The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Just bought/buying a '53 chevy 3100 five window

Hey guys I'm glad to be a part of this group! I'm pumped and eager to get wrenching and bring my beauty back to it's youth. To get there though I have some hurdles and I really don't know much about her. As far as the drive line goes, the brake booster is mounted crooked, in first gear something makes a rattle noise, the front tires are not "on track" and fight against each other in turns, and the float on the carb will flood if it isn't ran for a bit. I really don't know where to start and focus my attention and would appreciate any suggestions help comments or insight to these problems. I will have some pictures up in a few days hopefully too. Thanks guys!

Stopping trumps turning, but turning is of immediate secondary importance. I'd make sure the brakes are safe then fix the steering.

Is this truck stock or modified?

The truck Is modified. Has a small block v8. The previous wrenchers modified the springs(which need to be re-aligned), as far as I know the frame, subframe are both stock, however the problems sound as if the front end is not stock. Especially if the tires need to be realigned.

I'm puzzled by your statement of a subframe. These trucks used a body on full frame like all vehicles of that era. Does it have leaf springs or coil springs? You also mention a brake booster so we must assume power brakes, correct? If you'll look at the photos of my 53' 5 window you can get pretty good idea of a basically stock truck.

Are you hoping to get the modifications in your truck to work somewhat safely and "correctly"; or, are you interested getting it back to original specs/equipment (it's youth)?

If you want advice on how to deal with your present configuration, it might be a good idea to take a lot of clear photos of various angles of all changed components. Look at the photos of Dave's truck and post the photos of components that differ on your truck. Then, people might be able to offer helpful suggestions.

So I just got home from picking it up. I think the easiest is to take a bunch of pictures, post them up and let you guys maybe take some looks. I briefly looked today and there are coil springs in the front and leaf springs in the rear. I'm wondering if this is maybe a later model truck frame? I will try to get pictures as soon as I can and report back. Thanks guys for input thus far! Stay tuned...

Good idea on the photos. For sure it is not stock with the front end you describe.
Maybe a frame swap (unlikely) or a subframe which sometimes happens to make the V8 fit better. Someone here will know.

Hey guys just wanted to say the pictures are up! well, not of the underside yet, but soon on those.