The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1955 GMC bigbolt ??????

Hi, New to the sight and hope somebody can help before I scratch a hole in my head. I just got a big bolt 55 GMC, 5/10 lug long frame w/ 270ci and Hyda-Matic. There are NO ID plates anywhere to be found on the ca, just the motor numbers. No idea why. Have a title number, but that helps 'NONE'. I need to figure out which series it is. ANY idea how to determine this without any ID plates? OH YEAH, the grill emblem is rusted off so thats no help. ALSO, it has a 2 speed, direct/under aux trany between the Hydra-Matic and rear axle. In my opinion, it looks like a factory part. How do I determine what it is, and what to call it so I can research it. I'd like to figure out if theres a market for it and what it might be worth? Once I get the motor tuned, the complete drivetrain and both axles will be for sale to make room for all the guts outa my '78 4X4 with the bad frame.
Any info with be great help. Thanx, Mark

Hi Mark, welcome to the site. The front wheel bearing covers, are they held on by bolts? http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p494/69B-Cuda/dented%20LF%201.jpg

it sounds like a 1 1/2 or 2 ton. 2-ton being bolted on like the picture above. Someone more familiar with the GMCs will chime in shortly.

4-speed Hydra-Matic (8-speed with the 2-speed auxiliary), or 7-speed Hydra-Matic (14-speed with the 2-speed auxiliary)?

The 'two speed' might also be a 'Brownie' how many shift rails? Shift pattern?Brass or Al tag on port side gives info.

Ed

I havent driven it yet and right now I have the carb apart for a good cleanin and new gaskets. The gear shift indicator on the colum is so unfamilier I realy cant tell ya if it's a 4 speed or 7. There seems to be a sticker on the dash about shifting something, but the only thing I can tell from it is, it used to be a sticker at one time. The guy I got it from bought it, drove it to the barn to "restore" it 20 years ago and thats as far as he got. I trailered it home, got it runnin a couple times but it hasnt moved yet. As far as the aux trany goes, all I'm sure about is its a direct/under gear box. Do you know how many different brands of aux tranys they used??????

Yeah, I've been lookin for Brownie info without much success. It has the single "HI/LOW" shifter next to the park brake lever and a single rod going back to a coupler at the plunger commin outa the top right side of the box. There are no tags or number plates that I can se yet, but I dont have it outa the truck yet either. Thing looks like its gonna weigh a good 200#

Thanx 69Cuda, Yep, the bearing cups are bolted on with 1/4 bolts. 5 lug front, 10 back. 8.25"X20" wheel/tire combo. 17 leaf rear springs including the helpers. HEAVY A%% truck. Gonna make a killer 4X4 once I shortem the frame and switch drive train with the '78 rust bucket 3/4 ton I have. I find it strange that there are NO identifaction numbers anywhere on this truck that I have found yet ???????? I does have a PA "specal ID" tag rivited to the drivers door jamb with the title number and engine number on it. My thought seem to be leanin twards maybe it has a mechanics lean, or something like it, somewhere in the past and retitled ???????? Thing is, it had a WV title when I got it, not PA ????? I've got a good clean Oh title now, so I guess it matters NOT anymore.

Check this site out.
GM Heritage Site
Should be same or similar to Chevy trucks, and the information kits have info on frame dimensions, springs and other factory options like transmissions or 2-speed axles.

Is this a first or second series truck? Second Series should have the s/n stamped on top of the left frame rail ahead of the steering box.

Does the WV title number match the door post number? Does the engine s/n match the door post? If they match, you have a good clean title for that truck. Someone in PA had a title issue and got it straightened out with a new number issued by PA. The truck was then sold to someone in WV and retitled in WV using the "new good number" from PA...no title issue here that I see.

Mike B

Thanx KLHANSON, That site shows me I have a GMC equiv to the Chevy 6503. Thats as close as Ive been to actually knowing what I have. Now I should be able to determine the GMC model.

Hey Mike B, Yep all the numbers match, and it's a series 2 truck. I'm pretty sure it's all legit. Just puzzled as to why there are NO NUMBERS anywhere. I checked the frame but dosent seem to be any there either. ?????
Really dosent matter a bunch as long as I find out for sure what model it is. Gonna be kinda hard to sell the motor and trans if I dont know what it is LOL. Thanx for the help

Do you still have your 270?

Yes, I just got it running again after breaking the dist cap.

Selling or offering for sale in the regular forums is against the rules. Post "For Sale" ads in the Swap Meet Forum.