What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ebernst · 04-22-2018, 10:06 PM

I'm wondering what the hole is for, and if it is factory. On the inside, there is what appears to be a hard rubber gasket of some sort, while the outside on the exterior of the cab it appears to be a rivet some sort. Does anyone know what this is, and what's the purpose?

PDW HOTRODS · 04-22-2018, 10:13 PM

Probably a CB antenna.

dsraven · 04-23-2018, 12:11 AM

haven't seen that except for an antenna of some sort.

**mr48chev** · 04-23-2018, 12:19 AM

That one may have been for a business two way radio. CB antennas usually didn't have that grommet that seems to have gone along with the old business or other 2 ways.

My 71 GMC has a hole dead center in the middle of the outer skin for a radio with the cable routed between the inner and outer skin. That's not going to be a fun fix.

dsraven · 04-23-2018, 01:40 AM

either way, to repair, clean it down to bare clean steel before attempting to weld a plug in the hole. if you can't find a plug the right size then get one bigger diameter and same gage and use a step drill to make the hole fit the plug. nice clean bare steel that way too. you can use a weak magnet to hold the plug in there nice and flat with the roof, tack it, remove the magnet (magnets tend to distort welding current and cause porosity in the weld), body hammer with dolly under to get the plug flat after slight warpage from the weld process, then another tack across from the first when it is cooled off, same same with the hammer/dolly, tack again, cool same same. soon the plug will be welded all the way around. a flap disc will easily flatten the weld bead down but be very careful not to heat the roof up. take lots of time to allow the roof to cool everywhere or you will spend more time getting the roof normal looking than you would have spent waiting for the weld and grind process to cool off. looks like sand blasting or dipping may be in your future anyway so, good luck with the project.

jjzepplin · 04-23-2018, 02:42 AM

My 70 has some holes from the siren it used to have from being a fire trail rig.

**G&R's57GMC** · 04-25-2018, 10:47 PM

My Tahoe has 2 of those where the fire dept. antennas were.

_Ogre · 04-27-2018, 12:29 PM

breaker breaker 19!

04-22-2018, 10:06 PM	#1
ebernst Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Gig Harbor, WA Posts: 35	What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? I'm wondering what the hole is for, and if it is factory. On the inside, there is what appears to be a hard rubber gasket of some sort, while the outside on the exterior of the cab it appears to be a rivet some sort. Does anyone know what this is, and what's the purpose? Attached Images __________________ Here's my 1953 Chevy 3100 Build Thread and here's my website Classic Nation.

04-22-2018, 10:13 PM	#2
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 504	Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? Probably a CB antenna.

04-23-2018, 12:11 AM	#3
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,488	Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? haven't seen that except for an antenna of some sort.

04-23-2018, 12:19 AM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,817	Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? That one may have been for a business two way radio. CB antennas usually didn't have that grommet that seems to have gone along with the old business or other 2 ways. My 71 GMC has a hole dead center in the middle of the outer skin for a radio with the cable routed between the inner and outer skin. That's not going to be a fun fix. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

04-23-2018, 01:40 AM	#5
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,488	Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? either way, to repair, clean it down to bare clean steel before attempting to weld a plug in the hole. if you can't find a plug the right size then get one bigger diameter and same gage and use a step drill to make the hole fit the plug. nice clean bare steel that way too. you can use a weak magnet to hold the plug in there nice and flat with the roof, tack it, remove the magnet (magnets tend to distort welding current and cause porosity in the weld), body hammer with dolly under to get the plug flat after slight warpage from the weld process, then another tack across from the first when it is cooled off, same same with the hammer/dolly, tack again, cool same same. soon the plug will be welded all the way around. a flap disc will easily flatten the weld bead down but be very careful not to heat the roof up. take lots of time to allow the roof to cool everywhere or you will spend more time getting the roof normal looking than you would have spent waiting for the weld and grind process to cool off. looks like sand blasting or dipping may be in your future anyway so, good luck with the project.

04-23-2018, 02:42 AM	#6
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,595	Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? My 70 has some holes from the siren it used to have from being a fire trail rig. __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350

04-25-2018, 10:47 PM	#7
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,624	Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? My Tahoe has 2 of those where the fire dept. antennas were. Attached Images __________________ Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275

04-27-2018, 12:29 PM	#8
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100? breaker breaker 19! __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer



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