VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Introduction

Hello,
I am a new member to VCCA and recently became the third generation owner of a '37 1/2 ton. The truck is still in Wyoming and will be here with me in Wisconsin by September.

The truck was purchased new by my grandfather and hasn't been driven since the early 70's. Me and my two boys (9 and 8) plan on getting her running and on the road. I intend to keep the truck as original as possible.

I am looking for resources as I begin this journey. What reading would you recommend as I begin diving into this project?

Regards

Welcome aboard!
A good place to start learning about these old trucks is with a copy of the Shop Manual and the Owners Manual. There is a wealth of info in each. Reprints are available via the vendors: Jim Carter Classic Truck Parts, Chevys of the 40's or the Filling Station. If you are a dues paid VCCA member there is a technical section available in the Members Only section that also has loads of info that may be helpful too. You can also post questions here in the Chat and someone will eventually get time to reply. In addition, the Chat has a search function that can be used to find posts and responses to previous questions. It maybe of limited value, however, as it can be challenging to use.
Good Luck!

Here is the web site for the Filling Station mentioned above:

www.fillingstation.com

Memorize this website and mark it a favorite on your computer.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/37ctim/index.html

Join this site and ask thousands of questions, I did. These guys know anything you could possibly want to know.

Good luck.

I assume you mean to join VCCA Chat and bookmark the Old Car manual project??
Richard

Memorize this link (website)below and mark it as a favorite (bookmark)and join the VCCA. Is that better?

Works for me.

Welcome to the Chat Site! Awesome that the truck has been in your family for three generations I hope your boys get the bug, just as you have. We hope to see some pictures, both new and old.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I have read through the manual a couple of times. I don't have it memorized but a general overview. :)

I also paid my dues for VCCA.

Let's see if I can upload photos...

Here is the truck after not moving for 25 years.

Cool! What a neat project! Since you've paid your dues maybe go to your profile (edit profile under My Stuff at the top) and check the button to show the VCCA logo under you name when you post. That way we'll all know at a glance the you're a member. I applaud you for wanting to keep the truck original.

Very nice looking truck to restore.

Welcome aboard and I hope you and your sons have fun with the project.

Most all of us here on the Chat are willing to help anyway we can. All the advice so far has been good.

From my prospective all you have to do to improve the truck to a maximum appearance by removing only one thing would be to unhook that outside sun visor and toss it. I don't know what your grandpa was a-thinkin' but he must have thought it would help keep the hot western sun out of the cab better. I can understand that. But still...

Don't take no advice from that WUWZiT guy. He used to have a nice 38 Business Coupe but he sold it so he could get a Chrysler Viper. Imagine that! He now has no standing to give out sound information of any kind. No sir. He is now a Chat outlaw, sort of, so to speak. I'm just kidding of course. He's a great guy. Well, he wuz.

Most of us here are pleased that you intend to keep the truck original. There are a lot of mechanical upgrades that can be made without hardly hurting the truck's vintage nature, if you get what I mean.

Good luck with it,
Charlie

BTW: What's your "handle"?

...And there's your introduction to Charlie, by Charlie himself! All of us are adding visors to our cars just because it seems to get Charlie's goat!!

I know you said you are planning on restoring it original, but do you mean factory original, or how Grandpa had it? Those heavy duty bumpers look really cool, and would make a great conversation piece, especially if you have pictures of the truck from the '30's or '40's with them on it!

Great move, joining the VCCA as well! You'll see how it's worth it when your first G&D shows up!

I think that wawuzit brought a Prowler and not a Viper. (?)

I think ole Charlies timing chain jumped a tooth.

Don't listen to this ole tarheel.You can trust anyone who lives in the Volunteer state.

Man, those sure are fancy zost pipes!

Wawuzit needs a nice '41 SD club coupe to dress up so he'll have something nicer to drive. He'll get tired of that fancy Mopar and come back around.

JD,

Yep, I stand corrected. Again.

Charlie

That is a very nice truck that you have there. There appears to be a lot of original equipment. If you enter your VCCA number into your member info you will have special priviledges on this board.

Hi Charlie, thanks for the comments.

I can't imagine the truck without my handle? Justin -that has suited me for sometime now.

Please tell me more about the mechanical upgrades you are referring too.

Hi Brewster,
Thank you. Great question. As you can tell from the plates, the truck hasn't run since '69 and I wasn't around then to see it. #youngbuck?

I guess I am still sorting it out. At this point in time I would say, "How grandpa run it!"

I want to drive it occasionally and not so interested in a trailer queen but okay with trying to keep it a 6 volt system.... Does that answer your question?

I have the original block (along with some spares) and tranny. So the first step is to get it running and operational. I would consider an upgrade to the brakes and moving the fuel tank, but not much else at this point in time.

Besides, according to my sources, originally the truck was red with black running boards. The story of the green paint has to due with a scorned woman, bucket of green paint, a paint brush and a long weekend... Always wondered why grandma's house, shed, garage and "the old truck" we're the same color. I would hate to lose that story!

What kind of upgrades are acceptable to something like this?

Go Vols!!!!!!

Justin,

Upgrades includes but not limited to:

A. Engines: later 216, 235, and 261 just to mention a few that are straight sixes and have the close appearance to the original. I believe they will bolt right up to your bell housing.

b. Differential gear ratio. You can go up a 3:70 or 3:55 without too much trouble.

While there are other things, those are the only ones that come to mind that you can do without a lot of trouble and without changing the appearance.

Charlie

Welcome to the site! In addition to the BS that flies between members, there is a real heart-felt community here of kindred souls.

Great family heirloom! Glad your sons will be part of its resurrection.

My suggestion is to get it running, fixing things so it's safe, and drive it around as is for a while. Get to know the truck's personality and then start making decisions about upgrades or restoration.

It's been my experience that folks at car shows and driving around get a real kick at seeing an old survivor. Remember, it's original only once.

Here's a pic of one of my trucks: https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/254235/1928_AB_Canopy_Express_on_the_#Post254235

Enjoy the journey!!

Cheers, Dean

What I have observed is: people that obtain an old car and immediately tear is apart to do a restoration most often never get it done, get frustrated, sell the parts for scrap or very little $$$ and move on to a different hobby. Those that get the old girl running and put it on the road with minimal effort and funds so it can be enjoyed, tend to stay in the hobby. They often get another "project" that can be restored while enjoying the first project. Later when No. 2 is road worthy restoration is No. 1s turn for upgrading if wanted.

Rustoholic and Chipper,

Thanks for the welcome and your thoughts. Stages, I like that.

More or less that is the plan. Get it road worthy and drive it for a bit.

This isn't my first "project". Had a late model Blazer that I tweaked on a lot as well as a '66 Chevelle. I was too young then, wish I still had the Chevelle.

Used to have a Couple of Camaro's as well. Loved the community from the SoCal F-body and San Diego Camaro forums back then. In fact, when I got married the Pres of SSCC let us drive away from the wedding in his 1st Gen convertible. I had never even met the guy before the wedding day!

Looking forward to the same here. Obviously, a good bunch of people here. No one blasted me for the joke about the brakes and fuel tank!!! Guess I'm too new to get a ribbing, huh? :)

Thanks again for the warm welcome. If anyone is near SE Wisconsin in 3 weeks, I'll post an invite to the "truck delivery / brisket" day!