The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk More questions ....

Hi

1. Should my 54 3100 have a cowl / cover attached to the sides of the radiator with just the fan blades showing ?, mine looks like it had one fitted at sometime, if it's not fitted will cool air pass around either side of engine rather than direct cooling onto the engine block front ( will it be ok without one ? ).
2. Are the black choke buttons available ?, mine is missing, only got the shaft sticking out of the dash.
3. Why do these trucks seem to have a lot of holes in the firewall / bulkhead behind the engine with nothing coming out of them ?.
4. My 54 has a very nice rear bumper which curves out with a lower middle section for the license plate to be seen, but it sticks out a good 18'' behind the tailgate, so much so I have had to remove it to fit my truck in the garage, did 54's have these fitted ?.
5. Why is there only a grille / vent on the offside / passenger side near the mirror ?.

Awnsers
1. Dont know mine dont have one either but I have fitted a electric pusher fan with thermostat too the fron of the rad so no too worried lol
2. I think you can get replacement knobs but they will be crome Alan Horvath who has a great site (http://alanhorvath.com/54chevy/chevy55knobs.php) used some on his build.
3. some are too hold firewall pads mine has a thick insulated pad held in place with press in clips plus as with many motor manufacturers they put holes in for the extras and options or stuff that they have deleated putting on but the press in manufacture still pnches the holes. It costs time and money too alter the dies so they dont bother or schedule it in when they do maintenence on them. I know this as this as worked very closely doing this with Bmw Rover and Landrover.
4. Dont know mine has a workbed with a piece of 6 inch channel for a back bumper with a plate welded on and my vice bolted too it.
5. In pevious years there was vents too allow fresh air into the cab at the sides. these where deleted but the one on the passenger side is was still kept as they had an option of the fresh air heater that will pull air in from the outside.
Dont worry the serch feature can be a bit of a ouija board at times , and I was taught the only stupid question is the one you dont ask :o) hope that helps

Having fun yet?

Here is a drawing of the firewall and some of the holes. It is from the 1947-54 Factory Assembly Manual. Particularly useful for 54 and early 55 owners and available from most of the vendors. http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23794995

Jim Carter has put together several informative articles. Here is one with information on the rear bumper http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/2010/02/1954-rear-bumper/

That rear bumper is rare (I believe it was 1954 year only).
Is it possible that your truck is a 3/4 ton with a 1/2 bed retrofitted? The bumper sould not be 18 inches away-- do you have pictures?

1. There was no cover on the engine side of the radiator on 3100 trucks.

2. http://www.classicparts.com/1954-Choke-Knob/productinfo/29-207/

3. Good question. Most of the holes served a purpose but I also have extra holes (now filled with rubber plugs). Peter's scan from the FAM explains most holes (not all holes were used on all models of trucks).

4. Yes the rear 54/55 bumper on a pickup sticks out - but, 18"?. Maybe someone with a '54 rear bumper will post measurements?

5. The air vent on the driver's side outer cowl was eliminated when doors came with vent windows (1951).