Hey guys! I enjoy reading all the information on these forums. I just purchased a 1959 GMC dump truck at auction. It was advertised as a Chevrolet Viking 60. When I went to pick it up it turned out to be GMC. Any information on this truck would be greatly appreciated! VIN shows 374PS11243E. It appears someone replaced the front with a Chevrolet Viking 60 front fenders and grill, as it still has the chrome ID panels on the sides and front grill says Chevrolet, not a big deal and they are in great shape. I'm assuming this truck originally had an IL 6 but now has an unknown size V8 in it. Disk brakes need to be redone and along with oil leaks from head gaskets, dump bed hoist leaks, and looks like a transmission leak as well. Looking forward to getting this truck on the road. Thanks in advance for all your input and recommendations.
hi, welcome to the site! 59 should not have had disc brakes on it, should be big drums all the way around. The front wheel bearing covers, are they held on with bolts, or do they screw onto the hub?
Wouldn't a 59 GMC big rig have a Pontiac V8 as original equipment? Some pictures of the engine and the brakes would help. What kind of disc brake system could even be adapted to that truck? Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
OK, that engine is a Chevy V8, not sure of the size. According to the data plate, the truck was originally equipped with a GMC 270 inline six. If you look on the engine block just ahead of the passenger's side cylinder head you'll find a machined pad about 1/2" wide by 3" long with some stamped numbers. Post those numbers, including any letters at the end of the sequence, and one of our friendly number crunchers will be able to tell you the year, the size, and the original application of the engine. If the pad is blank, there's a possibility it's a "Target Master" replacement engine that was sold through GM parts departments as a new alternative to the rebuilt engines sold by local machine shops and distributors like Jasper and other high volume rebuilders. Good luck with your restoration. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Oil leaking from head gasket? To me, that's odd....and almost impossible. Probably coming from valve cover gasket or some other place. Double check that leak. Don't really have any comments or suggestions until you have issues. Leaks on old trucks are common. As said, you have a SBC.
The Chevy fender emblem is 1959 but the truck seems to be a 55-56. Not sure. The "S" in the serial number can indicate 58-59 BUT the axle numbers vs 270 motor vs 370 series, don't seem to be found in 58-59.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
