Project

In our last post our ignition system died. The ignition control module from the ’80’s and companion distributor gave up the ghost. Rather that waste more time and money on it, I decided to upgrade to a more modern HEI system. Amazon offers a kit from A-Team Performance that fits the ol’ Chevy 235. Unlike…

Next up was to prepare the front clip (fenders, grille, etc) to be bolted back on. All the front sheet metal aligns to the hood so it has to be fully adjusted in the right spot first. Until now the hood was very loosely bolted to the cowl on its hinges. A rubber ‘anti-squeak’ strip…

So many little parts, pieces, and ‘projects’ to get this ’50 Chevy truck back together and looking good. Like eating the proverbial elephant, it’s one bite at a time. Next up was the headliner. They used some kind of fiber board material and today’s replacements are essentially the same (unless  you do something custom). The…

In our last post we had started installing a new wiring harness. The old one wasn’t original, in fact it as a nice little 12-circuit kit from Speedway Motors. Unfortunately the fuse block was broken, it had been hacked and spliced numerous times, and was mostly hard-wired to everything. And, it could have used a…

We finally get functional side windows on the ’50 Chevy truck and make good progress on the cab wiring – stereo, headlight switch, ignition, turn signals, gauges, heat/AC – all that jazz.  Previously, everything was hard wired. I chose to install modular connectors so components and individual systems can be disconnected and serviced. Here’s an…

Now that winter’s behind us (along with a door latch fiasco), we’ve got some catchin’ up to do. Here are the highlights on a hodge-podge of little projects and often overlooked details. You might want to grab some coffee… When the cab was painted several years ago they also sprayed bed liner inside and out.…

Time flies when you’re having fun. Progress on the ’50 Chevy truck slowed for a couple of months thanks, in part, to sub-freezing temps and a time-burning parts fiasco involving door latches and such. So, we’re long overdue for an update. Where were we? Oh yeah, we last left off with door hinges. Now we…

I’d bet if you polled anyone over on the forum at Stovebolt.com (a virtual garage of sorts for fans of old Chevy trucks) about the most challenging or frustrating area to work on these AD or ‘Advanced Design’ (1947-1955) Chevy trucks, it would be: Doors. At least they would be right up there on the…

Several weeks ago we went to install a “firewall cover” purchased from Classic Parts (#42-011R) and manufactured by a company in Arkansas called Repops. The cover is a jute-backed rubber pad for the upper firewall area that not only improves the appearance but should offer a measure of heat and sound insulation. The original was…

A quality issue with a supplier and ill-fitting doors slow things down…