Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,159 Posts1,056,901 Members48,458 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 146 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 146 | This past Saturday, February 18 was a BIG day for me and my truck. After owning it for little over a year and being told it sat for up to 10 years previously, I finally got it running!
Over the last year I changed the oil and gaskets(oiled the cylinders while the oil pan was off), spark plugs, points and condenser, ignition coil, battery cables, rebuilt the Rochester, new fuel pump and filter, and used a 1 gallon gas tank (temporary until I get a new tank) with fresh gas, and lastly a new 12v battery. A few weeks ago I cranked the truck over several times with no luck.
This past weekend with the help of my father and my father-in-law, we figured out that the new points gap needed to be adjusted. Once that was done I jumped in the truck again and this time it started right up! Light smoke came barreling out of the exhaust leaving a huge cloud, but after about 10 minutes it quit. The truck idled really good and ran smooth. I had a grin from ear to ear. Luckily my wife grabbed the video camera and came running out to see the truck idling. This is a day that I will never forget.
I went out today to see if it would start and without any hesitation it fired right up with no cloud of smoke behind it. I have a 12v battery with the original 6v starter and it starts quick! I can't believe something this old that sat for so long can run so smooth and quiet. I can't wait to get this thing on the road!
Thanks to everyone at this site for answering my questions and for posting valuable information about these old bolts. I can honestly say I'm now a die hard Stovebolt fan! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | Always exciting when they first start. Congrats. Nice looking truck from the get go.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | It's a wonderful feeling. Isn't it?
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 649 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 649 | That big "grin" goes along with that big "kid" feeling!!! Thats great! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 38 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 38 | It put a smile on my face just thinking about you guys standing there when it started up. That really is the kind of thing you want to share with someone. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 | Just curious. Is everything electrical changed to 12v? Sounds like your hooked now. Enjoy.
1939 Chevrolet Stake Truck
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Congratulations on an important milestone. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | Congratulations Cool to have the help of your Dad and Father-in law  | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | Outstanding! I experienced the same thing this last fall after mine sat for about 12 years...it's a great feeling. Enjoy!
Allan
-----
1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 695 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 695 | I would have loved to see the excited looks on all of your faces collectively... not to mention all the excited commentary!
Here's a Texas YEEEE-HA for you!
Jerry | | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 57 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 57 | " I had a grin from ear to ear. Luckily my wife grabbed the video camera and came running out to see the truck idling. This is a day that I will never forget"
Your memory and that ear to ear grin can be called up and replayed many times. When efforts produce good results, ones goals have benn accomplished.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 725 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 725 | Congrats! Everyone here knows that feeling, one way or another. Do like everyone else here and pass along what you have learned when you can help someone else. You have a nice looking truck. Be PROUD!
best wishes,
Les | | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 163 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 163 | I remember the first time mine started up for me. One of my friends was at my house that night and it let out more smoke than a chimeny. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 | No better adrenaline rush than the first time it fires up. Well maybe that first ride comes a close second…….
Keep us posted on the progress
My Fleet: 19411953195919651966 1953 Willy's Pickup John Vegetarian- old Indian word for bad hunter
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 206 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 206 |  yeah brother! thats great
Last edited by cletis; 02/24/2012 1:21 PM. Reason: language
| | |
|
|
