The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts coe parts help

I am needing some parts for 'big-bolt' (2.5 T 6400) COE...like fender treads, screw holders (clips) for floor board mounting. Who/or where to start looking for these plus I'm sure many others. Can someone tell me what engine I have year cu.in. etc.?? It is a GMC # 270827198. Also where to get wiring harness; plus por's & con's on converting from 6 volt to 12 volt. Thanks coe leo.

Looks like a 270 Cubic inch if that's the number in front of Distributor. Pros of 12 volt. Easier to find the parts.. Alternator, bulbs,..., brighter lights, faster starts, can support modern conveniences such as power windows, locks, AC, Heater blowers, stereo's.., Cons, you have to buy all the 12 volt stuff, put up with all the people that don't want you to convert it to 12 volts,:) . That's about it. Good luck with the COE. I just saw one today that I'm going to go make an offer on next time i'm in Ft. Smith. Nice looking patina'd shorter wheelbase with cab lights, a fifth wheel on the frame. I'd guess that would be a semi hitch.

Got any pics?

Welcome coeleo. To ensure proper identification of parts we need to clarify the model of your truck. I am assuming you are talking about your 1949 truck, since you asked about a wiring harness for a '49 truck in a separate question. In this era, all COEs were in the 5000 series of models and the 6400 series had the standard cab. This will make a difference in the wiring harness required, so can you clarify?

Kent

Just what do you have exactly. A 6400 series truck is a 2 ton Chevrolet conventional. 270ci. GMC engines came standard in '47-'51 GMC 3 ton thru 3 1/2 ton trucks. A '47-'53 Chevy COE would have had a 235ci. Chevrolet engine in it. If you're looking for COE parts, is it a Chevrolet COE, or GMC COE. '47-'54 Chevrolet COE's would have been 5100, 5400, or 5700 series trucks. '47-'54 GMC COE's with the small cab, are series 350, 450, & 470. All '47-'54 Chevrolet COE's were rated as 16000lb. 2 ton trucks, unless it's a special ordered 15000lb. 1 1/2 ton truck. '47-'54 GMC 350 series COE's are rated a 2 ton trucks, the 450 series were rated as 3 ton. & the 470 series rated as 3 1/2 ton. There were no 400 series GMC COE 2 1/2 ton trucks. The 400 series trucks that GMC built from '47-'54 were rated as 2 1/2 ton trucks.

I've always kept my trucks 6 volt. I just replace whatever battery cables are on the truck with new 2/0 cable, & an extra ground cable from this same 2/0 cable. Then install a 6 volt Optima battery, & away you go. Just about everytime, i've come in contact with a slow turning 6 volt system, somewhere down the line the original large 6 volt battery cable, has been replaced by more modern smaller battery cable.

Thanks Kent...it is a 1949 chevy coe 6400 with a 270 GMC motor.

Thanks Spanky, I can understand you may be confusted. First, it is a chevy coe. Someone has replaced the chevy 235 with a GMC 270 (I'm not positive the engine is a 270)...only that the motor number down by the distributor begins with 270------ thanks.

O.k., it'll have to be a 49 Chevrolet COE 5400, & not 6400.

Well, now I'm a little confused...It has the "origional" chrome 6400 insignia on both sides of the hood...and is definitely a COE...and is a 47-50 as identified by the windows, door handles etc. thanks for the help Coe Leo.

I do...but will have to learn how to post pictures?

Put the pictures on photobucket or another picture storage sight and then link back to them on a post here. I'd explain how but I can barely manage to do it right once in a while. You have to copy one of the links by the picture and then paste it to your post. Good luck. Looking forward to your pics. Jim

If it has "6400" emblems, someone has switched them out in the past. All 6000 series (6100, 6400, & 6500) trucks are conventionals. All COE trucks are 5000 series. Should be either "5100" if 110"in. wheelbase, "5400" if 134"in. wheelbase, or "5700" if 158"in. wheelbase. Trust me, I've owned close to thirty of them the last 25, or so years. What does your ID tag in your driver door jamb say?

If you're still looking for a wiring harness, I put one in my 53 COE a couple weeks ago that I bought from Jim Carter Truck Parts and am very happy with it.