The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts -going to look at '47 2.5 ton: tips? questions...

Going tomorrow to look at what is advertised as a 1947 2.5 ton Chev, cab and chassis. Single rear axle, so I want to ask, was there such a thing as that size in 1947?? I thought they would all be 1.5 ton or 2 ton.

He says he replaced all brake shoes 2 years ago and rebuilt the wheel cylinders. Did say the master cylinder leaks off after a while. Says truck runs and drives great. The 235 he says it has, if original, would be a low pressure babbitt engine?

No title; does have registration. $500

Any tips for things I should look for? Starting/running/smoking, etc. Braking straight. I figure if it is all he says, the fact that it is driveable and has brakes is worth the price.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Dennis

Dennis
I think that a 2 ton is the largest that Chevrolet made back then. If it is a 2 ton, the plate on the door post should give the GVW as 16000lbs.
There are lots of things to look at on a truck that old. Many of them can be repaired, but rust can be a big factor.
The price doesn't sound to bad,I don't know how hard it would be to get a title for it.
Good luck.
Jim

If it was Canadian built, it could possibly be a 2 1/2 ton. There were no U.S. built Chevrolet trucks rated at 2 1/2 tons until 1956.

Sounds like a decent price if it's not all rusted to pieces.

Junk it......ok, just kidding. Sorry.... I love my 1949 6400. If it isn't a rusted out bucket, buy it and drive it. After you get it titled, you might be able to sell it and make a few bucks. Keep in mind these grand old truck are not a money making investment. The parts, especially tires, are just too darn expensive. I like my truck and it gets thumbs up most every time I drive it. In fact today would be a good day for a cruise....

Saw the truck. I walked away. First, it was advertised as, "runs perfect and new brakes." Truck was shoved alongside shed sometime in the past and had two flat tires. No gas in it; no battery. Owner insisted on how perfectly it runs, then claims he backed it in there last Fall and has not run since. Little or no pedal on brakes. Hole in fender. He says it's a 235; well, valve cover is held on with the two central studs from rocker - not 4 screws in cover flange. Right side tin cover is partial; covers lifter/push rod area but not spark plugs. Oil pressure gauge goes to 30 pounds. I'm trying to remember if early 235's had those features? I thought the valve cover attachment for 235's were all 4 -screw? I do know there was initially a low-pressure 235, but I'm wondering if this is actually at 216.

Door tag had the following stamp: 210K-H 1191 VIN buster comes up, "1962 Janesville." Nothing else. How do I find out more regarding this VIN? I'll probably post separately. No other readable information on tag.

Owner says it's a 2.5 ton but truck had no reinforcing frame side plates and had 7.00x20 tires. Two of the forged overload spring travel limiting brackets in rear had broken off and home-made ones installed. Each of those were grooved underneath indicating this truck was terribily loaded a lot.

There are better trucks around. I'd still like to de-cipher the VIN.

Dennis

Two of the forged overload spring travel limiting brackets in rear had broken off and home-made ones installed. Each of those were grooved underneath indicating this truck was terribily loaded a lot.

There are better trucks around. I'd still like to de-cipher the VIN.

Dennis [/quote]My grandfather had a 47 Advance desisn Tractor said he tried adding leaves to overload springs but then it would just break the ears off so then he built up the main spring. it was not uncommon.

I don't think you want to buy that truck, unless you don't mind spending a lot of cash.

Here's a thought to keep in mind as you look for a truck. What you see wrong with it and the cost to repair....DOUBLE IT. Seems to work out that way most of the time.
It's Murphys Law I think, and if it doesn't, which is rare, then you get lucky.

Dan

Dan, you are right. In fact we were talking about that very concept driving home. My farmer neighbor said when he estimates repairs on his CAT D5's, he doubles his first figures. My only reply to him was.......good policy.... for now. 'Cause I think we're going to have to raise our estimates even higher.

Dennis

Try replacing the 210k-h with 21 QK -H in vin buster.
dbt,

My '47 2 ton sure looked like a "0" on the door poast, but closer inspection and the title showed 21 Q.

Too bad it was abused, might have been a good prject.

Also, the early 235's had the dual Acorn nuts for the cover, that matches my truck,and my Engine serial is froma 1947 production run, so is likely original to the truck.

Keep looking, more are out there!

All the early big trucks came with 235s and had the 2 acorn nuts holding the valve cover on. My origimal motor in my 46 2 ton did anyway.

from what I have seen the early 235s have a partial pushrod cover like the newer ones.