Planning Restoration: 48 Chevy PU

[Guest hefdog]

I've owned this truck for past 40 years. It's a 1/2 ton with a 4 spd (1st gear is a granny). The truck appears to be original. Only doubt is the engine, which is a six cyl from that era but may not be the original. The truck doesn't run, it's been in moth balls for past 15 years. When it ran, I used it as a hauler of dirt, block, etc. for my homes I owned then. It was a good hauler, but never drove fast, barely getting over 45mph without sounding like it was going to blow up.

It needs a lot of work to bring it back. No major rust, but a total renewing of everything. I'm not sure which way to go with the renovation: Keep it original or not. I'm not interested in making it a custom hot rod (nor do I have the $). I'm leaning toward a restoration that keeps the truck mostly original but allows for some drivability and usability on todays highways. I'd like to go 65-70mph, not max out at 45mph.

So with that, I've got some questions to all of you "old car" buffs out there:

1) What's the pro's and cons of 100% restoration vs a 80% restoration that gives it some enhancements in drivibility?

2) How can I determine if the engine in it is original? Where on the engine do I find the specs/tags for identifying it?

3) Which soft enhancements can help the truck manage the highways of today while keeping it mostly original? (i.e. engine, tranny, shock/suspension, electrical, and rear-end changes). Can I do all this and keep the 6 cyl engine?

4) Can the original shocks on this truck be kept/restored, or is it better to change them to modern-type shocks?

Thanks for your input.

[Steve Braverman]

If the engine is not original, or you don't care if it's original, then you can replace it with a 1954 engine with pressure lubrication. It will look the same, but be more reliable. Also, I believe that taller rear end gears are available for this truck. With those two invisible modifications, you will have a nice highway cruising, yet original appearing truck. Good luck with it.

[Bhigdog]

My advise (opinion) would be to keep it original and enjoy it for what it is and just stay off the interstates. A later pressure oiled non babbeted engine is an option but it is not a total "bolt in". The biggest, problem with getting a drive train that will do 65-70 is that you really don't want to go that fast with the stock suspension, brakes and wheels/tires. So to make it a safe cruiser you really are talking about making a street rod with new suspension, drive train, brakes, air conditioning, etc. etc. etc.

I have a 1939 Chev. PU that is stock except I installed a later pressure oiled engine and added turn signals for safety. I wouldn't want to drive it to Florida but for putting around the back roads it's great. And I get far more thumbs up and waves than I would if it was boogered up.........Bob

[Guest hefdog]

Thanks for the tips.

I know I asked a lot of questions, but HOW can I determine from the engine that I have in the truck now just what I do have? Are there engine tags or serial #'s on it somewhere that I can locate, and a place where I can input the information to find out? I may have a 53 engine in it now, who knows?

And what resource would have the "taller rear end and gears" for this truck that you referred to, so I can follow through?

[Steve Braverman]

Talk to these people:

http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/index.htm