The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1951 Chevy 3100 project

Hello Everyone,
This is a '51 3100 that I purchased a few days ago in Kearney Missouri. The story was that it has been sitting in a shed for the last 10 years. The registration sticker on the windshield is from 1985, so it likely hasn't been on the road for around 28 years.

Here's the photo album.

http://s19.photobucket.com/user/neilert/library/51%20Chevy%203100%20truck

I plan on taking it apart to repair the mechanical items and sheet metal, then putting it back into fairly original shape. The paint will be dark green to match my Father's first farm truck when he was just married, a '49 or '50 Chevy 3100 sold long ago.

Original color: Seacrest green
Current engine: 235, built in Flint Michigan in 1954

Today I started removing old sheet metal patches that were screwed into the floor, and also removed the seat back and base.

The photo album shows the upholstery removed from the spring frame. Mice have been living in there for a while...

I also started spraying all of the exposed fasteners in the cab, engine compartment, and frame with Kroil to make them easier to remove later.

When the weather is above freezing, it will go to the carwash to clean it inside and out.

Boy, those pics bring back some memories. I see it has the "usual" AD problems but the good thing is most all you need is available even if it is Chinese stuff!
The fun now begins, just remember to visit here often and keep us updated.... and let us know how we can help! You can do it!

Thanks Alvin- I will post plenty of photos of the progress, and I'm sure I will have a lot of questions.

Merry Christmas! This morning it was a lot of fun to watch the girls open their presents.

Today I'm working on the truck interior. I put on a full body suit, gloves, glasses, and mask for the headliner removal.

I cut the perimeter of the headliner with a razor, then pulled it down while standing outside with a shovel. It was full of mice nests, and still had a live mouse in it.

Photos are in the album link above.

I'm going to bleach the entire interior and head to the carwash.

Before you pull down your headliner, read the safety posts on this forum! This stuff can make you sick.

Neilert,

There were no mice above one of my truck's roof-carboard. We did find a 4-foot long snake skin.

In two of my trucks, there were mouse nests in the lower rear cab corners. This provided at least two factors in aiding rust-out in those areas.

Did you wear a breathing mask?

I sure wouldn't expect a snake up there!
Yep, wore a mask, but won't be back in the cab until it's pressure washed.

Looks like my "Bomber" when I bought it about 8yrs ago. finally trying to finish up the cab work ( worked a lot of overtime) in the past4 yrs, hence no truck work. Mike

Hey! We are almost neighbors. That looks like a good solid truck. 5 window cab. Looks like a 235 engine in it.
Like the guys say, there is plenty of help on this website. We are lucky in this area that we have 3 big parts stores in the area.
I might see you at some of the shows this summer.
George

Wow, great info. makes me so glad the 47 3600 I bought last week already had its interior removed. I need to find a hornets nest the owner said is in there somewhere though. Good luck with it.

On my 37 1/2 a big mud dobbers nest was in the right inside in front of top of door when I got it chained down and ready to take home after a long rest.Its a full fendered rat and the nest stayed after lots of beating and banging of parts.It stayed put so became proud of it.At lots of cruise in days saw people bring others back lean down and point up at it.After twenty years came back at one cruise in and it was in the floor broken up bad.Guess time just did it.Hate to think some one just knocked it down.Still a really good run.
We that have a winter have it lots better getting the snakes and sting things cleaned out while to cold to get you.

I picked up the floor pan assembly today at LMC. It sure is handy to have that resource 20 minutes from my house.

I added several photos of the complete floor pan to the album. It is hard to tell what is included from the diagram in the catalog. This piece is going to save a lot of time, for around $550.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b...534f585997c9001bfd6f3319_zpsd4f2e860.jpg

Taking out the old floor is going to be a challenge. About a bazillion spotwelds. Then you have to figure out how to keep the rest of the cab from collapsing on itself. Keep us posted about how you did it. Is the rest of the cab that attaches to the floor panel rusted out?

On the spot welds I drove a screw driver between the welds took a 4 1/2 " grinder cut next to the S.D. then broke the welds ....
I think it would be wise to brace the cab in all directions , the first floor pans I removed I didn't brace v. well ..1950 ford ,I lost a lot of time trying to get it back right was not fun....You can not brace enough .... even the door posts need bracing , if doors are closing right you want be sorry ..

The current plan is to remove the rest of the interior components, glass, and doors. Then I will weld tube steel cross bracing in an "x" across the cab interior, and tube steel pillar bracing at the door openings. After plasma cutting the entire floor out, I will take the cab and truck frame to the blaster.

After the door hinges are rebuilt I am planning on removing the temporary pillar bracing, mounting the doors, setting the gap, and welding the doors to the cab with small welds around the perimeter. Then I can tip the cab up on it's firewall to tack in the new floor pan.

Once the pan is installed, the cab will be placed back onto the frame to check fitment, then I will cut the doors loose to gain interior access for the rest of the panel welding.

Several other panels that weld to the floor are rusted and will need some repairs also.

I'm sure the plan will change a bit through the process- any other suggestions?

Here's a 47 year old photo of Dad's truck that is inspiring this build. Can anyone tell what year it is from the photo? He thought it was a '52

Happy New Year!

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b...6084b52fed7ae140bea39005_zpsaafd82a6.jpg

If has original equipment, my guess is late 1949 or 1950

The hood side emblems are late 1949 or newer/later
The ventless window is 1950 or earler
The cowl side vent is 1950 or earlier

Thank you for the information. I corrected the first post in this thread to reflect the correct year.