VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1918 490 truck?

Newbie with questions. I purchased what was described as a 1917 490 truck. I did a lot of research before purchasing the truck and knew that the first trucks were 1918 models but some 1918 models might have been made in late 1917. The engine has a external gear type oil pump, starter, generator and water pump. The windsheild is vertical as opposed to slant for 1918 autos.
Serial number 37586 which is a 1918 number. Block numbers, 967, 112717. Head numbers 407D, DFCO & ASON. Flywheel 1222. I know that all 1/2 ton PU were supposedly a chassis cab with the body added by other companies. This truck has steel doors with a steel cab similar to a 490 car. Fabric top that will retract easily. 4' oak bed that I have seen in pictures of early cars installed in the trunk. It is probably a parts car built as a truck, but it looks great and the price was right. I will post a picture after I figure out how to do it. Thanks for all remarks. Mike

Hi Mike and welcome!!

You should be able to find some casting date numbers on the head, block and engine face side of the flywheel to help you
pin down the exact dates they were manufactured.

EG. 3 21 20 would indicate a casting made March 21st 1920.

The block casting number #967 is a 490 block used for 1918-21 with water pumps. #112717 is the casting date of November 27, 1917. You should also find a block foundry code such as H3 for the Holmes Foundry Co. of Port Huron.
The head casting number #407 D is a head that was used by Chevrolet for all mid 1915 Model H, F, & FA and 1916-21 490’s. The #D is the casting change level. The foundry code DFCO is for the Detroit Foundry Co. in Detroit which cast in the word “MASON” on the top of head. Most #407 heads have a casting date code except these DFCO heads.
I would say this 490 chassis was built in January 1918 about 6 weeks after the block cast date. Where did you find the #37586? Do you have the manufactures Car Number plate that is attach in the center on the upper toe board?

The flywheel # 1222 does not seem correct … it could be part of the casting date code or casting number. The Chevrolet Mfg serial number which should be always used for State registration and license is stamped in about 3/8 letter and numbers and should be around #B8000. In fact, I bet your #37586 is actually #B7586! You can confirm this serial # by removing the exhaust elbow from the head and the port gasket, and the same serial number should be stamp the exhaust port flange of the head.
kenK

Ken,

Thanks for all the helpful information.
The car number plate is on the dash and that is where I got the 37586. I got some information off the internet that for 1918 car and light delivery chassis, the 490 serial numbers were 2-36487 to 2-59958 and the 2 is for the plant code. I have loaned the truck to the local Chevy dealer and the next time I have it home I will remove the exhaust elbow and check that number. The truck Came from Oregon, and it had 37586 as the VIN.

Thanks again, Mike C.

Mike,

You can also check your chassis to be prior to 1920 ,as a change
was made to the 1920-1922 chassis,

1916 to 1919 chassis has 4 "L" shaped running board brackets,
whereas the 1920-1922 chassis has 2 "L" shaped running board brackets at the rear, and a large folded angle full way across the width of the chassis at the front running board mounts.

Jack,

The running boards have 2 "L" shaped brackets per side but did the truck chassis cab model come with running boards?

Thanks, Mike C.

Running boards are listed in the 1916-17-18 parts list.

It lists them the same for Touring, light Delivery and sedan.

Part Number 41268

The frame is listed as the same for Touring and light delivery.
Part Number 41027

Front running board hanger part number H-237
Rear running board hanger, touring, Light Delivery, and sedan
Part number H-211.

So it looks like the light delivery , tourer and sedan share most components. Heavier bodies than the roadster i would say, so the springs will also be stronger aswell.

Jack,

Thanks again for the very helpful information. What do you think about the picture in my avatar?

Mike C

Hi Mike.
Looks great, I think i have seen a picture of it browsing the internet for 490's.

If you go down to the bottom of the chat site, you will find
the members only area, and you can post some pictures for all to see, every would like to see it,

Above all, enjoy your 490, a real piece of motoring History!!

Jack,

I have owned mostly Chevrolet in my 51 years of driving. First was a 1957 truck and my latest is a 2008 Silverado. Really like the 490 and it runs very well. I will try to post some pictures.

Mike C

Last year I got the information that the running boards to my touring had wrong cover (grey vinyl) but 4 correct L-shaped aluminium pieces around each board. I managed to buy the correct linoleum type, not cheap but in right structure and color: Battleship grey and am quite satisfied with the solution.

I would think you can get it in a shop selling Armstrong. Be aware to keep the surface clean from grease and oil.

:vcca:

I remember seeing that truck on E-bay. Nice find, I really like it. My 490 is a 22 touring. I like the straight curve fenders
and wood fellow wheels more than the later steel fellow/ reverse curve fender. Have I got my terminology right? Respectfully, Dex.

Thanks Dex,

It runs really well and only needs some cosmetic work.

Mike

This winter I might get around to painting the hood and cab. I am looking for color suggestions? Maybe a dark burgundy color? I will also restore the spoke wheels and plan on a varnish for them.

Hi Mike,

I am pretty sure that the wheels were always painted, not varnished.

As your wheels are painted at the moment , it might be hard to remove all the paint prior to varnishing, and you may end up with
bits of paint showing through the varnish.

The varnised spokes look so good but I agree with you that it would be very hard to get all the paint off as it tends to go in the grain. What color would be appropiate? I was thinking black would go very well. Do you have any suggestions for the hood and cab?

Thanks, Mike

I think black is the most correct colour for the wheels,with silver rims and demountable clamps and nuts, Also i dont think
that 490's came in other colours than black before 1920,( not to sure though!).

I do know that down under other colours were available on 1920 models, as several different body builders were competing/ trying to meet the market down here. Have seen picture here of white 1920 models.


I think a lot has to do with the quick drying nature of the black enamels of the day.

Maybe you should google 490 images on the net, i found some 1915 490,s the other day.

But you have to be happy with the colour in the end.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/75092,7419,0,0/1915_Chevrolet_490_Touring_Photo.aspx

In Australia we did (and still do) things a bit different.
On later Chev 4's the standard was painted wood wheels with a variety of colours, the ones on my tourer were black.
The 2nd option was varnished spokes
The 3rd option was disc wheels
Chris

What would be the correct material to cover the running boards with on my 1918 490 package delivery? I suspect linoluem in either gray or black. Would the floor boards have the same material? Would a 1929 AC pickup use the same material? Thanks in advanve for all answers.
Mike

My '19 FB has gray linoleum on the running boards and floor boards surrounded with zinc molding. Would guess that the 490 would have similar.

I have looked in my brochure from 1918. The truck on the front page is colored in green with black fenders and radiator shell.

Some trucks and pick ups are showing wheels painted black with light colored (silver?) rims. But a lot also have same color on the wheels/rims as the body has.

There are many clear differences between the truck and the pick up: Among them, the truck has only a short front piece of running board (as foot step to reach the cab) but the Pick up has a full running board fixed to the front and rear fenders, just as the passenger cars.

All main parts of the wheels of the truck are much stronger with 6 wheel rim nuts in front and 9 nuts at rear, while the pick up has only 5 nuts. They both have 12 hickory spokes on every wheel.

Quite a lot of the cars around 1915-16 had white rubber tires in those days, and even some of the utilities are shown too.


:vcca:

That is a beautiful 1931 PU and a great story. I recently purchased a 1929 AC to go with my 1918. I have not picked it up yet but hope to have it home in 2 weeks. It is painted a similar blue color. Mike, VCCA member