I noticed a couple of things Robert. One is your using your work e-mail for
the trucks AND the other is you work for the accounting software my company
uses - get back to work! :^) I'm no expert by any means but maybe this will
keep you until the people that DO know something get home from work.
On the 216 vs. 235 the biggest difference is the internal oiling of the
bearings which the 235 has. Patrick's has a lower gear (higher ratio) to
change the rear end so once you get to fourth gear the RPM's are down around
4,000. Try your hand at the archives:
http://www.escribe.com/automotive/american/chevygmtruck/index.html
BTW to no one in particular the old archives appear to have disappeared.
This is a quote from Chevy Duty's catalog.
1953 - Last year for 216 cu.in. babbit bearing type engine. Hood side emblem
changed to large 3100, 3600, 3800,
etc only. No CHEVROLET emblem on side. Door post ID plate is now blue &
silver. Prior years were black
& silver. Last year that wood blocks are used under bed. Serial #'s, H
1/2ton, J 3/4ton, L 1ton, etc.
Terry
sitting at home - healing
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Horvick <rhorvick@GreatPlains.com>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2000 10:06 AM
Subject: [oletrucks] Finding what I really need in an oletruck
> The oletruck fund is starting to finally pan out to something - though I
> still have yet to find the truck-of-my-dream. I came close yesterday -
> driving down a local street I saw either a 52 or 53 (I'm still just
learning
> how to tell them apart - but it had vent windows [51-?], split windshield
> [51-53 - weren't they replaced in 54?], and push button door handles
> [52-53]) ... I saw the owner through a window (looked like he was washing
> dishes - so perhaps he wouldn't mind being interrupted :)]. I knocked and
> we talked for a while.
>
> Turns out to be a great truck - he bought it running (216, original all
over
> except the previous owner had done some innovative farmer-style body work
to
> meet some of his needs around the field) for $500 ... a great deal. I
was,
> needless to say, jealous.
>
> As we went on he mentioned that for his particular model (this is the 52
> 3100 3/4 ton) he couldn't get a rear-end gears (without dropping in a Ford
> rear-end) for his truck with a friendly enough ratio to do highway
cruising
> [60-70MPH]. The goal for me with this first truck project would be to
> satisfy the following criteria:
>
> - Daily Driver on a 25 mile one-way commute [so I need highway speed
driving
> - or the ability to attain that without major surgery].
> - Ease of maintenance. From what I've seen/read and experienced the
> Stovebolt 6 is ideal for what I'm looking for here.
> - Availability of parts ... if I can't get it from NAPA I'm looking at a
> long wait. There isn't much for auto-recycling yards up here [Fargo, ND]
> and what is there is new - it has to be ... nothing survives long with our
> salted roads.
> - Driving pleasure
>
> >From what I understand (from reading, listening and asking) I've narrowed
my
> search down to an AD 3100 - but have yet to drill down further. Perhaps
> some of you can help.
>
> Is the 3/4 ton really out of the picture for highway speed driving?
> Is there a practical difference between the 216 and 235 that makes one a
> better option for a relatively green backyard-"mechanic"?
> Are there years I should be avoiding or seeking out?
> Should I be looking at the GMC's as well or will Chevy's have more
abundant
> part availability?
> How do I tell a 52 and 53 apart (not really related but bugging me! :)
> What else???
>
> I realize I'm asking broad open-ended questions - but I think they are
ones
> that many people probably have firm opinions about. The more I listen and
> learn the more I realize I don't know - now that the moment of truth (or
> purchase) is drawing closer - I don't want to impulsively buy a certain
year
> or model and then find out later that it is the bum of the lot.
>
> My goal isn't collectability or showing the truck. It isn't to have the
> coolest/fastest/best looking/latest/greatest/most-original/[fill in your
> category here] truck ... I just want to have my own oletruck. My first
> oletruck. The truck that all future ones will be measured against. The
> truck I drive my kids to school in and carry the Christmas tree home in.
>
> And if someone else thinks it looks cool - even better.
>
> So what do I need to know before I shoot myself in the foot?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robert Horvick
> Global Development Build Coordinator
> Great Plains Software, Fargo ND
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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