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Anyone know if you can fit a 12 valve cummins in my 1955.2 GMC 350? Also I want to install newer better axles, any ideas?


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You can fit an 8 valve 4BT quite easily. The 6 cyl is extremely tight and requires a lot of compromises/work.

Newer axles
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bigbolts/p30swap/
Another possibly better idea for front disc brakes on original axle.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=725572#Post725572

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
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wow cool!
THanks!


1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
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Anyone know if the 55.2 GMC 350 front axle is similar to the big
AD trucks?

Last edited by beast54; 09/10/2012 10:34 PM.

1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
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1957 Chevy 6400 US FOREST SERVICE
Here's a long list of all my STUFF!
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Check kingpin dimensions, should be easy to look up in your shop manual.
The 2 ton AD trucks have a 1.109" diameter kingpin.

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 201
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Hmmm I need to get one of those.


1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
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1957 Chevy 6400 US FOREST SERVICE
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Hey Grigg... Tell me about your Detroit 4-53T.. I'm curious smile


1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
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What more do you need to know!!




Sorry Grigg, I couldn't help myself. Still two of my most favorite videos.

I'm sure he will be a long to respond but the whole history is here,
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=876451&page=1


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That pretty much covers my swap.

About swapping a 4-53T into an AD truck, I think it's as big as I'd ever want to do, it fits but sure is tight. A 3-53T would be a much simpler swap, and one I have planned for my 52 1 ton pickup.

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 201
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I watched those videos. Took me by surprise on what jumped out of the trees! I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit! That's pretty cool I must say.
I don't know much about diesels, thats why the questions. what do the Detroits come out of?


1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
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1957 Chevy 6400 US FOREST SERVICE
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One came out of a 1978 GMC 6500, the one I replaced it with was new in 1985, still new surplus likely intended for stationary equipment.

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 201
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So is it a 4 cylinder? What's your HP and torque? Mpg?


1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
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1957 Chevy 6400 US FOREST SERVICE
Here's a long list of all my STUFF!
Joined: May 2005
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The newest Silver 4-53T puts out 185 HP at 2500 rpm and 435 ft lb at 1,500 RPM.
don't have a real MPG figure yet, with a 7,000-8,000 lb truck I'd hope to see 15-18 mpg.

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
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Hey Grigg --- sounds mighty interesting. Had an old 6V53 (supercharged) in a Blue Bird...is the "T" designation for "Turbo" by any chance? Any pix of that motor?

Also, while I'm not familiar with the Detroits, I do know that modding a stationary engine to over-the-road use can be very tricky with any of the Cummins line. The are set up very differently.


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Try the "Click here for all pictures" link in my signature.
Yep, the T is for Turbo. I had a 6V53 with twin turbos in a 61 F350, that was quite a truck!

Making a stationary Detroit into a vehicle engine is a quite simple, just change the governor to a limiting speed type if it's not already. Likely you will change oil pickup and sump but not always necessary, and find a flywheel for an automotive clutch.

Detroits are quite simple and easy to work on, and the service manual is very well done.

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 201
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Hey Grigg, is there other trucks other than the p-30 that have the 1.109 kingpin with disk brakes that will work?


1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
In the Gallery
1957 Chevy 6400 US FOREST SERVICE
Here's a long list of all my STUFF!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,877
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Im condused... the P30 has larger than 1.109" kingpins.
Nothing I know of has 1.109" kingpins and disc brakes.

What are you trying to do?
Did you checkout the disc brake sticky?


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 201
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'Bolter
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Posts: 201
I looked and i thought i read that if you had the 1.109 kingpin that there are disk brakes you can bolt on .


1955.1 Chevy 3600 NAPCO Truck
In the Gallery
1957 Chevy 6400 US FOREST SERVICE
Here's a long list of all my STUFF!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,877
G
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G Offline
Joined: May 2005
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Sort of, still takes some work.
The P30 shares brake parts with the 3500HD.
Check out the sticky disc brake thread again as it has what I know about them.


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-

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