The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop COE questions

I talked to the owner of the COE that I will be picking up tomorrow and it needs a radiator and a tranny. It is a 48 5100 - is there anything special about these parts? The motor is a 216 and I have several transmissions that have been behind 216's and 235's in AD trucks. Is the radiator a bigger unit than what you would find in a pickup or a 4400 or 6400 or a different animal altoghether? Spanky? MT? GL? Long term plan is that I will put a bigger 6 in it and a 2 spd rear out of a binder Loadstar as I have heard the gears allow higher cruising speeds - but for now, I would like to get it so that it is self motivated. I hate pushing / pulling dead trucks around.

Ken, that engine "should" be a 235 in that size and year a Chevy COE. I will admit I don't know chevy COEs like I do GMC COEs but have seen a few. The idea of the radiator may work and should. I am not certain but think the trans is also but you will need to have a different shifter arm.

A local junkyard has two ad coes that have I know have the trans in them and the radiators are probably in them also. The one has the small bolt pattern trans in it that is like in the the 37-46 trucks and I cant remember what the other has. It would cost a fortune to ship the parts your way but I could check the next time I go there and see just what they have

Ken: Those old AD COE trucks are way cool. Oly is correct, in that all AD trucks over 1.5 ton (11,500 GVW) used the dipper 235 engine.
The same 4 speed transmission was used on all trucks from 1/2 ton thru the 2 1/2 ton models. These trucks could be ordered with the RPO 5 speed
Spicer transmission also. I believe there was also a special production option "heavy duty" 5 speed box available. Rears were either GM or the Eaton option, both available as standard or in two speed form.
As far as I know the only differences between the small and larger truck transmissions was the addition of the parking brake/bracket assembly and the brake drum assembly on the tail. The 1 ton and 1 1/2 ton trans brake used a small "shoe" on the drums internal surface. The 2 ton and larger trucks used a band brake on the drums outer surface. The shift lever was also different in that the COE doghouse was in the way, so the lever is bent over to the left.
The cooling system on the COE is different from the conventional trucks. If I remember, I think the thermostat housing is different, comes off at side angle instead of forward. I think the radiators have a larger core to compensate for decreased airflow. Also used a 5 blade fan on the waterpump and had a fan shroud that was about 10 inches long.

There is a guy that I know, bought a few parts and a truck from him several years ago. His name is Clark Huff. He has about 100 old Chevy trucks from the 40's and 50's. He probably has more knowledge of old COE's than anyone I can think of. Check out his site and I think he'll set things straight.

Go to: www.antiquetractorsandtrucks.com

Hope this helps.

Think Chevy!
:p

Ken, There were 3 different core size radiators listed for the '47 - '55 Chevy AD trucks. 2", 2 1/2", & 3" cores. I believe any of them should interchange in a COE, unless it was in a Dubl.- Duty step van. The step van radiator was different. Any Comm. '47 - '55 4 speed trans. should work, if out of a non COE you'll have to swap the long Conv. shifter lever for the short COE shifter lever bracket.

Thanks guys - not sure what I'll end up doing with it. The motor that is in it now has been open to the elements, no dist., no oil pan, no carb - for several years. I have a 51 235 dipper motor but it has a torque tube tranny on it. Might drop over to American Classics wrecking yard next week and see what they might have for me to pick over. The yard is only 3 miles from where I work.

Ken, Forgot to mention, I have several of the complete COE shifter assemblies. If you need any part of the assemblies(from the trans., to the shifter knob) I've got it, or anything else you my have missing. Do you have any pics. of it you can post, i'd like to see it.

Ken
Your COE's a beauty. When you go to American Classics please keep an eye open for 39-40 GMC.
Good luck with your new project.

rusty 46, drop me a line. Do you want big or small GMC COE? Or, just parts?

Rusty46,A local junkyard has a 39-40 chevy coe that is complete but very rough. Could you use anything from it.

Hey Thanks for the replys guys but I'm just a 1/2 pint. I have a new (for me) 1/2 ton 39 GMC I'm looking for parts for. Thanks for the offers to help.

[[ BRAKES WILL BE THE NEXT HEADACHE ]].

Cooling? Only thing I know diff on rad is the COE rad support is much diff and mounts to firewall. Is that still in the truck? Bet you'ld need to remove hood to get it out, not sure. I may have an extra mount, not the whole rad, would have to check. No sheilds on mine. Not sure on fan either, but never looked really. I gave away all the orig 235's from my COE's. I have a 261 that I'm hoping of wedging in the truck. You will need the draft tube to fill you oil as the Rocker cover is under floor center. The coil is sideways on front area of engine on a little plate. Save those parts. The trans is same as big trucks with linkage to run the brake sometimes off the similer shaft as the p/ups had on the sub-frame rear. GMC's were more popular for that. The handle is in corner of cab near door, and the linkage and mounts for it are on the sub-frame corner. Air cleaner may be under cab in early years, near the brake booster. Long tubes from carb to it. Some are metal with rubber parts. Try to save all that. GMC's again had one on firewall and tubes went forward on their carb's and up to it. Think later Chevs used that.
On the trans, think the only diff is the covers. Chevs have a short stub and require linkage thru floor to stick mounted on the center cover. Seems kinda floppy to use. GMC's had an extra tall tower on trans cover, a one-peice lever bent forward, not backward and came up between seats, which were seperate on bottom cusions. The tall tower allowed for shorter throw than you would get with short standard tower. I suppose you could use a standard truck trans if you had one of these covers. Not sure if I have the cover or not, have some extra trannie's just not sure what I'm using yet. I can check. Do you have the linkage thru floor? I used to have a picture or two of one if you need to see. You have the Assembly Manual? COE stuff is in it.
Heck, put in the V-8 and auto trans, eliminate lots of headaches. Be a Hacker! like everybody else! I was thinking of giving up and selling all my COE stuff, but most only want the cab for new chassis. I have too much time and parts in my frame to let it go to junk. Guess I'll keep it and look at it in my garage for now. Working on tractors for now!