VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 1949 or 1950?

The title of my Chevy 4400 gives a serial number which indicates a 1949 model. However, the engine serial number indicates that the engine block is a 1950 one. Also, the manual (Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual-1948 to 1953 models, page 12-5) reads "... a voltage regulator and current regulator mounted on the left fender skirt on 1948 - 49 models and on the left side of the cowl of all 1950 - 51 models ..." The voltage regulator in my truck is mounted on the left side of the cowl.

The truck VIN is 5 SK E xxxx indicating a 1949. And probably an early one since it is a 4 digit serial number and the numbering starts with 1000. The radiator code indicates a 1949 radiator.

At the very least, this data represents an inconsistency. One can believe that a 1949 truck has a 1950 engine block (probably not original). But the voltage regulator is placed in the 1950 place and not the 1949 place. So, the shop manual is wrong on this point if my truck is a 1949 - and we have to go by the VIN, since there is no other authority.

Lee Prairie

The shop manual is correct. The parts book shows one wiring harness for 1948-49 and another for 1950-53. The relocated volt reg would have required a different harness.
Dose your truck have the 1949 5 fuse block on the firewall or the 1950 2 fuse?
Is there a bolt hole pattern on the firewall where a volt reg was once mounted? The relocation in 1950 (both cars and trucks) was done to move the regulator away from the water that could run between the hood and fender opening. Was there possibly such a problem with your truck and the volt reg was "re-located?"
The E in the serial number indicates the vehicle was assembled in May so it would be considered a mid-1949.

Just some food for thought

Many thanks, ChevGene. I'll check this as soon as it quits raining! I do know that there is no sign that the voltage regulator has been moved at all. The truck, it is a 4400 and not the half-ton, was originally blue and the firewall still has the original paint in pretty good shape. I grew up here but I haven't lived in eastern Oklahoma for 30 years... in South Dakota, it never rains in the winter.

Lee

Many thanks, ChevNut - The photo on page 12-4 of the "Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual - 1948-1953 Models" shows exactly what my truck has. The voltage regulator is visible in that picture and the 5-fuse fuse box is what I have. The voltage regulator is mounted on the engine-side of the firewall (cowl) close to the fuse box. The manual is simply wrong and contradicts itself when it says that the 1949 voltage regulator was mounted on the fender.

The only conclusion a sane person would reach is that my truck is a 1949, minted in May, 1949 (me in May of '52) with a 1950 engine block, a 216 bored to 235.

Why on earth would someone bore a 216 to 235 specs to get one more horse-power?

I love my truck and am ready for another project truck. I have the interior done except for the firewall insulation mat. I want to restore the bed as well, but I may wait on that until I retire, which won't be for 12-15 years. There's a man in Miami, OK who told me he had 4 acres of Chevy trucks of that vintage. His salvage yard is not too far away from my piece of Cherokee County....

Regarding customization - I really like the look of the larger Chevy trucks (one and a half ton and two ton). I may get another, take the bed off, shorten it, put in a different tranny and butt, and essentially make a pickup out of it. I don't like the low-riders so I'll stay away from the suspension hydraulics.

Lee Prairie