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| | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | As many of you know I have compiled a large list of truck and parts that I have found on craigslist and have posted them in the swap meet section. Unfortunately I am not as familiar with the Task force and Blue chip series. What year cabs are interchangeable? Are the cabs the same from 1955 to 1959 or is there major differences so that one would only want a specific year? Are the GMC Blue chip cabs the same for all years? What differences are there in these years that would have me look differently in my searches? I believe that the fenders are the same for 1955/7 and 1958/9, what about for the GMC? Are there differences in the hoods? If I remember correctly, the 57 Chevrolet hood is different. What about the other years? Any input on these years and others are welcomed, I need a lot of help in defining the search. PM me if you wish other searches Thanks for those who have supported my efforts in developing our own search system.. George | | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 | George,
The difference between a task force and blue chip is the dash.
The cabs are all basically interchangeable (with exception of the dash) if you don't mind doing a little bit of drilling. The major difference in the models would be grouped... 55-57 and 58-59, with the difference being the mounting holes for the hood hinges. Hope that helps some folks.
John | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | other than the dash, 55-59 cabs Chev/GMC can be interchanged ... the 58/9 firewall is slightly different [aside from the hood hinge mount holes, which can be modified]
hoods: 55/6, 57, 58/9 [55-7 Chevy hoods fit 55-7 GMC, but are different, the GMC hoods have an opening in the front ... 58/9 are the same either make] 55-7 hoods will NOT fit between the 58/9 fenders and vice versa .... many seem to prefer the 57 hood on the 55/56's
fenders: 55-57 Chev or GMC the same except for some grill area holes - 58/9 the same for both makes
inner fenders: 55-7 Chev or GMC, 58/9 Chev or GMC
doors: 55-59 the same for both makes
+ the 58-59 frames are about 2" longer at the front, can't easily put 58-59 sheet metal on the earlier frame, and to put the earlier sheet metal on the later frame it has to be cut back
so technically the groupings are:
cabs, 55-57 Chev, 58-59 Chev, 55-57 GMC, 58-59 GMC
hoods, 55-56 Chev, 57 Chev, 58-9 Chev or GMC, 55-56 GMC, 57 GMC
fenders, 55-56 Chev, 57 Chev, 58-59 Chev or GMC, 55-57 GMC
inners, 55-7 Chev or GMC, 58-9 Chev or GMC
doors, 55-59 Chev or GMC
Bill | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | Thanks, bigbadswingdaddy and red 58! So if I list the GMC and the Chevrolet cabs together I should make note as to which make only because of their dashes, is that correct? The 58/9 hoods are the same and will fit both makes without any noticeable differences?
Are there any differences in the car/truck engines? If I remember correctly, the 235 engines were used until 1963 and the 55/6 V8 engines were 265 cu in. What year and model was the 261 engine in? The 57/9 V8 engine was a 283 except for the 348 in the larger trucks 58/9, is that correct?
What engines were used in the GMC line? I believe that the 55/6 engines were 248, the 270 was introduced in 1957 and the 302 engines were used in the big trucks from 1955 - 62, is that correct? What were the V8'S that were used in the GMC'S? I think a Pontiac was used in 55, was that a 343 cu in? What were used in 55/9? Thanks
When were hydraulic lifters introduced into the truck engines? | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The 235 was used up to '62. The 265 was used '55-'57 in cars and light trucks, with the '56/'57 version having the provision for a filter. Heavy trucks used the 283, which was also optional on cars. Some larger trucks, mainly school buses, '56-'59 used the 322 Buick Nailhead engine. The 261 was found mainly in 2 ton and larger, '54-'62, also was found in some '61/62 3/4 and 1 ton pickups, but that is rare.
Onthe GMC side, the 6's would be the 248 and the 270, the 302 was more of a heavy truck engine. The Pontiacs were 287 ('55) 316 (56-57), and 336 (58-59). Some GMC trucks also used the Oldsmobile 364, in similar applications that used the 322 in the Chevy line. After '60, GMCs used mainly their own V6 line, which were the 305 and 351 in lighter trucks, and a 478 inlarger trucks. There was also a 635 cid V8 and a 702 cid V12 based on the same block used in heavy trucks.
