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I have a 49 2 ton chevy 6400 series, from what I have found out to date it has a 1954 235 in it. From looking at differant site's it appears that the only engine's avaiable in 1949 where the 216 or 235.

My question are, are these engine size's the only one's available in 49. Is it possable to find out what engine was in my truck when it was bought new?

dhook,

The 1948-1952 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual states that "The engine used on all 2 ton trucks, which is optional on all 1 1/2 ton models, has a displacement of 235.5 cubic inches using 3 9/16" bore and a 3 15/16" stroke." All models, except for the 2 ton models, had 216.5 cubic inch engines as standard.

Tim

Thanks for the detail's about engine opptions in 2 ton models.

Next question's, it is my understanding that there was not a oil pressure system in these engines in 49, stock was oil splash type, is this true?

I live in alaska, how hard do you think it will be to engine down that is a 235 from 1949?

And are there any other big bolt guy's visting the site from Alaska?

dh!

Check out the Stovebolter 'locator' from the home page. There are some fellow Alaskan's listed there.

You're partly right about your engine; it does have a splash oil system but a pressure system is incorporated as well. It's a low pressure system as you wouldn't ever see much over 15lbs on the gauge.

The second last sentence in your last post is unclear! What is the question? There'll be an answer somewhere!

Geo.

I don't know the production numbers, but there weren't very many of the pre-54 235s built.

Thank's for the come back on oil systems in the older 235's.

The engine in the truck now is not orginal form what I have learned to date (54). I hope to track down an orginal 49 235 at some point in the future, to put back in the old girl.
Living in Alaska this is probably going to be hard to do I think. I am stuck on a remote Island at present. So I am trying to learn as much as I can before getting back to look the truck over better. So I am throwing the questions I have via the net.
I do not have any manuels yet, hope to track some down when I get back to town. Getting my small net work of friends to start looking for what I need for the truck. Hope to find it in AK. freight cost to alaska can be spendy.
Checked out locator page. Seem's like I am the only bigbolt in AK. at present.
In the process of tracking down previous owners to learn more about the truck.

Here a stab in the dark, I believe the truck was organial owned by a electric company in 1949 based in Anchorage Ak. Are there any stovebolter's here that might have worked for an electric company in Anchorage at that time?

What type of wood was used on the bigger flatbed in 49? I suspect a hard wood not pine.

Thanks again guys.

Putting an old 49 235 in is foolish. the 54 has the improved oiling system, a little more HP, but not alot, and better carb and distributor. One thing not mentioned is the early engines have poured babbit bearings, not inserts, and shims to adjust, YOU won't be doing that if needed in that cold weather! Keep the 54, the Heck with orig! The value of truck isn't ever gone rise dramatically cause you have the orig type engine, big trucks have little value in market. Way I see it, the former owner's IMPROVED The truck, NOT ruined it! Brakes are the biggest PIA on these old rigs, how are yours? Tune your engine, put money in new brakes instead!

Hey dhook, G.L. is right about that engine. If your truck has a '54 or later 6cyl., that's the way to go. Back in these trucks heyday, the 'ol babbit bearing sixes were always replaced with a '54, or later insert bearing 235, 261, or even sometimes the, GMC 270's, or 302's.

I did not realize that the old engine's had poored babbit bearing, sound like the 54 is the way to go. I a poor working man so the need to be mechanicly sound first the fix it up a time and money allows.

I have yet to see the truck to look it over machanical. living remote like I do it is not possable yet. hope to get to town to see truck in about a month.

tune up, brakes are first thing I intend to look over. had friend drive it home, he said it ran ok, but need tune up, brake need work. I belive the truck has sat for alot of years, hoping it needs minor mantenance to get running good.

What to I need to be awary of when it come to the brakes on the old girl. have read a little about rear brake cyl. being spendy. not sure if I have orangal master cyl. or not yet. my guess is I do.

I agree with Ralphy. Keep the '54 - the insert bearings and the improved oil system (and higher oil pressure) are worth having.

Ralphy refers to "rod bearing maintenance" on the babbitted rods. One trick I learned when working in a shop in 1970 was when the rod bearings reached the point that no shims were needed (measured using plastigage), you could get a little more life by filing the mating surfaces between the rod and rod cap to make a tighter fit against the crank (he called it a shade-tree trick).

Tim

I have a 1948 4400 1 1/2 ton which came with a GMC 270ci straight 6 motor. This site will help determine what you have if it is original.

http://la.znet.com/~c1937/Cast.htm

Craig