Bittersweet

Fulfilling Scott's Dream

Story by John Aschenberg
Photos by – Julia Aschenberg

Sometimes life in general is like a big jigsaw puzzle, we pick up the pieces and try to make them all fit into place. For Scott and Jessica Kilby out of East Petersburg, Pa. their hopes and dreams turned out different than what they had planned for their pickup. The couple purchased this '50 Chevrolet five window pickup truck about eight years ago with the goal of building it together. It was all stock, motor and all but very rusty when they blew the truck apart and started working on it. Scott bought an S-10 with the idea of using the frame and other parts for the buildup, when their lives were suddenly turned upside down. Scott had gotten sick and was gone within 21 days, he had cancer and they didn't even know it. This is where Jessica had to figure out all the pieces to the puzzle, and what she was going to do with the ole rusty hulk. She had truck parts all over the house, garage and shed and it was very overwhelming for her and her daughters.

This is where Gilberts Automotive and Way Cool Rod Shop, both out of Lancaster, Pa. come to the rescue. Jessica's father is Ross Gilbert, owner of Gilberts Automotive who put together a healthy mouse motor. It started as a 350 four bolt main block punched 0.030 over, which makes it a 355. A set of TRW 9 & 1/2 to 1 pistons were stuffed into it, while a Comp Cams 3/4 race cam "480 lift - 270 duration" open and close the valve train when duty calls. Other goodies include Edelbrock heads, intake manifold and a 600 street series carburetor.  Hedman headers send all the spent gasses out through a custom-made exhaust system which exits out at the rear sides of the bed with custom billet tips.

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