The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Just bought a 1947 GMC COE

I just picked up a 47 GMC COE 1.5ton short wheel base with a dump bed. It is by far the coolest big bolt I've had. It runs good, cab is in excellent shape. Fenders are in good shape but have some dents. Not one spot of rust that needs to be fixed. Are the COE's known for being relatively rust free? I've never ran across a 60+ year old project car that doesn't have a few rust problems. This is my first COE anddump so I have some questions.

I'm missing 2 of the 4 trim pieces on the hood. Do these interchange with Chevy COE's?

Does the front window frame interchange with the Chevy/GMC light trucks.

What type of fluid goes in the hydraulic cylinder for the bed. The bed doesn't raise all the way, I suspect the fluid is low.

The brakes don't work, I suspect I need a master cylinder and some wheel cylinders. Are the wheel cylinder and master cylinder specific to the COE's. Where would I find what interchanges.

http://community.webshots.com/album/577163865mexrvB

sorry i cant answer any of your questions.. but that is a great looking truck you got there

I think the front wheel cylinders will be the same as any 1 1/2 ton prior to 1953. 1 1/4" bore The rears seem to be the same as a conventional cab of the same years. Same for the master cylinder. I get stuff like that from Carquest here. Their computer only goes back to 1962, but they have books going back into the 40's which include pictures to match up. A good grade of hydraulic fluid is all you need for the hoist. A farm implement dealer or a truck dealer who sells stuff to guys pulling end dumps can help you. I can't help you with the sheet metal, etc. I also like the truck.

Nice looking truck. What's the ID (Vin)number. Could possibly be a 2 ton, depending on the series. 300, or 350.

vin - EF352, I've been looking around and I think it may be a 1946. The seller had it advertised as a 1948 Chevy snub nose. Title shows 1947 GMC.

EF 352 would be a 1946 model born with a 248 engine 132 5/8" Wheel base which is a 2 ton.

GVW 16000, isn't that the 1.5 ton?

16000lb. gvw, would be a 2 ton. 1 1/2 ton would be 14000lb. gvw. Yeah, "35" in the serial no. makes that a 350 series 2 ton.

A good auto parts store or equipment dealer or Semi dealer should have hydralic oil.
I buy it in 5 gallon buckets.

Hi Jrpontiac,

Nice catch! Unfortunately the grill and hood chrome pieces don't interchange. The grills are noticably different and the hood on the GMCs take chrome strips that are all the same length. Chevys graduate to longer as they go up the hood. There is probably one from the Chevy that is the same as GMC, but I don't know which. If you give me a measurement I'll measure mine and see which it lines up to.

The windshields do interchange with chevy.

I have found the old coes to be relatively rust free. They get a little where the fenders meed the running boards, and sometimes a little on the floor where the two pieces meet, or occasionally on the fromt frame pads....I have seen a little in the lower doors as well as above the windshield. They must drain well.

Napa has the brake parts you need if the others don't. You can rebuild them or they do have complete master and wheel cylinders. Definately match up what you have with the new.

Nice! Do you ever make it over to Western Washington?

Let me know what parts your looking to rebuild or replace. Ive got a whole list of replacement part numbers for things Ive fixed or rebuilt on my COE. You can check out my pics by clicking the link below in my signature.

What are your future plans for her? Very cool, thanks for sharing.

Jeff

old thread but can someone advise what years the in-fender (vs on top of fender) headlight models (ef-350 ?) were made..Someone told me that this style was available from 1941-47 era. I thought that this in-fender style was only available for a couple of years. If the deco style on-fender headlight model was available during 1941-47, why would there be a same model truck and spec's, except for the headlight placement also be available during the same time frame?

Thanks,

Mike W

All of the medium duty GMC 300 series 1 1/2, ton , & 350 series 2 ton COE's i've had, & seen were the, in fender headlights. I've seen a couple though, with the top of the fender headlight lights like the Chevrolets COE's had, but it's a mystery to me, why only a few. On the other hand, all of the Heavy Duty '39-'49 GMC COE's had top of the fender mounted headlights.

Of all the GMC COEs I've seen, only the 1946-1947.1 model years had the in-fender types of headlights with small bullet lights atop them. The 1940-1945 models seem to have the whole unit atop the fender like the Chevrolet models did.

Jeff

Might have depended on where it was built also. I had a '42 model 350, & a'41 model 300, that I pulled out of the Danville Va. area back in the late 80's, & both of them had the in fender headlights. If you look in the Gallery you'll see a 1942 GMC COE Mayflower Moving Van that has the in fender headlights.

After having my 48 Chevy C O E short wheel base for a while, and thinking about getting started on it,I was wondering how many would say get started right a way,and I was wondering how many would say it's a big job pick something smaller. The truck isn't exactly a rust bucket,because it a truck from a desert area. Things like the need of all glass,door latch problems,one corner patch pannel,some floor patches needed, all interior might be more than I can handle.Advise excepted.

Look around, a 302 or 270 engine will fit in there, however, the ex. manifold w/ the larger ports are hard to find(COE only), as is the intake manifold w/ large ports, downdraft carb(also COE only). Your existing ones will work, larger ones are better. Look at the SN of the engine, #'s start w/ displacement, you might be lucky.