'41 Chevy Inherited

[dingesb]

So I'm totally new to this body style forum....I'll admit it! Years ago I had a '53 GMC short box 5 window with 78,000 original miles but sold it. I've gotten rid of all my '67-'72 body style rides, but grandpa decided to pass this '41 on to me. The last time it ran was about 1990 (I was 6 at the time) and it was but in the shed to get forgotten about. Somewhere around 2000 it was moved from the main shop to the storage shed and pushed in the back corner. Two of the tires still hold air and the crank rotated freely yesterday when I went to look at it. It was a mild custom of the mid to late 70's hence the chrome stacks, chrome air cleaner, chrome steering wheel with black leather and the white wagon wheels. Dad seems to think that it has an International bed but I couldn't find any markings. It's got a hella stout front bumper with square tubing push bar style upright and the same style rear bumper. Shows 79,999 miles on the odometer but who knows if it even works. Grandma mentioned she thought something was leaking on the block when it got moved to the other shed, but for all I know it's a radiator hose. I intend to get the old girl out of the shed and make the two hour trek to my house for some refreshing. Grandpa said he'd really like to see it running and driving again (He's getting up there) so I've got a little motivation. Oh the door has "Cowchip Country Club" on it for those who can't read it. Enjoy the pics!

[dingesb]

More pics

[dingesb]

Few More


The Red '53 is the one I sold

[dingesb]

I do have a question that may sound dumb to some of those out there, but mounted on the right side of the shifter lever there is another lever that switches up and down. I didn't take the time to try to figure it out other than maybe it's a two speed? Like I said this is quite a few years older than the others I've dealt with so I'm in for a little learning curve haha. Once I get the title from grandpa I'll be able to get some more information to hopefully start deciphering exact information. PO had put carpeted kick panels and head liner in it as well as wrapped the fuel tank with insulation. The bottom seat panel is in the bed and still in pretty good shape. I was truly amazed that the mice hadn't gone to town on the thing!!

[Wayne67vert]

Wow, what a great gift.

Keep us posted with your progress.

[68panelman]

Nice looking truck!!. I am also new to these early art deco style, as i have a 1942 1.5 ton dump. That lever you describe is the reverse lockout, you pull it up and move shifter into second gear and thats your reverse. Good luck with her!

[68panelman]

Interesting gauge panel also, I've never seen one like that, but i'm new at these too!

[dingesb]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

Nice looking truck!!. I am also new to these early art deco style, as i have a 1942 1.5 ton dump. That lever you describe is the reverse lockout, you pull it up and move shifter into second gear and thats your reverse. Good luck with her!

Thanks for the info on the lever. Talked to dad last night and he couldn't remember what it was for (only been 22 years or so since he drove it so I can understand the forgetting lol) I'm hoping I can get down there in the next few weeks to pull her out and get it home. It's going to get an air hose taken to it for the years of dirt and bugs then a nice wash job before it gets backed in my shop for some work. I'll keep the progress posted!

[68panelman]

You should check out the stovebolt forums on starting engines that have been sitting for some time, You don't want to break any valves/pushrods.

[dingesb]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

You should check out the stovebolt forums on starting engines that have been sitting for some time, You don't want to break any valves/pushrods.

Don't suppose you would have any particular ones in mind you could share a link to? My '53 sat for about 35 years before I got it. I dropped the oil, changed the filter, put on a new fuel pump, cleaned all the lines, pulled the tank and cleaned it and dumped in new gas. I tore the carb apart and cleaned all the nasty gunk out of it and rebuild it as well. I also went through and did new plugs/wires/cap/condenser/coil before I tried to start it. Once all that was done I pulled the valve cover and scraped all the junk out of it then put a new gasket on. She ran decent once I got it going then I set the valves. Am I missing anything? haha I was a mechanic for years so I've got the know how to do it, just need a list of stuff to go through!

[dingesb]

So I've been sitting here reading all I can on the S10 chassis swap. Do any of you guys have any opinions, good or bad, on such a swap? I've read through a bunch of posts and the general consensus seems to be keep the stock one and do a IFS kit on the front with lowering blocks/notch kit on the rear. This thing hasn't even made it home yet but I'm always dreaming up stuff to do!

[dingesb]

So I've found the truck in the picture not too far from where I live. He's mainly wanting it gone so I figure I can get it on the cheap. I like the looks of the chrome grille and was wondering if it would be swappable? I also noticed that the more I've looked at interiors, mine seems to be a little different on the speedometer part. The others I've looked at have the whole number in bold (10,20,etc..) rather than just the 1,2,3 etc like mine does. Was this just a '41 thing or has somebody messed with it? Thanks!!

[dingesb]

Did a little more research today with the Serial Number on the tag. It reads "5AL0617158". According to the literature on gmheritagecenter.com, this means it's a Kansas City, Missouri built 3/4 ton. It's the 16,157th one built in June of 1941. Hopefully I read that correctly! The only thing I can see that really differs the 1/2 and 3/4 ton is the wheelbase for simple cues. Since it's not here and probably won't be for another couple weeks, I can't exactly take a tape to it. I'm sure you guys can tell me other differences though. Thanks!

