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.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/25/20231:09 AM. Reason: added more info to the title
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. It won't be long before you find out stuff. ;-)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
But I tried, didn't I? ... At least I did that. RP McMurphy The past belongs to the future...but only the present can preserve it. Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone.
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.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
It's probably too late as you have already sold your truck it sounds but GMC pickups did come with a 228 engine but there is an exception to that rule. Canadian built GMC pickups had the wood bed bottom like a Chevy not the steel bottom of a GMC. They did have the GMC tailgate on them and a GMC grill but they put a Chevy 216 engine in them. Basically a true Chevy truck with a GMC tailgate and grill on it.
Also you are correct on the transmission. The three speeds are kind of rare because they were only made from 1941 to 1946 but the three-speed came out stock in all half-ton Chevrolet and GMC pickups unless they were ordered with a four-speed and from what I understand most of them wanted the four speeds.
I was looking at this thread and was disappointed to see his image link didn't work. Looked a little more, and did a search. Well guess what? Jeff's '46 is in the Gallery! So, at least we have some images. (The Photobucket images don't work in there either.) I fixed his signature line and added an image to his first post.
Wonder if the person who bought this truck will show up here?? That's happened before and it's great to keep the story of the truck going on.
Good clean up.
Also, I was shocked at the views this WC post had -- 20,404 of late (Aug 2023). Now, the original post WAS in 2009.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/25/20231:08 AM.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
Nice truck!
