The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1953 GMC Suburban

Hello all,

I have been a fan of this website for quite some type and always dreamed of getting my hands on a suburban project of my own. Well my dreams came true last night and I am the very proud owner of a solid Arizona 1953 Gmc Suburban. I have a few questions and hope I could get a little info. I want to figure out which motor I have. The truck is bone stock with a hydramatic transmission and I was told the motor is a 261. Any way to tell which motor I have? Also I need to get my hands on a good manual, any suggestions? I am just looking to gain as much knowledge as possible about this beautiful machine. I would be grateful for any suggestions. Thank you.

Panhead Joe

Casting numbers are the best way to identify the motor. People talk about captains bars that are visible on the side of the motor but there is some debate whether they are only on 261s.

Since the 261 is a '54 and later motor the first thing I'd ask is what head do you have? Does it have two bolts in the top holding the valve cover on? If it does its not a 261. A 261 will have the valve cover with four cap screws around the edges. That valve cover doesn't mean its a 261 only that its a '54 or later 235 or 261.

However the truck is a GMC and its not unusual for owners to mis-identify a GMC motor as some Chevy. Does the valve cover say GMC in the middle of the top? If its a GMC motor the size is the first three numbers in the serial number found on a machined pad just behind the distributor. The correct motor would be a 228 but 248, 270 and 302 are all possible.

I have a '54 GMC 1-ton with a 248 and a Hydra-Matic and a '55 1st GMC Suburban that has a non-factory 270 under the hood.

The '53 GMC was among the very first trucks to have the Hydra-Matic which makes this truck special in my mind. The only trucks with the Hydra-Matic before '53 were some delivery models. Those are even more rare.

Nice find!

Would love to see some photos of your new project.

It does have 2 bolts on the top of the valve cover and does say GMC in the center. It appears to be a mucher larger motor than the 235 I have in a chevy coupe. I will get the gunk cleaned off the motor today and locate those number you described. I have taken more than enough pics of the truck and will get them up in a few days. Thank you and I appreciate all the info on the truck anyone could give me. I feel like a kid on Christmas.

Panhead Joe

Here is the link from craigslist. I will post better pics in the future.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1763049636.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1762259630.html

Looks like a great find. Welcome to the burb club. I hope you intend to keep the 6 and hydra-matic. All GMC nut's eyes perk up when they see one. As Steve said the hydra-matic trucks are few and special. She's survived this long and deserves to be enjoyed.

What a nice 'burb and Cletis is right, that engine and hydra-matic is a nice rare set up.

Well I got the motor cleaned up a little and the number starts A 228. I guess the motor looked bigger to me because of the inch thick gunk that was crusted over it. LOL. I am planning on keeping it basically stock. I am going to remove the body clean up the frame, suspension, rear diff. brakes, motor and tranny. Then put the body back on the way it sits with re-done seats. I only have the front seat, so now the search starts for the middle and if I get really lucky a rear. I will have to repaint it later on when I can afford it. Right now I just want it road worthy so I can enjoy it. I appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge with me.

It actually is bigger externally. And the 228 is bigger internally than the 216 that was in a '53 Chevy.

Its common to replace the smaller 228/248 with a 270 or 302 which can look exactly like a 228 if done with the early parts.

My '55 1st was factory with a 248 but has a 270 in it today. My '54 appears to still have its original 248 under the hood. I also have a '53 big truck that has a 248. The larger motors are not real hard to find.

Here are some photos of the Suburban and my 12 year old son's 1952 Chevy Coupe we are working on. I appreciate all the info and kind words.


http://community.webshots.com/user/PanheadJoe?vhost=community

That is a great looking Suburban. Looking forward to your updates and I'm sure we can all learn from each other as we move forward on our projects.

I can tell by the quantity of pictures you are one excited dude. Congrats on your find.

wonder why the po called it a rat rod..........nice Jimmy and like your 52 also..............

Looks like a great project,have fun with it.

Holy cow:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1762259630.html

Even without the rear seat, good deal. And I assumed you got it for a little less, than that, too...?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1762259630.html
====
You're not going to build a hot rod out of one that complete, are you?

AND LIKE HE SAID: "I can tell by the quantity of pictures you are one excited dude. Congrats on your find."

I was thinking that too! LOTS of 'em.

There wasn't much haggling to be done. I contacted him 2 hours after he listed it and by the time I got there the next day to pick it up he had people in and out of state kicking his door down for it. I did get the visor though. He had offers for much more than he was asking and kept his word to me since I contacted him first. I am very grateful to have it. I have already found the middle and rear seat for it, I am waiting for them to get here on greyhound. I am not planning on changing much but the front drums to disc amd lowering the stance a little. I may change the intake and put headers or split the manifold on it, or swap the 228 for a 302 I found here locally but that is about it. I want to be close to stock but still drivable on a regular basis.

There is a 55 GMC 1st series Burb I would like to buy down here for pretty cheap, but I am now broke. The seller is pretty negotiable. I spoke to him the other day, he is not sure of the motor but knows it has a 4 speed. I will put the link below. For anyone interested.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1817411443.html

Nice find Joe, good luck with your new 'toy'.

Go here http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/ and you'll find plenty of people on the web will sell you a assembly manual and a service manual. You can get them on a CD too.

That was a nice Burb Joe.. Good luck now getting it back to it's glory..

Burbly Dyna