Larry Holder wrote:
>
> Hi to all,
>
> I'm so pleased to find this list and so many kindred souls.
>
> In '92 I bought a sweet '47 3100 and a not so good '50 3600 from my old
> high school buddy, Dave Sampson. Dave, a blacksmith and welder, lives in
> Alta Vista, Kansas. All the work was done in his shop
>
> I decided to go with the five window cab, the 235 ('62 transplant), four
> speed and the (3:73) 3/4 ton rearend from the '50. I probably could have
> done a very nice restoration on the '47 but wanted a driver.
>
> We dismantled both trucks and bead blasted and primed all the frame and
> body parts. Cataloged all the parts and I spent the winter saving up and
> tracking down parts. I went back to Kansas in July, '93.
>
> Most of the parts came from Jim Carter in Independence, Mo. They were very
> helpful and deliveries were timely. Thanks to all at Carter's!!
>
> I replaced all the brake lines, rebuilt the master and slave cylinders,
> turned the drums and replaced all the shoes. I decided to replace the knee
> action shocks with modern ones. The front end was rebuilt with new tie-rod
> ends. Stock wheels with 7.50 x 16, 10 ply belted radials all around.
>
> I converted to 12 volts and got a great 60 amp alternator from 5th Avenue
> Antique Auto in Clay Center, Kansas. Thanks, Randy. I put in electric
> wipers as this truck was headed to Seattle.
>
> The interior is stock, except painted a light cream yellow with brown
> headliner and door panels. The seat is done with brown bison (buffalo)
> leather. Stiching by Goodson Auto Trim in Manhattan, Kansas. Beautiful,
> comfortable, and tough. We had to replace lower door posts, cab corners,
> and floor panels. All the hardware in the doors was replaced.
>
> About this time, I was running out of money and time. but the truck was
> running and drivable. So I decided to postpone painting and engine work.
> Grover and I got in and took off for Seattle. Grover was a kitten I had
> become very attached to during my two months at Dave's. In fact, Grover and
> his 5 siblings were born in the shop about three days after I got there.
>
> The truck ran great except for rust from the tank. I had to replace fuel
> filters several times. Cruising speed about 60, 10 to 12 mpg. I got to
> Seattle only two days late for work.
>
> In the summer of '96, I decided it was time to rebuild the 235. I bought a
> rebuilt head with no-lead valves and seats. The block was good and went to
> the machine shop for it's first overbore. The shop in Fort Riley, Ks.
> provided all the bearings, gaskets, pistons and seals (Napa). I bought
> Fenton headers, Mallory ignition and Wayne covers from Patrick's in
> Arizona. A Clifford 4-barrel water heated manifold, cam, and pushrods from
> Stovebolt in Oregon. I used a Holly 390 CFM carburetor. Rose's in
> Manhattan, Ks. did the exhaust and mufflers.
>
> The engine rebuild was more fun than most legal activities. The only
> problems were the rear main seal, which I had to later replace (in the
> truck from underneath), and the solid lifters. Patrick bailed me out by
> pointing out that the '62 had to use the lifters with the oil groove.
> Before that I was getting no oil to the rockers.
>
> Wow, this engine runs great. Really strong bottom end torque and 15 to 18
> MPG! I've put about 3500 miles on since the build and it keeps getting
> stronger. I've since moved to Brooklyn, NY and don't drive it daily. About
> a month ago, I drove back to Dave's for more work.
>
> I'm going to replace the springs, put discs on the front, add power brakes
> and paint it (finally). I'm thinking about a 3:55 ring and pinion, and
> restoring the bed. It's a sheet of 1" plywood now.
>
> That's my (rather long) story. Does anyone have any suggestions on the
> front discs? I'd like to keep the 6-lug wheels. Any experience with power
> brake kits?
>
> Nice to meet you all, and thanks for your time
>
> Larry, '47/'50 3100
>
Hi Larry,
Welcome to the list! I can't offer any help on the brakes, but I really
enjoyed reading your introduction. Sounds like you've had a lot of fun
with your truck. I'm sure someone on the list can point you in the right
direction.
Alan Gingles
1948 Chevy 1314
http://www.nucleus.com/~agingles
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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