51 chevy build

[Erics51chevy]

Hello
My name is Eric and I am a new member to the forum. I have been looking at information on the this since I started the truck and will continue to learn, so I thought i might as well join it. I have a 1951 (correct me if I'm wrong) 3100 that my dream is to turn it into a rat rod but still nice enough to daily drive and race. I am a 21 year old plumber in the union of Philadelphia but my main hobby is to fix cars and trucks to go faster and be louder.

My other two babies are:
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I started this build a while ago but only have recently got really into it the last couple months. The start of it was pretty much learning about the build of the truck in general, because heck, i didnt even know foot starters existed. This seems like a great place to learn and i would love to gain knowledge from the people that have already been there and done that.

[Erics51chevy]

But to the more important part of it all. here is the rust bucket when i picked it up a couple hours away in New Jersey. I was so anxious I drove down as fast as I could and didnt even care what the condition of the truck actually was. Young and dumb i guess

A ford towing a chevy, no hate here.
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back to my shop for a lot of knuckle busting, broken bolts, and a whole lot of dw40.
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Came home orange that day in rust.
Spaghetti mess
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Man the shop was messy
73000 miles on that sucker
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[ghettoluxury]

What you have is a 3600 not a 3100. It is a long bed with 8 lug axles, the 3100 has 6 lug axles and a short bed.

[Erics51chevy]

Thank you. That is what i thought it was but it was advertised as a 3100 so i was unsure. When i ordered my trans crossmember and rear shock kit i was told these frames arent as wide as the 3100? I found out by both crossmembers being too wide and soon i will have to modify them which i was kinda bummed about. Like i said its a learning experience

[Advanced Design]

Eric,
welcome to the forum and congratulations on the truck! Looks like a complete one! There are a lot of knowledgable helpful people here so if you have questions post away.

What are your plans for the truck?

Cool to see you are from near Philly (I miss good cheese steaks) as we use to live in Landsdale and still have good friends back that way.

[Erics51chevy]

Thanks,
Its been a lot of work but it is also a lot of fun to do.

My plans for the truck are:
5.3 motor
4l80e trans
8.8 rear
stock suspension for now


got the frame sand blasted and powdercoated, more messy shop


first attempt at body work
a little tig welding action


rust protection and new parts of the floor for patching.
There was a bunch of holes where the gas tanks straps were so I cut it all out.


Other side, I bought the outer cab corners but made the inner ones by bending 18 gauge metal

[iowaboynca]

4 posts in and you're farther then alot of us! Keep it up!

[Erics51chevy]

sandblasted the cover and sprayed it with clear enamel to keep the look


more first time bondo wanted to keep the whole truck a "rat rod" look


first time putting the cab back on the body!


Kit i ordered for rear suspension


Donor truck 2001 chevy 2500 (our old work truck)


first time mocking up the 8.8. cut the spring perches off


figuring out how this thing is gonna mount up to stock front end. I have another 5.3 at the engine shop getting fully rebuilt.


Where im at to this day. i got the billet main caps because the guy forgot to give me the main caps when i bought the rear from him
Would have never guessed 350z wheel had the same bolt pattern. obviously not the wheels im going to use but i wanted some excitement seeing what it looked like.

[Erics51chevy]

Everything is a lot more time consuming then i originally thought but i dont mind, its more fun than anything.

Question: Can i use the whole brake assembly from the 01 chevy 2500? Or what is the easiest setup for power brakes? I am going to be doing a front brake disc conversion. Anybody know what car to take the brakes off or do i have to buy the kit online?

[MidLifer]

Hey man welcome from across the Tacony Palmyra. Looks like this isn't your first rodeo. Impressive work.

i was about to give you advice on a brake kit then realized I have a 3100. I bought the Speedway kit but not at all sure it would work for your application.

[Erics51chevy]

Thank you, I appreciate it. I can give them a call and ask. How did that work out for you?

Cut some boxing plates for motor mounts today out of 3/16 steel.




I'm planning to box a lot more and put some cross members running side to side for structural support.

I'm trying to figure out exactly how much i can push the engine over to the passenger side to give room for the headers against the steering column. Any suggestions?

