Projects Project truck to work on

I recently bought a new project truck for my daughter and I to work on. I am no stranger to working on cars, but I am relatively new to restoring antique vehicles.

I'm trying to figure out exactly what I have. It's titled as a '49, but as you can see from the pictures a number of things about it say different like:
vent windows
hood emblems (side)
90 mph spedo
tube shocks on front end only (don't know if they only changed front or all 4 corners from lever shocks over the years)
etc.
The serial number does match the title of a '49 (3GP-D). The research I've done so far leads me more toward this being more likely a '52 that someone added that '49 serial number plate sometime along the line. I have verified that the motor is a '62 235 by all the casting numbers (don't know what from though). Haven't identified the trans yet, I have to clean it up a bit to get any numbers off it.

Any help confirming my suspicions would be greatly appreciated and help in moving forward with this project.

 

If the title says it's a 49, then it's a 49.....don't go ruffling feathers with the DMV about it....

Neat truck! What are your plans? hopefully something along the lines of getting it running and driving it around, so you can see how she likes old trucks? They're quite different than modern vehicles, and not for everyone.

 

Thanks. As far as DMV is concerned it will be a '49, mainly trying to figure out for parts replacement. Getting it running and driving is my first priority. I would like to be able to drive and enjoy it while we work on it.

 

You have a neat old titled truck and a daughter that wants to work on it. Lots of stuff happens to a vehicle in 70 years. I’m guessing this isn’t a restoration, have fun and carry on.

 

http://1954advance-design.com/A-D_factoids/1949.html

http://1954advance-design.com/A-D_LCVA/LCVA-5-49.html

 

you can tell for sure when you pull of the brake drums, if you're lucky it has the modern 1952 style brakes, not the old 49 Huck brakes. Since fixing the brakes is the first thing you need to do to any old vehicle that's been sitting long enough for the tires to look like that, it's where I'd start. Oh...if you haven't got the title in your name yet, do that first!

 

I'm jealous of your great find, those trucks are on my short list!

 

Side vent suggests 1950 down
Push button door handles and side vents could be from a door swap.
Not exactly sure when the lever action shocks were phased out.


Ya did good

 

Second the motion not to give Va DMV any doubts, they are a miserable bunch to deal with. (Spent most of my life up till 1995 living there)

 

Here's a guide that can help. https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/identification/Advance Design/Advance Design Spotting Guide/

What you appear to have is a mix of parts. The cab is 47-50, as 1950 was the last year of the drivers side cowl vent. The doors are 1952 or newer, as they have push button door handles and vent windows. It's hard to tell what the hood could be. As per the link, tube shocks were first added to the front axle in 1950.

So your cab could still be a 1949 (or 1950), but other parts look like they could have been changed. No need to talk to the DMV.

 

So cool that another old Chevy truck, is found and saved, to be worked on, and live again!
I noticed the fan belt alignment looks a bit off, something to keep an eye on when the engine is running.
I hope you and your daughter will enjoy this adventure of eradication of rust!

 

The adjustment bracket for the generator isn't attached, so it might be from that.

 

That was one of my suspicions, it basically being a franken truck. Of course that doesn't bother me as it might some. That just means I get some of the best of all the years. I plan on this being a driver not just another trailer queen.

 

Yeah, different doors aren't a big deal. Some people seem to forget than 70+ years ago, a truck was a tool and not family transportation. These old trucks lived a hard life and over their life have had parts changed from different years in order to keep them alive. Those changed parts are part of it's character and life story.

 

The cowl side vent shows that it is a 47/50 Cab, The flat firewall without ribs and firewall mounted fuse block say 49. That style of spare tire mount is early
The doors have been swapped, the engine has been swapped, and who knows what else but the basic cab is what it says it is.
Vin decode
3 = St Louid
G=49
P = 3100
D =April
10346 = Minus 1001 = 9345th truck off the line in that plant in 49.





Here are two of my go to links for decoding AD trucks
Comprehensive History of 1947-1955 1st series Advance Design (devestechnet.com)

Stovebolt Tech Tip -- Antique Chevy / GMC Truck Restoration Help

It's like most old AD trucks that got used rather hard, parts got changed around over time. Unless she is hell bent on having it "original" it doesn't matter much.

 

We don't care about it being all original. It's gonna be built as a driver.

 

You need a buddy with an inground pool. Fill it with molasses and roll that thing in there.

 

Holy what's that smell Batman??!!

 

I'd be chomping at the bit to get that old 235 running! Hopefully it is in pretty good shape. They arent the cheapest thing to do a complete overhaul on. Does it have the 848 head on it? (last 3 digits of the casting number)

This website has a LOT of great info on it.
http://devestechnet.com/

 

Our 1950 3100 has tube type shocks.

 

I started a conversation with you, check your messages.
Tom

 

Yes, it does have the 848 head. The motor will turn over by hand, so at least I know it's not locked up. Hopefully I'll be able to work on it next weekend and see if she'll fire.

 

Here is one I worked on several yrs ago that had been sitting for 24 yrs.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/waking-up-a-sleeping-51-chevy-235.1073929/

 

Cool old project truck! Shoot me your address in a pm and I'll send you a new set of vent window seals to help out the cause

 

Easy with the "restoring" mumbo jumbo, this is a hot rod and custom forum !
These old trucks were used as trucks and often got parts swapped around to keep them working and earning their keep.
Don't sweat it, just enjoy it !

 

Even though you're not doing a restoration, get copies of the Assembly Manual and Service Manual (available from several parts vendors). They will really help you understand how they are put together.
Good luck!

 

Hammer out that fender
Make it go and stop
Enjoy

 

When I bought my '55 F100 parts truck (it became after finding my GOOD one) the seller threw in two Ford books.
Both genuine factory manuals, 1953-55 Ford pickup Parts manual and accompanying Shop manual!
This was in 1972, but due to starting in the trade in '57, I had lots of Ford experience...plus the hot rods.
The manuals contained breakdowns of parts I'd never seen before...LOL
There are lots of parts in old trucks, simple as they'd have you to believe!