1927 Chevrolet Truck and Miss Maple

Of all the things I have found out about the truck, I think the neatest thing was this:           One common misconception with our old cars is that there was a VIN number used on early Chevrolets. Chevrolet did not use a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) until the mid-1950's. There are no stamped serial numbers on the frame so engine serial numbers were commonly used by Motor Vehicle Departments for registration purposes. A plate was used that gives detailed information about the vehicle but it was not generally used for vehicle identification.                        Early Chevrolet cars & trucks used Car Number Plates to identify where the vehicle was made, which month it was made, show the series and the number of the vehicle as it came off the assembly line. Most early wood-bodied models had this plate nailed into the seat frame or the floor on the passenger side.  For t...

When I first bought the truck, the son told me that his dad bought the truck and then he had to make the bed of the truck and he did from trees on his property.  I had no reason to doubt him when I bought the truck.  I knew nothing about the truck, the history of early trucks, but since then, have wanted to find out anything I could on the truck.  Here is what I have found so far: 1.)  As for the cab, 1927 was the first year that Chevy offered a factory cab. You could make your own bed or go to a variety of body builders. The other option was that the truck could be bought with a commercial cowl and the buyer could make his/her own body or get a whole body from a body builder. 2.)  What identifies it as a 1927? There are a number of clues, such as the date the engine was cast , whether it has one or two exhaust ports , the number of spokes on the wheels, the front profile of the radiator shell, the shape of the headli...

Final work before we get ready to store the truck for the winter. Ordered new Tie Rod Ends hoping to take care of the "death wobble" https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84418&showall=1 Did a lot of research about the wobble,  called a few places - common thoughts were that something was loose.  Looking at the old parts, I thought this would solve the problem as they were pretty worn.  After replacing the tie rod ends, tightening the lug nuts and everything else we could see, the truck drove a lot better.  The wobble still happens, but not as often and not as exaggerated.  The wheel bearings are a little loose, and we will repack them over the winter.  The bearings cost a little more than I want to spend this year.      Old Parts Straightening Time All Straight Old Tie Rod End New Tie Rod End Old Parts

Still trying to figure out the engine block numbers - a lot of references out there and just trying to make sure I get the right information.  So far this is what I have  To summarize the known casting numbers for Cylinder Heads are:  # 327773 AUGUST 1921 TO NOVEMBER 1924 [U.S.]  # 41522 1921 TO 1922 [Canadian] then  # 327773 # 344128 DECEMBER 1924 TO MARCH 1926  # 345453 MARCH 1926 TO JUNE 1927  # 346886 JUNE 7TH TO NOVEMBER 1927  # 348540 DECEMBER 1927 TO OCTOBER 1928 AND THEN FOR FURTHER CASTINGS IN LATER YEARS: # 348540 [e.g. 1931 cast for the Parts Department] CHEVROLET CASTING NUMBERS FOR IDENTIFYING THE YEAR AND APPLICATION, CYLINDER HEADS AND BLOCKS CYLINDER HEADS 1917,18, 19 338048 D V-8 1922 381099 FB THREE-PORT 1916-21 333776 1922-27 345453 Single Port1 ½" Valves 1927 346886 Single Port AA, LM. 1 21/32" Valves 1928 348540 Two Port 1929 835503 All 1930-31 836273

Saturday we (Jeffrey) replaced the head gasket along with any other gasket that we came across. Overall it was about a two hour job. It seems like it ran quieter.    Nice new Head Gasket  It actually seemed to be running a lot better after the head gasket was replaced.  Hopefully this will be the last major replacement the truck needs for some time.

I missed my goal of a car show this year and will have to wait until next year to enter one.    Have to admit, the 4th of July Parade took the cake this year.   Didn't really do to much driving w/the truck this year.   I let the Farmer's Market use it for some advertising: Jeffrey and I will be replacing the head gasket this weekend so standby for plenty of pictures and  comments on that. Also time to start thinking about what winter projects I want to do with the truck.  I think I will work on the doors - they don't really close like they should. I also have to work on the side rails - they were a little tight at some connections. I also have new wood I need to work on so I can make some shorter side rails.  Not sure if I can farm any work out this winter - will have to see about that.  In the early spring of 2020 I will sand down the bed again and re-coat that so it shines nice for the...

Sad to say that this is the end of Camping Season for 2019 (We already made reservations for our 2020 Church Camping Trip in May and of course for Elvis week) We went to Watkins Glen State Campground from 24 August to the 29th of August. We have to say Thanks to Jeff and Di for making the arrangements on this trip. We have never been to Watkins Glen or the Finger Lake region - if you ever get a chance - it is well worth the trip. The gorge walk is the best - Here is some good advice. If yo u leave a car at one end f the trail and one at the other end make sure you take your keys with you - DON'T leave them in the car. We are making plans to go back in 2021 and to another campground called Sampson State Park - check it out if you can - they have cabins on the lake also.  https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/sampson-state-park/NY/232/overview It was perfect weather and Miss Maple enjoyed herself While you may have assumed that our largest ...