Edit Whole picture album here

It's been quite some time on this project and in the meantime I have been busy with other stuff and even ended up getting hitched.

Back to work, pushing to get the engine and transmission mounted in the next 2 weeks.

We left off with ordering new arms that fit the spindles and tie rods. See them here
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/norl5UeJogDlgf4o4HyBrtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
I had also ordered new original GMC 2 ton tie rod ends and had no trouble at all using them with the original tie rod tube and easily adjusted for proper toe in, 1/16". I had first thought I'd need to ream the taper in the arms a little but turns out with the proper nut it's not necessary at all.

Then I removed the old steering column/box and hung the engine as close to home as I could to evaluate the situation.
Here are a series of pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zdsVSZBpfiJHr76SbS93bdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NMwkp_VHnK8o7-RLph8eodMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9NpVGZQ-hzhPy03B0UiWgdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f6z9EURHS92u4UXSFRdb_9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Go2d3qaCY5lIje-hq0PBIdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DjQPdY_eMg2Rh_YVtaOxetMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

As you can see it doesn't quite fit... which I had really hoped it would because the GMC engine is longer (than the Chevy) and I could easily get another 1.5" by moving the radiator forward in the support. I had even measured and measured and pretty much convinced myself It would fit without modifying the cab.
Turns out I was wrong, the cab needs some work to fit the engine just as it did in my 2 ton Chevy, really not a surprise I guess looking at it now.

What I learned is important though. You see I often get questions form folks like "Will X Detroit Diesel engine fit in Y truck". Furthermore they'll say "I'm pretty sure it will because I found these dimensions on the internet that say the engine is only xx" long and yy" wide...." My response is always "The engine isn't a perfect cube, the only way you'll know for sure if it will fit is to set engine beside truck and measure."
Now I know even that's not enough! You've got to actually try to make it fit and see what happens.

So making it fit. For now we just moved the cab back a few feet to get some working room, in time it'll need some firewall work. Really the firewall just needs a lot more width to the existing depression, the depth is about right.
Then the front motor mount is really easy on the GMC because the old one has the same bolt spacing as the new Detroit motor mount (from 1978 GMC 6500). only the hole isn't quite large enough, an easy fix.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/up5Nd7jY-siJkcn_D-_Mt9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PxGXAzwePbEyZMpRK3S5GtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/70a_QUjCjZkfTgzms5fc1dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Now here it is sitting/hanging in place ready to install new crossmember from an AD GMC 470, remove old, and fab rear motor mounts.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DMz-lH3NXwgOGgHESQMbMtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Grigg

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-