Hydralic lifters were introduced with the V8s in '55, although the inline 6s used solid lifters up to the introduction of the '63 inline engines.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 | Bill almost nailed the gmcs... 57 V8 jimmies used a 347 ci pontiac based engine. 58 gmc used a 336 V8 that was based on the pontiac 370, but debored. 59 gmcs used a 336 v8 that was based on the pontiac 389 but debored to give 336 ci. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yes for the cabs and hoods ... 235 differences were really only hydraulis lifters with automatics [car or truck], solids otherwise - 265 until early 57 except heavy trucks got 283 earlier - 261 was 54-62 and 63 in 4x4's - 248 ended in 55 - 270 was pre55-62, 302 was 52-60 - not positive on Pontiacs used, but I believe the 55-6 was a 316, 57 was 347, 58-59 used the 336
hydraulics were used in any truck engine with a automatic trans, whenever they started
Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | All of the manuals I have ('55-'59 Chevy) only list solid lifters on 6 cylinders, regardless of trans.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | The 235 was used up to '62. After doing some additional research, I believe that this is correct with the one exception, the 235 was used in some early 1963 trucks including the 4X4. IS THIS CORRECT?
The 265 was used '55-'57 in cars and light trucks, with the '56/'57 version having the provision for a filter. Heavy trucks used the 283, which was also optional on cars. It is my recollection that Chevrolet introduced the 283 in 1957 for both the cars and the trucks. IS THIS CORRECT?
Some larger trucks, mainly school buses, '56-'59 used the 322 Buick Nailhead engine. I know that in my searches I find the 348 listed in the big trucks, not the Buick nailhead. I need more information to confirm this please. PLEASE HELP CONFIRM THIS DATA
The 261 was found mainly in 2 ton and larger, '54-'62, also was found in some '61/62 3/4 and 1 ton pickups, but that is rare. I concur with this information. IS THIS CORRECT?
Onthe GMC side, the 6's would be the 248 and the 270, the 302 was more of a heavy truck engine. I concur with this information. IS THIS CORRECT?
The Pontiacs were 287 ('55) 316 (56-57), and 336 (58-59). Some GMC trucks also used the Oldsmobile 364, in similar applications that used the 322 in the Chevy line. This is where the conflicts in information appear. I need more information on these engines. Will the oldgmctruck guys who are lurking comment on this? I am trying to establish accurate information and I want to prove this to be correct information If not we need to correct it. OLD GMC TRUCK GUYS NEEDED!
After '60, GMCs used mainly their own V6 line, which were the 305 and 351 in lighter trucks, and a 478 inlarger trucks. There was also a 635 cid V8 and a 702 cid V12 based on the same block used in heavy trucks. I concur on the 305, 351 and 702 engines. I had not heard of a 635 V8 before. IS THIS CORRECT?
.
Hydraulic lifters were introduced with the V8s in '55, although the inline 6s used solid lifters up to the introduction of the '63 inline engines. I concur with this information too. My recollection was that all truck six cylinder engines were solid lifters. IS THIS CORRECT? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | everything I've ever seen says the 248 was not used after 55 re the 635 - seems to be a rare 60's 637GMC V8s [scroll down] Bill | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy GMONIZ, & guys, firstly I MUST say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for compiling this info. I'm a Canadian, so my info might not apply everywhere in North America. I agree with the cab groupings above, with the following exceptions, most of my experience is with large trucks, I have found cabs with two different sizes of transmission access holes in them, and cabs with reinforcements where the door post meets the floor. GMCs above the 500 series used the 324 Olds engine in 55 - 56, in 57 they switched to the 370 Olds, i'm not sure how long they used it, Below the 500 series they used the engines already listed. The 322 Buick was used in large Chevrolet trucks from 56 - 59, the 348 was introduced in 58, I have two 322 powered trucks, and one 348 powered 59. I personally have never seen a 322 in a 58 - 59 Chevy, but I have heard that they were mainly used in school buses in those years. My 59 truck salesmans data book lists the 348 and the 322 as possible power plants for the larger Chevy trucks, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | CHEVROLET
The 235 was used up to '62. After doing some additional research, I believe that this is correct with the one exception, the 235 was used in some early 1963 trucks including the 4X4. ACCEPTED/CONFIRMED
CHEVROLET
The 265 was used '55-'57 in cars and light trucks, with the '56/'57 version having the provision for a filter. Heavy trucks used the 283, which was also optional on cars. It is my recollection that Chevrolet introduced the 283 in 1957 for both the cars and the trucks. IS THIS CORRECT?
CHEVROLET or GMC? Were these engines used in both?
Some larger trucks, mainly school buses, '56-'59 used the 322 Buick Nailhead engine. I know that in my searches I find the 348 listed in the big trucks, not the Buick nailhead. I need more information to confirm this please. PLEASE HELP CONFIRM THIS DATA
The 261 was found mainly in 2 ton and larger, '54-'62, also was found in some '61/62 3/4 and 1 ton pickups, but that is rare. I concur with this information. IS THIS CORRECT?
