The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1959 Apache vin search

I have done several vin searches on my 59 Apache and came up with nothing. even paid for a search and, Nothing. I was told to try here. vin # as follows 3E59K135940, I don't know if this is a factory 283 engine or a replaced motor. Motor mounts are home made. Thank you in advance for any info. Wm. from S.E. NE.

Vin number is stamped on the frame drivers side by the steering box/ emergency brake bracket.

I went to the Vin Buster in the tech tips and it gave this info.

Year.....1959
Model....3600 3/4 ton
Wheelbase.. 123.2
Plant..... Kansas City, Missouri

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



as "suitcase" once said on aJesse Stone movie "the info is out there, you just got to let it in".

mmm, I like that line, maybe I need to change my signature line!!

WM ,We may be cousins My vin ends 0535 rest is same.

Wm,

I have tons of technical info on my web page...click on Mike's Garage in my signature line.

Mike B

to add to what chipmunk said, if the truck had been a factory V8, the vin would have a leading V on the door tag and title, as yours doesn't, it had a 235 from the factory - another way to spot a factory V8 [55-59] is that the front mount "birds legs" attached to a bracket riveted to the front cross member [pic shows a bolted on replacement], they didn't use the side mount points available on SBC blocks .... a '59 would also have had a metal fan shroud similar to this [adapted from same era car]

Bill

Also, an original V8 truck radiator was mounted about 4" aft of the 6 cylinder radiator location and there was a panel to cover the gap between the hood latch panel and the radiator.

That would be true for the 55-57 trucks, but he has a 59. Both the 58 and 59's had the radiator in the 6-cylinder position and used a shroud for the V8's.

Mike B

Thanks for the clarification. I did not realize that.

I have a 58 with the short spindle front engine mounts on a SBC. I have another with long spindle front engine mounts (same as 6 cyl). Which is correct?

WM - What are the engine codes?

1955-59 Trucks all used the 7-1/2" long Studs w/ 3/8-24 threaded ends.

Mike B

Mike B
What are the different lengths for then?

They ALL used the 7-1/2" studs (6-cylinder and V8). If you have something different then they are incorrect for your truck.

Mike B

I measured my spare 6 cyl spindle and it was approx 8", then I measured the spindle in my truck for the V8 I replaced the 6 cyl with and I couldn't get an accurate measurement, but from what I was able to see, it looked less than 8". The V8 spindles I am using are after market, so I can't be sure what the OEM spindles lengths are. I'll try to get a better measurement tomorrow.

The spindles I pulled off my 58 v8 truck had spindles that were shorter than the 6 cyl spindles by an inch. They look like oem.

I have a question regarding these spindles and spindle mounts for 58 - 59 truck. Aren't the brackets where the spindles attach to the frame different for the V8 as compared to the 6 cylinder mount? If you wanted to swap in a small block in place of the six and wanted to use the front mounts rather than the side mounts, are these brackets re-popped or is the only way to obtain them is to find a donor frame? Thanks in advance. Gary

Gary, the complete front mount setup is available from the vendors [see links page], including the engine brackets and frame brackets [originally riveted to the frame, but can be bolted]

Bill

Gary,

Here's the link to Classic Parts of America V8 Motor Mounts.

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-Original-V-8-Conversion-Set/productinfo/79-375/#.VrGYG7IrK5c

Mike B

OK, thank you everybody.

This is good info to include with the Task Force Tech Tip. I'm not sure if that other fellow included it with his stuff. I'll keep it in the notes.

One thing good about these on-line documents, you can "let 'em in" like Alvin's suitcase.

Peg