cracked block

i got a complete motor out of my '53 chevy truck you can have if you come to Bryan TX, tranny and all.....

 

I talked to Dad a little while ago and he said that the seller had called and asked if he was still interested because he had somebody else looking at it. Dad told him he wasn't. I think he made the right choice but there's that voice in the back of my head (and probably Dad's too) that's saying "go on...buy it...it's not THAT big of a deal". This car seems to have a lot of bondo and the paint is cracking in a few places, it's still running the 6v system, etc. At least with the one we have, we KNOW there's no bondo...it's solid, straight and has a good patina...AKA "Rust" but it's not ROT. It's gonna be cool.

 

buy a 235 full pressure engine, they did start making 235 in 51 with powerglide optioned cars but were not full oil pressure still splash and babbot bearings. 54 and newer 235 or 261 is what you want if you are thinking about still running the 6 cylnder also all of the bolt on parts like the split manifold and 2 x 1 intake will still bolt up. Or for more power just put a newer chevy small block and kiss the tranny, mounts, rear end good bye.

 

With all the problems it's got you are better off walking away and finding another one for less. If you want that year pick up a Hemmings and start looking there. The crack isn't that big of a deal. I have a '54 wagon with the Insert motor in it and it's cracked around the temp sensor/throttle bellcrank. I just fill it up when I drive it and so far so good. But the Bondo and the cracking paint make the 6K seem pretty high for it.


Tim

 

Listen to your gut....99.9% of the time the ol' "I gotta nother guy looking at it" is just a ploy anyway...I mean how many of us have said something like that to get a guy to poop or get off the pot?

 

If you decide to buy it just grind the sides of the crack to a 45 degree bevel and turn up the heat when you weld it ----or --- keep a few tubes of JB weld in the glove box, that works for local driving too.

Lundy

 

Dad bought it today and drove it home with no issue. $5k, out thee door.

 

Might try some K&W block sealer if they still make it. Back in the day it worked really good. If that doesn't work find a 292 I6 & stick in it. I don't think I'd fork out 6 grand though unless it's really, really cherry.

 

it is a decent looking car , with the motor issues and bondo , i probably would have offered $3500 then put a sbc in it or a 235 if i found a decent one , good luck with it any time spent with pop wrenching will be priceless anyhow

 

Walk away fast.

 

Looks like people will miss this if it's not made more obvious. $5000 is still a lot for what you got, pretty paint and dual carb intake or not. For $2500 I'd sell mine that needs paint with a bad motor and throw in a good 350, 700R4 and Camaro rearend for it. And most of the other crap I've collected for it the last few years.

 

seems steep. oh well, if he got what he wants, who cares?

 

After talking to the seller, Dad really got the feeling that he was being genuine and felt pretty bad for not mentioning the block. THEN the guy unloaded all the stuff that he'd bought for it over the years..shop manual, intake and exhaust manifolds, bumper guards, original hub caps and trim rings, various electrical do-dads, all of the trim/emblems that were removed and photos of before, during and after the work he did...with receipts. Overall, I think it worked out and Dad might have even made a new friend in the deal. I gotta say, Dad's garage looks pretty cool with '50 and a '51 Chevys sitting in there!

 

So, $2500 is half the price of what we've got but, it needs paint and it has a bad motor? And the interior? Is it vintage 50's diamonds and buttons? I'm assuming you're being sarcastic because that doesn't sound like as good of a deal.
Anyway, like it's been said, as long as he got what he wants. You have no idea how long it's been since I heard him say "Man, that's FUN". Honestly.

 

Thats pretty common on these engines. I have a fourdoor right now with the same issue, looks like it had the J.B weld treatment. I just top off the radiator every now and then. Some day i'll prolly recoat it with J.b....

 

If anybody is interested, this is a 30 second clip of my Dad's '51 Styleline...the one with the cracked block. We've really been having a good time with it and 'the old man' is awfully proud. Not TOO proud, mind you, he's just having a ball.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&v=Lmr5n7tAIJ0&fulldescription=1

 

I see you missed the part where it comes with a good 350, trans, and open drive rearend.