When you cut the tater in half, eat the second half raw-- if you've never tried it, you will be amazed at how good it is! Maybe add a little salt but you won't need anything else. Wyatt "Earp"--I like that! Have a happy holiday,
The truck has a name... "Screaming Metal Death-Trap". Yup, it's kinda long but the kids named it that as we have been working on it and I have been admonishing them to drive it SLOWLY (when they are old enough to do so). They always asked me, "Why"? At that point I would point out the various "safety" features in such old vehicles, like the one piece "lance of death" steering column, the bolted-solid-to-the-cab combination rear view mirror/cranium seperator, the single piston "Russian Roulette" master cylinder, etc. It was while I was explaining how to stop the truck should they be driving it in the event of sudden master cylinder failure when they named it the "Screaming Metal Death-Trap" as in that's what the truck becomes should that happen whilst driving. I know it isn't as concise as "Thunder" or "LaTroca", but the kids like it and I find it amusing. Of course I also explained the need to perform regular maintenance checks on these vehicles so they can be as safe as possible and am showing them how to do that as well. It kinda fits, too. Driving this thing at any kind of speed above 40 or so and the engine is just WAILING. I bought a small tach to put on the column to see how fast this thing is revving when driving it. Gonna hook it up and take a spin with the 15 inch tires on it and then switch over to the old, tall 16 inch bias ply truck tires to see if it makes much a difference before deciding to switch to 16 inch wheels and tires or go with the 3.55:1 rear end upgrade from Patrick's. How fast should these things (235) be revving when crusing anyway? Or should I be asking, "What limit should I put on the RPM's at top speed in 4th gear"? Andy
What do you expect from '50's technology? C'mon dude! These are playtoys for those who can afford 'em. You're not going to get air bag technology, fuel economy, etc from these trucks! You're going to get a piece of Americana, a piece of the pie that your grandfather, father etc died for 64 years ago so that we could have this conversion. By the way, for those of you who don't know, 6-6-44 ain't my safe combo, it's the most important date any of us should ever remember. For those of us who know it God Bless You, for the rest, read your History books!
Cruising RPM Andy ; Anything over 3,000 RPM's in one of these old long stroke engines is begging for trouble ~ it's O.K. during an upshift but not for extended periods like a whole city block.... If you're lucky a rodwill loosen up and begin knocking but much more often the connecting rod will break just below the wrist pin and come flying through the side of the engine block , seriously spoiling your day.... You're right about these being death traps , don't forget that lower spoke in the steering wheel that'll preforate your intestines in a frontal collision.... I was mindful of this as I was spinning down a rural highway in Virginia Friday...... We broadsided a Jeep and then stopped , no injuries .
Dang, Nate! Since it was Virginia, I'll assume you did this with something other than your POC work truck? Glad to hear everyone was OK! Andy~ I guess they could have come up with something shorter, but I bet the more they ride in it, (or drive it) they'll probably change the name. Gears, gears, gears... AND tires... Your 6 will love you for it!
Well Ya Know...... I wasn't driving (in spite of asking to three times) as I'da not fallen asleep nor would I have locked up the brakes and skittered all over the highway full of traffic.... Considering the size if the big muddy ditch we stopped near , it could have been far worse , it figures the only parked car within 40 miles was right where we went.... He was a bit pi$$ed off but got over it after a while . Had we been in my shop truck , this would not have happened as i don't let anyone else drive it . This trip would make one of those family vacation/holiday gone wrong movies....
Whats in a name Andy, You guys have named the truck "SMDT" likely pronounced Schmidt, or maybe even "smitty". Jim
Say What ?! I beg to differ ~ My 1949 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup is a working shop truck and has been in continuous commercial service since 1949.... When it can no longer work , I'll get rid of it . ' Slow & Steady wins the race ' . I'm a blue collar working class schmuck , cannot afford a new truck even if I wanted one... -Nate
Just having a little fun. Y'all know that the technology in these old rigs is EXACTLY why all of you and I love them. I wasn't getting down on the rigs, believe me. I drive it now every single chance I get. Just had to run some things the kids left behind up to their momma's house and guess which vehicle I used. The kids love to see that old truck that THEY built (in their minds, anyway) cruising up to the house or ballfield. They always ask, "Are you bringing the truck"? I was just trying to impart to the kids that these trucks were built at a time when people actually DROVE their vehicles and didn't merely RIDE in them. As such a machine is being OPERATED, the operator must be in a constant state of awareness and be mindful of the limitations of his or her machine and know how to work it within it's limits. I think that is why all the kids will use this truck as their first primary vehicle. It will teach them to be AWARE behind the wheel and that ANY vehicle they are driving is indeed a SMDT if not operated properly and intelligently. BTW, I dropped off my oldest at little league practice this week in the truck. It was in the field of my grade school. It was the very first parking lot (huge) that my dad ever took me to drive a car in (probably just 15 y.o. or so). Guess what I had him do? I pulled in to the parking lot, put it in neutral, applied the e-brake, got out and walked to the passenger side. All the while he was looking at me like, "What the heck are you doing"? I opened the door, told him to slide over and the biggest grin came over his face as I told him to drive us over to the field. He's 14 and plays on a multi-grade team with seniors. Should have seen the look on their faces as he drove up, parked and got out. Priceless. I'm sure he will never forget it. Andy
Beg to differ Ken. I've kept fairly good records on my daily driver since 1990 57 GMC. If I sold it for what I think I can get for it I'd have less than $500 per year in it since I bought it. A lot of the labor was cheap (me), but I did put an $8000 bodywork/paint job into it. It has been updated with disk brakes, air conditioning, new interior, HEI, dual master cylinder and a ton of smaller items. The trick is I treat it as my only ride. Sure, my wife has a much more comfortable vehicle that we take when we are making a significant trip. But mine goes to work every day and to the dump once a month or so with a load of tree trimmings in the back.
