he knew where all the parts were? Any chance you could get the other motor out before the scheduled house fire? Seems a shame to lose it that way.

Hi... Long story, but the older gentleman (late 70's) supplements his income by selling firewood. He delivered a load to my shop which was the first time I met him. Paid him, and he asked to see my other vehicles. I showed him. He said he wished he had time to restore something but no time, and no money. That is when I asked if I could buy the project and I was serious. He smiled, and said no, but that I could have it if I would restore it. I told him that I would not and could not restore it to stock ($$$$) but that I would keep it as original as I could. He smiled and agreed. I still need to visit the farm a couple more times to get the frame, and scrounge around some more. But, trust me, you don't want to spend two seconds longer than you have to in the old deserted farm house and watch wear you step as the floor is rotten and don't lean up against ANYTHING. The house is packed with, well.. "stuff" from the past umpteen years. I looked through some of it. The second motor never ever was found as he told me. I found a second "head" and took that and the first partial motor out. I have that on an engine stand and am debating. The tranny is still in the truck frame, but you can tell that it is history. I heard that the two cylinder heads are worth a little bit of money to old Ford motor enthusiasts? Any truth to that? I should be out working on this. Will check back later. I really appreciate the comments and suggestions.