Archive for the Mechanical Category

Steering Problems & Cures By Stephen Kassis Early Chevrolet cars & trucks can develop steering problems which must be addressed for safety reasons.  Loose steering will allow the vehicle to wander, forcing the driver to constantly correct by moving the steering wheel back and forth.  Road conditions

Installing the 1929-1940 Steering Mast Jacket Bushing By Stephen Kassis The mast jacket bushing with horn wire for 1929-1940 Chevrolet cars & trucks can be installed in a few hours. The first step is to disconnect the battery. Disconnect the horn wire connection at the base of

Universal Ball Housing Adjustment By Stephen Kassis Proper adjustment of the universal joint ball housing on closed driveline cars & trucks from 1929-1954 is critical for good operation. This housing, if improperly adjusted, may result in oil leakage if too loose, or drivetrain noise if too tight.

Installing Tube Shocks On Early Chevrolet Cars & Pickups By Greg Wheelock Note: Converting from original lever arm shocks to the more modern tube shocks can give better ride quality on older vehicles. This rear shock conversion was done by our customer Greg Wheelock on his 1937

Torque Tube Bushing Replacement By Stephen Kassis Early Chevrolet cars & ½ ton trucks (1925-1954) driveshafts use a torque tube with a propeller shaft instead of an open driveshaft that was used after 1955. This design worked to stabilize the rear axle and hold the propeller shaft

Torque Specifications for Early Vehicles By Stephen Kassis Prior to the late 1940’s there were no torque specifications. When working on early cars & trucks there is nothing in the shop manual to show you how much to tighten down vital components such as head bolts, main

1927-1959 Tie Rod & Drag Link End Repair By Stephen Kassis Steering problems on early Chevrolet cars & trucks with straight axles are usually easy to diagnose. Bad king pins, worn or out of adjustment steering box, or worn or out of adjustment tie rod or drag

A Proper Thermostat To Prevent Overheating By Stephen Kassis A thermostat seems a pretty insignificant item when it comes to the operation of an engine. However, it can mean the difference from a cool running vehicle to an overheated nightmare. Recently, my 1989 Caprice Station Wagon was

Changing to Tapered Roller Bearings By Stephen Kassis Ball bearings used in the front wheels of early Chevrolet car & trucks were certainly adequate for normal operations back in the 30’s, 40’s & 50’s. When properly maintained, a ball bearing could easily last for the lifetime of

Shackle and Anchor Bolt Replacement (Steel Bushing Type Shackles) By Stephen Kassis Leaf spring shackles are subject to extreme wear. Worn shackles can contribute to steering problems and, if severely worn, can be downright dangerous. Inspecting and lubricating shackles and spring bolts is just good periodic maintenance.