The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1953 GMC 9700

Hello everyone my name is Brent and let me introduce to you The General, it's a 1953 GMC 9700 grain truck.


[IMG]http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u636/Beaster15/DSC00912_zps38428bdc.jpg[/IMG]

I've loved this old truck ever since I was a kid. The truck belonged to my grandpa's brother who was a general in the army, hence why we call it The General. As you can see it's bin tucked away and neglected for quite a few years. The last time it ran was probably 10-12 years ago, my old man was backing it into an old shed with no lights and he caught the wall with the box and killed it. Ever since then it won't start, so I dont know if the timing is off or what the deal is.

[IMG]http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u636/Beaster15/DSC00906_zps46fc9cd6.jpg[/IMG]

I figure its time I drag him outta the weeds and try to bring him back to life. My immediate plans are to get it running with long term plans of redoing the wiring and interior and eventually paint, taking off the box and hoist so I hand turn it into a flatbed service truck with an air compressor, generator/welder and slip tanks for fuel.

[IMG]http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u636/Beaster15/DSC00910_zpsfde124fe.jpg[/IMG]

First question I have for you guys is I found a maintenance manual for '47-'54 trucks, models 100 through 400, will that be any use to me? Will the wiring from the cab to the front bumper be the same in my truck as it is in that manual? I can't seem to find any info on this series of truck so any help will be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,
Brent

Looks like a truck smaller than 9700, so the manual you found should be perfect.
What's the weight rating on the tag in the door, the serial number too? I'd guess it'll say 16,000 lb which is a nominal "2 ton" truck.

Grigg

Hy Beaster, welcome, a 1953 9700 series would have left the factory with a 248 GMC engine, your truck is powered by a Chevy engine. This could mean that the truck has had an engine swap, or it is actually a 9500 series which was powered by a Chevy 235. If you could post the trucks serial number that would help us to figure out just what has happened, hope that helps.

Be careful Grigg, Those Canadian built trucks are rated differently than U.S. built trucks. Also those different series designations can confuse a person, if not careful. We need for 3B, to list us a comparison chart, when he has time.

All the 1954 97xx Canadian GMC trucks (137" - 197" wheel bases) listed in the GMC Canada Maintenance Manual are rated at 18,000lbs.

I scan/post the specifications sheets, if anyone is interested.

I see,
Completely missed the Canadian part of it. I opened the thread expecting to see a big GMC tractor like a long nose 900 or 9000 series with a 6-71 under the hood and was a little disappointed to see a little 2 ton truck (approximately).

Thanks for the clarification,
Grigg

Model: 9783-HD
Serial: 3978303164
I've done a little research in decoding the serial number and this is what I've come up with. (no idea if I'm bang on or completely wrong)
3=1953
9=GMC
7=3 Ton (9700)
8=179" wheelbase
3=cab
03164=3164th truck built in 1953

Engine:G43016
Body serial:332
Paint:330
Trim:394

And its rated for 17500 lbs

Hy Beaster, it looks like you have deciphered your serial number correctly, that engine serial number is correct for a Canadian GMC 248 engine, but your pictures clearly show a newer Chevrolet engine in the truck, so the engine has been replaced at some point. You will probably find some kind of adapter plate at the front of the engine which bridges the gap between the GMC engine mount on the chassis and the shorter Chevrolet engine, hope that helps.

Thanks for the info 3B, so that's a Chevy 235 engine in there? I know absolutely nothing about either of those engines so can a guy still find a manual for that 235?

Hy Beaster, that 235 was used from 1954 until 1962, there is plenty of info around about them, put an ad in the parts wanted forum to see if anyone has a Canadian maintenance manual.

Alright guys I finally got back around to getting the serial number off the engine (right behind the dipstick) but I'm having trouble trying to decode it. I'd appreciate some help on showing me what I have for sure for an engine.

It looks like to me P-644685 and then beside & below that it looks like 88 5

http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/B...amp;_suid=142937481437505749212868520439

Hy Beaster, if you could take a picture of the engine above the starter and the water pump area that would help us to determine the year and tell us whether or not the engine is a 235 or a 261. Unfortunately I have never seen a list of Canadian Chevrolet engine serial numbers.

Thanks 3B, I'll try and get some pictures tonight after I get home from work.

When you get to the engine, any GMC (228-302) will fit right in there, unless someone has made mods. For the Chevy engine. Parts for 270-302's are easier to find then smaller engines.

I took 10 pictures of the engine, I hope that was enough I'll just post the link to one picture and you can scan through the other in my photobucket account.

http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/Beaster15/media/IMAG0420_zpsilmt8q5r.jpg.html


Thanks in advance fellas

I'd like to spray the whole engine bay with degreaser and wash everything with a pressure washer to remove the oil and grime so I can get a better look at things. Can I do that without worrying about wrecking anything as long as I don't get any water in the air cleaner, or am I just looking for problems if I do that?

Be careful with high pressure water cutting the insulation off of your old wiring harness. Other than that you should be ok.

Mike B

Hy Beaster, it looks like your engine is a 1955 through 1962 235, hope that helps.

Awesome thanks guys.