The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Re: What did you get done on your 'Bolt today?

Jock, as my old granddad use to say, "you're the cat's pajamas."
Probably doesn't translate...

Big, thanks for the compliment.
Well, I got one mirror installed. Looks good if I say so myself.(pics to follow)
Got the holes drilled for the second one and got beat by the cold.
My fingers were totally numb!
Due to the positioning i've gone for on the doors themselves,it's a really tight squeeze to get the nuts on.
I'll need to procure the services of Mrs Jock(tiny hands) or befriend a Gynecologist!
Edit: Got the mirrors on and some pics to prove it. Here.

This weekend I was intent on clearing a path to my truck. There was a 3 shelf unit in front of it in the garage. The entire contents of that shelving unit AND the unit itself have been relocated! The first step in a hopefully not too long journey has been taken. Now I just need to find out where the heck I was on it three years ago! Wish me luck.

Neil, when you find the truck take some pics.

Got all the new whitewall tires and black powder coated rims on today. New cool lowered stance

Got the A/C condenser and trans cooler mounted in front of the radiator. Was ready to start mounting the electric fan in front of all of it, . . . . now where'd that thing go . . . hmmmm . . apparently got thrown out with the load of empty boxes left for the garbage men - I forgot to bring it in the night before - son of a monkey.

Ordered the left side Cab Windlace Channel Guides. Thought I had ordered both sides at one time but it seems they don't come in pairs.

Got the FireBolt decorated for tonights Santa Claus Parade....

BIG CHEVY 3600 - You betcha'. I need to update it in the gallery, too. Great idea.

Well, yesterday I got the rear valance and rear bumper put on the panel. Two less pieces to worry about!!

Big step today, Got the new engine and transmission [350/350] bolted in the 38. Now Ill get to work on the power steering upgrade.

I had a dead battery this week... kinda odd. 12.0x volts.
However, it wouldn't throw over in the cold.

I put the battery charger on it and went to bed.

I checked the cells in the battery and only one cell was slightly low on water, so I topped it off with a few ounces of water.

I checked it not running at 13.4 volts after the re-charge... fired right up with no problems. I checked it running and it was running at 14.5 volts.

I was having a weird thing with my brake lights staying on... turned out the ol' stop light switch had worked itself loose, so I'm guessing it was draining the battery down enough to be a pain.

I checked and cleaned the connections on the batt. terminal to be on the safe side... snugged up the stop light switch... and put it all back together.

vroooooom.

I'm hoping that is all that it was.

-W

Got the bedwood cut and routed, ready to be stained and urethaned.

Got the plan of attack figured out for the power door locks and power windows as well.

Working on rebuilding the brakes on my '53. Got the e-brake cables installed last night, now waiting for the correct shoes to arrive from Classic Parts so I can button up the rear brakes. Next step...rebuild the MC.

Finally hooked up my new EZ wiring loom, NO SMOKE!
It's so much easier to start now instead of bridging the starter.
No front lights though, I'll need to investigate further.
Suspect...cheap re-pop light switch.....
The new LED tail lights and bedroll turn signals are really bright!

I might be hitting you up for some dimensions!

Jerry

My 261 block has been cleaned and checked. The 235 head was cleaned and checked.

Results:
The head, cracked in 4 places... a "no go".
The block can't be honed to clean up as hoped. It's already at .060" oversize.
Found and snagged a new set of 261 Sealed Power pistons (.080" over) on Ebay for $120.
I was told "good luck on finding .080" oversize rings". I called Hastings and they could set me up for $133 but the guy I bought the pistons from is shipping a set of Hastings for $67! Combined shipping with the pistons. I get all up and excited about saving money. I could certainly use it on bearings and gaskets!
I called the machine shop and gave them the "go-ahead" to bore the block .080" over.
Next week I'll swing the process for a 261 head from a buddy!
I'm excited as all get out! Can ya tell?

Jerry

The last thing I did with my '48 is park it along side the house. The city of Missoula has been using real salt (sodium chloride) the past 2 years on icy roads. I'll drive my '48 on the liquid deicer (with lots of rinsing) but I won't drive it on NaCl.