[68panelman]

From what i've seen and read in other forums, all body parts are the same from 1/2 ton up, Except the wheel openings get bigger as the series grows. Still very curious about that gauge panel, Looks to neat/orig to be messed with.

[dingesb]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

From what i've seen and read in other forums, all body parts are the same from 1/2 ton up, Except the wheel openings get bigger as the series grows. Still very curious about that gauge panel, Looks to neat/orig to be messed with.

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't sure if that chrome grille would work but it sure seems to me that it would. The painted one it has is in great shape, but I've always loved me some chrome lol. The gauges are pretty strange, but nobody has told me any different. I agree with the neatness of them. If they did tamper/change them they sure did a nice job!!

[yousesteers]

Your a lucky guy I have been wanting a 1941-1946 for a couple of years and have found 3 close enough to home to go look at one is completly rotted away 2nd is a parts box and the third is a nice barn stored grain truck but i can not locate the owner. Nice project

[dingesb]

Originally Posted by yousesteers

Your a lucky guy I have been wanting a 1941-1946 for a couple of years and have found 3 close enough to home to go look at one is completly rotted away 2nd is a parts box and the third is a nice barn stored grain truck but i can not locate the owner. Nice project

Haha..thanks! My wife doesn't seem to share that opinion buuuut you guys all know how these things get at ya like a bad ex girlfriend. I can't wait to get it home so I can get started and get you guys some more pictures!

[old yelr]

That's a nice find! The lever you were asking about on the right side of the shifter is the parking brake. I've never seen a guage cluster like that either but I'm wondering if it's from a military truck because of the olive drap background, normally they are a goldy/tan color. As far as the sheetmetal goes, everything is the same except for the front fenders and running boards. The door, grill and hood and all of the cab related parts are the same from 1/2 ton to 2-1/2 ton trucks. Also, the site that 68panelman was refering to is "stovebolt.com". There is a ton of great info there as well as a vin decoder but sounds like you have that taken care of already.

[dingesb]

Originally Posted by old yelr

That's a nice find! The lever you were asking about on the right side of the shifter is the parking brake. I've never seen a guage cluster like that either but I'm wondering if it's from a military truck because of the olive drap background, normally they are a goldy/tan color. As far as the sheetmetal goes, everything is the same except for the front fenders and running boards. The door, grill and hood and all of the cab related parts are the same from 1/2 ton to 2-1/2 ton trucks. Also, the site that 68panelman was refering to is "stovebolt.com". There is a ton of great info there as well as a vin decoder but sounds like you have that taken care of already.

Thanks! I know the upright lever through the floor is the park brake, but the lever I was wondering about is actually mounted to the shifter lever on the right side. That's the one that kind of threw me for a loop. I didn't take any real good pictures of it (they are all off my IPhone) but in the 7th picture of my original posting you can vaguely see it on the shifter. It kind of looks white in the pic. 68panelman said reverse lockout, so until I get it home to look further I'll take his word for it haha. I never thought about the military speedo. Hopefully I will be able to find more out once it's here. I joined stovebolt.com and have been checking it out....you're right. Tons of great info there!

[old yelr]

Ok, that lever, yes 68panelman nailed it
You should check out "Uncle Howard's 1946 Chevy Truck" build thread, he's doing an awesome build.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=uncle+howards
Looking forward to seeing you get this back to it's former glory for you and your Granpa
Keep the pictures coming.

[dingesb]

That build is AWESOME!! I sat one night and read the whole thing...He's doing an amazing job! Hopefully mine turns out half as nice lol.

[dingesb]

I've been looking at a lot of these again lately and am asking for some advice (again!). I think I'm going to go back with the 70's custom look (less the stacks in the bed) and think the white wagon wheels look decent on it. I've got a buddy with a brand new set of 16" 6 bolt ones to replace the nasty ones on it with some really good 31x10.50x16's for $500. Will the tire size kill the old girl trying to get around? Mainly I'm needing some decent tires to move it around on since the ones on it are shot. Thanks guys!

[firedog]

I would think for way less then $500 you could take your old wheels have them sandblasted and powdercoated. Around here about $50 a wheel is the going rate. I think that tire size would be good on a 4 wheel drive but not on your small truck. If you are just needing some rollers you can prob pick up some cheap ones that will still hold air but not road worthy at any salvage yard.

[dingesb]

Kind of what I was wondering about the size. I'm friends with a guy that runs the tire shop here in town so maybe he'd make me a helluva deal on a set of wore out tires just for rolling it around. I'll have to do some checking with some of the body shops about blasting the wheels on it. Thanks!

[Americanrider]

I had a early '47 for many years, bit of a rat rod but that was back in the late '70's early 80's. Never seen a dash like that??? The problem with wide front tires is arm-strong steering, it will make low speed movement (parking lots) very hard. You may have a problem with the fenders cracking in the center (lack of underside bracing) notice that the big trucks 1.5 ton & larger have trimmed fenders along the front edge, this takes some stress off and gives a different frontal look. Stovebolt is the best site for info on these trucks.