1954 Chevy 3100 Truck

[11Werner11]

Hey All,

I've become the mechanic for my mother-in-law's 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 ton pickup. There's cute story to how she got it. Her father was a vegetable peddler in Chicago in the 40s and 50's and the last one using a horse and cart. He eventually bought a truck like this and my mother-in-law always remembered it fondly. So, for their 25th wedding anniversary, my father-in-law gave her this truck. That was 28 years ago. It's a beauty in mostly stock condition with the exception of a 12V system.

My father-in-law's tool kit contained a small hammer and a screwdriver that could be either flat or phillips, and a ruler, so he never worked on it. She has not either. For the past 27 years, they had been going to various mechanics, but the ones that work on classic vehicles keep closing up shop. About a year ago, she asked whether I could recommend a mechanic, so I volunteered to be her mechanic. Spring 2024, I did a full service ( e.g. fluids, checked and set the brakes and emergency brake, ignition maintenance, greased all the fittings and also the doors, hood, repaired ALL the gauges, etc...) I feel like I've gotten to know this truck pretty well and figured I'd join this group to share and get some help when possible. I have a burning question which I'll post elsewhere.