# My '49 Chevy Pickup Project - PICS **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [November 24, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625 "2006-11-24T15:17:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Southtowns27](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/southtowns27/32/5002_2.png) [@Southtowns27](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Southtowns27)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/1 "2006-11-24T15:17:30Z")
I figured I’d share some pics from my '49 Chevy pickup project. I acquired the truck in fall '04 as a partial trade on my racecar. The truck body was sitting on a late '70’s Chevy shortbed 4x4 frame when I got it. It would have been a complete nitghtmare to make it work, so I acquired a '49 3/4 ton chassis from Ohio. I chose a 3/4 over the more popular 1/2 ton just to be different. (Some pics are better quality than others) The truck when it came home: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/49pickup1.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/49pickup1.jpg) ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/49pickup2.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/49pickup2.jpg) The 3/4 ton chassis: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/51chassis.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/51chassis.jpg) I restored the chassis first, and honestly it needed very little. I sandblasted, epoxy primed, and painted it. I repacked all the bearings and installed new brakes. I then went to work on the drivetrain. The engine you see in the chassis pic is the original '49 216 cu.in. straight 6. I disassembled the engine to find that it had a wiped main bearing…not good. The 216 is inherently weak due to the fact that it uses poured babbit rod bearings. I didn’t feel like re-shimming the rod bearing every time it started knocking, so I decided to find a different mill. Everybody puts 350’s in these trucks, so again, I found the need to be different. I acquired a '54 Chevy 235 “Stovebolt” straight 6. After the teardown: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/235block2.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/235block2.jpg) ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/235parts.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/235parts.jpg) I took everything to my engine builder, B&L Racing Engines in Collins, NY, to have all the machine work done. I had it bored .080 over to 246 cubes, had the head shaved, ported, and polished, and had the rotating assembly balanced and weight matched. I also installed an oil filter. The engine wasn’t originally equipped with one. I tapped and plugged the original oil passage from the oil pump to the main oil gallery. I drilled a hole in the side of the block into the pump passageway below the plug I installed so all the oil exiting the pump would flow out the hole. I then drilled another hole in the side of the block into the main oil gallery above the plug I installed. I then acquired a remote mount oil filter assembly and plumbed it in between the 2 drilled holes. Now we have filtered oil 🙂 Here it is during assembly: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/DSC00585.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/DSC00585.jpg) Here you can see the drill marks in the crank from balancing: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/DSC00586.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/DSC00586.jpg) ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/DSC00590.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/DSC00590.jpg) Oddly enough, Chevy actually produced a Hi-Performance head for the 235. I successfully tracked one down in Washington state. It raises the compression ratio to 9.5:1 and has a better overall chamber design. This is what a lo-perf 235 chamber looks like: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/235chamber.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/235chamber.jpg) Here’s the Hi-Po head, look close at the chambers to see the difference: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/Enginehead.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/Enginehead.jpg) I also acquired an Offenhauser 2x1 aluminum intake, Carter YF carbs, vintage Fenton cast iron headers, and a Langdon’s “Bulldog” cam. I put chrome wherever I could. I also had Wizard Cooling build me a custom aluminum radiator to keep this thing cool. Here’s the engine fully assembled and installed in the restored chassis (ignore the camera date): ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/EngineLF.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/EngineLF.jpg) ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/EngineLR.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/EngineLR.jpg) ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/EngineR.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/EngineR.jpg) I actually have a sound clip of it running. Don’t listen to it through laptop or other small speakers, it sounds like ass if you do. It helps a lot to turn up your subwoofer if you’ve got one. [http://media.putfile.com/235-2](http://media.putfile.com/235-2) My old man said “I’ve never heard a 6 cylinder like that before” lol. I also installed a '64 Chevy 3 speed OD tranny when I put the engine in. This way I can keep the “3 on the tree” shifter and have overdrive to help out the 4.57 gears. After I finished all this I went to work on the body. Here are a couple pics of the cab sitting on the unrestored chassis. ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/IMG003.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/IMG003.jpg) You’re not supposed to be able to see through the passenger side kick panel: ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/IMG004.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Southtowns27/49%20Chevy/IMG004.jpg) Needless to say it needed a lot of sheetmetal work. I replaced the cab corners, outer cowls, kick panels, cowl fillers, rocker panels, and part of the floor. The truck came with a shortbox, but all the 3/4 tons were longboxes. I ended up buying all the pieces and built a brand new box for the truck. I don’t have any updated pics of the body at the moment. But as it sits right now, the box is on the chassis and I have most of the filler work done to the cab. There are still a few dings and dents to straighten but it’s almost done. I still have to finish the doors, fenders, hood, running boards, and inner fenders. I hope to have most of the truck done by fall '07. ---
