OT - New Project, 1938 Chevy 1.5 ton

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

Hi guys,

Well, it looks like I got another project. This time it is not a tractor, but a 1938 Chevy 1.5 ton truck. Straight 6 gas engine, 4 speed standard with flat dump bed. Been sitting in a barn for 10-20 years and drove to where it is now. I can't quite move it yet to get it home, as one of the brake hubs was taken off to replace a leaking seal that was letting transmission fluid into the brakes. Also has a leak in one of the brake lines that I have to find but other than that it seems like it is in pretty solid condition and complete.

Hoping to be able to get the hub and tires back on soon so I can get it home. With a little bit of work and cleaning of the carb, fuel pump, and gas tank, I am hoping that it should start fairly easily. Then I'll have to start worrying about the brakes and finding a new rear seal.

If anyone happens to know of any good forums for old trucks/ old chevys, or any good places for truck parts please feel free to let me know. Have had a few problems finding parts like the rear seal. Not sure if the 1.5 Ton is the same parts as the 1 ton, but most parts I find are for 1/2 ton and 1 ton.

To keep it tractor related I plan on painting it the original red to have it match my Farmalls. Then I can bring both the tractors and truck to the fairs and show them side by side. Was considering putting the F-12 on the back but that would probably be too heavy.

Some pictures should be attached, more to come when I get it home.

~FarmallCT

CaseChev · Feb 5, 2016

Really, really nice original truck. Hope you can keep it "original". The best source for truck stuff like yours is www.stovebolt.com

jeffcat · Feb 5, 2016

Oh no no leave it as is. There is a guy at our fair and has a Ford almost like that. Lots of people say paint it, and even more say it looks so cool like it is. Please have fun with it.

JOCCO · Feb 5, 2016

Very nice project!!! There are several old truck magazines (vintage truck, wheels of time etc) worth subscribing too. Plus several chevy truck parts suppliers. Although some of the specific 1.5-2 ton stuff might be harder to get. I would bolt that wheel back on and get it on a trailer, deal with seal later.

jal-SD · Feb 5, 2016

Not too heavy, that 12 will fit on it nicely! (My $0.02 worth jal-SD)

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

I thought it should fit, as I have seen the old ads with similar trucks with the F-12s on the back. Once I go through, make sure its structurally sound, and and get it going properly I just might try. I was going by the 1.5 ton or 3,000 lbs, and figured it couldn't hold it since my F-12 weights around 3500 lbs but I haven't really dealt with the old trucks before so your probably right in that it can hold more. I also probably should replace the bed, or at least check it for rot before trying that. If not it should look just as nice parked next to it.

rossow (mn) · Feb 5, 2016

I second stovebolt.com. Lots of stuff there regarding old Chevy trucks. I have a second-series '55 short-bed and go there all the time for information and advice.

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

Thanks!! I am really excited to be getting it. It is hopefully going to be a restoration project for my dad and I to do together. I will have to look into those magazines, they just might help. That's what I was thinking, I'd rather just put the hub and wheels back on and get it home so I can work on it. I'll be putting it on our goose neck trailer anyways to bring it home so it's not like i'll be driving it all around town

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

I am considering that. The only problem is that the restoration was already started on it and the hood and rims are painted green now, though for the time being my goal is just to get it running and mechanically sound, so it may stay like this for awhile still. With any luck, I am hoping to bring it to the County 4-H fair this year since it's my last year of still being young enough to be a member.

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

Thanks! It came from out west so it seems to be pretty nice. Hoping to keep it as original as I can. Thanks, I will look into that!

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

That seems like a pretty good site to go to and I think I will try there for more information. I did go there once I think to look up the serial number information though I have to get used to the website set up

Duner Wi · Feb 5, 2016

Nice, Nice, truck,. Motor's Truck Repair Manual first edition cover 1 1/2 ton Chevy as well as many others. If your truck is an unmolested original with patina I would leave it as is.

leroy in ne · Feb 5, 2016

another parts source, chevsofthe40s

Dick2 · Feb 5, 2016

We had a 1938, but it was a bigger truck than that one. It had a 5-speed transmission plus a 2-speed rear axle with a long lever over on the passenger side. It was quite a feat for a guy as small as I was then to double clutch to shift and then lay over on the seat and shift the 2-speed axle on the go.

Rich'sToys · Feb 5, 2016

That is one sweet truck! Congratulations!
As others have said, Stovebolt.com is the place to go. Plenty of good information all over that site. Be sure to join the forums. Plenty of expert advice there, plus it's one on the best run forums I have come across. See you over there!

Mark-Ia · Feb 5, 2016

Clean it up and then spray it down with Fluid-Film to protect the original patina.

Married2Allis · Feb 5, 2016

Wow, great truck!

Ron-MO · Feb 5, 2016

Nice old truck. I vote also to clean it up, and leave the original paint on it. Put the money into the mechanicals, as paint will not make it run better. Maybe clean up and paint interior a bit. Paint looks to be in pretty good shape if it was cleaned up good.

D7fever · Feb 5, 2016

Don't forget, rod bearings lubricated by dipper system, not oil pump. I'd be tempted to drop the pan and clean everything up, remove the rod bearing caps and make sure the dipper tube is clean. Only the cam and main bearings are lubed by the oil pump.
Nice looking truck.
I have a 1937 Ford 1.5 ton in mostly original condition. Once you paint it is never original again.
Have fun.

J.Wondergem · Feb 5, 2016

Now that's what I call a nice barn find.

01gentdc · Feb 5, 2016

congratulations , my grandpa had a 39 chevy truck 50 yrs ago,,. wished I had the health and time for mine ,. Do you want another truck 21 yrs newer,. I have a all original 283 v-8 58 Viking c-60 with 4 and 2 and a hoist in running working condition,,..been asking 2500 ,,. the truck was bought by my great uncle at ky state fair in 1958,. been traded among family members..

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

That sounds like a pretty nice truck. I would except that I just got this one which is going to be a pretty decent project in itself, and one of the main reasons we decided to get it in the first place was because it is owned by a family friend and is only the next town over.

FarmallCT · Feb 5, 2016

Thanks for the advice, I will be sure to look into that before I try and start it. Is there any way to check without taking everything off or is that the best way? Thanks! Do you have a picture of yours if you don't mind posting one? Very true on the originality part. The only reason I am somewhat considering restoration is because someone already painted the hood and rims a different color, though once we get it out in the light and clean it up I will see how it looks and probably post some more pictures to keep everyone updated. Thanks, I'm sure I will, already pretty excited to get it home.

Andy Martin · Feb 5, 2016

The rod dippers pick up oil from a stream of oil from a nozzle for each rod. They work great until you overspeed them and foam the oil. Then you'll start rods knocking. The rods have Babbitt poured into them, no bearing shells. If they haven't been messed with there may be shims between the rod and rod cap that you can remove to get the veering clearances back into spec. if you find they are a little loose when you Plastigage them.

sms · Feb 5, 2016

Here is mine only it's 38 GMC.

01gentdc · Feb 5, 2016

yes , farmall , it is a nice truck, I doubt if it has run 100 thousand miles , the motor was rebuilt back in the 80s by my cousin who owned it for 15 yrs .the Viking has been sprayed underneath with used oil to keep from rusting ... I have been told time and again by others not to paint it,. but it keeps tempting me.

OT - New Project, 1938 Chevy 1.5 ton

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads