VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1941 Pick Up Truck Questions

I just recently gave in to my latent boyhood dreams of owning a 1941-1946 Chevy pick up and I'm now in the process of buying a 1941 1/2 ton. So the questions start-
*How does one decode the VIN#
*Do the doors and other body parts interchange between the '41 and 42-46 years
*What years used the same gas tank as the'41
*What is the correct carb
I know that there are some subtle differences that are different on the '41 from the other years. I would appreciate hearing any tidbits of information anyone might have to offer.
Thank you for your knowledge.
Bill

Vin #....post it here and X the last three numbers/letters.
Doors are the same from 1939-1946 Except for the location of the key lock cylinder. Some models had lock cylinder in handle and some in the door below the handle. Just about all the other parts are the same.
Gas tank fits 1941-1946 trucks with a cab (not panels).
Carburetor is the very common Carter W-1 and fits cars and trucks from 1941-1948. That is the black painted carb. with the cast iron body.

I don't have the truck here yet, but the paperwork indicates the VIN# as 3CK0X XXXX (All xs are subustited for a number.)
Thanks for the response.

Let me know if you need the number in the 5th position.

yes needed

CK is an early 1946

The early 1946 was produced from Sept. of 1945 to the Spring of 1946 Between there was a 3 month strike so few were made. It was bascially a continuation of the 1942 models and had no chrome trim. The late 1946 had small improvements and chrome grille, bumpers, hood louver trim, etc.

The number in the 5th location is 9 (3CK09). So it looks like my truck may be an early '46? (The front bumper and grill appear to be painted). I've read where the '41s differ from the others in the series with regard to; the parking light lens being 4" as opposed to other years being 2", having a 6 board bed as opposed to a 7 board bed, the passenger door handle with lock rather than the lock in the passenger door. Once it gets here I'll look her over.
Thank you again for all your help.
Bill

That indicates it was assembled the 9th month of 1945 so was made before the long strike.

Is this a good thing? or insignificant?

What does the last group of 4 numbers represent?

Does this mean I have to leave you guys in this forum and bump up to the war years forum?

The last four numbers are the production sequence numbers for the plant where it was assembled (St. Louis). The number began with 1001.
It is insignificant.....don't leave us

Actually you should be in the "Chevy trucks" forum.

Don't worry I'm not going to leave, I'm just spreading my self around (I also am working on a '29 Two Door Coach). Besides you guys are too good to me! As a point of interest my last 4 numbers are 203X.
More questions to come - it's just a matter of time.
Thank you for the input.
Bill

Bill
There are at least 5 other VCCA member guys working on this model Art Deco trucks that I am aware of, myself included.
Gene is answering your serial number question, so I'll add info for some of your other ones.
Doors and other body parts do interchange. Soon after the war started and until early '46 production was limited. During this period and for a short time after chrome bumpers and grills were not available. Those parts were painted white.
Rear fenders are interchangeable from 1939-'46 trucks. Rear metal fenders in usable condition are scarce.

Gas tanks were the same for the '41-'46 models. Note, the filler neck protruded from the right rear cab section and many used leather grommets instead of rubber.

The carb was a Carter W-1. I don't recall off hand the model number for my '46 and do not know if a different model was used in '41.

Guys at Stovebolt.com are also a ready and friendly info resource too.

Good luck and enjoy the learning journey!

A minor correction I would make regarding the rear fenders. The 40-46 rear fenders should be interchangeable, but the 39 rear fenders are 1-1/2" wider than the 40-46 owing to the fact that the 39 bed is 3" narrower than the 40-46.

Mark

Guys, I thank you for all the information. I'm buying the truck sight unseen, going by the pictures sent to me. I know it's not the best approach for a purchase, but it is what it is. In a few weeks it should be adorning my yard, so I'll know a lot more then. Two weeks ago, if you asked me if would ever want another project car, the answer would have been "no, I'm satisfied with my '29" well, ideas sure do change when you think you see an opportunity. Go figure. I always say "if it has rust or perfume, a guy will go for it". (At my age it's its easier to catch up with rust.)
I'll let you know how the pig in a poke turns out (if it gets here).

Thank you,

Bill

Mark may be right on the '39 fender dimension info. I am uncertain given The Master Parts Catalog (1929-1948) lists the fenders as the same part number for both sides for '39-'46. There may be one other difference too. I have seen fender reinforcements mounted at about 1/4 the way up from the bottom rear. That placement is consistent with earlier year fenders. The later years have that reinforcement at the top center. That causes many of those fenders one does find for sale to be badly rusted because mud and crud trapped moisture.

I had read in the Stovebolt.com Tech Tips (12 May 2008) '41 rear fenders have 3 bolts above the bed and 2 below -'42 -47 have 5 bolts above the bed and 2 below. The '41 rear fender brace is directly over the top of the fender - '42-47 the brace is in the 10:00 position.

Bill
You are very close with the comment about perfume and rust but dont forget "if it has tits or tires you are in trouble". I have / am a victim both ways.
Tony

The original carb would have been a Carter W-1 number 483s.

This was superceded in 1946 by Carter W-1 number 574s, which in turn was superceded in 1949 by Carter W-1 number 684s.

In 1950, Chevrolet started using the Rochester (division of GM) model B carb, so newer supercesions would be some form of Rochester B.

Very few individuals can tell the difference between the 483s and the 574s. There are huge differences on the 684s, and while an excellent carburetor, parts for the 684s are quite expensive.

Jon.

Jon,
Thank you for the carb. information.
If one wasn't concerned with originality, would there be any problem with using any of the W-1 series?

The 483s venturi is slightly larger than the 1940 version of the W-1 (420s), so therefore slightly better performance. There is no difference in the performance of the 483s and the 574s.

The 684s has the extra linkage rod that causes the throttle to open slightly when the choke is activated, thus giving slightly better idle performance when cold. The disadvantage of the 684s is that many parts are unique (and expensive).

I would suggest either the 483s or 574s. Both carbs and parts for both are readily available, and reasonable in price.

Of course, if you are determined to use the 684s, parts may be obtained mail-order from that grumpy old hillbilly in Missouri

Jon.

The 684S is a 1949 carburetor and easily identified by the automatic fast idle linkage between the throttle lever and choke.
I experimented with all the mentioned carburetors and found the basic 1941-1948 version satisfactory.
The 1940 and prior had the 1 7/16 throat and the 1941 and up the 1 1/2" inch.
Trucks prior to 1941 had a restrictor device built into the base insulator to reduce high engine speed power thus the truck had 7 HP less advertised horse power. In 1941 and up that was removed the the truck and car both delvloped 90 HP.

I looked up 39-46 1/2 ton rear fenders in the 29-48 Master Parts Catalog, and at first glance, it appears that the fenders for the 39-46 are the same part number, but, on closer inspection, the rear fenders that fit the 39-46 models are for single unit body trucks, i.e., suburban carryall and panel delivery. Rear fenders for the 39 cab type body, i.e., pickup, carry a different part number than the 40-46 models.

Mark

I must have missed the fine print. When I cross checked, before my earlier post, the model letter codes, such as AK, DP and many others it seemed to indicate as I reported, but apparently misunderstood.