The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts My '51 Chev 4400

I got the old girl up and running and it wasn't doing so well. I did a compression test and had 2 dead cylinders. I pulled the valve cover and found that 2 of the push rods had slipped off the rocker arms. It that a common thing to happen with the old 261's? I put it back together and she runs great now. Just need to finish a few things and she'll be going to work around the farm.
Here is a picture of the old girl. I guess just copy and paste?
http://www.facebook.com/search/?flt=1&q=david+ingraham&o=2048&s=40#!/photo.php?pid=1262613&id=1393045112

Nice looking little truck just about the right size for the farm.

Neal,

Valves can stick when the truck sits idle. Sticking valves can cause the pushrods to escape from the rockers. I'd check for sticking valves and try to use the truck a little more. Some top cylinder lubricant wouldn't hurt either. I don't have a facebook account so I couldn't see the pics, but good luck with it.

While I had the valve cover off, I did tap all the lifters with a rubber mallet and made sure the were all free and then spayed them all with WD-40. It runs good now. Still a few tune up items to finish up.
Yesterday I re-wired the engine compartment and installed an alternator. The generator wasn't working and a lot of the wires were missing their cloth insulation. I also moved the battery under the hood instead of under the cab. I still need to do the lights, horn, etc but the wife says I need yo go work on other things also. I guess I'm just having too much fun working on the old girl.
Thanks for all the replies.

Not bad, I got a 47' with a 261, it set for close to 20 years and when I fired it up the valves never gave me any trouble. My truck's wiring was also the same. So I ripped it all out and installed new, something I would recommend. Right now I'm currently in the middle of restoration. Take a look and good luck with yours.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1262613&id=1393045112#!/photo.php?pid=52053414&id=12440303

Not a bad truck farmer. I don't think I'll restore this one. If I do decide to get one to restore, I know where there is a '47 1/2 ton. Are the turn signals on the fenders original? If so, mine are in my glovebox.
Also, I was wondering what the weight (approximate would do) of these 1.5 tons trucks are. I figured the dump bed on mine is probably 800-1000 pounds considering that all the metal is 1/4" thick. But how much does the basic truck weigh?

I am unable to open your facebook photo even when I cut and paste the address to a search engine.

I don't know how big your bed is or what type but if it is 1/4" steel it is a lot more than 1000 lbs.

Dave,

I had to log in to Facebook to see the photos - the link then worked for me:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=52053414&id=12440303

Basic truck weight is 3800 to 4000 lbs.Plus bed type .

That 1000 was just a guess. What ever it is, I bet it is heavy. I might not want to know how much it weighs, then I wouldn't want to take it over my bridges on the farm.
Thanks again for all the replies and look forward to chatting later.

Of course, the truck needs to have some brake work done. The only problem is that I can't find any info online. The nearest auto parts store is an hour away so it a chore to go ask for parts. Yes, I live in B.F.E.
Surprisingly, only one wheel cylinder and the master cylinder are leaking, but if I'm going to do it, I might as well do them all for safety's sake. Who knows when the other 3 wheels will give out.
OK, back to the original question. Where is a good source for parts for these big bolts? Any help would save a lot of time.
Thanks again.