Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

Wow what a great start, congratulations!!!!!!

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

YES, as I stated before make sure it will stop FIRST.
Will it roll, can you move it, will the wheels turn?
Is the brake peddle moveable, does it go all the way to the floor?
Look for a rubber plug on the floor by your left heal(about 2") when your foot is off of the clutch, this is the access hole for the brake master cylinder, clean the dirt from around the big nut and take it off and see if there is any brake fluid in the resavour(sp).
Let us know when you have completed all these tasks.
So far we have not spent any of your bedget!!!!
The next time you are at a parts store pick up a QUART of brake fluid, you will need it sooner or later!
Ask your family where they found that front bumper!!
OH, that camper will make a good storage house for your extra parts, behind the barn!!!

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

This kinda reminds me of when I got my '54 when I was 16. I drove mine home for $1200.00 Mine had been driven daily, but needed work for saftey and drive ability. I checked the brakes shoes for wear and the slave cylinders for leaks. Then I bled the brakes and replaced the fluid. Fairly inexpensive. Then I took it to school when we we doing carbs in Autoshop and rebuilt the single barrel carb. Ok, so not to be repetitive, but yeah, BRAKES! If she sat for 20+ years the gas that was in your tank has varnished. Pull the tank and replace it or have it professionally cleaned out. If you've checked your wiring and fluid levels, hook up a battery and see if she'll turn over(Check if it's a 6 or 12 volt system). You may want to pull one plug at a time squirt some lube down each of the 8 cylinders. You could also check the compression too. I look forward to fallowing your thread. Keep us posted. I know it's not popular when your young, but safety 1st! If you can't stop it, don't worry about going yet. Plugs/wires/brake fluid/shoes/battery/temporary fuel cell is probably all under $200. Before you hit the road, get some new tires that aren't rotten and check the wheel bearings. Do you have any buddies who are in autoshop? Friends are always helping me out. Good luck and Welcome to the board from CA.

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

wow i have had my 58 for 3 years and havnt been able to invest 1/3 of that in to mine :( lol

but like every one else i would start where you stop. even if you cant swap in a disc conversion and 4 link right now just stay simple you can ride on the stock suspension for a while mines 49 years old and it goes to work every day. of course it rides like a tractor but it gets me back and forth. after you get it to stop make sure you have some decent tires that will roll you around until you decide what you want to do with your suspension. you dont want to buy 2000 worth of wheels and tires for something you may change in a year.

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

Alright, I'm going to be checking the brakes and everything today to see what shape they are in. I will post on that when I get back. Also as far as a vision goes, I want it to be pretty much original looking on the outside, but with modern goodies on the inside( and under the hood ).

Also, no one has given me an idea of what it is worth right now :o I'm just curious how good of a deal I got! Thanks again for all of the posts. About 3 times the posts I received on any other forum so I'm not even using them anymore :lol: Thanks!

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

It's hard to put a price tag on a project. If you can get her to fire up/stop/go under her own power, then you're ahead. If you don't have any rott or cancer to replace, you're ahead. Like I said in my post, I got mine for just over 1k, but yours looks a bit cleaner/straighter. And you already have a nice V8. Here's a shot of my '54(and me when I was 16)the day I bought it:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...ruckandI92.jpg

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

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Thats exactly what I wanted for my truck. It was a 70,000 original mile truck so I left it stock in appearence on the outside and all the running grear changed and suspension lowered. Sounds like it'll be nice when it is done.

As far as the good deal goes does it really matter now, you own it. What's a good or bad deal anyway? Just another guys opinion in the end. What did you pay for it? I don't remember you posting that. My truck was $3600 when purchased in the mid 90's. Low milage, no rust, next to no body work and purchased from the original owner. That was high for a truck back then and some would say that it's high now .... but it's what I wanted.

esll. :)

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

If you lived in CA I would by that camper off you and turn it into a dog house for my boxers. I have to build them a house before winter starts!

That truck looks solid. As everyone else says go mechanical fixes first. I would do the brakes, steering, electrical, suspension, fuel, engine first. And that does not mean you have to rip it all out and go all new either.

You can just get into a system and replace what is needed and keep the stock stuff. Clean up the wiring, flush out the engine fluids, replace belts/hoses/battery...basically get it back on the road in its current condition.

once it is back on the road you could start doing the body work and getting it ready for paint.

take pictures of stuff as you go and before you start. closeups are nice. They really help if you take something apart and two years later you go to put it back together and can not remember where a certain bracket goes.

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

just noticed that someone already has done a v8 swap. well that saves you some time/money too. does it run and what tranny is in it?

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

While you are working on the brakes, you can remove the 8 spark plugs and squirt 2-3 oz. of Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) in each cylinder, and when you get around to starting it everything should be lubed up!!! Another $5.00 investment that you can use as rust penetrating oil on all the bolts and nuts, everywhere, doors, hood, lug bolts!!

Re: 48 Chevy 5 Window
 

Awesome truck,LOVE the camper,tooo cool!!!!!!!!