New '51 and new to the Site
 

Hello Everyone,

Just bought a '51 shortbed for $5200 a month ago and I'm excited to get this thing fixed up. It's already been converted to 12 volt and has a glass pack. 235 under the hood. I'm not very knowledgable on motors, but my Pops got me into these classic trucks and knows them well. We've been going to car shows on a monthly basis. I've been checking out the site and look forward to getting help from everyone. I just put the fenders on last week and still need to buy the side windows, the cluster, a grille and lots of other things. I also need to paint the bumpers and tailgate. The current paint job is not the greatest, but is fine until I can get everything working.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/...1f5da0e1dc.jpg

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Welcome to the site!

let me be the first to say, MOAR PICS! :lol:

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

:welcome2: & :hi: You will find all the help you need on this great site.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Welcome and the truck looks to be in great condition. Good luck with her, and I'll second that more pics comment.

Since you are in Southern Cal don't forget to make it out to the Brothers Truck Show on July 11.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Welcome, and I think that the '51s are the greatest years ever made. :lol: I might be a little bias though.

We deffinatly need more pix of that ol' thing.

Were the windows converted to one piece?

Good luck with your build. You have a great one to start out with.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

The windows are still the two piece. I want to convert them to one piece, but I'm still debating. I think I need to change one of the regulators because when I turn one handle three times to open the window, it snaps back like a rubber band. I'm looking for someone to help me fix a few things so if you know anyone in the LA area that has experience with these trucks I'd appreciate it.

Here's more pics:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/...6014b936ef.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/...683c32558b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/...91fe07cf00.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/...0b3934304b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/...e93123cd55.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/...efd80c33c0.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/...a832850d73.jpg

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

cool truck :metal:welcome to the site , a lot of good info and good people on here:metal::metal:congrats on the truck and again welcome to the board:ito:

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

great start!

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Welcome and nice truck. Great that you can drive and fix at the same time.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Thanks everyone. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

nice lookin truck! & welcome to the board. You picked a good year model. I thought I wanted to remove the wing windows on my project, but now I'm glad I didn't. By the way, 51 is the only year that has wing windows and "turning" door handles.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

welcome and great project

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Thanks Kid. That's interesting information. My Pops keeps telling me to leave the wings on so I guess I will keep them on now.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

I'm curious about the aftermarket shifter. What kind of transmission does the truck have, and has it been converted to open drive?

Ray

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Welcome and nice truck

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Ray, I don't know what kind of transmission it has. I'll try to find out and get back to you.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Welcome !!

(Listen to your Pops) !!!

You have a very good start especially that you can drive it and work on it,
Craigs list is your friend for parts!

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Is it a three speed?
does it have a open drive shaft?
Has the rear end been converted? how many lug bolts aree on the rear wheels?

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

It's been converted to 4 on the floor. The rear wheels are 6 lug now. Not sure on the other stuff yet.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Ok, so probably a car 4 speed then, because a truck 4 speed shifter would come through the round hole near the front of the cover plate. In all likelihood, the driveshaft and rear have also been replaced with open drive parts. This is good, because it means you probably have highway-friendlier gearing now than if the rear end were stock.

Ray

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Are you sure its a 235 and not a 216? does it have side motor mounts or front motor mounts? your truck looks great looking forward on what tranny and rear i would love to convert mine and retain the 216.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

You can run a modern 3, 4, or 5 speed transmission with a 216. The truck bellhousing from 48 on has the right bolt pattern.

Ray

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

This is where the newbie in me comes out. I'll have to have my Pops chime in on this one.

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

Looks like a 216 from the valve cover. Got a picture from the other side? Where the plugs go in if there is a tin cover, it is a 216, if there is no cover, most likely 235. What does your oil pressure gauge read and how high does it go? The 216 is a low pressure system.

Good looking truck and welcome to the site. Drive it!

Re: New '51 and new to the Site
 

A pic of the other side of the engine would be the best way to tell. That valve cover was stock on 235 engines through 1953, and can be installed on any year 235 head if two of the rocker arm shaft studs are replaced.

The dash still has the stock 0-30 oil pressure gauge. It would be pegged most of the time with a full pressure 235, but all 235s through 52 and some in 53 were low pressure like the 216.

Ray