1941 Chevy AK 3/4 Truck - 4Spd
Creating a thread here as a sort of journal/questions as I venture into getting this running.
Based on the serial being AL I can assume this is a 235, not a 216. Serial# 21AL01-6380
I believe I see the pushrod cover screws near the top cover though which would make it a 216.
235 c.i.
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.::History::.
Dad bought it from the original owner sometime in the 70's and parked it inside till '79-80 when it was driven to an outdoor resting place tell 2023. When they drove it up to the hill it "ran great except for the gas spewing from under the hood. I assume the wad of tape on the fuel line near the carb was the culprit there.
Dad believes it was a 4spd when asked.
.::Currently::.
Dad is working on finding the title.
The truck is currently in ND me in ID so I am trying to learn as much as possible and then go this coming summer to bring it back home/ try to get it running there as I go to keep up the place for a week or so every year, so progress will be slow till about April.
.::Purchased so far::.
.::My knowledge::.
I work on my own Subarus 1990s Only- EJ motors-
Rebuilt in terms of head gaskets - never cracked or assembled a block yet.
I appreciate the warm welcome I received in my General topic.
Hopefully, this thread will be packed for better or worse with pictures about my journey with this thing because it has to run at least enough for me to take my Dad for a ride next summer 😀 even if it's just to the end of the trailer.
It will drive again.
I'm all eyeballs until then for any advice.
Someone with more expertise than I will need to confirm but I believe it's a 216. Post rebuild pics of my 38 216 are below for comparison. Of course, with a '41 the oil diverter valve will be different than shown on my 38.
7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
Hi North1941
Tiny is correct, you SHOULD have a 216 engine.
But, that certainly may have been swapped out at some point in the past.
Identifying the 235 produced from 1941 to 1949 can be difficult as it will be visually nearly identical to the 216 (including the tall side cover) and thus quite hard to identify with a quick look.
The 235 was first introduced as an option by Chevrolet in 1941, but only in the heavy (1-1/2 ton) trucks, and with ENGINE serial numbers beginning with the prefixes AG on regular trucks and AL on cab overs.
The engine serial number will be found on a smooth area on the block just under where the distributor is mounted in the block.
From your pictures, I think your truck does indeed have a 4 speed transmission.
This can be confirmed by the presence of the little finger lever and rod on the right side of the gear shift.
That lever had to be pulled up while moving the gear shift to the right and back to shift into reverse.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1139 old site posts
@tiny What product did you use for the engine covering, is that powder coating?
I used the Gray engine paint sold by The Filling Station. They have an ad at the top of the page. We added a hardener to it to make it more durable.
7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
@ole-olson Ole, You might want to re-read that last paragraph of your post regarding the location of reverse gear on the 4 speed transmission. Unless you always park so that you can continue forward, I'm not sure how you have been able to get around if that is where you look for reverse.
Mike
Many Miles of Happy Motoring
3469 Posts on Old VCCA Chat
Yup! 🙂. 👍
I was out with the '46 today and when I went to back out of the driveway my hand instinctively put the truck in reverse, but then my mind went "hey, wait a minute, what did you write in that post again?".
I was obviously thinking of the SM420 in our 1963 GMC when I was writing that.
Thanks for pointing that out!
My bad.
PS
Okay, now I REALLY feel stupid.
I was almost asleep when I woke up and said "hey, wait!".
I wasn't thinking of the sm420 either, it's our '85 C60 that has the reverse over and down. (an SM465)
And our '84 GMC C70 with the 5 speed with the short 4th is over and UP. (a New Process I think)
It all comes natural when I'm sitting in the trucks (muscle memory), but my brain cells just aren't keeping up any more. 🙂
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1139 old site posts
One more thing...
Is there a name for that old Chev 4 speed with the reverse finger lever?
I've seen it called a GKT134 somewhere, but never in any Chevrolet literature.
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1139 old site posts
@ole-olson I have heard them called a few names but I will refrain from mentioning them here. It's a family friendly forum
Mike
Many Miles of Happy Motoring
3469 Posts on Old VCCA Chat
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1139 old site posts
Thinking about appropriate trailer.
Am I correct in reading the overall fender width of this truck is 72 9/16th at its widest point.