My new 53 GMC 100

[Curt C]

Hello All. First I would like to properly introduce myself. I am Curt and I live in Las Vegas. I recently got the old truck bug and picked up a local 1953 GMC 100-22. The truck is in very good shape and underwent a restoration around 1989 based on the documentation. No rust and very little metal work. No bondo bombs! An older man had it and drove it until 1994 when it apparently quit running. He later gave the truck to his grandson in 2009 and it sat another 7 years. The kid did not have the space or time to get it going. The engine turns over but has two stuck valves and two bent push rods. I think someone tried to start it with bad gas. Receipts show a complete engine rebuild in 1989. The head is off and can easily be repaired. I am in the process of cleaning up the gas tank, radiator and brake system. With hope, the head job along with a tune up will get it running.

When I bought the truck I priced it based on a non-running engine. My thought was to get a truck with a nice body, paint and interior and install IFS and a V8 for a nice driver. The plan was to get the original engine running if possible and sell it along with the drivetrain to an interested buyer. Now I am not so sure. The truck appears to be mostly stock. It has a newer radiator and the original Zenith carburetor is gone. It has some newer style mag rims and new paint was received in the late 80’s. Besides that I think its stock. It still has the 6 volt system and generator. Original gauges are still present and appear to work as best I can tell. Drum brakes and a single master cylinder still stop the stock suspension. See pics below. Pardon the quality. Truck is stuck in the garage for a while.

I don’t like the thought of tearing up a survivor. Is this a survivor or does the new paint disqualify it? Maybe I should just clean it up, get it running and put it back on the market. Make a little change and put that towards a truck that has already been modified? Maybe I am just being silly. What are your thoughts old truck mavens?

Regardless I am having fun pulling her apart and learning about the mechanicals. My background is Ford and road race mustangs. I know a little about E36 M3’s too. Its funny but my first vehicle was a 1958 Chevy Apache that was my great Uncles. I bought it for $1,000 from his estate. I had big dreams for that truck but high school kids have very little money as we all know. It was so faded it was literally pink.

[iowaboynca]

Welcome and gotta love them

yikes that is in good shape. Heck all the work is done!

So do you want something to tinker on and turn into a driver or are you looking to flip? I guess the reason I ask is I can see why you don't want to tear into it too much.

In my opinion, and its just that, I believe any of these trucks that can be put back on the road is a 'survivor'. I could be wrong but you're not going to find too many purists on the site as most of the guys just want you to enjoy the truck and make it yours. Just don't bag it....

Anyway that's a real nice truck and look forward to what you do with it.

[joedoh]

gorgeous! I prefer the GMC front ends.

I was a bmw nut for a lot of years too, I wish the US would have gotten the euro s50b30 for the e36 instead of a cammed m50!

[lynx5653]

I say keep it ,get running good fix it up mechanically and enjoy the hell out it.

[Softpatch]

NICE.!
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get it running see if you don't like it as - is
it's hard to knock a very straight old truck
if not drive it till you find one thats has what you want sell that one
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[Zoomin]

Dang, what a nice truck!

From what I see on the auctions, the original looking trucks of this genre fetch the big bucks.

[73kay]

Be different and keep the motor, the solid axle, the stock height. lol so many of us Drop a 350 and ifs. But maybe get an appreciation for the old girl and see what happens.

[Jemezcrusher]

Fun to drive an old truck in stock trim. Only reason I am modifying mine is that it was in a crash and I got a good insurance check.

Plan was to drive as is until I wore it out, then modify. If you can get that baby running, drive it for a while. You may just want to keep it like it is

[av8tr33337]

Wow thats nice. If it was me, I'd keep it like it is and drive it. I would find something rougher to bring back to life. But it's yours so do what makes you happy.

[CATMdude45]

Is it numbers matching? That would be the decision factor for keeping it stock for me. If it is not then it would depend on what you are looking for, there are several people who have an original as a daily driver. It is not as comfortable as a ride that has IFS ect but they are still fun to drive. Great looking truck! I am a little jealous as my 52 is not in that nice of condition yurt.

[Curt C]

I have not been able to locate a GMC engine block number decoder. The block number is 228 353768. Anyone know how to decipher?

[STOCKISH]

Block # should match vin# as faras originality, Id be interested in actual engine specs alsdo

[joedoh]

its a 228 cu in gmc the rest of the numbers are production numbers for the engine, I believe the 3 53 is march of 53 production and its the 768th engine made that year? maybe that month, 768 sounds low for 3 months of engines. there were letters after the engine size if they used first or second oversize bearings, A was first oversize, B, etc.

the 228 is a hell of a motor, full pressure oiling and 5 inches longer than a chevy motor. thats why the rad is tucked inside the core support and the front crossmember moves the engine mount up a couple inches.

Originally Posted by STOCKISH

Block # should match vin# as faras originality, Id be interested in actual engine specs alsdo

it wont. blocks were serialized separately from the truck vin that was applied on the production line. this causes a lot of problems for titling because before 1957 the title usually had the ENGINE number not the vin tag number. then the engine gets replaced and the title doesnt get updated, leaving the owner, who never did anything wrong, in a bind. most states will not scrutinize 49 and earlier because of this, but the 50-55 guys still have this problem a lot.

[Curt C]

I think perhaps I have a numbers matching vehicle. The transmission shows:

12 B273
GM
59 1953

I think it is a 4 speed and has a floor shift.

Joedoh - Do you know of a publication to verify the numbers for engine and tranny?

[Softpatch]

IDK still would drive it
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[Advanced Design]

That is a beauty. My vote / suggestion...,get it running and enjoy for a while, then determine if you are pleased with it or desire something different.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Curt C

I think perhaps I have a numbers matching vehicle. The transmission shows:

12 B273
GM
59 1953

I think it is a 4 speed and has a floor shift.

Joedoh - Do you know of a publication to verify the numbers for engine and tranny?

no, I know what I know about gmc engines because I tried for six miserable and unrewarding months to sell a 248 GMC motor.

I think you can relax on number matching, it probably matters to impala ss cars where only X number were available with certain trim and drivetrain. they made hundreds of thousands of trucks just like yours. most had their engines replaced because they were work vehicles. transmissions were built to last two lifetimes, there is an excellent chance that your trans is factory installed but even if its not, its not a rockcrusher m22, its a 4 speed toploader with granny first. again, hundreds of thousands.

clean and neat, thats what you want, and thats what you got, its gorgeous. outside of clean and neat, factory options drive price. hydramatic GMCs, semaphores, flashlights, radios, extra padding seats, stuff like that.

[Curt C]

Thanks folk. I intend to get it running. Parts are ordered. I do intend to drive it. Just curious about what I have. For safety reasons I will be installing a dual master and 3 point harnesses.

[joedoh]

is the truck converted to 12v? it occurs to me that the gauges on a 53 should be grey, not tan, and the ammeter is the chevy style D ---- C instead of the GMC -50 ---- +50 gauge. is it still positive ground?

[Curt C]

I don't know. How can I tell? The seller put a new 6 volt battery in there but he may have not known as he never got it running. The output seems really low - the lights are super dim and the starter is very slow. The positive terminal goes to the starter and the negative terminal goes to ground - frame rail. Looks to still have an old generator. Is this in fact a 12 volt? Do I have the cables backwards? That cant be. What does positive ground mean?

[Curt C]

Well I see some early GMC's did have positive ground. I never knew such a thing existed. My research tells me it should still run even with the poles reversed? How can I tell if the wiring has been converted to 12 volt? That might explain the dim lights and slow starter.

[joedoh]

the generator will tell you if it is 6v or 12v, it should be on the tag. if its got an alternator, its definitely 12v. you can also look at the backs of the gauges (with a mirror or I just cram my phone up behind things haha) most times the 12v will have a sticker, alternatively you can pull a gauge bulb and look at the stamping on the base.

53 gmc should be positive ground.

[Curt C]

Thank you. I will research this weekend and advise. I am away on business. Positive ground.... Fascinating.

[Ken B]

Man that sure is nice! I think the only thing I'd change would be the rims....

[Curt C]

Yeah, I dont care much for the rims either. I think a nice pair or 15 inch smoothies with red on stainless GMC hubcaps would be nice.

FYI I did find a place to decode GMC VINs http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0010.html My vin plate does confirm 1953 also which is good to know.

I will advise on the electrical system this weekend