Projects 1956 GMC Truck Restoration in Mass

Day 12: Engine health assessment

Outlook cloudy. This stock motor only pushes 150hp (anyone know 270 torque specs?), is rusted frozen, and gets 15mpg tops. I could deck the block and head, drop the bottom end, hammer out the pistons, get the block bored, order new bearings, pistons (or at least rings), and so on OR I can swap in the biggest diesel I can find! =) I choose you, diesel power.

56gmctruck

 

Best of luck to you! I am also in Fitchburg, I have a chevy jammed in a small yard space on the side of my house makes it very difficult to get the engine out. Everybody hates her except me.

 

Day 13: New engine.

After yesterdays assessment, I decided to get a diesel. I know it isn't stock or anything, but I've always wanted a diesel truck, and now is a great time to build one. I figure it will get better gas mileage and more torque than the stock engine anyway. The diesel is straight out of a HMMWV with 40k or less miles on it, which really has quite a bit of "coolness" factor in it. It will be running on the stock 24v HMMWV power system as is, and I think I'll just keep it that way for now. I can pull 12v off of one of the batteries to run the other power systems, and with some clever wiring - charge them too. Looks like I'll need to source some headers, and figure out engine mounts.

Now I just need a transmission. What bolts up to a 6.2L Detroit diesel? From what I've seen people recommend the t400s, but I really, really, really dislike driving automatics. Anyone know which manuals would bolt onto this monster?

Thanks!
56gmctruck

 

Riva b: Let me know if you ever need tools or help, or if you ever want to help out on the truck. Would be nice to know some more car folk out here (I'm new to the area).

Same goes for anyone else in the area =)

56gmctruck

 

hey guy i have been where you are ! what you need to do is find a good parts truck and swap a lot better cab and 270 motor ! dont put a diesel in it /them 270s are great,lots of power!you know this truck probably has 3:90 gears IT WONT GET MUCH MILEAGE ! i think you should of removed cab and box only and work on cleaning up the frame and drive line /even if its stuck or bad ! like i said earlier them gmc parts trucks are out there ,and you should be able to find one reasonable! good luck w/ the truck ! mike

 

Nice to see a fellow Fitchburg resident on here. Have you registered a classic vehicle in MA before?

 

Good luck with the truck dude.

 

Riva: I registered my '72 240z up here as an antique and it wasn't very difficult. The only difference with this truck is that I don't currently hold a title.

Rusy 76: Thanks! I'll certainly need it

Carryallman/Mike: Please read earlier post #8. I am doing a frame up resto, which will involve removing that cab and bed, which are pretty much the only things left on the frame right now anyway. Only reason they arn't off now is that I don't have the manpower to lift them off by myself. Regarding the engine, the plan was always to ditch that 270 if it looked like it would take a refurb. I had thoughts of cramming a 350 or 305 into the truck, but when I weighed out my options, the diesel seemed like the best fit for me. Knowing me, I'll end up getting a bore/hone/deck on the block, hot tanking the block+head, and rebuild it up as something fun to do over the winter. Heck, may end up going back in the truck if I ever get board of hearing Chugh-lugh-lug-lug-lug. Right now though, I think it would be pretty interstellar to hear a diesel in a '56, and as far as I know, I'll be the first to try it. (if it has been done, link it on a reply, I'd love to see it)

You might be also happy to know the the Napco 4x4 kit + drivelines are in excellent shape. Body is salvageable with some patch panels, stubbornness, and my welder.

56gmctruck

 

"What would the owners of this once fabulous 30 million dollar gold mine have given for the power and dependability of a task force champ?"

Wow 50's narration was pretty excellent. Looks I'll be taking my truck to pikes peak after its finished just like this vintage Napco/Chevrolet ad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5LYTkRjdno <- Worth the jump, inspiring me to keep working at this project =)

56gmctruck

 

It would also appear that I'm not the first to swap in a diesel into this truck. This fellow swapped in a turbo cummins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEkR2BLU1so

56gmctruck

 

Please read earlier posts for context:
It also appears as though this might bolt onto the engine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muncie_SM465_transmission

Thoughts?

56gmctruck

 

NAPCO = big $$$$$, should cover your build if all works and you sell it.

 

Great thread; really enjoying the sense of humor that comes through in your well-written narrative!

That Hummer diesel is going to give this truck all kinds of cool. Good luck and looking forward to following along.

 

Wish i had a NAPCO, not thrilled about the top speed but im sure theres a way to get around that. Yeah, i like your style...

 

oldcarfart: Good to hear, makes me feel better about putting money into the project!

froghawk: Looking forward to providing more clever posts! I'm considering upping the cool factor another notch by adding a turbo so I can tackle hills with ease.

indyholland: I'm guessing some trickery with combinations of diff gears and tire sizes should be able to get me up to decent speeds with some good fuel economy. Haven't started looking into it yet to be honest. Something to do on rainy days... like today.

56gmctruck

 

New guy, just had to point out you can register it in Maine *without prior paperwork* and a bill of sale from whom you bought it from, even if they never had it in their name. It's the subtle difference between us and NH/VT/RI.

