50 gmc big truck help

hello again, not that I needed to buy another project vehicle, but I couldn't refuse..it is a long frame 1950 GMC dually wheel truck...it has a large I6 not sure of ci and a top loader trans 2 speed rear...I got it for a great price with out even looking for it so I had to buy it..the problem...it has sat for close to 8 years out side and the rubber has gone bad...I would need to put new wheels and tires on it, but I'm not sure on where I would look for wheels...they are 5 lug 1 ton style split rims...really big lugs and very wide spacing. Any one deal with these trucks that might know what or where to get newer bud style wheels for it...the gentleman I bought it from will not let me trailer/tow/pull the truck till it has new rubber on it..says it will hurt the truck and he will not let that happen...very nice man...he has alot of dodge chevy ford international trucks that will be for sale soon if there is any interest...pm me and I will let you know what he has for sale and how much....he has a really old (late 30's) studebaker tow truck that is neat as hell and complete,,but he only wants it to go to a stude collector. any help as always is greatly appreciated..thanks...where are you at Buffalo bill

 

The wheels are probably fine unless they have been buried in the dirt for decades.

I am not aware of a modern rim equivalent - but there are lots of old trucks with decent wheels like that. Split rims - should be sand blasted and inspected before re-use.

I can't believe he wouldn't let you trailer it - the motor is likely a 270 (look at the flat adjacent to the distributor pad) . . . could also be a 302 if repowered at some point.

 

Engine could be a 248. I think the first 3 digits of the engine # tell the story on a GMC.

 

The two speed rear would indicate at least a 2-ton truck. Look at the wheels again. I suspect that they are actually ten-bolt rims. Only five of the ten are used on the fronts, but all ten are used on the backs. The bolt pattern is the same as used on all 2-ton GM trucks through the 1960s and 70s, as well as the P30 and motorhome chassis. The mid 1990s vintage HD 3500 trucks with 15,000 lb GVW use the same bolt pattern. Do not confuse these with the 2001-up 3500HD trucks.

The stock wheels MAY be two piece split rims, or they may be three piece lock-ring rims. The three piece rims are MUCH safer than the two piece rims. Stock wheel will be 20". Stock tires are probably 9.00x20. I've got two of the Chevy versions of those trucks. The trans is an SM420.

 

Check out www.oldgmctrucks.com , and, www.stovebolt.com Also check to see if the ID plate is still in the driver door jamb. This ID plate will have the series, gvw rating, & engine size, if not changed. Example, F352 24, would decifer to, "F"=COE, "35"= 350 series 2 ton, "2"= 137"in. wheelbase, "24"= 248ci. 6 cyl.

 

I also have a 50 gmc 450 and wanted to know if the front end and cab is any bigger than a 1/2 ton gmc?