The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 60’s B series ?

Found her in a field where it’s been for about 20 years. Trying to decipher serial number, see attachment. Need info where I can get some info about these trucks. Any idea where I can get a windshield. V6 drivetrain intact with 2 speed rear.
Thanks, Hubcap. [img]https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...9D06EF8-1630-4F53-AC47-BA37D66E6A73.jpeg[/img]

We really need a picture of the truck, but it looks like it is a '60 or '61 Model. Series is a 4000. Typical 19,500 GVW. Windshield should be the same as a pick-up, but I would verify that to be sure. Post some more pictures when you can.

Picture available if you select image after name. Going back to see how much work to get out and plan on taking more detailed photos. Was hoping pickup windshield would good to hear. Any idea on production numbers or where I can get any more info. Thanks for the reply

I somehow got to see the picture of the truck. A link showed up at the bottom of my screen. Looks like it is a '60 or '61. Engine is probably a 351 V-6. But you can verify that by the numbers near the water pump. Not sure if any production numbers are out there. You can check Jolly's GMC site for some detailed info on these trucks:

http://6066gmcguy.com/index.php

Edit: By using Jolly's Site and going by the HP and RPM rating from the picture above, you have a 305 V-6 there.

Thanks C10-C90, great link.

I think the "E" indicated Hydraulic Brakes...

There may be a build sheet tag on the glove box door with all of the specific info about that truck.

Looks like it has Disc Wheels...6-lug or 10?

5-speed trans and a 2-speed rear?

There won't be anything cheap about bringing that truck back to life!

Mike B

Had to get out of the house! Went out to take a better look and more photos. After pulling off 2 feet of pine straw was surprised at condition of chassis, no loose flaking rust. Everything there except glass and most of the floor. Has power steering and locked up 305C. Will take more than a day to get it out. Still trying to decide if I need to take this on. “WAS RUNNING WHEN PARKED”

According to the tag and some of the pictures:

-4000 Series

-4-Speed Trans

-2-Speed Rear (Vacuum Shift)

-6 Lug Budd Wheels

Still trying to decide if I need to take this on.
NO!
But some of the parts are valuable to a few folks. Budd Wheels, emblems, dash parts, grille, hood, motor parts, etc.. Windshield is not cheap and very hard to install. As said 60 or 61. B model "COE" style. Same windshield as 60-63 pick up and same as Chevy 60-63.

Might have been worth saving if it had the Twin-Six 12-cylinder engine hiding under the hood. With the 305 V6 that truck is way under powered...

I agree with bartamos...run from this one, there are plenty of other trucks in way better condition just waiting for you to show interest.

Mike B

If it's free or near free, strip in place, cut up the frame for scrap. Hauling it out of there in one piece will take a Chinook. You can put that cab on something else. Like a pick up

I agree with MikeB -- 305's make great pickup truck engines. But having owned a 4400 '65 GMC with a 305, I can tell you it makes a better boat anchor than a big truck engine -- That truck was woefully underpowered, even when new. Add a PS pump to it ... yikes. Cut the grille off for shop art, let the swamp reclaim the rest.

I had a 305E (pick-up engine) in a '62 GMC 4000 16 Ft Flatbed and have to say, fully loaded it pulled pretty good. It only had a single 4-Speed and no 2-Speed Rear to boot. I say fully loaded, but it was actually overweight, carrying 2 1/2 Cords of green firewood. Now it wouldn't win no race, lol, but it pulled surprisingly well. My '62 6500 with a 478 and 5 and 2 would also win no race, although it had power to spare fully loaded at 32,000.

If the GMC B above was cheap enough and would not break the bank to get it home, I would probably buy it with the intention to use it for parts. If it proves to be otherwise, you could always restore it.

I've got a similar rig, a 1961 American LaFrance fire truck with the 401 V6 and a 5 speed direct drive transmission. It was given to me by a fellow bolter to get it out of his driveway, and I spent a little time getting it running and drove it 100 miles to my place. If It ever comes back up on the "to do" list, I'm planning to remove the rusted out fire bed, replace the driveshaft-mounted fire pump with a 3 speed Brownie, mount a commercial fifth wheel and a gooseneck hitch, and have a 15 speed trailer towing rig that will pull stumps and cruise at highway speed. The big V6 engines are gas hogs, but they're as rugged as a rhino!
Jerry

Working on getting truck for free. Minimum cost in moving just time and labor. Looking for any info on parts for brake system. Will pass on trying to do anything with old 305. Have a 500 Cadillac and turbo 400 I just finished for another project. Have located a Detroit V6 53 with transmission but worried the torsion bar front end will not handle the weight. Any ideas or info greatly appreciated.

Are we building a rat rod?

If so, you'd be MILES ahead if you just transfer the cab onto a modern chassis. If you really want to keep that chassis, plan on over $1000 in brake parts alone and that's assuming the drums are good enough to turn.

You can find motor home's for free with rotten water damaged cabins. They are real hard to get rid of...my neighbor just paid to have a mini excavator and dumpster show up to make his go away, he couldn't find anyone to haul it away for free. It had a BB Chevy and TH-400 and was about 30' long.

Mike B

Wanted to restore, if engine cannot be saved might do a restomod with new drivetrain but keep as original as possible. Motor home chassis is longer than I wanted. Mike B what is status of your 9200 Tractor, possible sell?
More like below scattered in the woods

Motor Home frames are easy to shorten as they are flat all the way to the back...shorten it to be a tractor or long enough for a roll back.

My '56 9200 LCF is still resting comfortably in the tractor shed, waiting for me to finish my 1953 Willys M38A1 Jeep project...here's a picture of it when it was young and still earning it's keep (about 25 years ago and two owners back...I'm 4th owner).

Mike B

I agree with the camper chassis as I got one for dirt cheap with a running BBF with 34k miles on it. No camper shell to deal with (econoline cab only) when I bought it since it was already gone. I cut 56" out of the chassis and put a 52 willys pick up body on it.

I'm a big fan of the front end on this truck, that grill is unique and could be very nice.