The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Convert or not to convert

First of all I would like to say I'm thrilled to be here. I've been visiting this website for years hoping one day to have a reason to join. And that day has has finally come. I recently purchased a 1951 chevy 3100 pickup all original and completely restored.
OK, the deli ma is whether I should convert my all original 6 volt, 216, very original truck to a 12 volt 235 updated engine and rear end for everyday driving? Any suggestions? If I do decide to do the conversion, where do i start?

Thanks

Darrell

Welcome to stovebolt. So it's all original and been like that for 60 years and probably driven daily for many of those years. What makes you think you have to modernize it? If it is your only vehicle, maybe, but if it is just your hobby truck the value of it will diminish with any "improvement" you make.

Darrell,

I would live with the truck for 6 months and then ask the question again.

A 6 volt electrical system will be fine, as long as you clean and re-tighten the contacts every 6 or 10 years. It will work well.

The 216 is a fine engine, and if it has been recently rebuilt, you will get many good years or driving out of it.

If you decide you need to go faster, you might consider Patrick's higher ratio gears for your existing rear end. This will keep things original, or at least an easy conversion back to totally stock.

A question I get all the time with my truck is "does it have the original engine?" I think you will get a lot of pleasure out being able to say "yes". Unfortunately when I bought my truck 40 years ago, it had a bad rod, and I did not have the skill or dollars to rebuild it. So I swapped in the 235 powerglide engine from my car. Been happy with it, and it's still 6 volt, and I drive it all the time, but I sure do wish sometimes that I still had that original 216 engine...

Have fun and join in the disscussion!


Kurt

Thanks guys for the input.

It's not a daily driver, so your right I have no need to modernize it.

Kurt, I do take pride in saying its all original. Although I have run out of gas once because I trusted the gas gauge, looks like I need to work on that. It also backfires when warmed up, has a whistling noise when I accelerate. but I'm sure those are easy fixes that I can find in the other forums.

Any suggestions on general maintenance?

Thanks for the wisdom.

Noonie, slow down and enjoy it, it's probably perfect the way it is. Take the old road into Baton Rouge or New Orleans.

Welcome,

Cosmo

Welcome Noonie- I have labored for years on that very same question - upgrade to a bigger engine etc. It's been four years now and my '56 is as original as I can keep it. I just keep on resisting the urge, and I enjoy hearing the appreciation from others who like to see what the originals looked like, and -- it still drives great.
Drive it a while - it will grow on you. Again, welcome to Stovebolt, home of great trucks and good people.

Dale

Noonie,

You will want to keep up with your oil changes, and keep your chassis greased. I try to grease mine every 1000 miles. Your brakes will need adjusting on a regular basis as they don't have auto adjusters. If you don't know how long it has been since the brake fluid and antifreeze have been changed, it may be worth changing them. Take a look at your gear oil too.

As to the backfiring and whistling, you might check and see if your vacuum advance is working. The diaphragm might have a hole in it and then you will have a vacuum leak.

Kurt

I have an all original 1951 4400 that I drive daily. No need to convert to 12 volts. Keep up with maint, and make sure your points are gapped correctly. Might get rid of your backfire issure. I actually just performed a tune up (plugs, wires, points, condenser, rotor, and cap) and it is amazing how much better the thing runs. Keep up with the grease and the oil changes and she will serve you well. Most importantly, enjoy the adventure that you get from driving it. It might die in a busy intersection for no reason only to fire up 5 min later and run fine all day. These old trucks have a personality and will treat you well if you treat them well! Be proud of it and enjoy it!
Joe

I have had my truck for 28 years now. The 6 volts has never been a problem. Although far fron a daily driver. (they just use too much fuel in my opinion) I have been able to get any component I need in 6 volt, except for a stereo, which I don't care about anyway. But it would be easy to get a transformer if you did want a stereo. At one time I had an original tube radio that I took out of the truck with the intention of restoring it, but it was in the trunk of my car when it caught on fire. I was 1000 miles from home, my dad had to come get me and the trunk decided to not open at that point in time. I should have taken the back seat out. I had a lot of good stuff back there. Hind sight IS 20/20. But I am stocking up on bulbs, since you will have a hard time finding 6 volt bulbs at a part store. I get mine from Jim Carter, but there are others. I have the 3:55 gear set from patricks, and most of the installation kit, I am waiting for the axle bearings. So that is on hold. I am building a new engine for it and once I get it broken in a bit I am going to put pertronix in it. I don't particularly trust the pertronix as I have had 2 fail me, one in my mustang, and the other in the truck, (the ONLY time in 28 years it has failed me) But both times there were possible reasons for it to fail. But in any case if you do switch, make sure you keep all your points, condensor and whatever little wrenches etc. you will need for re-installation handy. I didn't and had to ride the bus. However many people swear by them, and the replacement unit I got isn't the same type as I returned. So I will try again.

I will tell you this. I have had so much enjoyment in restoring my original 1953 1/2T with 3-speed, 6V, 216 and I really appreciate the fact that it is all original. I had a new high-end Porsche in my garage 2 years ago and really decided that as much as I wanted it to be who I was, the simple fact was that I truly desired something with real soul & history to it. I just never felt a connection to a vehicle before this purchase. The truck is just a pleasure vehicle that I use sparingly on the weekend until I figure out a few restarting when warm issues and such, so still a little timid on the driving much side of things.

Perhaps I also just have a soft spot for times gone by, as I am also a part-time watchmaker (pocket watch movements) and restore antique Tesla motors. It takes me away from my stress as an aerospace engineer during the day and reminds me of my ancestors.

If you can handle the maintanance and such, and don't mind taking it slow, I would recommend keeping the truck original and unchanged. There are far too many beautiful drives in and around Vermilion parish to miss out on the opportunity to relish in some slow Sunday driving. Ultimately, the choice is yours and I wish you all of the best in your decision.

Cheers...

Noonie, the whistling could be from a too lean setting on the carb. My mechanic reset my carb and it whistled and he said it needs to be set back too the way it was.

One thing I didn't see mentioned above is to make sure your battery cables are good and heavy. 6 volt systems need 0 or 00 gauge cables, and the skinny 12 volt jobs from Wally World won't cut it. And as mentioned, keep all connections and grounds clean and tight.

Thanks so much guys for the input. Your right, I do enjoy the slow drives. I'll just keep her original.

Be safe

I'm a hard core hot rodder, always have been but I can appreciate an original vehicle as well, probably because it is amazing that we have both survived this long. But the last year I've been looking for an original to preserve with no luck. I hate to see a vehicle advertised as 'original' but repainted with new seats and converted to 12 volts and they wonder why the old gauges don't work. My one car I carried a 12 volt battery just to run the reverb hooked to the original 6 volt radio.

My GMC isn't original but close, I got it because it is a rare model and I want to preserve what I can even though I don't know it's history and bring back what I can on it. I remember this model so one day the 235 will come out and the 270 will go in as well as looking for the parts but it's all part of the game. Good luck with you truck andenjoy it.

one more thing, you won't be able to take the old truck out without getting at least one thumbs up, a story of the one their dad had, I even had a fire truck full of firemen pull up and knock on my window. I am keeping mine mostly original any modifications would be era correct. I am using the 3:55 gears because I am actually using this as my truck and I have to make a 150 mile road trip quite often, and electric wipers, and the statement that I live in seattle ought to explain that.

Brokenhead

Your right I do have to add at least 15 to 20 mins to all trips. Guys and sometimes Gals love to check it out and tell stories. Which I love by the way.

Thanks

Darrell