**Author:** ![Shrives](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shrives/32/7250_2.png) [@Shrives](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shrives)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/2 "2006-11-24T15:22:28Z")
awesome work man… i want my next project to be a late 50’s chevy, but i dont know how to do bodywork too well so ive been hesitant. Plus i dont think i have the patience to do what you are doing. Keep us updated! ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/3 "2006-11-24T15:47:15Z")
i’ve always wanted to do an restoration project but at this point in my life, the amount of work would be overwhelming. good work tho. should turn out pretty nice. ---
**Author:** ![Bacon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bacon/32/7230_2.png) [@Bacon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bacon)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 3:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/4 "2006-11-24T15:53:14Z")
\<3 I love old trucks. And the fact that it’s more than just the usual build is awesome. That engine looks like it belongs in a museum too, most definatly outstanding. :tup: ---
**Author:** ![camarojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@camarojoe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/camarojoe)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 3:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/5 "2006-11-24T15:55:14Z")
It’s looking good :tup: ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/6 "2006-11-24T16:44:02Z")
Stovebolt! Fuckin’ rockin’. :tup: to that man, keep the pics coming. ---
**Author:** ![TurboTSi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@TurboTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTSi)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 4:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/7 "2006-11-24T16:48:48Z")
Awesome work on the engine. Post more pics of the frame and the suspension if it’s done yet. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Stang](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/evil_stang/32/7256_2.png) [@Evil\_Stang](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Evil_Stang)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 5:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/8 "2006-11-24T17:14:52Z")
Way cool. ---
**Author:** ![JEG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jeg/32/7246_2.png) [@JEG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JEG)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/9 "2006-11-24T17:57:55Z")
:tup: Awsome job man, this thing will look amazing when done! ---
**Author:** ![choko](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/choko/32/7240_2.png) [@choko](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/choko)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 6:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/10 "2006-11-24T18:05:35Z")
cool… i have a 1949 3600 i am redoing. ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 8:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/11 "2006-11-24T20:04:06Z")
i fucking love it. and i commend the shit outta you for going against the grain, im ALL ABOUT THAT! :tup: :tup: ---
**Author:** ![Southtowns27](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/southtowns27/32/5002_2.png) [@Southtowns27](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Southtowns27)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 8:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/12 "2006-11-25T08:36:49Z")
> [@choko](#): > > cool… i have a 1949 3600 i am redoing. :tup: Mine’s a 3600 too. Is yours a Deluxe too? ---
**Author:** ![Chrish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Chrish](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Chrish)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 8:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/13 "2006-11-25T08:59:16Z")
nice! ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 12:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/14 "2006-11-27T12:56:17Z")
> [@Southtowns27](#): > > Here’s the engine fully assembled and installed in the restored chassis (ignore the camera date): Is that brass or copper hardware on the exhaust side? I can’t get over how cool that is to see one done up. This is gonna be sweet when it’s done :tup: ---
**Author:** ![Southtowns27](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/southtowns27/32/5002_2.png) [@Southtowns27](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Southtowns27)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 9:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/15 "2006-12-10T09:05:51Z")
> [@TrueBlue](#): > > Is that brass or copper hardware on the exhaust side? Both actually. All the pipe fittings and compression fittings are brass, the tubing is all copper. It looks pretty sweet polished up. ---
**Author:** ![JDMSIR](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdmsir/32/7376_2.png) [@JDMSIR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JDMSIR)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 9:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/16 "2006-12-10T09:24:56Z")
WOW, looks great. That looks like one simple ass motor. ---
**Author:** ![95Z28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/85e7bf/32.png) [@95Z28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95Z28)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 1:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/17 "2006-12-10T13:57:23Z")
> [@JDMSIR](#): > > WOW, looks great. That looks like one simple ass motor. :word: Straight sixes look so funny :lol:. Cool looking project. ---
**Author:** ![mindless](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mindless/32/7286_2.png) [@mindless](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mindless)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 9:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/18 "2006-12-10T21:23:55Z")
^^^ u told me yesterday u had ur hands on a straight 6:whip: ---
**Author:** ![ImportMuscle](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/importmuscle/32/7615_2.png) [@ImportMuscle](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ImportMuscle)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/19 "2006-12-10T21:37:45Z")
being different :tup: thats why i just bought the first key “different” part of my project. Good luck man ---
**Author:** ![Southtowns27](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/southtowns27/32/5002_2.png) [@Southtowns27](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Southtowns27)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625/20 "2006-12-11T15:16:28Z")
> [@95Z28](#): > > :word: Straight sixes look so funny :lol:. Cool looking project. It really looks odd from directly behind. The engine itself is maybe only 10-12 inches wide. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-49-chevy-pickup-project-pics/20625.md?page=2)