The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 37-38 Chevy-GMC Pickups

Looking through the list of threads I did not note anything pertaining to the 37-38 GM pickups, since I have a '37 GMC T-14, 1/2 ton I thought it was time to start a thread about the the "short cab" series of pickups.
The '37-38 Chevy pickups are quite common, however the GMC's are not. The short cab actually came out in mid-year '36, and therefore has some wood structure in the cab which the '37 and later trucks do not have. Nineteen-thirty six is when the new six cylinder engine came out and the term "Stovebolt Six" was coined. The '37-38 GMC's used the Olds flathead six in lieu of the Chevy six.
About ten years ago I had a '37 GMC T-14. We re-powered the truck with a '70 Chevy 292 that we added a Clifford 6=8 4 barrel manifold to with Clifford headers, a 350 TH trans, 10 bolt GM differential, Jag running gear. The truck ran and drove quite well. putting out 300 HP at the rear wheels. A man offered me a lot more money than what I had in the truck so I sold it, a move I regretted.
It took me ten years to find another '37 T-14. I am in the process of rebuilding the T14 using '71 292 six w/Clifford 6=8 dual carb manifold w/Weber carbs., Clifford headers 2004R trans, GM 10 bolt, TCI rack pinion front clip and TCI rear suspension.
Clifford talked me into the dual Weber setup in lieu of a 4 barrel, claiming it would run much better, eliminating fuel starvation in the outer cylinders and have much better eye appeal. Wm.

Yes, good thread. Those 1930 vintage GMC’s don’t seem to get a lot of airplay on the forums, and seem to be overlooked. I can see why you regret not keeping your first T-14. But, there’s always another or better deal around the corner once you finish your current project. I keep an eye out for these and it seems that it takes a little effort to find, or luck, to scrounge up decent parts to restore. Post more pictures?

I am partial to original equipment on these old trucks, but also appreciate the old school hot rod inline 6’s.

Would like to read more about the Clifford dual Weber set up over the 4 barrel.

I like the GMC to but never see one!!

As far as I know the term "stovebolt" has always been associated with the Chevrolet 6-cylinder engines that were first introduced in 1929. I've never seen a GMC engine refered to as a "stovebolt" engine.

I'm also not aware of any 1930's GMC trucks being built in the US having factory installed Chevrolet engines...

The light duty 1935/36 GMC trucks had the Oldsmobile 213 L-head and the 1937/38 used the Oldsmobile 230 L-head.

1939 was the first year for the all new 228/248 light duty engine designed by GMC...

Mike B

From my experience the GMC trucks were generally a much heavier duty unit than the Chevy, that being the reason for the Olds engines. The GMC pickups and trucks were actually built by the Yellow Truck & Coach Company, a division of GM. Not sure when this relationship ended, I know it lasted through 1938.
I would say that a Chevy engine in a GMC would be a step backwards. The GMC's of '55-58 had Pontiac V8's with available Hydra-matic transmissions.
The 292 Chevy 6 is a very nice upgrade to the pre '54 Chevy's. Plenty of engine compartment room in lieu of trying to shoehorn a V8 into an area with limited space. With just a few modifications the 292 can be built up to 300 HP. The 292 is also adaptable to any GM automatic with no special adapters.
I generally like vehicles that are basically stock looking, however, I like them to run well, to that end I have my eyes pealed for a set of 5 lug 1930's style 15" artillery wheels, they need to be from an International. I had a '36 International 1/2 ton several years ago that had HD artillery wheels. I want the 1930's type of wheel because they will have inside clips for the hub caps.
I have an article in my collection about GMC engaging the services of Harley Earl, GM's famous car designer. GMC asked Earl to redesign their truck line to give it a more desirable appeal to the consumer. The great looking grille and 'Dual-Tone Design' of the '37-38 GMC is a sure sign of the Harley Earl touch.

1936 T-14 (first GMC pickup, I think) used a Pontiac engine.

Mike

GMC trucks were first introduced in 1912 and about 1920 they started sharing body parts with Chevrolet trucks. I don't know when the pickup truck phrased was first coined, but believe it would have been before 1936.

Also, the 1936 GMC pickups were running the Oldsmobile 213 not Pontiacs...

Mike B

Wm L,

I am enclosing pictures to go with the note I sent you today. Apparently we can't send attachments in personal replies.

Another topic: for '41 to '47 GMC, in case you have other interests, I have a set of factory full width front fenders and running boards for 3/4 or 1 ton GMC in case you might want use full width axles, 2 or 4wd.

I misspoke, my long louvers are 4, not 5 on my truck.

Ed

Ed, If you look at the colored brochure pix I attached in my first contribution to this tread you will note that the large trucks front bumpers do not have a dip in the middle like your truck has. It would appear that the front bumper I have, it has the attachment bars bolted to the bumper, is the one you need.
I have attached a couple pix of 38-39 Crew cab truck I found in northern CA several years ago. Tried to buy it, the owner would not sell it, I saw the truck on ebay a few years ago. Wm.

Bill,

Wow, that crew cab would be neat.

Ed

I too have a 37 GMC, it is a T16 and it has the bumper with the dip in it. I assume it to be original. I bought the truck from the original owners grandson when I was 14 almost 30 years ago. Mine had a 216 in it when I got it. It has been off the road for too long, hope to get back to it soon.

Jason

Is there engine room for a later GMC engine(270/302) -I can give you a dimension when the sun comes up if you wish?

Ed

As I recall the '37-38 T14-T16 GMC's that originally came with the Olds flat-head 6 had the radiator mounted to the front of the core support which required an extension on the fill neck, which the Chevy 6 did not need.
I put a 270 GMC engine in a '38 Chevy (car) in 1951, had to deal with the 2" added length, moving the radiator to the front of the core support. I also had to use a Chevy short water-pump. Wm.

Through out the years that I have been messing with the '37-38 GMC T14-16 series I have noted a few differences in the two trucks.
The '37-38 T-14-16 both have the fuel tank located under the drivers seat. The '37 generally has a split seat, access to the fuel filler is via lifting the passenger portion of the seat.
The '38 has a fuel fill neck that extends through the right side of the cab.
The '37 GMC has louvers in the hood side panels, the '38 does not have louvers.
The '37 GMC has a a very ornate hood ornament with script style of GMC cast into the ornament..The leading edge of the '37 hood has plated "eye brows", not bright chrome. Probably a Harley Earl touch.
The '38 hood ornament is much plainer, I believe the '38 also has the eye brows on the hood. Wm.

I have a37 GMC T14. It has the olds flathead.

I have a complete Olds 230 L-head out of a '37 T-14, the engine ran very well when we pulled it to put a 68 292 in it's place. Wm.