55.2-59 New '59 Apache owner

[BlouDon]

Hi All

Bought myself this "virgin". Supposedly a '59 Apache.

Can anyone tell me what I bought please?
VIN: M53846
Engine: F602JA 53846 (Engine size????)

As far as I can tell 99.9% original, 3-sp manual, RHD.

• What would be an economical way of fitting vacuum assisted disc brakes?
• Ditto power steering?
• Should I not just fit a Jag front suspension and be done with it?
• Would a 700R4 bolt straight on to this engine?

[dsraven]

try this. they are usually pretty quick with a reply.
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html

[BlouDon]

Someone asked what is mounted between the wipers....

This truck was built in South Africa. Do you think that shield was made here?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Beautiful truck, though that visor looks unusual. Maybe because it's a So. African truck the visor was sourced from who-knows-where?

My dad's '59 long Fleetside was exactly this color but he didn't paint the rims red. Too bad, they look excellent. His was a 235, then I "helped" him put a 283 in it (I was a little kid, mostly I got in the way) and finally a 348. Rans like a stung cat. Good memories.

[bobinbc]

The visor looks like the type that was used on late 1940's-early 1950's cars and trucks, a popular brand was Fulton and I believe they were made in the US. I've never seen one with a center support though, that could be a SA thing. Nice looking truck!

[bobinbc]

The VIN format is different what was used in USA and Canada. Canada was different from USA also. Do you have any pictures of the engine?

[bobinbc]

Here's a link to a very detailed installation of Jag front and rear suspension in a 59

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=643426

[BlouDon]

Here's the engine.

[BlouDon]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Here's a link to a very detailed installation of Jag front and rear suspension in a 59

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=643426

Thank you VERY much for this link. It helps SO much if someone else "reinvented the wheel".

[bobinbc]

Looks like a 235 by the thriftmaster sticker but I believe that is a 261 air cleaner. Interesting that nothing seems to be moved under the hood to accommodate the right hand drive except the column of course. I expected to see the battery on the other side lol.

Here's a link to a ton of info about your truck which you can download and save
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

[nvrdone]

if you want a power brake up grade kit, contact master power brakes -
mpbrakes.com. im using one of their kits in my '49 AD & its great

[BlouDon]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

The visor looks like the type that was used on late 1940's-early 1950's cars and trucks, a popular brand was Fulton and I believe they were made in the US. I've never seen one with a center support though, that could be a SA thing. Nice looking truck!

I had a close look at the sunshield...

Where the shield is mounted to the roof, there is a large stainless steel washer with these words stamped :

Sterling
Sun shields
Durban

So, it seems these sun shields were manufactured locally in those years...

[BlouDon]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Looks like a 235 by the thriftmaster sticker but I believe that is a 261 air cleaner.

I would not put too much faith into that sticker. How can I positively ID what engine I have?

[dsraven]

there is a machined pad on the side of the engine near the distributor that has some numbers on it. here is a link to a site with the same problem as you and how they found the engine size.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads...ification.html

[BlouDon]

Originally Posted by BlouDon

I would not put too much faith into that sticker. How can I positively ID what engine I have?

I've got F602JA printed on my block followed by a number that corresponds with the VIN no.

Does this "F602JA" type number look familiar at all?

[dsraven]

maybe something here will help?

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/engine.htm

http://www.castingnumbers.info/site/...cks/t/Inline-6

https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/e...tification.htm

http://devestechnet.com/Home/CastingNumbers

[BlouDon]

Originally Posted by dsraven

maybe something here will help?

http://devestechnet.com/Home/CastingNumbers

Bingo!

This last link was the breakthrough because it showes the exact location of where the casting no is: Against the block, below the vacuum advance (nothing to do with the machined area behind the distributor as most sites mentioned).

So, my engine has the casting no 3764476 which makes it a 235

[raymond0275]

OK wait!!!!! the steering column is on the right????

[BlouDon]

Originally Posted by raymond0275

OK wait!!!!! the steering column is on the right????

Right!!

[dsraven]

Nice shape, wow.
Good work on digging through to find the engine size.