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Hi Everyone

The seller told me I had bought a 1954 3100 1/2 ton, I now wonder if I have 3600 because of it's length.

My truck has 3100 badges on the hood sides, but has a 90'' bed and 125.25'' wheelbase.

Was the 3100 made in long and short bed forms ?. Do I just have a 3100 long bed or a 3600 with wrong 3100 badges ???.

These are the numbers I could find today on the engine ....

Offside on side of block the number : B51 848 850 ( 850 is below 848 ).

Nearside on top of engine block the number : 3836848, then under this : GM18.

Just above starter motor I cannot make the first number out : ?ON4, then in line but further along this number : D248.

On fan casing the number : 3995631A0

I haven't got the trucks papers back yet from the shippers, but I am told the Vin / chassis number they have is : 0500541F54XA which I think is a FLINT Michigan build.

Please help, do I have a 3100 long bed or a 3600 .... I don't mind which cos I love it !!!.

There were no 3100 longbed Chevrolets in '54.

How many lug nuts do your wheels have?

Hi

8 wheel nuts per wheel ....

F54XA on the engine serial number indicates 3600 (3/4 ton), which has the wheelbase you describe and the 8-lug wheels.

The engine serial number was often used on titles & registrations.

Is there an ID plate on the cab, between the driver door hinges? If yes, post the code (this code was sometimes used on titles & registrations).

3836848 is the head casting code for 1956 and later 235 heads.

D248 on the block is most likely a block date casting code:
D = April
24 = 24th
8 = 1958

Here are locations for a variety of codes. Post what you find.

Hi Tim

THANKS ... Very helpful, I'll check more in the morning, I don't think there is a plate between the drivers door hinges but I will check.
What should my truck hood badges say, mine have 3100 which looks like are wrong. Are 1954 3100 rarer than 3600 ?, have I bought a truck worth less being a 3600 than a 3100 which I was told it was.

"Worth" is up to you. You have a 3/4 ton truck, which aren't as popular for rodders and restorers. Hence the availability of 1/2ton parts vs 3/4ton parts. The good news is, the 54 will have the latter brakes (bendix) which are available through the suppliers listed here.
The bad news is your rear end will probably be a 4.57 ratio, and replacement gearsets are not available. If it is the original Eaton HO52 axle, the center section can be swapped easily with a later unit. Some 67-72 3/4tons with automatics had a 4.10 ratio, but they are hard to find. Getting another 8-lug axle the right width with a decent ratio is also difficult.
If you want a faster axle and don't mind going 1/2ton (you thought you had one anyway), you could find a 6-lug axle for the back and find a 1/2ton beam axle from someone here who is switching to IFS. You'd have the equivalent of a 3200 (sort-of).

Good luck, have fun and remember, it's YOUR truck.

Gary,

3600s are "rarer" than 3100s; but, in this case, the more plentiful 3100s would be worth more than a 3600. The reasons for this are the "less desirable" features of a 3600 (as described by Highflyer).

A seller with even a little knowledge would know a Chevrolet 3600 from a 3100 - no 3100s had a "long bed". Someone changed the hood side badges with 3100 badges because they are more readily available as reproductions. If the seller is a shyster, the door plate is most likely missing.

Did you buy this from a dealer/professional or in a private sale? Did you buy the truck from a listing on Stovebolt.com?

If the truck is in nice shape and you like it, you are OK.

Yep think you like me have a 3/4 ton . No worries only problem is your in the Uk so swapping parts , It will be easier getting poop from a rocking horse. Its like the sign in the movie Mad Max " Speed is a question of money, How fast can you afford too go." Most problems have solutions if you have a Bag of gold big enough . I will say when I was back in the Uk last year the lack of top speed wont be a problem, what with the amount of slow moving traffic on the roads now lol

There's the possibility that over the last 60 years the hood got damaged and the PO got another one from a 3100, tossing the 3600 with its badges.

That doesn't excuse the seller from calling it a 3100 1/2 ton.

Bill

Hi Everyone

I can't say much more on here because of the seller, the way I have been set up and shafted, I am devastated now. There are so many dangerous and missing parts I'm right in it now, can I chat offline with anyone please for advice. It came from CA.

All you have to do is click on the member's name and the option is there to send a provate message.

Having a 3600 has it's advantages. It's 3/4 ton, longer bed, heavier duty suspension. Plus, it's not like nearly everybody else's 3100 short bed.
I'm building a 1950 3600 rod project. I have a 14 bolt rear axle with 3.21 gears and even though it's a snug fit, it works for me.
Built a 350 v-8 and mated it with a 350 tranny.
Click below my signature for some pics of my build. I'm not finished yet, but I'm making good progress.

50-3600-Guy, I am glad I am not the only one that has a 3600.Looks like a nice project.Here is a picture of mine,with some changes,after I bought it,still working on some things,as you can see in the pictures.Keep on Trucking!

Hi

Any chance of good close up photos of the hood badges please.

Gary,

If you are referring to the hood side emblems, they look like these, with 3600 instead of 3100 (same part used on 53-55):

http://www.classicparts.com/1953-54-Hood-Side-Emblem-3100-pr/productinfo/59-024/