47-55.1 Looking for Advice on Upcoming 1950 Truck Project

[pjmoreland]

Spent some time working on the Huck brakes last night. The return spring on the rear passenger side was broken so we bought a similarly sized spring at Ace Hardware and my wife's uncle did an excellent job of modifying it to accept the original spring end hooks. It looks stock and functions well. All four wheels spin now, at least, and the pedal feels firm. The front passenger side slave cylinder has one stuck piston though. I would have liked to replace the slave cylinders and the flexible brake hoses, but we have run out of time on this project. We will spend this morning seeing if the engine will start. The truck is getting towed back to the owner's house at 1:00.

[pjmoreland]

We got the engine started this morning. Had to replace the points. Took it for a little spin around the neighborhood. The alternator doesn't appear to be charging the battery because it measures 12.5V with the engine revved up and with the engine off. That's a problem for another person another day. I'm heading home tomorrow.

Here's a short little video of my wife's uncle driving it. We only went about 1/8 mile from the house. Seemed to drive ok, and the brakes are working.

https://youtu.be/Xy0Zzq9jooE

[joedoh]

outstanding! way to get with it, so many things get in the way and you still finished before most would have finished bench planning. kudos to you!

[nvrdone]

fantastic !!! glad to see the old girl is still alive. enjoy it.
Just for my info, where in WA was the truck located?

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

fantastic !!! glad to see the old girl is still alive. enjoy it.
Just for my info, where in WA was the truck located?

The truck is in the greater Tacoma area. Hopefully it will be seen out on the roads around here soon.

[dsraven]

if it is a 12volt conversion already maybe suggest to repl;ace the generator with an alternator. easy to wire in and more reliable, cheaper too probably.
nice little project that you were able to helicopter in for and you got a lot done in a short time. cool.

[pjmoreland]

Thanks, everyone, for the help provided during this project. I really appreciate it. The owners were excited and grateful to get their truck back with a running engine in it, and it was a fun way to spend the week. This was the oldest vehicle I've worked on and driven.

[pjmoreland]

Here's a little video my wife's aunt took when we pulled the truck out of the garage for the first time.

https://youtu.be/gmvGpKX6Clg

[dsraven]

thats cool looks to be in great shape.

[joedoh]

great vid! love the blue!

[vintovka]

Am impressed with your efforts. I drove my 54 for 4+ decades and lived with all the drawbacks of 50's technology. With Todays rampant inflation total overhaul/restoration may now well outside of most budgets. Its effect on value/desirability is yet to be seen.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Am impressed with your efforts. I drove my 54 for 4+ decades and lived with all the drawbacks of 50's technology. With Todays rampant inflation total overhaul/restoration may now well outside of most budgets. Its effect on value/desirability is yet to be seen.

Thank you. That's an interesting point. It would be neat if the current inflation resulted in more old vehicles on the road due to the cost of new vehicles.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Thank you. That's an interesting point. It would be neat if the current inflation resulted in more old vehicles on the road due to the cost of new vehicles.

Already happening. I see your still in CA. The CA rules on not having to smog older cars and the scarcity of new ones, seems to be resulting in tremendous demand for used cars. Add in crazy (and frightening) inflation and you have the "perfect storm". My old 2004 Dodge Ram can be sold for 2/3+ of what it sold for new due to low mileage and no def requirements. If CA goes forward with the quietly proposed 12.6% "uniform state sales tax" not sure what will happen.

[pjmoreland]

It doesn't make financial sense for me to live in California. My family is here though.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

It doesn't make financial sense for me to live in California. My family is here though.

Why we left and our family is considering it. Our ranch in Placerville was fantastic. Fire insurance, Population explosion and other gov and financial reasons made it impossible to stay. The link has some pics of just one of the many outbuildings on the place. The current "Calexodus" to other states is also off scale. Soon 50% of folks in OR will be ex Californians and have taken their wealth and tax money with them. This doubles the pressure on those who remain.

Back to ADs i recently looked at some of the biggest parts suppliers in CA. Seems like Online prices go up every day and supply is dropping. Labor is offscale as well at $125/hr. I could not afford to rebuild mine now if i wanted to continue to eat.

Again your perseverance/ work on the '50 is admirable and a warning to those who allow oldies to sit for too long.