The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Old Dominion Stovebolt Society (MD, VA, West VA, DC, DE and PA) new to the stovebolt family

Hey guys (gals),
My wife and I just moved to the DC area and i just bought a 51 chevy 3100 with a 216 in it. I am looking at rebuilding the engine sometime in the near future. Is there a place in the DC area that can rebuild a 216? I have been told that since i have not done one before, i should get help due to the dippers. Any help would be appreciated!

I had mine done by the Wallace Engine Company. He's not the cheapest guy in town, but he is a die hard inliner fan and has built many for racing. I've had a long history with them and can highly recommend them. He has a full service machine shop and can do anything that's needed. PM me for his phone if interested. They are located in the Baltimore area and is probably a hour or so from you, depending on where in VA you are.

I am very interested! I have rebuilt 350's but nothing this old, and honestly i am scared that i will screw it up since i don't know much about this old of an engine. I actually live on the south side of DC but travel to Baltimore all the time. Where in the Bmore area is he located?

Welcome to the ODSS!!!

Where in Va do you live? We have many brothers in NOVA and many other points in the Old Dominion. The biggest thing with the oil dippers in a re-build is to make sure they are pointing in the correct direction so they actually dip oil.

Does your truck run? If so, I'd recommend just driving it for a season or two. I did, and ended up doing things to my truck that I had never imagined when I first bought it.

Glad to see another '51 in the group! Looking forward to meeting you, if you ever need a hand on anything, this is the group to help!!!

Be sure to check out the ODSS calendar, hopefully you are able to attend Homecoming which is just around the corner.....

Welcome!!

I live in the woodbridge area (Northern VA). thanks for the welcome Sweet. I started doing body work today since the brakes don't work and I have to figure out what is up with the engine. Yes, it runs until i step on the gas and then it wants to die on me. I am still waiting on the plates to arrive from the DMV.

I would love to link up with the group and meet everyone. Hopefully i can get my "sexy six" up and running.

Chris

Welcome Chris!

Looks like we'll be having the Homecoming 26-28 April so mark your calendar. Can your truck travel (i.e., on a trailer)? It would be cool to have another truck at Homecoming. Well, you and your wife, too, of course

You're lucky to live so close to the Zen Master of Stovebolt Tuning (Sweet).

Before you get too far on that 216 ... are you going for a correct restoration on that truck or are you wanting a fun driver that's *mostly* correct? Because if it's the latter, you might want to consider finding a later 6 like a 235 or a 261 to sink money into. But that's a discussion for Homecoming.

In the meantime, check your fuel filter and fuel line for blockages and get those brakes working. Get it driving. We can talk you into a 235, 261 or even a 2-cycle diesel upgrade later

Glad to have you aboard and look forward to meeting you in person. Homecoming is a good time and we like having problems to solve, projects to accomplish. I hope you can make it!

Regards,
John

Well, My thought was to make it a fun driver that is mostly correct. Since the engine matches the frame, i will probably keep it until it is no longer useful to me. I wish i could make it to the homecoming with the truck, but i know that i will be out of town from 20 april until 2 may for work. I will however make it to something this year so i can meet you all. I figure that the main things i am going to do since it is already driveable and all original is the following. I plan on using as much as possible!
Lower it 4 inches, new tires/rims, repaint, new wire harness, 12v system, disc brakes in the front/new master cylinder, etc. I will probably not do too much to the engine until later when i have more money to rebuild it OR get a new one.
I need to get it finished so i can start using it to move my motorcycle to the race track!

After doing starting to work on my truck i have noticed a few issues that need to be addressed very soon. No tail/brake lights. They were never hooked up. Tires are badly dry rot. Rearend was leaking and i am guessing contains no fluid. Multiple bee/hornet hives under the truck. no to mention what apears to be a rear main seal leak. I guess that i am just going to start taking the body apart and start working since it will be easier that way.

Welcome to the Family,

I am relatively new to all this old truck stuff too, but have been learning at the expense of my 1957 3100 basket case. SWEET resurrected it for me when I brought it home about a year ago and we have been fast friends ever since.

You'll not find a nicer bunch of guys than you have in the ODSS.

I am in the Bowling Green area, south of Fredericksburg. If you get the chance, and its safe to do so, drag your truck down to either my place or SWEETs and show it off!

And, if you need it, I have a two-wheel dolly that I keep in the yard. It's a little rough, but has new tires and seems to work. At least for what we need to do.

Again, welcome.

Jim

Chris,

If you get as close as 4 bolts remaining before the cab comes off let me know. I will buy the beer and prepare you for the future.
In the meantime, have fun.
Hambone

Jim, i make runs down to bowling green all the time. In fact i will be there next week on thursday and friday. Don't worry guys, i am willing to buy plenty of beer for anyone who would like to help me get my baby running! The grinder will be here tomorrow to take off a few bolts that are so rusted that there is no way that they will come apart. ( i broke most of them already)

Chris, Congrads on getting your stovebolt. Mine is a '48 with a '56 235. I'm a little further north of the VA clan at Bel Air, MD. I'm presently restoring a '52 Chevrolet Suburban that was NY rusty. See you at an upcoming event. V/R, Nick

NJC, I just moved from abingdon down here to northern VA for work last sept! Too bad i don't still live up there.