Stovebolt.com Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New Guy with a 1946 GMC 1/2 Ton Pickup*

I drove the truck home today and spent the afternoon getting number off various places in order to determine exactly what I have. I know what the basic truck is, but the engine is another story.

The firewall plate say that the truck is a model EC 101 which translates to E= 1946; C= conventional cab; 10= 1/2 ton; and 1 = 116" wheel base. The serial number is 7425 and the plates says that the certified net horsepower is 76 at 3000 rpm and the max gross weight is 4600 lbs.

The engine has a rebuilders tag from Fresno, CA. On the distributor side of the engine there is a casting number B 52 848 8550. I can't find any reference to this number series on Stovebolt or on the GMC site. The original engine was a 228, but I don't know if the rebuild was a direct replacement or not.

The truck has a four speed transmission. Again, I don't know if this is a replacement or the original. I read somewhere that a 4 speed was an option on the 1/2 ton GMC.

There is a metal tag on the firewall on the drivers side which I guess is like a VIN number. It is: I 574 - I 58289.

The radiator has a tag that says: "Harrison, Lockport, NY 46M 3115041".

There is a casting number on the intake manifold that reads: 3886580 GM.

If any one can help me de-code all this I appreciate it. Most important is to determine what the engine is. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Well, First of all, Welcome to Stovebolt. You can go to the different forums and ask the same question. I bet there will be a lot of answers for you. Not everyone comes here with the newbys so, good luck and it won't be long before you find out stuff. ;-)

Here is a link to pictures of the various ID's
http://s626.photobucket.com/albums/tt347/jgtr_gmc/?action=tags&current=ID

Welcome to the 'bolt, Jeff'z 46 GMC

Nice looking truck. I hope you get your engine identified soon

Jeff, welcome aboard. Great to have you join the best truck site and the best truck guys, and gals, there is. This is the place to get answers! Just try to post them in the correct forum.
Good luck on your project.

Hello Jeff'z 46 GMC,

You might have some luck getting that engine identified by visiting the "Inliners" website.

http://www.inliners.org/

When you get there, click on casting #'s.

I believe there is a serial number stamped (not casted) on the block, but I'm not sure where at. I have a 228 block out in the garage. When I get a chance, I will look for the serial number location. I know on a Chevy, it's next to the distributor, on the machined pad.

Welcome to the Bolt

John

Jeff,

After checking out the 228 block that I have in the garage, the casting number should be on the manifold side of the engine, just above the oil pan (for a GMC).

Mine reads 6107326, which means 228 cubic inches manufactured between 1939 and 1952 (according to Inliners).

After viewing your pics, that casting number appears to be on the head, and not the block.

I hope that helps

John

Welcome to the Stovebolt, Jeff. Nice truck!

Jeff,
I was looking at your rad ID tag, could it be 46 H, not M. The reason I say this is that the de-code for Harrison Rads is the year built is 1946 the month is a letter starting with January as A, Feb as B, etc. So if the letter is an H it would be a build date of Aug 1946. This is my best guess. I live in San Jose. I have a 48 1 Ton Chevrolet Panel. Enjoy your "new" truck.

Thanks for your comments. I went bck and looked at the tags and you are right, it is an H not an M. Based on the August 1946 translation of the date code, it appears that this is the original radiator.

Based on a lot of web searching and a little gunking on the side of the engine to uncover some numbers, it now appears that the engine is a Chevrolet 235 build in March of 1960. Now the question is, should I go on a hunt for a 228 - the original engine in the truck. Thanks to everyone who help me find and de-code the engine block numbers.

Well... If the truck is drivable right now I would drive it around a bit and decide how important an "original" engine is compared to what you might do to the rest of the truck. You then need to decide what you want to hopefully end up with, i.e. a Trailer Queen show truck, a daily or weekend driver, etc. Answering these questions will answer the first.

From that point you might want to start saving every penny you have as these projects have a way of growing faster than kudzu vines in the southeast.

Anyway, welcome to the 'Bolt, good luck, and have fun!

Don

Thirteen years later - here is an up date. Things have changed radically. I was pretty naïve about restorations. To make a long story story, the only thing that is left of what I originally bought is the chassis [now powder coated]. I found better body parts and a proper GMC engine. Here the sad news - I'm getting old and the truck has sat for a long time with no progress and once I get the engine running again [it was rebuilt 10 years ago] I plan to sell it. I'm in northern California.

When ready to sell post a For Sale Ad in the Swap Meet Forum per Stovebolt rules.

Jeff, I saw your ad and craigslist link. Looks like you have a lot to sell.

FYI: If you list your truck items for sale in our want ads you can now upload pictures.

John

Welcome to the 'bolt. Maybe post a few pix of your project.