Onthe GMC side, the 6's would be the 248 (1955) and the 270 (1956/9), the 302 was more of a heavy truck engine. I concur with this information. IS THIS CORRECT?
The Pontiac engines were modified and became GMC 288 ('55) 316 (55-56), 347 (57) and 336 (58-59). CONFIRMED.
Some GMC trucks also used the Oldsmobile 364, in similar applications that used the 322 in the Chevy line. This is where the conflicts in information appear. I need more information on these engines. Will the oldgmctruck guys who are lurking comment on this? I am trying to establish accurate information and I want to prove this to be correct information If not we need to correct it. OLD GMC TRUCK GUYS NEEDED!
After '60, GMCs used mainly their own V6 line, which were the 305 and 351 in lighter trucks, and a 478 inlarger trucks. There was also a (637) cid V8 and a 702 cid V12 based on the same block used in heavy trucks. I concur on the 305, 351 and 702 engines. I had not heard of a [color:#FF0000](637) V8 before.[/color] CONFIRMED.
.
Hydraulic lifters were introduced with the V8s in '55, although the inline 6s used solid lifters up to the introduction of the '63 inline engines. I concur with this information too. My recollection was that all truck six cylinder engines were solid lifters. IS THIS CORRECT? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | The Pontiac engines were modified and became GMC 288 ('55) 316 (56-57), and 336 (58-59). CONFIRMED. After reading the info that Bill posted, it seems that there is a discrepancy again. 100 and 150 GMC Specifications The information on WIKIPEDIA is different. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | red's right about the 637, I was off on the size. The 235 did see some use in '63, perhaps using leftover engine stock. I've never seen one myself, though. The 283 was intorduced in trucks in '57, but only on 1 1/2 ton and larger,2 ton and larger trucks, 1/2-1 1/2 tons used the 2 bbl 265, same as the base engine in the passenger car. After the introduction of the 348, the 322 Buick engine (called the Loadmaster V8 in trucks) was limited to the School Bus chassis. Pre-'58, it was found mainly in trucks with the tandem equipment and the Powermatic trans.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 | As posted earlier... 57 GMC pickups used a 347 cubic inch Pontiac Motor with a 2BBL intake.
The '57 and '58 pontiac and gmc V8 intakes are interchangeable as are the '57 and '58 crankshafts. The '59 gmc '336 motor is based off the '59 pontiac 389. The '59 336 intake is not interchangeable with the '58 336 V8 or the '58 pontiac 370. The stroke changed in the motors between '58 and '59. As the stroke was increased, so was the deck height of the block. Although the heads are interchangeable the intakes aren't as the '59 intakes will be wider than the '57-'58 intakes.
All the Pontiac based GMC V8s from 55-59 are considered "Big Blocks".
John | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | As posted earlier... 57 GMC pickups used a 347 cubic inch Pontiac Motor with a 2BBL intake.
The '57 and '58 pontiac and gmc V8 intakes are interchangeable as are the '57 and '58 crankshafts. The '59 gmc '336 motor is based off the '59 pontiac 389. The '59 336 intake is not interchangeable with the '58 336 V8 or the '58 pontiac 370. The stroke changed in the motors between '58 and '59. As the stroke was increased, so was the deck height of the block. Although the heads are interchangeable the intakes aren't as the '59 intakes will be wider than the '57-'58 intakes.
All the Pontiac based GMC V8s from 55-59 are considered "Big Blocks".
John Thanks, John, the problem is that I am trying to be as accurate as possible. When you find conflicting information it is best to ask and do more research. The only information I have found on the web is in conflict with each other. I tend to accept the information that you have provided because it agrees with the other information from those who have taken the time to answer. It also confirms the list that ol red provided. I don't have the shop manuals for these years and only two of the many oldgmctruck guys that lurk here have bothered to assist in correcting this issue. I do appreciate your help and the other's who have assisted me. This will be available in the search engine for future reference, so accuracy is of the utmost concern. I plan on cleaning up the post when everything is confirmed, leaving the sources for the information intact so other's will understand where this information came from. Thanks again. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | ok George, lemme throw some mud in the water ... the 1957 car shop manual says there was only one 235 variant in any passanger car, regardless of transmission, it was called the Blue Flame engine, with 140hp, hydraulic valves and a "high lift camshaft" ... relevant for some folks on here asking about the car engine they have - like someone recently who's got a 58 car 235 in his truck in addition, the Standard Catalog of American Light Duty Trucks edited by JA Gunnell, says under the entry for the 235 [from 1955 on], that if the truck was equipped with the hydromatic trans, the 235 would have hydraulic valves  Bill | | |
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