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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,108 Posts1,056,230 Members48,436 | | 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!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | The fun begins. Good luck with the rebuild.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | All original? Those doors aren't original to a '51. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Good eye! or it's not a 51.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | or it was a very early '51 ... or a '50 not first registered until '51 ... or the original purchaser didn't like those "new fangled vents" and the dealer humored him  Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | stove51,
If you want to ID your truck, is there a plate on the cab, between the hinges on the driver's side? If yes, post the code.
Most likely, you have already ID'd the engine by the code pressed into the block, just to rear of where the distributor goes into the block.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | This is an interesting truck. It looks like it has Bendix brakes, started in 1951. Engine has 2" round circle between distributor and road draft tube, used in 1950. Doors are 1948-50. ?????????
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,107 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,107 | | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | Already ran codes. It was manufactured in May of 51'. Didn't know about the 2" round circle you mentioned. I'll double check the casting code and see if I missed anything.
Very possible that the doors have been switched. But we have some donor parts (which include vent window doors) that may be used for the restoration. Will probably have leftover parts to sell if anyone is interested.
At any rate...I guess what I mean by "All Original" is that we are going to be sourcing all original parts and hopefully not have to buy any remaned parts. That's the goal anyhow. Of coarse, patch panels will be used.
Last edited by stove51; 07/16/2013 11:38 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | Other than the engine..mine was cleaner. Your truck looks a lot like mine did when I started. I hope you have less rust in the floor than I did. Enjoy and have a great time with it. 
Steve H
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | Well, this truck gets even more interesting. Went back and looked at engine code again and searched. Can't find in any database. What the heck does that mean?
I know it's a 216, just by the valve cover and the number starts with JBA. But the rest of the numbers aren't close to anything.
????????? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | JBA engine code prefix - 1951 What are the rest of the numbers? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | Yeah. I saw that page as well as others. I also referenced that prefix in and old repair manual my pap gave me and all show say 1951. I believe the numbers are 661215. But it actually looks like 66I2I5. The "1's" look like capital "i's" I'm a little concerned. Oh...I also need a lead on a rebuild/overhaul kit for a 216. Can anyone point me in the right direction please. ( just a complete gasket kit)
Last edited by stove51; 07/16/2013 10:01 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 | I got a full gasket kit for a 216 from my local Napa. They had it the next day. Cost about the same as the online shops. Be prepared they ain't cheap. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | I wonder what the date code is on the block. I have not seen a 51 engine with the 2" circle. I wonder if it is a early 51 truck with a leftover 50 engine.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | I wonder what the date code is on the block. I have not seen a 51 engine with the 2" circle. I wonder if it is a early 51 truck with a leftover 50 engine. and leftover 50 doors  Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | stove51, Would you please post all of the numbers codes from your head and block? Here are the locations. - full engine serial number - head casting code - head date-casting code - block casting code - block date-casting code This might allow better speculation as to when the engine was cast and assembled (and allow better speculation as to when the truck might have been assembled). | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,513 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,513 | At any rate...I guess what I mean by "All Original" is that we are going to be sourcing all original parts and hopefully not have to buy any remaned parts. That's the goal anyhow. Of coarse, patch panels will be used. "All original" and "patch panels" sound odd in the same paragraph. If you have a stash of NOS parts I would save them for a truck with less evidence of molestation and not get too concerned about parts source. If it's been patched up what does that say to a future buyer?
1952 1300 Canadian 1/2 ton restomod You Tube | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | At any rate...I guess what I mean by "All Original" is that we are going to be sourcing all original parts and hopefully not have to buy any remaned parts. That's the goal anyhow. Of coarse, patch panels will be used. "All original" and "patch panels" sound odd in the same paragraph. If you have a stash of NOS parts I would save them for a truck with less evidence of molestation and not get too concerned about parts source. If it's been patched up what does that say to a future buyer? Oh Bite me. Not building it to sell it. Building it to drive it and show it. No future buyer. Anyhow....got the engine code confusion figured out. If you want something done right then do it yourself I guess. I was relying on someone else to look at the casting numbers then relay them to me. I went over and looked myself. The guy was reading me the serial number. Casting #: 3835497 = 1942-53 216 inline 6 date code: E101 = May 10th, 1951 All good....so not sure about the 2" circle thingy but they must exist. 
Last edited by stove51; 07/18/2013 9:28 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | stove51,
Yes, all good.
Your "bite me" is well stated.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | stove51,
Yes, all good.
Your "bite me" is well stated. Ha...Thanks  | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | All good as long as you have a rabies tag.... | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | Just ordered up a gasket kit. Gonna continue disassembly of the iron wonder. Looks like we need a couple (if not all) valve seats. Opening up block this week...I think. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 | Sounds like you are having a blast! Glean what information that you can use from this site and let the crap roll down your back. BTW, you really need to change your call out name to Bite Me. Too funny!
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 58 | Sounds like you are having a blast! Glean what information that you can use from this site and let the crap roll down your back. BTW, you really need to change your call out name to Bite Me. Too funny! I am having a blast. Learning a lot from my pap. His passion is cars and restoring them. Slowly becoming mine. My favorite line of his..."if there's no rust on it, and it runs...there's no sense in buying it". That just says it all.
Last edited by stove51; 07/27/2013 7:24 AM.
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