[Jack Gifford]

Any other PY members have a GMC that came with a Pontiac V8? Please post here what you've got, how you're using it (them?), etc. Thanks.

I'm in the process of re-doing my '59 shortbed Fleetside. The original 336 engine was already gone when I bought the truck, so I've built a '58 Tri-Power engine for it. I'll try to post a picture- in its former ugly orange paint! No, I won't repaint it orange- it will be the same blue as my "Challenger" minirod, which has an alky-injected Pontiac 400 in this picture.

I know that PY member Bill Hanlon has a very pretty '57 GMC with a 347. Rather than get the details wrong, I'll ask Bill if he wants to tell us about it?

[Bill Hanlon]

Originally Posted by pontiac jack

I know that PY member Bill Hanlon has a very pretty '57 GMC with a 347.

I don't know if I would refer to any '57 GMC as "pretty".

Since 1990 my daily driver has been this '57 GMC 102 (stepside, long wheelbase) which still has its original Pontiac 347" V8 and Dual-Range (like on pre-56 Pontiacs) Hydra-Matic. Current mileage is 185K, adding about 5K a year. It was stock when I bought it. Upgrades since include disk brakes on the front, alternator, A/C, HEI, seating from a late '80s Chevy truck, CD player and 3 point belts. In 1998 I had a bunch of rust repair done and then had it painted using a '97 Honda color "black currant" which is a real dark purple. I do all the mechanical and electrical work, but left the paint and body to the pros.

This weekend my brother and I are installing power steering.

I really enjoy this combination hobby and unique mode of transportation.

[Jack Gifford]

I say "pretty"! There's also something very "cute" about an in-dash 4,000 RPM tach! Thanks for sharing.

[Bill Hanlon]

The tach is a Sun SuperTach II. After removing the bezel it is about 1/8" too big in diameter to fit into the GMC's tach hole. A little buzz with a dremel tool fixed that.

I refaced it by removing the face plate, turning it over and spray painting it flat black on the back (now my new front). The amount of swing from zero to 8000 RPM on the original face is almost identical to the amount of swing on a GMC 80 MPH speedometer. I cut the outer tick marks from an 80 MPH GMC speedomemter decal and applied them to the newly painted surface. Then cut 0 1 2 3 and 4 digits from the same decal kit and applied to the new face. Used a fine black "Sharpie" to paint the edges of the cut decals so they would look black.

The trick in making it a 4000 RPM at full swing is simply to move the selector switch on the back of the tach from 8 cyl to 4 cyl.

The original GMC tachs were actually 0-5000 Sun tachs with a 90 degree swing and external Mercury battery powered "sending units". My Hydra-Matic upshifts at 3800 RPM and there is no way I'd ever try to get this beast above 4K in high gear.

By the way, the engine was running when the picture was taken. It really does idle at 450 RPM.

[63 Pontiac]

That is a nice looking truck, GMC's have lots of character.

If I had it to do all over again my old '56 Chevy shortbed would've gotten a spare 389\TH400 combo instead of the SBC 305\TH350. I miss that truck...

[timbo]

What year did GMC start using the Pontiac engine? I have a 51 GMC and am thinking about putting a Pontiac motor in it. Thanks

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by timbo

What year did GMC start using the Pontiac engine? I have a 51 GMC and am thinking about putting a Pontiac motor in it. Thanks

Pontiac V8 was optional beginning in late '55 GMCs, called 'second series'. The 'first series' 55s were just like the 54s. '59 was the last year the V8 was offered. For '55/56/57, the GMC V8's were the same displacements as Pontiac cars- 287/316(322?)/347, respectively. For '58/59 they were 336 c.i.- the '58 being a small-bore version of the car's 370, and for '59 a small-bore 389.

[Jack Gifford]

I noticed a couple of interesting GMCs on E-Bay tonight- a white '56 in VT with a 455-HO, and a red '57 in Alaska with original 347 & Hydramatic- with a 'buy it now' price under $4,000!

[Jack Gifford]

So... I guess this is called 'progress'?! Yeah, I started disassembly way back in late summer, and by a week ago had only gotten from the front bumper back to the firewall. That was due to a 'disciplined' approach of dealing with every little piece as I removed it- restoring any piece that is salvageable- cleaning/straightening/painting brackets, etc., locating a source for the un-saveable stuff, and taking sheet metal to the body/paint shop. A little more cutting/welding on the inner fenders and I will truly be done back to the firewall- ignoring the chassis, which I won't start until all non-chassis items are dealt with.
However, I had to change my operating-mode- my spouse will want that parking space as soon as the snow hits! So I'm now trying to strip off enough pieces to keep me occupied all winter, without having to work in an unheated barn.

P.S. Anybody else using an aluminum hemi as a dust collector???

[Bill Eveland]

Jack, is this what your looking for? I could only get one. Hopefully the paint has helped preserve the metal from pitting.

[Jack Gifford]

Bill- PM'd you.

[Pontirag]

last run in 1977, parked because the tranny slipped.

[Bill Hanlon]

GMC Hood Birds in that condition are going for ~ $250 on ePay.

[Bill Eveland]

Those lights on the roof look like a pair of nipples.

Not a bad looking truck though.

[Jeff Walker]

Originally Posted by Bill Eveland

Those lights on the roof look like a pair of nipples.

Not a bad looking truck though.

In cold weather too.

Was that hood ornament an option? I have seen a few GMC's that vintage, but never with the hood ornament.

[Bill Hanlon]

Yes, the hood ornament was an option. My truck had one, but I chose not to put it back on when I painted the truck. It is pitted and needs replating. Still have it up in the garage attic.

[Bill Eveland]

Hydromatic slipping, 1500-2000? to rebuild . Unless you can find a good used one. I think Bill Hanlon was just looking for one for his truck.
If you didn't care about originality on the trans , adapter kits are available for th350/400. about 600? for the adapter kit.

[Jack Gifford]

Pontirag- Any plans for the GMC? I hope you've kept the engine 'alive' the last twenty years.

[amcmike]

You guys have to stop this thread. I'm starting to get an itch I can't afford to scratch!

[Pontirag]

Tried to sell it several times on ebay. lots of jerks out there.