It's what broadway title does, but they charge bunches of money to do it.

You need proof of residency and insurance but not a maine driver's license or anything. Residency could be a utility bill, receipt for renting someone's hunting cabin *for at least thirty days*, etc. They're wicked cool about it... love to take your money.

A maine registration then transforms into a MA title + reg, I know for a fact by calling your RMV before selling a 1984 car to a MA resident. Just tell them you "moved down".

 

eljefino: Good to know, especially because I have some friends up there. I'll see how the previous owner does in getting his paperwork together first though to see if I can get everything processed through Mass.

56gmctruck

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGzUb2Rpges He's got the '51 Chvy cab, fenders and hood mounted, she'll pull a house. Good friend of mine.

This one is gold....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UaJEPs0DJk&feature=related

 

Day 14: Pour on some POR-15

Posting a few pictures of the glass that will need replacing soon. Looks like it survived some gunfire =/ In its current state I've been tempted to shoot it too; completely understand the mindset.

Anyone know what I should do about the glass? LMCtruck seems to sell single panes, but it appears that the glass I have now is two sheets glued together - primitive safety glass perhaps?

Also, take a look at that fantastic ventilation in the floor. That should feel great when she gets up to speed! I'm not sure if I want to grab patch panels from LMCtruck, or if I want to fab up my own. Looks like someone has already done some patchwork in there!

Alright, on to the progress! I spoke to a very cute and knowledgeable paint expert at my local auto repair supply store, which I hope to visit more often, to grab something to throw on the chassis. I've used POR-15 before with good results, so I decided to go that route again. After tearing through dirt and grease with a wire wheel for a few hours, I squirted off the chassis with my pressure washer and let her dry/rust. A few foam brushes later she looks new again!

Still a little more left to paint, but it has been raining since Saturday night, and working outside, I have to schedule this stuff!

56gmctruck

 

had an sm465 behind a 350 in a '77 gmc that my father bought used from a lumber company here in '79. four clutches, high school, and a few gear oil changes and the damn thing was still tight.

 

rustndespair: Excellent news. I managed to source a junkyard pull and should have it freighted here by Thursday. Hopefully it will be as bulletproof as yours was. The engine should arrive this week as well, so it will be interesting to see if it will fit.

56GMCtruck

 

The SM465 is a good option for the new motor. I'm guessing you'll be happy with it.

I look forward to following your build.

As far as the glass goes... Custom cut flat glass is fairly cheap. Ask at a local place and you'll be surprised. You can have it made to replace the vent window as well.

 

Pretty annoyed that there still hasn't been a break in the rain yet. Really looking forward to finishing the frame before the engine/tranny arrive. Still trying to figure a way to lift off the bed and cab. Really would help to have a forklift or backhoe - I'll have to introduce myself to the neighbors and see if I can track one down.

Cosmo49: Looks like I missed your post earlier, watched the videos. Is that thing turboed, or is that just the whine of the tranny? Truck goes by to fast to see!

TheInternet: Thanks for the tip on the glass. I'll have to rip off the glass once it stops raining so I can drop it off somewhere. Time to start making some phone calls to find a local glassmonger!

56gmctruck

 

Turbo 4-53 Detroit Diesel.

 

cool project

 

Cosmo49: Awesome

Russd: Keep following along =)

 

Day 15: Look What I've got

Much has happened in the last week or so. I've been incredibly busy, and haven't had much time in front of my home computer, so I'm going to dump a batch of updates today.

Special delivery. HMMVW diesel arrived today. Looks just like the picture from before it shipped, hah.

The story here was pretty interesting though. I ended up shipping the engine to my work after talking to someone titled "Shipping Manager". Ends up, the shipping manager is not the same person as the "Loading Dock - Shipping and Receiving Manager". They were really confused about the engine, ends up I wasn't really allowed to ship there after all. I was told that I had till 16.00 to get the crate off the dock. At this point in time, I dropped everything and ran out to UHaul to pickup a truck - little GTI was too small for this load. I grabbed some friends and attempted to lift the 1000 lbs package with no success. Luckily, there was some construction going on, and I managed to get a forklift driver from the site to load up the van.

At home, had the truck unloaded with my crane 'n' chain in about 7 min.

Compression tested the engine, results look great.

 

rustndespair: Sounds like this transmission will be a winner! Think I should bother replacing the seals?

 

Day 16: Wiring Woes

While waiting for the transmission to arrive, I decided to start taking a look at the wiring. I started topside with the speaker. Found another rat nest. Time to pull out the shopvac and start sucking. Pretty sure the top Google result for this page will be "causes of hantavirus", or in a week "hantavirus symptoms". Love it...

 

Day 17: Transmission Trouble

Transmission arrived today and looked to be in great shape. Ends up I have the 4x4 transmission with a splined shaft at the end to plug into a transfer case. I'm not sure if I can have a driveshaft made for it or not; I would have been happier with the RWD version.

The transmission was used so it was covered in black gunk. Started powerwashing it, and it ends up the bell housing is cracked. No good =(