I purchased this truck from I believe the third owner in Bend, Oregon in February of 2013. I drug home as my retirement project, a 1953 3104. It was about a 700 mile round trip to Bend to get it.
The truck was built in Oakland Cali and spent about 55 years in Ashland, Oregon on a farm until it went to Bend. Now it is up in Washington for a complete overhaul.
Some interesting features:
It has all the original date coded tinted glass with exception of the windshield.
The truck came with the Coppertone color and the front bumper was gray in color. It was repainted some time ago once to a lighter yellow.
Another option is the side mounted spare tire.
The original 216 gave up the ghost a couple years ago with approx. 39K on the odometer. When I tore into the 216, I noticed it had a stock bore. A replacement 235 from a 56 sedan was installed.
The truck still retains its 3sp on the tree transmission and torque tube rear end.
I have a lot of work to do but am really enjoying the work and the threads on the Stovebolt forum. This place is a wealth of knowledge and have already been very valuable so far.
Look forward to posting some updates in the future.
Steve
Last edited by Peggy M; 01/13/202410:51 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Welcome Steve and congrats on your retirement project. This is a great place for help on your project, lots of knowledge around here. Good luck with your truck
Thank you for the welcome, I already have spent hours of fun reading on this forum.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:56 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Currently the truck is in my shop. The body is off the frame on a dolly and the frame is disassembled, clean and repainted.
As I said previously, I have a lot of work to do. Got some pictures this time.
Stovebolt has already been very valuable.
Steve Stock Gig Harbor, Wa
Last edited by Peggy M; 01/13/202410:47 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Hope to get started back on the truck this spring. Pretty ,much decided to bring it back to its no frills farm truck status which will include some bias ply light truck tires and reproduction gray hub caps.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:56 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Starting back on her now. Was able to get my sister's mustang out of my shop. Frame is done, engine trans is done and assembled. Now it is time to start hanging the suspension back on the frame.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:56 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Had a great day in the garage and managed to get a few things done. Replaced both axle bearings and seals. While I had it apart, I swabbed out the axle tubes and cleaned the ring and pinion, spiders and pinion gears. Checked the torque tube seal. Disassembled the rear leaf springs, glass beaded and painted, then reassembled them. The frame got new sleeves and pivot bolts and shackle kits, plus shocks and brakes. The truck had a pretty good lean to it before disassembly, turned out the pivot bolt sleeves and shackles were very worn. Also, the truck got new rear parking brake cables.
Rear suspension picture added here.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:57 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Chassis is just about done, just have to hang the radiator and core support.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:57 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Update: Pretty much have all the cab inside and out, sheet metal and bed all stripped to bare metal. Interesting enough the truck was dealer undercoated before delivery, when I scraped off the bottom of the inner fenders and front radiator support baffle I found the most glossy black unmolested paint. Here I thought all these years that the inner fenders and such were always semi gloss. I know this post is insignificant to most but to the original and purist guys, you might get a kick out of this.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:57 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Got all the body work complete. Small dents in the back of the cab above the top of the bed line, where people have thrown stuff in and missed. Bumps and bruises along the body ,here and there, and straightened and painted the grill just to see if I am going to like the 53 color of omaha orange and anvil gray. I stripped and cleaned the entire underside, primed and painted and undercoated. The truck was previously undercoated at the dealership when originally purchased and it kept the sheetmetal like brand new, along with all the farm mud underneath, made a believer of me in undercoat.
Here are a couple of pix for you.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:57 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
The cab is back on the chassis. Got to use my chain hoist with bridge and trolley setup to lift the cab. I will post up some pics. It made for a very easy install. Steve
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:57 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Finished it off and it has had a couple hundred miles put on it.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:58 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Since I started this thread, I found and rebuilt a 261 engine found out of a 1962 2 ton truck. It was a stock bore with all the extras plus it had the correct rochester B carb on it too. Here is a pic of it and the truck now has about 200 miles on the new power plant.
Really happy with this powerplant. I did use a waterpump relocation bracket from Pre68 Dave to put the waterpump in its correct location.
Thanks for looking,
Steve
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:58 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
The journal and pictures get me all hyped up and excited to start another. GREAT JOB! Thank you for the inspiration these old stovebolts have a way of becoming a habit. Doc.
Currently making 1954 3100 better than new and Genetics
Thanks all for the nice comments, much appreciated. I'm now knee deep in my 64 GMC project.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/26/202311:59 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Hello Steve, I know it was along time ago, Your project. Do you still live in Gig Harbor? I live there also and am working on a 53-3100 I recently received from a family member who owned nit since 69. Anyway, I liked your project and photos.
Hello Kal, I noticed Steve hasn’t posted since July of ‘23. You might try sending him an email. His email is listed in his profile. After you post a few more times (I believe at least 4 minimum) you can also send him a PM through the Stovebolt.
Welcome to the Stovebolt.
John
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/19/20242:11 PM. Reason: edited # of posts required (from 3 to 4)
~ J Lucas 2006 GMC Envoy 4.2 I6 2023 Ram 2500/Cumins 6.7 I6 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Wife’s) 2002 Silverado 2500 Gas 6.0 1941 Chevy 1/2-Ton 1942 Chevy 1.5-Ton SWB In the Gallery My Flicker Photos!
Man, that engine is beautiful - even with the Rochester!
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
I purchased this truck from I believe the third owner in Bend, Oregon in February of 2013. I drug home as my retirement project, a 1953 3104. It was about a 700 mile round trip to Bend to get it. 
