59 GMC 9400

[Don Low]

Hi all,
New guy here. I have a 59 gmc 9400, two ton Canadian truck.
Exhaust manifold is shot, and the intake isn’t far behind. I can’t seem to find after market sources for these
I am thinking of a different engine , 350?
Something I can get parts for readily. the truck has has little to no rust so it would make a good little dump truck.
any help would be appreciated

 

[Bill Hanlon]

Can you read the casting numbers from the manifolds? Most likely be a 7 digit number. They are likely to be the same as '59 Chevy parts. I have some Canadian part numbers somewhere in my garage and have access to many more.

 

[Don Low]

Can you read the casting numbers from the manifolds? Most likely be a 7 digit number. They are likely to be the same as '59 Chevy parts. I have some Canadian part numbers somewhere in my garage and have access to many more.

Thanks for the reply Bill. , I will have a look. the truck is all original, I’m questioning my wisdom to try to get the truck running properly with the old six cyl engine and all the old accessories.
I’m leaning towards a newer small block but would have to build motor mounts and a most likely instal a new cross member

 

[Don Low]

Can you read the casting numbers from the manifolds? Most likely be a 7 digit number. They are likely to be the same as '59 Chevy parts. I have some Canadian part numbers somewhere in my garage and have access to many more.

 

[Don Low]

Bill
Part # 3835587 is the exhaust
# 3835590 intake
If I could readily get new or good serviceable used items I would see if it’s worth using the 6 cyl. 350 parts are plentiful in Alberta.
lots of riverboats use that engine up here and most likely I could have an engine that would work as long as it matches up to the existing bell housing and clutch

 

[Bill Hanlon]

Don: I don't have much info on Canadian trucks. I'm guessing the engine is a Chevy 261. Smaller GMC trucks of your vintage were equipped with 235 Chevy inline 6 cylinder engine or 283 V8s. Larger trucks had either a Chevy 261 six cylinder engine or a Buick 322 V8. I don't know where the dividing line between "smaller" and "larger" is. A V8 swap into yours should fairly easy. Your bellhousing should bolt to early V8s and adapters are available to take your bellhousing to late Chevy LS engines.

I'd suggest posting your questions at The Stovebolt Forum There are a bunch of people there with Canadian trucks and parts books for them.

 

[Don Low]

Hi Bill
The truck is a 2 ton model with I believe the 261 engine. I’ve got two of them. One is a 55 chev and I found the 59 and bought it as a parts truck but it looks like I’m needing parts for both No rust at all on the 55 and very little on the 59, tiny bit in the bottom of the cab corners and corners of the doors. the 55 came from an airport in the NWT, however it got a bath for 10 days under the Mackenzie River when an ice dam blocked the flow, flooded real fast. then it sat for 5 yrs or so until I acquired it. A few dents to fix from the ice beating it up, but the engine and transmission are in bad shape.
Thanks for your input, I’ll check out the stove bolt forum.

 

[Bill Hanlon]

Looks like you are in luck with the manifolds Don.

Info from GMPartsWiki -
Exhaust manifold - casting # 3835587 = GM Part# 3694164, used on ALL Chevy 6 cylinder engines 1955-62
Intake Manifold - casting # 3835590 = GM Part# 3694163, used on ALL Chevy 6 cylinder engines 1950-58 EXCEPT 216 engines.

Should be easy to find both.