The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Research: Industrial GMC 270 engine???

Well, been a LONG time since I've dropped by. Lots of projects get put on the back burner when life crops up..... (Seems like I have 'thing' with old equipment.......another story).

I've searched the board and nothing comes up (or I spelled it wrong). So, if I missed this info I'm searching for, I ask for forgiveness from the members who might have seen this question 1000's of times.

The question:
Were the GMC engines that were used in industrial applications different from their truck mounted brothers?

I ask since I have been "given" an old Orchard Master sprayer. All I had to do was haul it off...air still in the tires too! (Ya folks that live in OR or WA might know the name- especially if you're from the Yakima or Wenatchee area). It has an old GMC 270 in it that is suppose to run great (buddy hasn't used it in years.... yes, it was still being used up untill 5 or 6 years ago.) It's complete still, prob would fire up if I put some gas in the tank and a battery.

It too is a 3 mount (front and bell housing) as w/ my other two GMC's. Looks like the 248 engine I have in my '50 1 1/2 ton externally, but it said 270 on the stamping near the distributor.

This engine, if all goes according to plan, will go into my 1952 GMC 3/4 ton. The original 228 has issues- a crack in the block (external leak only) near the drain plug (so far the only leak I know of.....) Engine is tired any how-all the years of puttering on the farm with a 4.56 rear ratio.

From my readings of posts this is what I have refreshed my memory with:
-228 and 270 should swap- mounts same (no length issues like the Chev guys swapping GMC's into their trucks).
-228 and 270 fly wheel different, so should use the one w/ the 270.

Question- the original 4 speed, it should bolt right up the 270 and its fly wheel? (The 270 has an electric solinod starter while my 228 has the foot pedle one... will the 228 work on it?)

Might have to convert the 270 to 6V as it might be 12V (has an aftermarket tach on it, so I highly doubt it is 6V). I didn't look at the coil to see if it was marked 12 or not.....

Well, to give you some background... Great find!

The 228, 236, 248, 256, 270, and 302 gmc engines share the same basic design and dimensions. Some of the subtle differences between the engines are the flywheel. Some 270s had a six bolt flywheel. All 228s had a 4 bolt flywheel. There is a difference between the number of teeth on a flywheel for 6 volt or 12 volts. The bellhousings should be interchangeable.

If you were to put that engine in a 52, use the bellhousing that is currently in the truck, and find a flywheel from a 54-55 248. That should be a six bolt flywheel with the 6 volt ring gear... assuming your 270 has a six bolt 12 volt flywheel. You will then use your original starter with the foot masher.

Does the 270 in the machinery have a mechanical fuel pump? Some of the military blocks were not machined for a fuel pump. They used an electric one.

I guess I'll have to do some checking on the electrical system, find out if it is 12V or 6V. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a 6V system originally, but converted over.

Yes, there is a mechanical fuel pump. I'm thinking the radiator looks like a GMC one too.

I'll post some pics if I can.....

Hey Kaliburz, hi there former neighbor.
I grew up in the lower valley (most of the time in Wapato, ugh!), and am familiar with the sprayer you talk about. Never knew they might be a source of parts tho,... Whoda thunk it? :p

Can ya read the casting numbers off of it? Could tell more about the beast you have with those.

ANYway! I have here in my greasy lil paws some 270 parts should you need them.
Couple odds & ends, vented valve cover with oil filler cap in it, and the breather tube for the lower end. A fairly new cast iron water pump pulley (pulled it off my newer engine, not wide enough groove). Also a replaceable element oil filter in real good shape.
I have a 6 bolt flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, lever, and bellhousing that luckily has the holes tapped for the foot starter (I'd like to find one of those rigs myself, would be kinda neat!). And if all else fails and you need it, a GM 4-speed.
Lemme know if you need anything, can do some horse tradin I'm sure. I been wantin to make a trip to the dry side & visit an old girlfriend of mine anyway.

Freq2002-
Heck, it is a small world.....

Actually, I farm there, trying to at least..... I'm a young pup.... WA HI grad from the 90's.....

I "kinda" was hoping that old sprayer had the GMC 302, but beggers can't be choosers. (And for the Ford folks, I think they offered a Ford V8 302 or 289 or what ever industrial too). I'll have to see if the bell housing that is attached to it is set up for a foot starter. Never knew bell housings were any different then the electric start.

As I said, it was a project from long ago. The old 228 still runs, just have to put lots of water in it. Been parked in the barn for some time. Not much progress made.... just got the sprayer two weeks ago. Been trying to find a local engine for some time before this came up. Was always a day late and a dollar short. Heck, tons of old 50's rigs here... you know that. Some hop farms still have them parked and use them yearly. (Heck, I still can't believe that a GMC 1.5 or 2 ton can have a wheel base that short...unless it was cut by the farmers for hop use).

Well, I guess if anyone is reading this post, they're gonna start wondering about sprayers and other places the GMC engines were used. I'm sure the old Orchard Master sprayers can be found in California, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, pretty much any where orchards were during the last 60 years. Most of the time, they have coverings, so the engine stays "dry", even if the tin and tank is rust colored.

The electrical system is a 12V. Said on the hour meter and on the coil. Hour meter said 3500 hours. Dang, at 50mph that would be nearly 175K miles.....

Opened the engine coolent drain. First little bit came out rusty, then the rest was a nice green color... at least that's a 'promising' sign.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/wazzu98grad/album?.dir=/d288scd&.view=t