[Steve Barcak]

I have found a few more I wanted to share here. Of course, if anyone else wants to add, please do so.

This first one is a '55 1 ton. Motor is gone but the V8 emblems are there. The guy is planning to convert it to a street rod type pick up configuration. I'd leave it a 1 ton. Not for sale right now but, I heard it may be later.

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

This sweetheart I found last Saturday at my churchs annual car show. Very, very, nice. I invited him to Pontiac Heaven in April. It would be great to see this participate. I thought I got a picture of the motor but, I guess I did not. It has a restored 316 painted red with GMC decals and a hydro bolted behind it. He told me he and his wife rebuilt the whole truck, including the hydro. Said going through the trans was not too hard and it now works just fine.

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[455Grandville]

I saw a '58 Jimmy medium duty at a show and the owner claimed it was a 370 cid V8. I know the trucks also had an oddball 336 cid V8 also. Wonder if a 389 was ever dropped in before GMC offered its own V6 -
That '55 you have pictured is the second series; they used the old body mid way through '55 for some reason.

[Bill Hanlon]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

Wonder if a 389 was ever dropped in before GMC offered its own V6 -

If they did it wasn't official. I have two GMC Master Parts Books, neither of which mention 370 or 389 Pontiac engines. Some people confuse the 370" gas V8 offered in the larger (550 series and bigger) 57-59 GMC trucks as a Pontiac engine, but it was actually based on the Oldsmobile 371" V8 of the same year.

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

If they did it wasn't official. I have two GMC Master Parts Books, neither of which mention 370 or 389 Pontiac engines. Some people confuse the 370" gas V8 offered in the larger (550 series and bigger) 57-59 GMC trucks as a Pontiac engine, but it was actually based on the Oldsmobile 371" V8 of the same year.

I saw a vintage Jimmy with a Olds 371, guy who restored was not sure it was original, now it sounds like it was.
Personally, I prefer a screaming Jimmy 2 stroke

[Jack Gifford]

Steve, Steve... you know darn well my truck isn't photogenic now!
Oh well... here's an old picture of it orange. It will be going back together blue and white.

[Bill Hanlon]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

I saw a vintage Jimmy with a Olds 371, guy who restored was not sure it was original, now it sounds like it was.

Only if were 2 ton or bigger.

Wouldn't be hard to drop the Olds engine into the smaller truck though, as the front engine mount is similar (same?) and attaching a Hydra-Matic to an Olds is a very natural thing to do.

[Bill Hanlon]

Originally Posted by Steve Barcak

This first one is a '55 1 ton.

This '55 is actually a '57. Or at least it has a '57 grille. Check the VIN plate on the driver's side door jamb. If serial number has a T as the 5th character, then '57. '55 would have a Y as the 5th character of the serial number.

[stevep]

A customer from CT just dropped off his 1957 GMC PU with a Pontiac V8 and a Hydramatic for me to rebuild the trans. It has been off the frame and is jammed, but not full painted yet. He would LOVE to find a Power Steering set up for-it.

[Bill Hanlon]

Is he looking for "stock" power steering? Those things are made from unobtainium, although most parts are interchangable between 1/2 to thru 1 ton models.

A knock off of the Chevy power steering is available at CPP here:
http://www.classicperform.com/power1.html

Other kit alternatives when staying with the I beam front axle include:

1. an 800 series 70's GM truck power steering box mounted on the outside of the frame forward of the front axle (I have this and don't like it - bump steer because of short drag link)

2. a Toyota 4x4 power steering box mounted where the original box was

3. a rack and pinion mounted to the back of the I beam

All three could use the original power steering pump available for the Pontiac V8. The mounting bracket for the pump is the same from 55-59 truck and 55-57 Pontiac car. 58 car bracket is somewhat different, although it still uses the same two holes on the top of the timing cover and would work OK in the truck. I got my pump and bracket from a '56 Pontiac. Found a rebuild kit (new seals and bearings - vanes not included, mine were OK) for the pump in New Jersey (the guy advertises in Hemmings) and rebuilt it myself.

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

Only if were 2 ton or bigger.

Wouldn't be hard to drop the Olds engine into the smaller truck though, as the front engine mount is similar (same?) and attaching a Hydra-Matic to an Olds is a very natural thing to do.

I'll take a screamin' Jimmy over a gasser anyday

[stevep]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

Is he looking for "stock" power steering? Those things are made from unobtainium, although most parts are interchangable between 1/2 to thru 1 ton models.

A knock off of the Chevy power steering is available at CPP here:
http://www.classicperform.com/power1.html

Other kit alternatives when staying with the I beam front axle include:

1. an 800 series 70's GM truck power steering box mounted on the outside of the frame forward of the front axle (I have this and don't like it - bump steer because of short drag link)

2. a Toyota 4x4 power steering box mounted where the original box was

3. a rack and pinion mounted to the back of the I beam

All three could use the original power steering pump available for the Pontiac V8. The mounting bracket for the pump is the same from 55-59 truck and 55-57 Pontiac car. 58 car bracket is somewhat different, although it still uses the same two holes on the top of the timing cover and would work OK in the truck. I got my pump and bracket from a '56 Pontiac. Found a rebuild kit (new seals and bearings - vanes not included, mine were OK) for the pump in New Jersey (the guy advertises in Hemmings) and rebuilt it myself.

The guy found a truck with power steering and was going to buy it but he told a friend about it. Turns out that the friend wasn't really a friend as HE bought the truck and my customer was SOL.

[Bill Hanlon]

Over on the OldGMCTruck forum there has been talk in the last year of complete original working 55-59 GMC power steering systems going for $4K.

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

Over on the OldGMCTruck forum there has been talk in the last year of complete original working 55-59 GMC power steering systems going for $4K.

I guess it's just as well that I quit looking for one!

[mike nixon]

http://auto-rv.com/browse.aspx?AdName=CHLI2400050


now this'd make a cool hauler. it should be in good shape also being an old fire truck.

mike

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

Only if were 2 ton or bigger.

Wouldn't be hard to drop the Olds engine into the smaller truck though, as the front engine mount is similar (same?) and attaching a Hydra-Matic to an Olds is a very natural thing to do.

Beats the he!! out of dropping in a "ho-hum" common 350 Chebby like everyone else does. You ever seen what happens to Chebby 350s when they were put in C60s and C70 Chebbies ?

[timbo]

I have a 51 GMC half ton. I'm thinking of putting a Pontiac motor in it. I'd like to put a OHC 6 cyl/4 bbl in it. There was 1 on a website awhile back, I thought it was here, but can't find it. He put a V8 Pontiac in it. Thanks!

[Jack Gifford]

I think an OHC-6 in an early Jimmy would be way cool.

[Tin Injun Tom]

Originally Posted by mike nixon

http://auto-rv.com/browse.aspx?AdName=CHLI2400050


now this'd make a cool hauler. it should be in good shape also being an old fire truck.

mike

I saw that in the magazine, Mike. I was wondering if it might possibly have a Poncho V8.

[Jack Gifford]

The ad says "V8", so it would have come from the factory with a Pontiac, unless it's larger than a 500-series truck.