The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1954 aftermarket parts

Has anyone bought any after market door handles, headlight bezels ect. that are show quality and not just cheep stuff. If so where did you get them? Thanks

Check the vendors in the links section.

Show Quality is an interesting concept.

It seems that the vendors choose their sources based on cost. Most vendors probably obtain their parts from the same source. Most of the vendors back up their parts with a "satisfaction" warranty.

But, it is still a crap shoot.

"Show quality" is what most of the after market parts are. They are designed to look pretty in the box and sell. They are not designed to fit or to be used.

Guys - don't shoot me for this size of this post. It may be my longest dissertation, yet!

Aside from the obvious showy things like bezils and handles, here are some "special" items that may be a little harder to find that I used on my '54 to try to get to the original look:

Radiator cap - no one makes the correct AC #501 4-lb cap. I had to buy the one made in India sold by most vendors.

Pinch type radiator and heater hose clamps: The Truck Shop clamp kit #55-07011 did not pinch tightly enough to seal. I ended up using non-correct gear clamps. Brad Allen used pinch clamps on his 3/4 ton. Maybe he can tell where he bought them.

Carb insulator - no one makes a real bakelite insulator. They are all plastic, even though Chevs of the 40s claims to be bakelite. Buy an original one from a Stovebolt member.

Fuel pump: The in and out ports of a correct 1954 fuel pump are angled 20-deg to the block. I attached the top half of a glass bowl pump to the bottom of the metal-top pump that was on my truck. Looks good. Chevs of the 40s sells two good glass bowl pumps for 1954s -
Pump 1
Pump 2

Vac advance line: Inline Tube available direct or from Chevs of the 40s. It is a perfect fit.

Fuel line: No one makes a good fuel line to fit the 20-deg angled in/out ports of a '54 fuel pump. Suggest you bend your own to match pics in Chevy literature and Assembly Manual, especially if you use an inline fuel filter. Bend it to be parallel to the Inline Tube vac line that you bought from Chevs of the 40s. The Inline Tube fuel line from Chevs of the 40s is very close, but does not mate to the fuel pump properly.

Clips - fuel line to vac advance line: Eckler's #834030. Cheaper than some other sources such a Chevs of the 40s #599119.

Fuel filter: No one makes a correct Durex Moraine glass bowl fuel filter that would have been used in 1954. Buy one on ebay. GM #986640.

Air cleaner decal for RPO 216D oil bath air cleaner: The Filling Station #SA-36A (closest to original look of any other suppliers)

"ThriftMaster 235" decal: None are great. Chevs of the 40s is the best I found from a supplier. I scanned one and had a vinyl decal cut at a sign shop. Much better.

Engine paint: A lot of discussion about what is "right" for 1954 engine. I used Filling Station #FS-359 (spray) & #FS-119P (pint)

Dual clip for speedo cable and wiring harness low on firewall: American Classic Tr Prts #FA-113

Clips on inner fenders for wiring harness: American Classic Tr Prts #FA-114

Metal speedo cable: (a couple of inches longer than OE) American Classic Tr Parts #SPC-2

Glove Box Lock Gasket: Classic Parts of Am #22-412

Window and vent - felt / wipes / rivets: The Truck Shop

Trim screws "#8 with #6 head" and #10 with #6 head": The Truck Shop #47-15103, #47-15102, #47-15101, #47-15106

Clutch head screws: Most of these sources have various sizes.

Tail Light: exact reproduction of the plastic lens with correct GUIDE and Guidex numbers. Not real pleased with the plastic boot. I painted the stainless bezel black to be like the original. The Truck Shop #54-11007

Parking light lens only: Has the correct GUIDE F1A-54 markings on lens. (I bought reproductions before these were available.): Taillight King

If an original part is chrome plated, don't buy a replacement made from stainless. They don't look the same.

Good luck with your quest.