The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts '56 flatbed questions

i have a '56 gmc flatbed which i would like to know more about. i've been told its a 2 1/2 ton, but the max gvw stamped in the door is 16000.
it has a 12' by 8' bed, 4 spd trans. with a 2 spd rear (curently stuck in low) and 20" rims. i believe the engine is a 261 (straight 6) but the only reason i think that is that its bigger than my firends 235 in his bus. what i wold like to know is the series number (500 series, 6400, something like that) so i can know what to call it when looking for parts, and absolutely anything else you stovebolters think i need to know. i've never taken on a project like this so any and all advice is apreaciated
thanks

Skippy, welcome to the 'Bolt. You've come to the right place.

So you are from around Silver City. One of my college room mates was from Central, and I guess it was a good place to be from many years ago.

There will be someone soon givin' you the information on your truck. Keep the questions coming.

Check out the rest of The Stovebolt Page. There are a bunch of good topics and a couple of spots to spend your money on truck parts and stuff you just cain't do without. If you need anything that you can't find at the parts store (and that might be somewhat of a problem in the Silver City megalopolis) the Swap Meet may just be the ticket for findin' what you need or asking if somebody has just that special thingamajig.

You'll run across a bunch of old coots here that may sound a bit snarly and grumpy (now, G. L., that is a generic "grumpy," doncha know!), but don't pay 'em no never mind. Underneath that tough exterior, they are all just friendly Stovebolters, ready and willing to impress you with their great well of knowledge and information.

Skippy, check out www.oldgmctrucks.com , for GMC Tech. Info.

I hitch-hiked from Ft.Rucker Alabama to Silver City.
I wound up at the bottom of the mountain at 1 AM
A family stopped and gave me a ride right to my Mom's door. It would have been a long lonely night if it wasn't for them.
Good luck on your truck.

Welcome Skippy! I'm not an authority on old Jimmys but your engine should be a 248 or 270. Whichever it is, it is a much stronger engine than the Chevrolet. I had an old 52' with a 270 and that thing was very powerful, much more than a 261 Chev. Actually the 261 is the same size physically as a 235 and they will enterchange with one another. The GMC's were full oil pressure engines way back when Chevrolet was still building dippers and splashers.

It is not a 2-1/2 ton chassis if it is only 16K GVW. I don't know what the series was on Jimmys but today a 16K chassis is like an F450 so it isn't huge by any means, more like a 1-1/2 in the old lingo.

the 56 big trucks could come with the 302 inline as well. that's what my 1.5 has

thanks for all the info. i got a head gasket for a 270 and it fits so i guess thats what i have. dose anyone know the torque specs for the head bolts? also, would my truck be covered in a manuel for the 100-500 series. if not, where would i find a manuel.
thanks again for all the help

Look at the I.D. plate on the left door hing pillar. Also there should be an info tag on the back of the glove box door. Those will tell you what it originally was. Shop Manual on Ebay . Have fun getting to know that truck.