The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Picked up a 52 Chev 3100, Few general Questions

I recently picked up a 1952 (I assume) Chevy 3100 Pickup.

I got it decently cheap, its definatley a project. I got it running, and driving after a little tinkering.

I have a few general questions about the truck.

The doors dont match, I assume they were probably just switched out at one time, but one door has the vent window, and the other door doesnt have the vent window?



Other question...
The cowl (between the hood and the doors, one side has the slotted vent into the side, and the other side doesnt have this vent.


Ive never seen only one side with the vent, but thought this was one piece... did they come like that?

This also has a 4 spd on the floor, and I assume a 216 engine. Any obvious way to determine what engine it has?

I will post pictures shortly.

Thanks

sounds interesting, maybe it was in an accident and the cowl and door (no vent window side) was replaced from a 47-49 or maybe it is a 47-49 and the other side was replaced from a newer truck. It's a mystery Mr Watson. Welcome to stovebolt.

Thanks, I think I will cut out the vent on the other side, and replace it with sheet metal so that it matches.

As far as the door goes, Looks like Ill be shoppin for a new door as well.

The 1952+ trucks with the vent windows only had the cowl vent on the passenger side.

Chuck

Some of the differences between the years

In 1951 the trucks were given vent windows and the drivers side cowl vent was eliminated. Do both of your doors have flip down handles? If so, these are 1951 (with vent window) and 1947/1950 (without vent window) If it has push button door handles they are from 1952-1955.

What does the tag read on the drivers side door pillar? Put the information in HERE to identify what year you have.

my 53 has them on both sides

EDIT: Thanks for letting this stupid comment slide. It is just on the passenger side, but I spent so much time getting all the fins as straight as I could that I thought there must have been two.

I also have a 52-3100

Should have vent windows in both doors

Should have a cowl vent on the right side thats for a fresh air heater thats mounted on the kick panel over that vent if you're truck was shipped with no delux heater the kick panel will be blank with no hole in it.


Look at the distributor and right next to it on the engine toward the back of the truck is a flat spot and on there is some stamped #s not cast #s list that # and we can tell you all about what engine you have .


Pete

Thanks, Good information here, you guys rock!

The passenger side has the vent in the cowl, and the passenger side has a vented window, but not the drivers. Id imagine it was most likely changed out at one point.

Its good to know that its only supposed to have one vent in the cowl, but seems odd.

Ill post my flickr account

Most of your questions were answered, above.

In 1952, both doors would have had vent windows.

All Advance-Design cabs had vent louvers on the right side cowl (for the optional Fresh Air or Air Flow heater). Vent louvers were never placed on the left cowl; however, from 1947-1950 there was a ventilation "door/scoop" (left side cowl ventilator) on the driver's side-cowl (not continued when vent windows were provided in 1951).

Post the codes found on the block and head and people will help to ID your engine.

If it's truly a 1952,along with the vent windows,the outside door handles should have push buttons.

Tim

Ok guys, heres my flickr account. I took some pictures, including the engine tag that is a bit questionable.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65701257@N04/

From what i read, im seeing JBA322490 ?

Any input?

JBA is the engine serial number preface that refers to a 216 engine in a 1951 3100 assembled in Flint, MI
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/51053.htm

The 3100 hood side-emblem was used from late 1949-1952.

The passenger door is a 1951 door.

The lack of a driver's side cowl ventilator started in 1951 (51-55).

The driver's-side rear-view mirror arm is correct for a vent-window door (51-55).

Is there a vehicle ID plate between the driver-side hinges on the cab?

The Flicker address is asking me to sign in. I would really like to see your pictures.

Neither door has push buttons, they are both pull down style handles.

See Photos here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65701257@N04/

I was sure I had this set to public, let me try to figure it out, in the mean time, my flickr acct. is the same as my user name

IL_52 in case you can search by user.


Edit:
Seems to be working now

I used your flickr address and the photos displayed for me.

The engine serial number needs to be rotated 180 degrees (OK, a later photo has the correct orientation). The second and third characters of that ID look like they have been "modified"?

It looks like the exterior color is a dark green and the engine-compartment firewall is a darkish blue?

Yes, I noticed that. I mentioned it was 'questionable'...

I posted a few photos of it, I believe theres a photo right side up, stupid iPhones!!!

Is there a vehicle ID plate between the driver-side hinges on the cab?

Yes there was, It had several coats of paint on it, but after some scractching I got the #, which matched the title.

What is the number/code?

I dont know off hand, i sent the title into the state last week, ill run by the shop tommorow and jot down the number.

Yea, this thing seems to have about ten coats of paint.

The building next to my shop has a media blast booth and hes offered to blast for me at a 'good deal' .. Im not sure what a good deal is, but it sure would make the body work easier, starting with a clean slate.

il_52

you got alot going on there

The guys here on this forum are great and will help you along your project.

Is your truck running?

looks like you have heater hose running close to your wiring harness, and along your carb. You may want to abandond that fairly quick.

this is the best forum for AD trucks.

Yep she runs and drives, thanks for the advice... Its going to be a long road, and im sure ill learn alot here.

I agree this is a 1951. A simple check that sometimes works if it's all original is to look ate the date on the radiator. Harrison put a code on there that ends with the year ie: 51, check it out. There is also a date stamp on the Harrison heater. another easy look is to see if you have an 80 MPH or a 90 MPH speedometer. They changed out the speedometers in late 1951. If you have a title, it should have the year on it unless someone put together an old truck from pieces and used a title that they found.


Your pictures

If it's titled and your not trying to make a show truck, it doesn't matter much if it's a 1951 or 1952. Most parts will interchange and they look very similar. The engine you have is a 216 babbit bearing engine. Many bolters have changed them out to the full pressure 235. If it runs well, leave it alone for now and just get it on the road and enjoy!

I saw your truck on Flicker. It is a beautiful truck. My 54 is sort of a mixture of years. It gives it more charter.

80MPH Speedometer


Yea, I dont plan on making a show truck, Just a nice driver.



Can anyone school me on the 216 babbit bearing engine?
To be honest, I dont even know what a babbit bearing is.

What kind of cost, and availability is associated with a 235 Swap, usually?

The engine now has a high pitched whine coming from the front of the engine, I believe its the water pump / fan pulley, the bearing is more than likely shot.

Please post your engine questions in the Engine Shop.

Thanks.

I see it as a 1951 with the drivers side window out of a 1948-50.

Jmo. Good looking truck btw. Enjoy!