The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1957 Chevy ... I think I caught something contagious

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2 things I never thought I'd do in my life: try to restore and old truck, and join a web forum. I'm glad I’m doing both, and have appreciated the information I've gleaned from this forum, so now I figure it's time to quit being just a voyeur and put my project out there.
I was looking for a modern truck actually, something to use around our property, take elk hunting etc, when a friend of mine starting poking his nose into my business. He knew how much I loved his old Oldsmobiles and after asking me a bunch of questions, he e-mailed me a photo of a '57 Chevy he knew of in Bagdad, Arizona. It was love at first sight, and I knew I had either awakened a dormant gene or caught a virus- it's probably a bit of both.
The deal was cemented when I learned that the vehicle was bought in late December, 1956 from Bucove Motors in Prescott Arizona, where we currently live. In fact, Bucove Motors is now Country Bank, and sits right across Cortez street from our favorite local haunt, the Raven Café. In essence we’re bringing the truck home.
Now, after selling my two working vehicles (wife won’t let me sell hers) and reacquainting myself with my bicycle to get to work, I've finally put enough cash together to begin work on this beautiful old truck. It hasn’t run since 1985, but seems to be in great shape, has very little rust (being an Arizona desert truck) and is straight as can be. Not to say I don’t have my work cut out for me, and an education too as I am completely new to all things containing a combustion engine. Thankfully I have a lot of local help on this project, and I consider this website an extension of that help. That said, I’ve got a lot of questions for the Stovebolters, but I’ll quit yammering for a minute and cough up some pictures.
I can’t wait to order coffee at the café and stare out at my truck parked in front of the place it was bought over 50 years ago.
http://s858.photobucket.com/albums/ab145/BagdadChevy/

Hi Traeger

Welcome to the bolt . She looks good whats the plan hotrod or restore for the old girl ? I love 57 chevy's have a look at my pics and any ? let me know Ill see what i can do for you .

Mark

Welcome Traeger, yes, that would look good parked out front. Good luck!

Leo

Nice looking truck! Congratulations, and welcome!!

Your ailment has a cure tho it's a long recovery period

Nice looking truck - please keep us loaded with pictures

The plan currently is to make her a daily driver. I say that and yet I've never actually driven one of these old trucks. Still, my daily commute is less than 2 miles- so I think staying original for a while will be a good education. I just found 5 of the original 16" wheels for $100, so currently it seems I'm going the direction of restore. That could change, I really love this truck and just want to see her on the road (with me behind the wheel!) so if that means changing something to make it more practical, then so be it. But I don't have plans currently to modernize anything because I don't know what it's like to drive one the way they were!
Also, I was wondering if I should post questions in a specific area of this forum, or right here?

looks like a good starting point, but you've got your work cut out for sure!

you'll get better responses if you park the questions in the appropriate forum, most folks watch where they have the most interest or expertise ... you'll find that "pvc" modification you have recently discussed - in the engine/driveline forum I think - not clear where the other end of the hose from the valve cover connects, but you might want to consider replacing the correct road draft tube setup

Bill

Traeger, welcome to the Stovebolt. I do have some bad news though. Regardless of what people tell you there is absolutley NO cure for this disease. You just have to outlive it which usually takes several decades...and lots of "treatments" of old iron along the way.
Thtt does look like a worthy truck to keep as close to original as you can but its your truck and your decidion. I will add my two cents and say I think there are usually some "upgrades" that can be done an not loose the "authenticity".

Good luck, we're here to help and keep us posted with updates and pictures.

Thanks for the truth around the disease- to tell the truth I'm lovin being sick right now, though I took to heart Brian Martin's "Basics of Basics".
I would love to hear about upgrades that maintain authenticity- more, please.

keep in mind these are plain ol workingmens trucks, you don't really need any "upgrades" on a 57, they run and drive fine the way the General made them, and it keeps you in touch with previous generations reality

Bill

Thanks Bill, it's a good point you have there. One of the old timers helping me with this project has emphasized that "driving this truck will transport you back to 1957." When I remind him I wasn't even alive in '57 he just gets that furrowed brow look and grumbles "well, you should have been".
But definitely part of my excitement around this truck is it's history, and the fact that it's not a modern vehicle with endless upgrades. As for safety upgrades (brakes, lights)- thats a different issue, especially as I want to put my 2 year old and his car seat in it.
But all in all, "plain ol workingmans" truck suits me just fine....

the old boy is right, ya shoulda been, missed a lotta fun and these ol trucks stock can teach a lot about paying attention to driving and the machine, not like the magic carpets nowadays that don't allow any real sensory feedback until there's some catastrophic failure [think Toyota ]

search "seat belts" in general truck or interiors, there's been some threads about them in the TF series, or start a thread there and someone who's done it will chime in, that'll take care of the squirt .... for brakes, the stock brakes are fine if you drive sanely and keep them up to snuff, and the lights are not dim like 6V might be, but if you do much night driving there are simple ways to improve a bit, like halogens up front

Billt

Nice truck. You know Traegstar if your not careful your wife will get the bug. If theres a his theres got to be a hers! Enjoy. Floyd.

You're right Bill- our vehicles these days insulate us too thoroughly- and are a good metaphor for our modern lives, we don't pay as close attention as we should 'cause we're too darn comfortable.
Floyd- I wouldn't say she's caught the bug yet- at least not for old trucks. But this weekend at the Watson Lake Car Show I couldn't pull her away from a '66 GTO. That could be trouble.
Traeger

'twould be hard to pull me away from a '66 GTO as well. She has good taste.

Does she got a sister?

Welcome! Great truck! I am working on our 1957 3600.

Floyd- no sister. Be glad, my inlaws are off their rockers.
Quick update on the truck:
Dropped the oil pan as the vent tube had been disconnected for who knows how long- surprised there were no mice or anything, as the wiring looks pretty chewed up elsewhere (any advice on harness for this truck?). Checked rod and crankshaft bearings- alls good, still had oil in them! Replaced rear universal joint and had to realign the u joints on drive shaft. Pinion shaft was loose- tightened, jury's still out on differential. Replaced oil filter and decided to start her up- first shot was a no go, so replaced spark plugs, fed gas directly- eventually got her going and sounded really good, at least to my untrained ear (see video: http://s858.photobucket.com/albums/ab145/BagdadChevy/?action=view&current=DSC_0014.mp4). Will replace fuel pump and keep on moving forward. It's been a huge learning curve to date, and I love it- thanks to Rogers Automotive in Chino for their patience with my ignorance, incessant questioning and tendency to wear flip flops in the shop.

Hey Traeg I got my hands full too. your making progress that's what counts. The time will come. when you can spend more time and money. You got a great truck, be proud. My wifes baby is her 73 mercury montego mx with a 351 cleveland. I like to get there. She likes to get there fast. Enjoy your ride ride. Floyd.

Traeger,

Welcome to the world of old trucks and Stovebolt. You'll find answers to all your questions here. Looking forward to story and pics of your first "Hit The Trail" ride.