The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chevy instrument cluster in 1945 Canadian GMC???

I'm restoring a 1945 Canadian built GMC 1/2 Ton and it has a Chevy instrument cluster. I've got a lot to learn, but I've read that the Canadian GMC's differed from the U.S. GMC's in that they were Chevy powered around this time. Can anyone help me figure out if this is the original cluster or if it has been swapped out at one point in time? I'd like to order parts to restore the cluster, but not if it's the wrong one.
1945 Canadian GMC 1/2 Ton instrument cluster?

Hy 1945 GMC, welcome, Canadian GMC trucks of that era and even much newer ones were Chevrolet powered, so there was no point in installing a GMC cluster with a higher pressure oil gauge, hope that helps.

Yes that does help. I figured that if they used the GMC engine the cluster wouldn't work. So unless someone tells me otherwise, I'll have to assume that despite the Chevrolet look to this cluster, it's actually the correct version for this truck. I just didn't want to buy the Chevy gauge stickers and (maybe) new glass if this one was a replacement. Thanks!

Hi, I have a Canadian made 46 GMC 3/4 ton and had the same questions when I got mine (as it didn't come with any of the original motor or drivetrain). The canadian built GMC's used the 216 so they also used the chevy gauges, and they had wood bed floors (where the American trucks had steel floors). They also had a smooth tailgate, rather than the stamped GMC tailgate, as far as I've found.

Something you may find nice in your disassembly is that while the Chevy's used clutch head screws, the GMC's used flat head stove bolt screws instead. Hopefully yours is this way, so you don't need the specialty tools.

Those are the main differences I'm aware of from my research.

Hey, thanks for the info. The block on the engine in the truck is cracked, but I'll check it to see if it's a 216. I didn't know the American GM's had steel beds, but mine is wood as you've said. Glad to hear the tailgate might have been smooth. Mine is missing, so it'll be easier to make a new one if I don't need to emboss letters on it. And yes, I had flat head stovebolt screws rather than clutch head screws. Some of them are hard to get out, but it's coming along. Your engine wasn't original, but did your research show that the engine should have a serial number that matches the serial number plate on the cowl?

If your engine isn't a 216 it could have been changed along the lines, but the Canadian GMC's did come with the Chevy 216, I'm sure of that.

I didn't research anything regarding engine numbers, as I had no interest in trying to make the truck original in appearance.

Tailgates are available reproduction both smooth and with stamping, that would be much easier to purchase the smooth tailgate if you want it to be as an original Canadian GMC was.