I have complained about this before, but so far no one has come up with a solution. While the 47-54 Chevy Truck Assembly manual is very handy, the version (copy) that all dealers sell is more appropriate for the '54 and '55.1 models. This is no more obvious than with the diagrams for the front grille. Does anyone know of a good reference to show how the front grille and lower grille supports are assembled for the rest of us (47-53)? Greg
I agree however I rarely use my shop manual while I have almost worn out my factory assembly manual. That manual is for sure a detail of the 54/55 1st and though most of it works for my 51 it is far from perfect. I find it hard to believe somewhere in the billions of stuff produced during the AD production years the proper manuals cannot be found.
Books R Us I agree completely. If someone could find some detailed manuals for a 49 I'd probably pay top dollar.I always wondered if Fisher Body ever made a manual like they did for the cars fo the same year.
Photo request Does anyone have any photos they would be willing to share on the assembly of the lower grille support? I decided to do a "dry fit" of the front fenders, so I would not be fiddling around with painted parts later on. Paint is expensive enough without having to redo it several times. Greg
Ken, What I need is some help with the attachment of the lower grille support, not the grille itself. This is a piece of sheet metal that is like a shorter version of the apron. It has two tabs that point toward the radiator each with two holes. I believe these attach between the fender skirts and the lower receiving holes on the radiator support (these are the two holes in a horiz. pattern). If that is true, then the holes on the tabs are at an angle that forces the fender support to also be at a downward angle. I just have not seen any written diagram that confirms this is correct. I really cannot see any other way to mount it. This just points out the need for an "order of assembly" guide as I have already put those two bolts in and now I will have to take them out to slide the tabs between the fender skirts and the radiator support. Greg
Pictures, pictures, pictures... As always, one (or two) pictures explain it much better. I have concluded the only way this can attach is for the tabs on the lower grille support to slide between the fender skirt and the radiator support.
That the correct way! Greg, if you have a copy of the shop manual, section 11 has a write-up on how to install the lower radiator baffle. Here's a link to an online version of the shop manual. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm1108.htm Ken
Correct Correct on your assumption - I just installed mine yesterday - remove the 4 bolts and slide it into place - use a drift pin to line up the holes and you should be good to reinstall the bolts...
Greg, I worked on my lower grill assembly yesterday. My hands are sore today. I figured out that I Needed to loosely install to lower piece (mine is a repop from our sponser) and it seemed to have shrunk slightly, but I was able to work it in place before I installed the upper grill assy (an original I found and re-chromed). Then, Loosened the fenders et all (yes the 2 on ea side lwr radiator/inner fender mounts which are those tabs you reffered to) and it bolted in without too much anguish and scaring. One thing I noticed was the radiator struts could not be installed until the grill was installed. I did this last summer and had already installed the top rad faring. Well yesterday I figured out how to run bolts up thru the holes and pick up the lower flange portions of the radiator struts. My problem was that my ham hands do not fit very well between the grill bars. So I "learned" how to retreive nuts, washers and wrenches from the hidden area where the lower grill meets the upper grill - sheesh I hope the neighbor's kids were out of earshot. One key is to use a bolt with a longer grip length and all the patience you can muster. The rest of the fasteners are nut clips and they may have to wait till next summer. Good luck, terry
Yes, in order to replace this splash apron, most of the bolts in the front end need to be loosened. Basically, it is just like assembling the whole front sheetmetal. Put everything in loosely, fit all parts, then tighten them up in a criss cross style...like your lug nuts.
Chilton? My Grandpa-in-law had a complete set of Chilton's manuals from 194?-196?. I wish I knew what my mother-in-law did with them! Fortunately for me I had one from 1948 or 49 at my house when they went on their cleaning rampage. I'll try to dig it up (not sure which box it was packed into) and help out with similar questions as best as possible.
I'll be holding on to mine forever. I think the other ones went to a used store, or maybe a flea market...they're into that stuff. What a shame, I'd be more than happy to share them for nothing-I'm not greedy, but my wife would probably want the $ to help pay for parts. She's a much deeper thinker than I am.
Vintage Shop Manuals FWIW ; there's still lots of the vastly better Motors Manuals out there for $5.00 each , they re-printed them every year or two so having a set can cover from 1937 to now , very easily . Look for the blue hard cover . the green covers indicate the trade editions . They're jam - packed with the detail stuff needed to make a good job . To easily ascertain if the one you're looking at is for your particular rig , look in the specifications pages as they break out by model year . you'll need TWO , one to match your chassis and one to match your 235's year..... The early version is still in print and only $39.95 last time I checked . Thrift stores canbe a wealth of technical books , owner's manuals etc. , *very* cheaply . Also the old Thompson's Guides , they're spiral bound and excell ~ they tend to be falling apart but have much better pictures than any Motors Manual ever did .
Books R Us Hi Nate, et al. I agree the Motors manuals are better and I scour every flea market and car show for them. I already have all the reproduction manuals and brochures etc. but I'm always on the lookout for anything I don't already have. I do have an old Glenn's manul in my collection and it has some good info too! Mostley car stuff though. Thanks for the names of the others to look for also. I also found a good source for some information is older small town libraires with old books that they allow you to photocopy info from. There is a regional library up in Orlando Fl that has a whole collection of old Motors manuals for reference too. I just like haveing things close at hand especially if they are cheap enough.
Me Too ! (dijo gabacho y se fue entre la milpa ) I have some really wierd manuals I've picked up over the years , a Model "T" tractor manual printed in Russian.... Chinese tractor manuals , Lotsa odd ball stuff I glean little bit of this & that from . Manuals are worthless if you don't read 'em .
Construction Eq. Manuals Sadly , no ; I used to have hundreds of old equipment manuals , lots of vintage Caterpillar mostly but since I don't work on those , I tossed 'em all out as NO ONE wanted them . Sorry . Over the last 20 odd years I have slowly divested myself of many manuals .
Motor's manuals I have to agree, the Motor's are much better. I just noticed mine are blue, always thought they were black. Never heard of Thompson's though. Bob
