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Hi. I am new. Thanks for the privalege to participate. I am the soon to be owner of a 1949 6400 truck. I have lots of questions, but here is a few quickies. Is the cab the same as the pickups -i know fenders are way bigger. Is the babbit 261 swapable for say a standard car 235? Is there a good parts source for these. Everyone I check stops at a 1 ton. The wheels are 20" split rims with a 5 bolt pattern. What are my options there? I see tires from 175-400.00 and will have to do them myself as noone here wants to even discuss them. Thanks to any input. Hope to have a pic soon. It is now in a "hoarder" type garage, disassembled, with a 20" wall of crap on,in,and in front of it, so wish me luck!

Hy STEVEOLBOY, welcome, yes the full pressure 235 and 261 can be configured to swap into place of your babbitt bearinged 216. The cab is the same as a pickup cab. Hope that helps, good luck with your extrication!

I have a few parts left from one that I had. Grill, front splash apron. Go to an old auto parts store that still uses (and has parts guys who can use) books. They can find those old parts. Just don't expect it on the shelf.

Good luck on the wheels. Tires are pricey, and those are moreso. Search out a place that mounts semi truck tires. They will at least look at mounting your tires.

Yes, good luck with the wheels. If you actually have 2 piece split rims and not the 3 piece rims it could be a problem finding a place that will work on them. My 52 6400 has the 3 piece rims, uses 7.50x20 on the front and 8.25x20 on the back. When I got the new front tires mounted I was told that the Cenex I went to won't touch actual split rims. According to my shop manual the 3 piece were standard and the "2 piece" were optional. If you work on them yourself be REAL careful. I have read the split rims can be ok if they are in good shape and are handled right but can be dangerous if they are rusted or damaged. Good luck with your project.
Steve

Hi,STEVEOLBOY! Welcome to the "'Bolt"!There are several vendors that supply complete engine rebuild kits,for the 235,and 261. Most of the same vendors offer virtually everything from wiring harnesses,(engine,dash,front lights the same as the smaller "cousins"),but you may need splice/add more wire for your rear brake,turn,and tail lights,depending on your frame/box length. Virtually everything ,from glass,to floor mats,are available for the cab. The 20" rims that you mention,should be 3-piece,and not the dreaded Firestone RH5's. Most auto tire shops won't touch any split rim,but ,(like "aggie jon" points out),semi-truck tire shops have no problem with the 3-piece rims, as long as they don't have stress cracks,or rusted thin. A good source for brake parts is N.A.P.A.,if you can find a parts guy willing to research the books. Good Luck,and Hope this helps.

Welcome to the Stovebolt

In you extraction of the truck DO NOT AIR UP THE TIRES IF THEY ARE FLAT, drag the truck out if you have too...split rims can fly apart while airing them up and kill you if the pieces are not all lined up correctly...be safe.

Mike B

Before you get all excited about the wheels read up on the info in the beginning of this tech tip.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/wheels/

Not all multiple piece wheels are bad, and spreading that idea, while cautious I suppose, does more harm than good.


Some basics here as well, a sticky thread in this section.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=867617#Post867617

261 engine, is not a Babbit Bearing engine. Did you mean 216 ?

Thanks to all replies. I am looking forward to getting a lot more familiar with this truck. I guess I did confuse the 261 as a babbit engine like the 216. I honestly don't know much about it other than I had a glimpse of it 2 years ago. Im hoping to use it to bring antique equipment to shows. Any ideas on a max safe towing capability? Probably too light to move my 1946 allis hd7, but it would look good with a bed full of gravelys.

Wouldn't that truck have been equipped with a Babbit 235 originally? As long as the rods aren't in bad shape, at least consider resurrecting it with the original engine. With proper oil clearances and rod squirter tube alignment, the old Babbit-pounders are pretty good engines. It's also possible to machine the rods for insert bearings.
Jerry

STEVEOLBOY --

Hi & Welcome. I've got a '46 6400, all stock (235, 4 sp with 2 sp vacuum rear.) The GVWR is 17,000. I've never put near that much on her but I'm sure she'd move it OK, albeit slowly by today's standards. Trouble is stopping -- even with up to original spec brakes don't expect this vintage of truck to stop like a modern one equipped with disc brakes and radial tires.

Just my opinion of course, but I say go ahead and use your antique truck as heavily as you like (within its weight rating and in good repair of course) but be prepared for it to act like the old truck it is.

Good luck

Pete P.
Harborcreek, Penna.