The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk a billion questions for all my new friends.

Just got a 52 GMC clamshell burb that I am going to do a 100% restore to and need to know a few Q;s
1. What fluid types go where ie: engine/ trans/ rear axle
2. Do I need a lead additive for the fuel?
3. Where do I get a good Zenith 28 series carburator
4. Looking for original paint scheems, my truck was that light blue color, the grill is not chrome so whas it white? and what color were the wheels??
5. Did you have to order the clamshell door option special after 1948 to get it?

I realy apreciate any help, Thanks fellas

I also have a 1948 clamshell burb on a 2000 4x4 silverado chasis and running gear. I have been unsuccessful in findin out how many of these were made also,

RABBOTT
6. how many of this truck did they make

Production numbers on GMC's are hard to come by. Many of the factory records were destroyed long ago.

You can buy a GMC service manual that is a reprint of the original that will give you answers regarding fuilds. On mine I'm running just the standard stuff you find at the auto parts store. Unless you're just rebuilt the motor you should be fine.

That manual is available from most the vendors that sell stuff for these trucks. You can find Parts Manuals used online and the Chevrolet Assembly Manual, also available in reprint, can be useful too, though it has little Suburban specific information.

You do not need a lead additive for the fuel. If you are rebuilding the head you might consider hardened valve seats, but most guys are running regular unleaded with no discernable ill effects.

For the carb I'd put a wanted ad in the swap meet here, over on OldGMCTrucks.com and watch eBay.

I'm the wrong guy to answer color questions and don't know about the clamshell option. Both my Suburbans have barn doors and I don't care about original colors, so I've paid no attention to that information.

I am not sure about GMCs, but on Chevrolets the clamshell doors were the only rear doors available on Suburbans through 1949.

No one has yet come up with GM production numbers for specific models of GMC trucks during all the New Design years (late-1947 through mid-1955).

Chevrolet trucks during this same period were called Advance-Design series trucks. There were about 15,000 Chevrolet Suburbans made in 1950 (less than 4% of the total number of Chevrolet trucks made that year). I have only seen production numbers for 1950 and 1953 Chevrolet trucks. 1950 was the highest total truck production year during this time period.

If you are planning on trying to restore to original specs, you should join oldGMCtrucks.com discussion board and also peruse the information at Rob English's oldGMCtrucks.com website. He has paint color information amongst his extensive documentation on pre-1960 GMC trucks.

Here is the GMC Maintenance Manual that you will find at most reproduction parts vendors.