The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Hello from MN. 1950 Chev 3600 Pickup

Hello. I've been registered and looking around the site for a while and figured I should introduce myself before I start posting in the specific forums.
My Forester Green '50 3600 pickup has been in the family since January 2, 1953 when my Grandpa paid $850 for it from a refinery. (My uncle found the receipt for it when he cleaned out my Grandpa's desk.) Grandpa had a plumbing business and a Skelly garage and used the truck extensively for picking up supplies.
My Dad took his driver's test with the truck in 1957. The brake lights didn't work so when it came time for the pre-test inspection, and the fellow giving the test told Dad to step on the brake, he just turned on the parking lights. The man yelled "Okay!" and Dad proceeded to pass his test.
The truck was last licensed in 1978 but Grandpa still used it occasionally around his farm. In the late '80s, I took it to high school to replace the master cylinder. not long after that, it was parked in the shed and wouldn't move under it's own power again.
In the fall of 2001 when I pulled the truck out of the shed to get ready for Grandpa's auction, I discovered the engine had seized. That didn't discourage me so I bought it, squirted a bunch of penetrating oil in the spark plug holes, and put it in storage.
Like most Minnesota trucks, the body suffered badly from the effects of salted winter roads. So I started buying parts a couple years ago and now have all of the fenders and running boards. This fall I figured the engine would be a good winter project so I pulled it out and brought it in the shop to see what was in store. I was relieved when I pulled the head and didn't find any real problems in the cylinders. After putting some tension on the flywheel and rapping the pistons with a hammer and block of wood, the cylinders moved and eventually rolled over nice and smooth. I think it was just "varnish".
So, now I'm ready fo the fun to begin. I restored a '66 Charger when I was in high school and also have a '59 Ford so I have some exposure to working with old iron. But I've already learned enough from this fine site to know I still have a lot to learn and plan on bouncing some things off of you guys who've "been there" and "done that". Sorry if my post was a little long winded.
Best regards, Shawn

Shawn, thats a nice story and now we can feel like we know ya
Welcome to the Stovebolt and good luck on your truck. That was the right thing to do when you bought it.
This is THE place to be with old Chevy iron. We're all here to help.

I loved the part about turning on the lights to disguise the brake lights that didn't work!!

Always good to see people from Minnesota on here. Good luck with your truck, and keep us posted on your progress.

Hi Shawn. Nice story. I used to live just outside Lake City (South of Red Wing) years ago.

I too have a 1950 3600, but not with the story you have.

Welcome and look forward to seeing some pics of it.

Welcome Shawn, lots of history there. Hope you can get her running and looking good again. Be sure to ask if you have any questions.

Leo

Thanks for the welcome guys. I'll try to post updates and figure out how to link some pics. Shawn

MN salt really does a number on a truck after 60 years both my trucks one to fix up and one for parts both had pretty bad rust especially around the fenders

Welcome aboard- lots of good folks on here to help- best of luck with your project

Ken