What engine might i have?
 

I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS LOCAL '53 LONG BED (3/4 TON?) TO BE USED AS A LAWN ORNAMENT. IT WAS CHEAP AND OFFERED SOME EXTRA PARTS AND FREE DELIVERY. IT SITS ON MY FRONT LAWN FOR NOW. MY MECHANIC FRIEND SAYS HE WANTS TO GET IT RUNNING IN THE SPRING AFTER HE FINISHES SCHOOL.

THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS NOT SURE WHAT I-6 ENGINE WAS UNDER THE HOOD. HE SAYS IT WAS REBUILT AND THEN DRIVEN LIKE 50 MILES AND THEN PARKED FOR PERHAPS 16 YEARS? HOW CAN I TELL WHICH ENGINE I HAVE? OR EVEN WHAT ENGINES WERE OFFERED? HE WAS GUESSING A 250 C.I.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...53PUPSHOLD.jpg

I JUST BUILT A NEW BED SINCE THE OLD ONE WAS ABOUT 60% GONE. I ALSO ADDED A STAKE SIDES FOR A CLASSY EFFECT. I HOPE TO GET A AIR-BLOWN SNOWMAN FOR THE BACK FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

THANKS!

~DOC

Re: What engine might i have?
 

Welcome to the board. Post a photo of the engine so we can see if it is original or has been replaced. I-6 is too broad a category. Post shots of both sides of the block.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

Great thanks! I will see if i can do that tomorrow and get those up here before the turkey takes me away! ;)

~Doc

Re: What engine might i have?
 

If it is the stock/original engine in it , then it will most likely be a 228 c.i. GMC engine. There is a flat area down behind the distributor that will have a stamped number . If the number starts with a 22, then it will be a 228. Like wise a 248 will be 24, a 270 wil be 27. This only applies to the GMC engines, if it was changed to a Chevrolet engine the number sequence will be much different. A picture would really help, or several pictures will give a general description. You will then need to go to some numbers or casting marks on the block to really nail it down. Hopefully the previous owner was able to keep the GMC engine in this truck. They are very good engines!! Keep us posted and we'll see what you can come up with. RIck W.

p.s. here is a link to my GMC Burb. It has some pictures of the original 228 engine in there. It may help you some.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

truck looks good! welcome to the site!

Re: What engine might i have?
 

Thanks!

Here are the engine pictures. It has a Chevrolet valve cover, but you guys decide if it's been swapped. I would say YES! ;)

Okay...Passenger side first:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/PS01.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/PS02.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/PS03.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/PS04.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/PS05.jpg

Now, Driver side:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/DS01.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/DS03.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...C_100/DS02.jpg

Re: What engine might i have?
 

I'm going to say 235 or 261 Chev. Probably 54/57 or so as it doesn't look to have provisions for side mounts.

Interesting split manifold though.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

that thing would look awesome slammed on 22's first off.

im going to assume its a 235.

beautiful poto of the truck i would frame that.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

Looks like the 235 I have in my 55 Belair. Except the oil filter is behind the carb not in front.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

I agree,,,that home-made ,split manifold is WAY-TOO-COOL to change.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

I'd say most likely a 235. I did not notice any large oil gallery access on the drivers side. Also, in picture five showing the starter, there is a flat space just aft of the distributor. It should have some numbers stamped in that flat which will be helpful in finding out more about this particular engine. A 235 will run pretty good with a little recon work and different rear end/ trans combo to make it more streetable. PLus they sound pretty cool!

Re: What engine might i have?
 

WOW! YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN A LARGE SOURCE OF INFO. THIS IS THE FIRST GMC TRUCK (OR ANY GMC PRODUCT FOR THAT MATTER) THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED...SO I'M LEARNING. I LOVE THE PRE-BOXY ERA OF PICK-UPS ANY MAKE REALLY.

SO I CLEANED OFF THE PLATE BEHIND THE DISTRIBUTOR AND HERE IS WHAT IT READS:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ENGINECODE.jpg

#0719386I55Y

Re: What engine might i have?
 

I went to this web site and it say you have a 1960 engine. It does not give any other specs. I suspect it may be a car engine since it did not closely match any thing I looked at. I did not do searches on car engine numbers. Still it is likely a 235 and a good engine if you want to keep it, but not correct for your GMC truck. The GMC engines are out there. You just got to beat the weeds for them. Where are you located? A group effort will turn up more engines maybe close to you if you want to locate a GMC engine.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/vin/vinbuster.html
:gmc2:

Re: What engine might i have?
 

yeah its definately a good site to add to your favorites . Welcome and i hope you can get all the answers you will ever need here.

ill let the Boxy slip up go for now.:D

Re: What engine might i have?
 

I AM ON THE EAST END OF LONG ISLAND, NY. THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF OPERATING CHEVY'S AND GMC'S PRE 1970 AROUND HERE STILL BEING USED AS POTATO TRUCKS WHICH GENERALLY HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE DUE TO THEIR LIMITED SEASONAL USE. I ONCE USED SATELLITE MAPS LIKE MSN/LIVE TO SCOPE OUT OLD TRUCKS PUT OUT TO PASTURE TO PHOTOGRAPH WITH OF COURSE THE LAND-OWNERS PERMISSION.

AS FOR ACTUALLY GETTING A GMC ENGINE, IT'S REALLY NOT ON THE TOP OF THE LIST SO TO SAY. FOR NOW IT'S JUST A FRONT YARD LAWN ORNAMENT. DON'T GET ME WRONG...I LOVE HOW YOU GUYS DIG INTO THE HISTORY AND CAN BOUNCE BACK WITH SOME SOLID ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS.:gmc2:

THANKS AGAIN! ;)

Re: What engine might i have?
 

A Friend suggested that the manifold may've come from a marine engine. While talking to the 2 brothers that sold me the truck, my friend said the guys mentioned that their step-father worked for a marina back in the 1960's and that could be where it originated from AND WHY IT MAY LOOK UNUSUAL!? :o

Re: What engine might i have?
 

Marine grade wow that is pretty cool. might make a very good dress up in the right application.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

try and get it running your self. get some mystery oil let it sit in the cylinders for a few days and try to turn it over by hand,drain and change all the fluids probley will have to rebuild the crab new set of plugs and wires and points i'd say that baby would start right up

Re: What engine might i have?
 

We're already good to go with the marvel mystery oil. Will probably let it sit in there until the spring time. My buddy is an ex-mechanic and says he's determined to get it running. ;)

Re: What engine might i have?
 

got to complement you on you photo ability or at least having a decent camera. damm i hate some of those cell phone pic's. welcome aboard and keep us posted on getting it running.

Re: What engine might i have?
 

THANKS! IT WAS A MEDIUM PRICED DSLR AND PHOTOSHOPPED TO SHOW SOME FAUX DEPTH OF FIELD. ;)



~DOC :wave: