Trivia

When you check your truck odometer for a replacement, note the gear taper that turns the five numbered mileage wheels on the odometer assembly. Some have straight gears and others tapered.  Each have 15 teeth. The rule on Chevrolet, GMC and other GM vehicles is as follows: If the odometer gear teeth are straight cut, the unit fits below the...

The Chevrolet Cameo and GMC Suburban Carrier came with rubber floor mats like the other GM trucks (no carpet) except for one exception. This is the story! The exterior of all 1955 Cameos were painted only one way! It was Bombay Ivory with Cardinal Red on the vertical post behind the door, the lower inside panels of the bed, and...

During the mid-1950’s General Motors begin seeing the trend of increased demand for 4 wheel drive trucks. Not to miss a good opportunity they decided to offer this option in 1957. As it would require several years to develop their own 4x4 system plus the back road testing, GM “temporarily” used the best of the pre-existing systems. They bought kits...

If you really like learning about old Chevy truck six cylinder history, this article is for you. We recently visited Jerry’s Chevy Restorations in Polo, Missouri and noticed an interesting display on a side wall of his shop. Jerry has the complete series of Chevrolet “Stovebolt” six cylinder valve covers used on cars and trucks between 1937 and 1962. This...

One of the most important factors in successful engine operation is to keep the water at far below the boiling temperature. This is best done by matching the radiator with the fan blade. On 1939-53 Chevrolet trucks there was a change in cooling fans depending on the demands the truck might have. The following three fan blade assemblies were as...

This data may be of interest to those restoring a 1938 Chevy truck or car grill to look very authentic. After the chrome plating was added at the factory additional appearance steps were necessary. The extended metal on the horizontal bars were given a satin black paint. The two outer verticals were also given this satin black coating on their...

  In mid-1955 General Motors introduced their long awaited new trucks, often referred to as the Second Series. The first half of the year 1955 (the first series)) GM continued to market the 1954 body style. They remained with the 6 volt system. Though Chevrolet trucks made a complete change-over from a 6 to 12 volt electrical system, GMC did...

Though the major cab and fender sheet metal change began in mid -1947 (Advance Design), both the Chevrolet and GMC trucks kept their same proven six cylinder engines as used in prior years. The base engine in GMC light trucks was the 228 cubic inch inline six cylinder introduced in 1939. This overhead valve unit had a full pressure oil system...

The Problem The closed drive shaft ( on GM 1/2 ton, 1937-54) is supported at the front by two bushings. As these wear egg shaped over many miles, the drive shaft begins to move up and down. This ruins the grease seal and causes the u-joint to begin rubbing the "bell" that covers it. Thus noise and vibration! Finally, with...

The two series of exterior door handles on GM trucks between the years 1934-46 are certainly different yet they share a few similar features of interest. One characteristic which seems strange today is that the handles lock the right doors only, not on the left. This occurs on GM trucks from the early 1920's to about 1959. At this time...

Push buttons were discontinued at the end of 1953 and did not reappear until 1967 Prior to 1959 radios used mechanical vibrator tubes. They would operate with either positive or negative ground. A low buzzing sound could always be heard from the tube area before the radio warmed up, once the sound began, the speaker made the buzzing difficult to...