Las Vegas Casino Find......

[Justonegear]

Not that many Barns here in LV......Makes Barn finds next to impossible.

This 46 was owned by a good friends father for close to 40 years here in LV so it was easy to say yes to buying it. I have a few questions for you pro's if you would be so kind. My intentions are to keep it as close to stock issue as possible. What I know is that the prior owner had the stock engine rebuilt and did a 12v wire conversion. Otherwise it appears to be in fairly good original condition with a few minor exceptions. So here are my first few questions.

- In terms of value how bad did the 12v wiring conversion effect it ?

- I'm not sure but is it possible that the spare is the original issue ?

- There is a hole on the dash on the left just above the light switch
is that stock or someones add on ?

- If the wiring change blows the valve, would a 235 ci, 4 speed also tank it ???

- There is some light surface rust, although the worst of it is at the bottom
of the front fenders as pictured. Based on the snaps and your experience
what would be a fair value for this truck, not really sure if I paid to much ?

- I drove it aprox, 15 miles home and it seem to run fine, although with a 3 speed 45 MPH was about it.

- Where is the VIN number on the truck ?

Here's a few pic's and thanks for any help.

[Todd68Chevy]

Congradulations on a great purchase. Have fun and enjoy. I will try to answer but these are just my opinion.

- In terms of value how bad did the 12v wiring conversion effect it ?

I do not feel these trucks have much extra value because they are original/ stock. So my opinion would be-- it makes it more drivable and that should help the value.

- I'm not sure but is it possible that the spare is the original issue ?

I am sure it is old but I really doubt the original tire would be a white wall. Back when this was new I do not think they would have put white walls on trucks.

- There is a hole on the dash on the left just above the light switch
is that stock or someones add on ?

If you are meaning the hole to the left of the instrument cluster, that is where my light switch was so I am not sure.

- If the wiring change blows the valve, would a 235 ci, 4 speed also tank it ???

Once again my opinion would be if it helps it be more road worthy and drivable then that would help value. If you are concerned just keep the original stuff around and do not cut stuff up so then you could always change it back. To help with engine RPM's on the highway you will need to change the rear end gears or add an overdrive because high gear in a 3 speed and a 4 speed are both 1 to 1 and that will make the high gear RPM's the same with both transmissions.

- There is some light surface rust, although the worst of it is at the bottom
of the front fenders as pictured. Based on the snaps and your experience
what would be a fair value for this truck, not really sure if I paid to much ?

I have no idea on value but I would say with the history you know and as good of shape the truck is in, if you are happy with what you paid then you got a good deal. In my part of the country, if you ever found a truck that was that nice of shape, there is no way it would run and you could drive it home.

- I drove it aprox, 15 miles home and it seem to run fine, although with a 3 speed 45 MPH was about it.

They were not made to run fast, they were made to pull and haul a load. Changing the rear gears or adding an overdrive is the only way to fix it but getting a tach to see what RPM's you are actually running will help you see that the engine probably sounds like it is running a lot faster than it is.

- Where is the VIN number on the truck ?

I think it is on a tag that is on the side of the cowl section under the hood.

[Justonegear]

"if it helps it be more road worthy and drivable then that would help value" good point. As well as the tach suggestion. It was so noisy that I felt like the engine was racing. It was about 65 this afternoon and I had all the vents open so it was a bit noisy in the cab.

thanks for the information.

[paintman]

Don't sweat the originality/value ratio, just drive it and enjoy. The laughs, smiles, and thumbs up your going to get going down the road will more than make up for any monetary loss!

[paintman]

Here's the mother of all 46 original resto links. this guy did a killer job!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.46chevytruck.com/46restoration.htm

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by paintman

Don't sweat the originality/value ratio, just drive it and enjoy.

One example; I think the 70's Muscle car market is getting crazy with the whole "numbers-matching" thing. I say; enough already. Who cares?? If you're gonna keep it, build it like YOU like it.

[HarleyT]

I miss my old 46, looks like you have a very nice starting point. Keep us posted!

[Justonegear]

do you know if the door glass in interchangeable ???

[hopped up]

Nice truck!! I really lke those year pick ups. I say get an original rear bumper and enjoy driving it. And if its a 216 keep those rpms low because theyll throw a rod out tbe side of the block pretty easily
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[HarleyT]

The door glass are the same for 41,42 and 46. Basically the complete cab and box. The fenders are different between the heavy big truck to the 1/2 and 3/4 ton. Here's what mine looked like
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[Justonegear]

Are they the same from right to left. My passenger window is shot, I found a driver window and would like to use it in the passenger door ??? I also need a front window, or at least the passenger side of it.

And thanks for the help.

[HarleyT]

Yes the window glass is the same as is the front glass just flipped for the windshield. For the door glass I think you will have to pull the glass out of the frame because I do not remember if you can just switch the track .
Harley
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[63burban4x4]

Originally Posted by hopped up

Nice truck!! I really lke those year pick ups. I say get an original rear bumper and enjoy driving it. And if its a 216 keep those rpms low because theyll throw a rod out tbe side of the block pretty easily
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x2 on the bumper....even someone who doesn't know these trucks would recognize that as non original. As for the motor, remember, this was built 10 years before the first "limited access" highway was.....and never made for any high road speed. If I remember, they rely on the bearings dipping in the oil in the pan? Some more knowlegable correct me if I'm wrong.....I can't remember when they changed that, but I once had a '37 panel with the "dipper" bearings. Go too fast, and the oil splashes around too much, with disasterous results! BTW, that thing is AWESOME

[Rollo McFlurry]

That's a beauty!

[Justonegear]

10-4 on the bumper.....my laundry list is growing..missed that one ???

#-4.... Rear Bumper

I will take several more pic's and you pro's can clue me in on all the little Do-Dads I need.

Looking at a 235 out of a 52 PU to rebuild for it. Is that the best choice or should I be looking for something else. I have been told that a slightly newer one with an external water pump is a bit better choice, although the front pulley system has to be changed a bit.

Now that I have run it a while I don't think the PO got the Top Notch rebuild he was hoping/paying for. So the 235 looks better all the time. I'll keep the 216 in a crate for the next owner......someday!

[68SHORTBOX]

The door window glass is the same but you will have to swap it in to the passenger side frame.
Give this link a try. Lots of info on these trucks there. www.stovebolt.com

[Justonegear]

Thanks for the info. As soon as I clear the garage of the 68 it's time for the 46. Looks like that will be March.

I do need a few parts if anyone has any leads.....hopefully

1- Passenger door glass.

2- Passenger side front window glass

3- Driver interior door lock switch/handle

I would like to find OEM parts if possible.

[YBNORML]

Nice score. One of my favourite years. One of my uncles has a 45' that he won't sell me.
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[special-K]

They call the early Stovebolts "Babbitt Pounders". If you're going into the engine there are kits to convert to bearings. Not sure the exact year they went from babbitt to bearing,but I believe it was on the 235 sometime during the Advance Design series.

[jayhawk]

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[docrock]

Great find. the door window can be used on either side you just have to pull the two screws on the bottom metal track and flip it around.

[speesh]

Nice truck! looks like a good old survivor. If I were you I would look for a 55 or later 235. This article will explain why.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engine_swap_216.htm
Like 68shortbox said, this is a great source for info on these old trucks.
Just don't lower it and put it on 20" rims!