The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Task Force Chevy GMC Frame Differences

I'm thinking about trading frames with a friend that has a 1959 Chevy Short wheelbase frame for my 1959 GMC short wheelbase frame. Both of us have unassembled projects we are working on. Is there much difference, other than the GMC is supposed to have a more heavy duty frame. My GMC frame came with a 270 GMC motor with the motor mount directly underneath the timimg chain cover. Does the 1959 Chevy inline six also mount the same way? I'm planning on running my 270 GMC motor with a saginaw 4 speed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Runningiron

The Chevy engine does not mount the same as the GMC. The Chevy has a strut type mounting system, similar to the V8s in the Chevy Trucks and Passenger cars. I beleive the front crossmember is different between Chevy and GMC. Any reason you want to swap the frames?

The front crossmember is different between chevy and gmc. The crossmember can be swapped to allow you to run the 270, but it is a PITA. I am going to assume you have a longbed truck, and would like to assemble a shortbed. I would caution against this approach because the ID number will identify your truck as a long wheelbase truck. It would be better to buy a shortbed truck as far as the title is concearned.

Thanks for your responses. The reason I'm thinkng about changing frames is because the GMC frame is bare, I'd have to scrounge for everything. The Chevy frame is complete, so it would save me alot of money and time looking for parts. The reason I'm thinking about this swap is because I have a 1946 Chevy cab with a title in my name and no frame. I believe (and tell me if I'm wrong), the 1946 Chevy trucks VIN were only on the cabs and not the frames. Mind you this is all in the planning stages. Thanks again.