[MidLifer]

Here is a board sponsor vendor who has a brake kit for your truck:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=640121

Dave's a great guy and very knowledgeable.

[Atmsrus1]

I have a 51 3100 that I'm going to put on a S10 frame. Yours is looking great, sure wish I was that far along. Not trying to hijack your thread but anyone know if the earlier year doors will work on a 51 since it was the first year with the vent window. Anyway good job on your build, looking forward to more updates
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[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Here is a board sponsor vendor who has a brake kit for your truck:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=640121

Dave's a great guy and very knowledgeable.

This is a great kit and uses all of the parts from your donor 2500. Just think how well it stopped.

[Erics51chevy]

It should stop great. I am going to try to use the master cylinder/ booster from the truck and possibly the pedal and everything. Ill see how it looks. not a fan of drum brakes at all. Id rather spend money on brakes over hp any day. But i want both lol. Working on motor mounts now.

Atmsrus1: i can give some measurements of the door if that helps you at all?
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[racer357]

47 - 1st version 55 truck doors work. You can install vent windows or 1 piece glass in all of them.


Then your only difference is twist handles or push button.

[Atmsrus1]

Originally Posted by racer357

47 - 1st version 55 truck doors work. You can install vent windows or 1 piece glass in all of them.


Then your only difference is twist handles or push button.

Ok, so just to make sure I have this straight. I can use any door from 47 up to the 55 first series and they will fit. All I have to do is put in the vent window hardware and decide which door handles I want to use. If that is it then that is great. I really appreciate the info. Thank you much.
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[Atmsrus1]

Originally Posted by Erics51chevy

It should stop great. I am going to try to use the master cylinder/ booster from the truck and possibly the pedal and everything. Ill see how it looks. not a fan of drum brakes at all. Id rather spend money on brakes over hp any day. But i want both lol. Working on motor mounts now.

Atmsrus1: i can give some measurements of the door if that helps you at all?
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Thanks Eric I appreciate it. I may get back to you, I have the old doors only thing is my whole truck is pretty rusty, but it was a 5 window so it was kind of hard to pass it up
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[racer357]

Yes, we have 7 of these trucks in various states of build at our shop now. My cab I am working on for my truck had one piece windows and I wanted vents so I swiped doors from another truck that is getting sold when it is finished. They fit just fine.

Installing vent windows in a 1 piece glass door is easier than installing one piece glass in a vent door also.

[Atmsrus1]

Originally Posted by racer357

Yes, we have 7 of these trucks in various states of build at our shop now. My cab I am working on for my truck had one piece windows and I wanted vents so I swiped doors from another truck that is getting sold when it is finished. They fit just fine.

Installing vent windows in a 1 piece glass door is easier than installing one piece glass in a vent door also.

Great racer thanks for the info
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[Erics51chevy]

Can someone help me, what is the easiest way to put the front clip back on when its all disassembled? I honestly forget lol

[Dustint]

Front Clip all centers around your radiator/core support, start there go to fenders/grill and lastly the hood. Easier said than done with alignment on everything of course.

[Advanced Design]

A factory assembly manual will really help out. It will show details of how the truck is put together. Google 51 Chevy truck factory assembly manual.

Here is one on Amazon and there may be less expensive ones out there.
Amazon.com: 1947 1942 1953 1954 Chevrolet Truck...

[Erics51chevy]

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Figured it out. Difficult to do by yourself, but i got one side done. Just checking for engine clearence before i commit to any motor mounts. I pushed the engine over to the passenger side a little bit for more room to the steering rack, it also makes the driveshaft more center with the pinion. Looks like i have a lot of body work to do with inner and outer fenders!

Just wondering what people are doing for the emission exhaust pipe going back into the intake? Is anyone just plugging it?

[Erics51chevy]

Got to mock up the motor mounts the last couple of days. Let me know what you think. I got a pack of 8 urethane bushings and washers at pep boys that are supposed to go to a honda sway bar. i grinded the bushing down a little bit so it would fit nice and tight in a 1 inch pipe. Then just cut some pieces of 3/8 flat metal to weld on.





a little cardboard mock up





and a little motivation for myself