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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Hi Stovebolt folks
I have located a possible new project...located in the middle part of the country (I am in upstate NY)...so it looks just like a 1951 Chevy 3600 but the grille shell says GMC...it has the standard 235 cu in motor under the hood...it appears to be a minimally molested original truck..it is lacking rear brakes but the current owner tells me it will run up on a car trailer...I have had several Chevy trucks of this era in my past...so how close is the GMC to the same year Chevy???
Any insight would be greatly appreciated...
If I was to get it...maybe switch the rear end out for a better gearing and maybe put better brakes on the front axle...a 3 point seat belt harness too...
thanks in advance...
MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,470 Bond Villain | | Bond Villain Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,470 | Mike -- I think some pictures and a VIN would be helpful for the gang to tell you more about it and to answer your questions. It's hard for anyone to give you much insight without seeing what you are seeing.
Thanks,
John
~ John "We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are" 1948 International Farmall Super A1949 Chevrolet 3804In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum1973 IH 1310 Dump2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley) | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | A GMC with a Chevy 235 in it is often a Canadian GMC. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | If it is a Canadian GMC, as Grigg said, the front of the frame is the same as a Chevrolet. This IS NOT the case with US trucks from what I’ve been told. I swapped a Canadian GMC frontclip onto a Chevrolet frame with no issues. Something to think about if you learn more about it before pulling the trigger on the sale. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | If it is a 1951 3/4 ton Canadian GMC with the "normal" Chevrolet" engine, I doubt that the 235 engine under the hood is/was the original engine?
As John asked in the second post:
What is the engine serial number?
What is the block date casting code? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | If it is a 1951 3/4 ton Canadian GMC with the "normal" Chevrolet" engine, I doubt that the 235 engine under the hood is/was the original engine?
As John asked in the second post:
What is the engine serial number?
What is the block date casting code? I will check with the fellow on the engine block serial number I think what is throwing me off is under the hood the darn thing looks just like the last 3 or 4 that I have had...the dash even look the same I have a couple more pictures that he sent me...it reminds me a lot of the 1 ton I had except the bed is only 8 foot...which is not a bad thing...it would fit a little better in my garage... MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 325 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 325 | It looks like it was built in Pontiac, Michigan from the door tag. So I have to wonder if that is a GMC 228 or 248 engine? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | The engine is not a GMC engine - wrong valve cover.
It is a high-pressure 235/261 Chevrolet engine.
The engine serial number that is pressed/stamped into the block at the rear of the distributor should help to ID the engine. | | | | | Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,470 Bond Villain | | Bond Villain Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,470 | Gents -- Are the gauges correct for a GMC??
~ John "We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are" 1948 International Farmall Super A1949 Chevrolet 3804In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum1973 IH 1310 Dump2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley) | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 639 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 639 | It's probably a 235. Somebody may have swapped it in to replace a blown 228. My '53 GMC currently has a '49 216. It happens.
The front sheet metal, horn button and "General Motor" speaker cover suggest it's not a GMC "clone"
The heater vent louvers on the cowl side have been oddly modified.
Yep, the Chevys and GMCs are basically the same truck with a few differences. Engine, grill, front cross-member, negative ground, and a few other very small differences.
The gauges were a light brown in early years, but I believe they were changed to match Chevys in '51
Last edited by twotone; 03/11/2019 3:16 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 | Wouldn't original GMC oil pressure gauge go to 60 lbs. as opposed to Chevy 30 lbs. ? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | Wouldn't original GMC oil pressure gauge go to 60 lbs. as opposed to Chevy 30 lbs. ? Yes: GMC 0-60 Chevrolet 0-30 (47-53) | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 | I think I see 0-60 on the interior pic. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 |
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | 0-60 after-market replacement gauge-units are available from reproduction parts suppliers | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | Do you have a picture of the frame front from the underside? That will help solve the frame question. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 | We’re the canadian GMC’s engines (that had chevy engines) mounted to a gmc front crossmember or Chevy crossmember?
Last edited by tom moore; 03/11/2019 8:26 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 24 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 24 | The GMC motor is 1 1/2 longer than Chevy.
Look at the frame mounts to if some has done something to the frame mounts ?
Chevy front cross member is not the same as gmc.
Look at the radiator mount to see if someone put a GMC clip on a Chevy?
If you post a pic of the radiator mount from the front under the valance I maybe able to tell you.
Most of the GMC's had a u bolt style mount. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | GMC engines are about 3" longer that Chevy's, so see if your 235/261 has large fan to radiator clearance.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 | Everything I see except the engine tells me it's a GMC. The engine is a 55 or later Chevy 235 with the low long-shaft water pump. It fits in there okay since the GMC radiator is more forward then a Chevy. The serial number tag is a USA tag as has been mentioned. Cool truck! Enjoy it.
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Do you have a picture of the frame front from the underside? That will help solve the frame question. I talked to the fellow yesterday in search of more pictures...the truck is out in the rural part of Nebraska and I guess where the truck is stored is at his inlaws house...so not sure how far apart they are...We will see maybe this weekend if he gets me any more pics from the underside.... I was thinking with the Chevy dashboard on it...maybe it got in a wreck back in the day and they swapped the front sheet metal...but why would they swap the VIN tags too???...hmm Gonna have to wait and see.... thanks for all the insight tho... MikeC Passenger siderear window view
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 | There's nothing non-GMC about the dashboard.
Is the seller calling it a Chevy or a GMC? Does he have it titled as a Chevy or GMC? The only Chevy thing about it I see is the engine - and engines got swapped often...
There are a lot of hodge-podge trucks out there put together with parts from other trucks. Lots of interchangeability over several years within that series.
You should verify that the VIN/ Serial Number on the truck and on the Title match.
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | "I was thinking with the Chevy dashboard on it...maybe it got in a wreck back in the day and they swapped the front sheet metal...but why would they swap the VIN tags too???...hmm"
As Frank50 posted - they dashboards are the same, except for, maybe:
- oil pressure gauges (0-30 vs 0-60)
- ammeter vs voltmeter (I am not sure) | | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 | The gauges in my 49 GMC 100 are nearly identical to the gauges in my 49 Chevy 3100. OIl press = 0-30, ammeter and gas level. The difference is in engine temp where the Chevy goes to 212 and the GMC goes to 220.. Other than horn button and the script identifying the manufacturer the interiors are also nearly identical.
re. swapping the front clip. There would be more involved to put a GMC from clip on a Chevy than just bolt on as the front clip-to-cross member attachment is different. You can see the differences in the pics posted above of the differences. It can be done but it would be alot of cutting and welding work.
IMHO the GMC with it's slightly extended engine bay clearance is better suited to later model engine upgrades, if that's what one wants to do.
It's not unusual to find Chevy engines in GMC body's.
Without the engine numbers its hard to say but I'll swag someone dropped a 216/235 engine in a GMC.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,927 | It's difficult to read from the picture, but I think the radio speaker grille has GENERAL MOTORS TRUCK which is correct for a GMC. It would read CHEVROLET TRUCK for a Chevy.
I'm sure trying to buy this truck sight unseen, relying on pictures and the seller's description and comments, is risky. It's always best to deal in person, but sometimes that's hard to do.
Professional Novice
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