The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk frames

Were the frames for GMC and Chevys different. For example the front cross member where the motor mount is. I looked at a 56 GMC which belong to Mr. Wingfield here in Richmond and his front cross member was completely different from mine. I've owned a 55 56 and a 57, all Chevys, in my past and they all had the same cross member as is on my 58 GMC. So was there a different frame or is mine a Chevy with a GMC cab. Thanks in advance
Larry

Larry,

Yes, from 47-55 (at least) GMC and Chevy frames were different. The major difference had to do with the front cross-member - GMC engines (six cylinders) were all longer than the Chevrolet engines.

For at least 47-53, the GMC and Chevrolet cabs were the same (fenders, grills, gauges, and hoods were different).

biggest difference is the 47-55 frames tapered in twords the front 55-59 were strait looking more like a ladder

I believe the original engine for this truck was a 270 which from what I've been reading uses a block built by Atlas in detroit which was the same as a 235 but with a little taller deck height and larger bore and stroke. The 56 I looked at had the 270 in it and it looked like my 235 only with a different valve cover, 2 bolts holding it down as opposed to the 4 bolts on the side of the 235. All this may be a blessing as it may be easier to get 235 parts than the 270. I have a Chevy grille in it and I think I have the 58 GMC grille only it has a cross piece missing off it. If I can find or make the cross piece I may change it for the GMC look since I have the little 100 emblem that mounts on top of it. Might be nice to have that GMC look.

There are very few 235 parts that can be used on a 270. But that discussion should be in Engine and Driveline.

Oops you'r right.