I'm really bummed.

-

I noticed an automatic tranny leak at the fill tube..and it even has a new o-ring and gasket. :mad: I started to check into it but thought batter of it and went in the house where it was nice and warm

I replaced the blower fan on my heater today and replaced my rusted out fuel tank tank with a good used one as well. The used tank also had a good sending unit. Now my fuel gauge works! Next on my list is the windshield wiper motor...

Funny how even a tiny amount of ATF has the ability to look like a major oil spill!
Mine leaks too Alvin,i'll change out the seals when I re-do my trans fluid/gasket and filter.

Put some new, bright shinny bumpers on today. A Christmas gift from my better half. Switched to a 54 bumper so we can move the license plate.

reasembled my new leaf springs ive had in a shed since 1996. took em apart and had powdercoated. reasembled the front springs today with the poly liner between each spring and stainless bolts and new center pins. look awesome. tomorrow im going to reasemble the rear leaf springs back together.

Un-wrapped my new front bumper. Nice!

Sounds much more fun than getting under the truck and sorting leaks,and anyway it's not a leak,it's just marking it's territory!

The shiny chrome will distract you from the puddle forming underneath!

Haven't driven mine for a month.So I went out today fired it up and washed the windows. Gonna take it to Home Depot tomorrow to pick up a new toilet.

I just recently got my truck. (1946 1.5 ton) It's been sitting for 30+ years so I've been removing all the junk from the previous owner that had accumulated in the cab and on the bed. Since the wooden bed had rotted and collapsed, I took pictures and measurements of what was left so I can make the new one as close to original as possible.

I also jacked up the front and rear to loosen up the slightly frozen brakes. The steering was seizing up as well. I'm just about ready to load it on a rollback and bring it home and start the restoration.

Finally found a replacement coolant temperature switch. Should be delivered to the local parts house tomorrow...

Finally got it starting from the ignition key, so much better than hotwiring it.
Ironed out a couple of ground problems,due to thick powder coat.

Ran the engine and found a water leak,thankfully just a pinched gasket at the thermostat!
It's been in the low teens here recently and I was worried I hadn't used enough anti-freeze,I was fearing the worst!!

Relieved and supping a cold one as I type.....

I got a new set of gears coming for the 37,2.79s were a little too much so I got some 3.70s on the way. The 235 never acted right with the highway gears and I miss winding it up around town to hear the mufflers so with the 3.70s I should get that back and with the 5 speed still be able to cruise at 65 on the highway,as soon as the parts arrive they will be going in.

hey Wally, don't be too quick trusting the liquid, which is calcium chloride brine - a very hygroscopic material, meaning it attracts and binds water and gets in every nook and cranny .... I can tell you from experience it's nearly impossible to rinse off well and waaaay worse than the salt/grit mix for causing corrosion

Bill

Removed Front fenders, inner-fenders, grill, front bumper, valance, radiator, and bumper brackets, knuckle skin, and wiring. Tore down a spare front wheel assemblies in prep. for disc brake kit. It was just such a beautiful day it would have been a shame to waste it.

A few days back I was back home in Greece where I am restoring my 48 Fleetmaster witch is converted to a truck.
The rear sheet metal of the cub was in a very bad shape so a new plate was made and welded in place:
I also started dismantling the motor for inspection
http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab317/Jianis/Chevy48%20Fleetmaster%20truck/

Jianis

What a neat truck, Jianis.

Thank you Cletis.

Normaly I should never start with it but its the only surviving 40s truck in the island of Crete that can obdain a licence to drive on publick roads.It just need some....work.

Jianis

i did go out to the garage and admire her though I have no time to work with her today.

WooHoo! Took first test ride today since rebuild! Open drive axle, T5 trans, new wheels and tires, S10 gas tank, original 216 engine, model A taillights!

It looks like its going to be next week before the 37 gets the new gears,got 9 inch parts instead of 8 inch so the guy is building me another third member and I have to send this one back.

HAHA,
I got pulled over tonight in my bolt!
I was crossing over the double yellow.....because.....I did not want the water that puddled on the road to get the truck wet.

The officer did not even say 'nice truck."