47-55.1 Getting ready for a car (truck) show

[mr48chev]

The challenge there is finding one that wasn't beat to death or is missing too many parts you actually need.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

The challenge there is finding one that wasn't beat to death or is missing too many parts you actually need.

Great points. Everyone that I can find that is for sale or WAS for sale, either was a total mess or far more $$$ than I would ever consider paying for a "project".

I'm actually going to look at a 1946 Chevy Sedan Delivery truck. The body looks to be in decent shape, but there is no engine or transmission, which for me is a positive.....a blank slate. Interestingly, the vehicle has eight lug front and rear wheels, which I find curious.

[mr48chev]

Here's the link to the 1946 Chevy truck pfd on the GM Heritage center vehicle info kits. https://www.gm.com/content/dam/compa...olet-Truck.pdf

8 lug is gong to be a 3600, 3800 or 4100 panel in that year. 4100 has dual rear wheels and a 134-1/2 inch wheel base and that would be an odd duck.

The plate with the serial number is on the right hand side of the firewall in the engine compartment and 3600 is DG 3800 is DS and 4100 is PJ

3600 wheelbase is 125-1/4

3800 wheel base is 134-1/2

[1project2many]

As for the overheating, my plans are to swap out the thermostat for a 160 degree one and to work on the carb mixture. The carb was rebuilt and the mixture screws set on a normally aspirated engine. Given the forced air from the supercharger, even on low boost, I think this is leaning out the mixture too much leading to hotter than normal temps. More to come......

Don't forget timing. If the timing is slightly advanced from optimum engine oil temp will heat up quickly followed by coolant. If you have an oil temp gauge (great idea with forced induction) you can easily check / tune for best timing at cruise. Look for a 2-3 degree window at optimum timing where oil temperature is fairly stable and performance feels good. If timing is slightly advanced from peak you won't necessarily feel any issues but oil temperature will climb quickly.

If you want to check the current advance setting, back off spark timing 2-3 degrees and check to see if oil temperature drops without a noticeable change in performance. If this happens then timing was too far advanced.

To dial in best timing, back off timing until performance feels off, then advance in 2 degree increments until performance feels good. Note oil temperature at each timing setting. When performance doesn't appear to change but oil temp starts rising, back off 2 degrees timing and call it done.

You can use throttle angle to measure "performance" at cruise. Less throttle to maintain cruise equals increased efficiency and better engine performance.

[TX3100Guy]

Well I took the 53 to yet another car show, the Wylie (Texas) Bluegrass Festival and Car Show. They had spots for 225 cars and sold out. There were tons of interesting cars and trucks, many in the Pre-60's truck category. The were several that I thought were amazing vehicles. When the awards were given out for the Pre-60's truck category, I wasn't shocked when my truck didn't win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place because the competition was stiff. We waited until they finished giving award in all the other categories including several additional truck categories.

So my son, granddaughter, and myself began to walk back to the truck where my wife was (about 1/2 block away). We all thought they were done with awards. Then over the loudspeaker we hear them announce my registration number and name........seems my truck won the best truck of the show, boy was I shocked.