A question about stock 1953-54 GMC's options...

[MrTucker]

A little back ground -

My father in law is giving me an old pick up he no longer wants. It's been in the family since brand new. He claims its a 1953 GMC that is 100% stock with a Hydramatic transmission.

After a little research, everything I read says that the 4-speed Hydramatic wasn't offered until 1954. I know there's a 3-speed Hydramatic, but I cant find any information on what years it was available. LMC Truck simply says that 1954 was the first year the Hydramatic was available, but it doesn't say if it's the 3 or 4 speed...

I won't be getting the truck until August (otherwise I'd just look at the thing), so I'm just trying to figure out what year this is, since there are so many differences between the '53 and the '54.

Any help??

[Fred T]

Try this site. www.oldgmctrucks.com

[MrTucker]

looks like '53 was the first year. LMC must be wrong.


Thanks for the link!

[1956cameo]

1953 was the first year for GMC trucks. 1954 was the first year for Chevrolet trucks. It seems that if data is GMC specific it gets left out, or is unknown to most people.
Congrats on getting a factory Hydramatic truck, especially a first year one. A few years ago a guy pulled into my driveway and asked if I wanted an old truck for free. I said sure. It ended up bieng a 1954 GMC 1/2 ton five window with a factory hydramatic. Very solid and very complete. He said it ran and drove. I still have it but have never attempted to start it. Thinking I might try to this summer.

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by 1956cameo

1953 was the first year for GMC trucks. 1954 was the first year for Chevrolet trucks. It seems that if data is GMC specific it gets left out, or is unknown to most people.
Congrats on getting a factory Hydramatic truck, especially a first year one. A few years ago a guy pulled into my driveway and asked if I wanted an old truck for free. I said sure. It ended up bieng a 1954 GMC 1/2 ton five window with a factory hydramatic. Very solid and very complete. He said it ran and drove. I still have it but have never attempted to start it. Thinking I might try to this summer.

I know what you mean, I was pretty stoked when he told me. I came home from a crappy day at the office and he just says "I hear you like old trucks. Want one?"

I'm constantly going back and forth on what to do to this truck. Being a first year Hydramatic, and being in the family since new in '53, I hate to cut it apart and make a hot rod. I'd love to throw in a MII front end, 9" out back, a TH400, and just go all out, but I think I'd be ruining a collector. I'll probably just restore it to original - or close to it anyway.

Thanks for the info, and I'll definitley post pics when I get it!

[1956cameo]

We would love some pics. Yeah you just never see them. Good luck with the project.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

I know what you mean, I was pretty stoked when he told me. I came home from a crappy day at the office and he just says "I hear you like old trucks. Want one?"

I'm constantly going back and forth on what to do to this truck. Being a first year Hydramatic, and being in the family since new in '53, I hate to cut it apart and make a hot rod. I'd love to throw in a MII front end, 9" out back, a TH400, and just go all out, but I think I'd be ruining a collector. I'll probably just restore it to original - or close to it anyway.

Thanks for the info, and I'll definitley post pics when I get it!

Restore this one, then get another to rod for contrast, everyone wins!!! I'd like to do that with my 59, one up in the air, one slammed.

[dwcsr]

non of my chevy data books or parts book show a 4 speed hydramatic prior to 54. GMC often was first out with things like that so it could have been a 53 GMC with it.

[mr48chev]

I would think that one should be worthy of being restored back to original. I'm a customizer/hotrodder from the get go but sometimes a truck comes along that deserves to be restored just like it was on the showroom floor the day it was new and there is a good chance this one has the desirable factory options on it that make it even a better restoration candidate as the trucks with the Hydros usually were deluxe trucks.

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Restore this one, then get another to rod for contrast, everyone wins!!! I'd like to do that with my 59, one up in the air, one slammed.

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I would think that one should be worthy of being restored back to original. I'm a customizer/hotrodder from the get go but sometimes a truck comes along that deserves to be restored just like it was on the showroom floor the day it was new and there is a good chance this one has the desirable factory options on it that make it even a better restoration candidate as the trucks with the Hydros usually were deluxe trucks.

you guys are thinking along the same lines I am. A big nasty V8 would be fun, but I think pulling the 216, or 235 (or whatever is in there) along with the Hydramatic would be a shame - especially being a first year available option.

Besides, I'd rather build up a 67-72 into an all out hotrod.

[Fred T]

Engine should be a 248 or 270. Read the serial number stamped on the block, the prefix is the size.

As for LMC, they don't recognize the differences between Chevy & GMC. Another reason I prefer do business elsewhere.

[MrTucker]

248, 270...didn't know those were the options. I thought it was either a 216 or a 235

[sgtusmc]

My 53 had a 248.

[Fred T]

The 216 and 235 were Chevy. I think they were used in Canadian GMC pickups.

GMC in this era used 3 engines in the pickups.

228 1939-1952
248 1953-1955
270 1946-1963

There was also the 302, which was used in heavy trucks & buses 1952-1962.

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by Fred T

The 216 and 235 were Chevy. I think they were used in Canadian GMC pickups.

GMC in this era used 3 engines in the pickups.

228 1939-1952
248 1953-1955
270 1946-1963

There was also the 302, which was used in heavy trucks & buses 1952-1962.

Thanks! I've also had a tough time finding what engines were available in each year. I'm amazed how hard it is to find this info (maybe it's me, )

[slimneverdies]

Dang, this is some good info. I just figured out I have a 248 and 4-speed in my 53. Now, anybody want to have it

[dwcsr]

The nice thing about the GMC motor is it was an actual truck motor built by either Pontiac or Buick depending on the CI that only was in a trucks no cars had that motor. The 216 and 235 were car motors made to work in a truck.