The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop service manual & general ???'s

I have just purchased a 1951 GMC pickup with the Chevy 235 engine and I have several questions:
1.What is the best service manual to get? I am not a master mechanic, just the backyard type, but with a good manual I can usually figure out how to do most things.
2. What is the gear ratio of the rearend of a '51 half ton Jimmy with 3 on the tree.
4. The engine is rebuilt and was installed neatly but the engine is painted lime green with a black valve cover. Surely these are not the stock colors are they? If not what are they?
5. Last of all, is there a source for reproduction 1951 GMC stock radios?
Thanks,
Silver

1. Since you have the Canadian GMC, the best service manual would be the Chevrolet,GMC Trucks Maintenance Manual 1948-51, if you can find one. I got lucky and found one on e-bay. It is different than the U.S version.
2. 4.11
4. No, it should be the chevy gray.
5. These can be found from time to time on e-bay and if you put a ad in the parts wanted section hear I sure someone will contact you. These sell for $400. and up for one in good operating condition. You want the one with the GMC face plate on it. If you find a chevy one, its an easy fix with a $10. face place change through a parts house. Cecil.........

To bad I can't edit. Anyway, I wanted to add that the maintenace manual you want is the Maple Leaf(Canadian)version. Cecil.....

Thanks, Cecil. Appreciate your help. I talked to the previous owner and he said when he bought the truck it had a gmc engine in it with a cracked block, but he found the rebuilt 235 and put it in in it's place. So with this in mind which manual do you suggest?
Silver

If you can find the Maple Leaf Maintenance Manual, I would still get that because you now have a Canadian GMC. If you can't find that manual you should get the GMC Maintenance Manual 1947-1954 Models 100 thru 400. Find a separate manual for the chevy 235 engine and add to that a third manual. 1947-1954 Truck Factory Assembly Manual. This last one is for chevy body parts. I have never found one for GMC body parts and if your going to do a full factory restoration, it will come in very handy. Cecil........

Cecil said I recommend a "Motors" repair manual, either car or truck. Be sure the one you get covers the 235 years.

silver if you have a Used book store check there for the motors manual and even the shop manual. If you are anywhere near a college town try looking there. I found a mint condition motors manual for my 55 olds 88 in a used book store of my then girlfriend now wifes college town. I think I paid all of 3 dollars for it!

Thanks to everyone for your information. Fortunately my truck is in very nice condition but I want the manuals for future fixes and maintenance.
Silver