Cherry Blossom

The Horvaths

Young man with a cowboy hat
Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Messages
2,581
Reaction score
2,152
Location
DFW
Here is the build thread for my new truck! It is an original truck from California, wearing original paint and gear. It even has the very rare original one piece floor mat. It has a T-137 (230CI) flat six, four speed crash box, Braden MU-2 winch, and a Mico brake lock kit. It also has original bullseye headlamps, an E7T1 carb, and pintle hook. Unfortunately, for this first post, I can't show what we did in detail, as I wasn't there for it. My dad got up very early and decided to fix the hand brake. Oddly enough, it is identical in form to the 1955 Ford F500. Weird, huh?
Old:
IMG_20160717_112721.jpg

New:
IMG_20160717_112654.jpg

Now that the parking break is done, I was able to drive it (in the yard). It drives like a truck with 18,000 miles on it. It's awesome.
IMG_20160717_123302.jpg

IMG_20160717_123306.jpg

Sorry for such a short first post, but more detailed ones will follow soon. Stay tuned!
 
Those trucks of yester year are a far cry from today's sissified "trucks". No air conditioning and leather seats in those rigs.
 
This is not Cherry Blossom, but I figured I'd post this here anyways. My uncle, dad, and a few friends changed the head and head gasket on a '46 PW today, as it blew up during a rally. I couldn't get too many pictures as I was working, but here are the few I snagged.
Before: '59 Plymouth car head:
IMG_20160717_140906.jpg

Head off:
IMG_20160717_150755.jpg

Cleaning head bolt threads:
IMG_20160717_151225.jpg

Nice gasket coated with copper sealant:
IMG_20160717_162438.jpg

Nice High Compression head:
IMG_20160717_174531.jpg
IMG_20160717_174537.jpg

We have flushed the oil twice to get most of the coolant out, but will be doing it again tomorrow. I can post pics of the truck and interesting features of the engine then.
 
Can you explain the nomenclature for the models? Wiki confused me.
The models are based on model year for flat fender Power Wagons. There is also the D-Series two wheel drive truck that is also called a Power Wagon, which has the designation W-100(through at least 500) when equipped with four wheel drive.
You may find this helpful:
Linky
All flat fenders have the same cab.
 
Here is what I did today:
Because I know my mom will hate the rust, I have decided to coat the truck with phosphoric acid. Basically, this converts iron oxide to iron phosphate, a black benigne substance. I was worried this would alter the paint color, but I am very pleased with the results so far.
Washy, washy:
IMG_20160721_154803.jpg
Clean:
IMG_20160721_192825.jpg
IMG_20160721_192859.jpg
IMG_20160721_193049.jpg
IMG_20160721_193055.jpg
IMG_20160721_195333.jpg
IMG_20160721_201529.jpg
IMG_20160721_201550.jpg
Roof comes tomorrow, along with bed:
IMG_20160721_201556.jpg
IMG_20160721_201608.jpg

The paint has been woken up drastically by the ospho. Hopefully it will last. It will take overnight for the rust to convert. To keep the gleam on the paint, we will actually oil it. The oil protects the paint too.
Fun fact: as soon as I get home to Texas, I will be driving back to PA with a trailer to pick up the truck. (Yes, I can drive a trailer).
 
Another thing on the models; there were sometimes more than one model available in a year. For example, in '53 there was a B3 and B4 PW. The differences were all minor and mechanical. The B3 had a different compression ratio and exhaust set up from the B4.
 
Fun fact: as soon as I get home to Texas, I will be driving back to PA with a trailer to pick up the truck. (Yes, I can drive a trailer).
That explains it! I've been wondering how you got home so quickly... Great meeting you and your dad... please keep it coming... I like these trucks to look at, but I have never worked on one.
 
My Uncle and I loaded the beast on the trailer today. The poor Sub(par)urban doesn't know what to do with itself. Wish us luck on the way home.
IMG_20160728_073809.jpg

IMG_20160728_073815.jpg

IMG_20160728_073812.jpg
 
I missed this thread, love the truck, I'm a big flat fender fan myself. That is a hefty load for that half ton, stay safe, I'd bet you are close to max for that 'Burban.
Look forward to seeing more.
 
That's a lot of tongue weight on a 10 bolt rear. Order new axels from rock auto now so they are there in Texas when you get home.:poke:
 
That poor burb is crying...

That Big Tex trailler is huge... I'd be tempted to put Cherry Blossom on back wards right where she sits or at least back her up a couple feet to take a little weight off the tongue... I don't think it would do anything but improve the weight distribution in that picture...

Sweet truck... and a safe journey home.


img_20160728_073809-jpg.87056
 
What isn't shown in the picture are the load leveling bars. They help a lot. I changed up the positioning a little and it's set up as well as it can be. Im going to split the trip into three or more days and go about 55-60mph. It's gonna be one helluva ride.
 
Cherry Blossom is attending it's first car show today. I'll post a follow up if it wins anything. :)
IMG_20160903_133227.jpg
IMG_20160903_133231.jpg
IMG_20160903_133238.jpg
IMG_20160903_133243.jpg

Oh, and some spooty old B Body is here too. :D
IMG_20160903_133411.jpg
IMG_20160903_133427.jpg
 
Back
Top