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GMC Specifications
(2 1/2 ton)
 

General Specifications 

 

Fluid Capacities

Radiator: 19 quarts

Crankcase: 10 quarts (oil filter takes 1.5 quarts) 20 weight.

Air Filter: 1 quart 30W or current crankcase oil

Transmission: 13 pints (14 with PTO) 90W

Transfer Case: 7 pints (Split Housing)  4 pints (Banjo Type) 90W

Front Axle Housing: 7 pints (Split Housing) or 13.5 pints (Banjo Type) 90W

Rear Axle Housing: 7 pints (Split Housing) or 17 pints (Banjo Type) 90W

 

Ignition Specs for GMC 270 cid

Spark Plug Gap: .025
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4
Point Gap: .018 - .024"
Distributor Rotation: CCW
Initial Timing Setting: 5 degrees BUDC
Intake Valve Clearance: .012 - hot   (older models below 270-11344 use .006)
Exhaust Valve Clearance: .012 - hot  (older models below 270-11344 use .013)

 

 

Parts Reference

Item	Replacement Part	Notes
Oil Filter	NAPA 1503	(same as Chevy 235)
Gas filter	NAPA 3042	This will fit perfectly in the original filter case.  Just put a medium spring under it to keep the seal. In-line filter also recommended.
Spark Plugs	AC  R45 or AC 44 Champion  J8	14 mm
Plug Wire Set	NAPA 700173
Points	NAPA CS763A	(same as Chevy 235)
Distributor cap	NAPA RR95	(same as Chevy 235)
Rotor	NAPA RR83	(same as Chevy 235)
Condenser	NAPA  RR174	(same as Chevy 235)
Coil (6V)	NAPA 29730	(same as Chevy 235)
Fan belt	NAPA 25-28437	For the 7/8 fan belt
Top radiator hose	Gates 21942	Cut to fit
Lower radiator hose	Any 1 1/2"	Cut to fit
Brake Cylinders	Available from VOV with stainless sleeves Go to parts	Front left must be rebuilt to clear knuckle.
Brake Shoes	Available from VOV Go to parts
Master Cylinder	NAPA # 2842	Available from VOV with stainless sleeves Go to parts
Hydrovac	Bendix 2510296
Front wheel bearings	Same as Chevy (Jim Carter ME390)
Rear wheel bearings
Front axle seal	Banjo axle same as Chevy (All seals also available from von Rosenthiel)	Anyone have NAPA  #'s for these?
Rear axle seal
Front Knuckle Seal	Same as Chevy on Banjo Axles
Thermostat	Temp Guard B-306
1/4 X 20 X 3/4" clutch head screws	Filling Station # GM1251	Available from "The Filling Station"
Front knuckle seals	(All seals also available from von Rosenthiel)
Valve grind gasket set	NAPA HS1935S	Thanks to Mark Norman
Full overhaul gasket set	NAPA FS1935S	Thanks to Mark Norman
Exhaust manifold donut	NAPA F7139	Thanks to Mark Norman
Windshield  Rubber for Open Cab	Beechwood Canvas #B2042-R	Lists it is for Dodge, but fits nice.  Cement ends together

Note: See Other Resources for suppliers mentioned here and others

 

Vehicle Identification
 

Year of design	Type	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Longer than standard wheelbase
A - 1939 B - 1940 C - 1941 D - 1942	C - standard cab F - Forward cab U - Amphibian	K	W	X

Examples
CCKW = 1941 truck with standard cab, front and rear wheel drive
DUKW = 1942 designed truck with amphibious capabilities and front & rear wheel drive

 

Symbols	Meaning
CCKW 352 CCKW 353 A B C D E F G H 1 2	short wheelbase long wheelbase cargo body w/o winch cargo body w/ winch stake wagon gasoline tanker w/o winch gas tanker w/ winch  van body water tanker w/o winch dump with winch   Split axles Banjo axles

                      

 

 

CCKW Axle Types

Split Axles:  These look a little like two funnels bolted over a ring gear.  They share the same REAR brakes as Banjo axle GMC and the Chevy 1 1/2 ton trucks.  The front shoes and cylinders are different. About half the CCKW's had split axles.  These were made by Timken as GMC could not keep up with producing the quantities needed of their own banjo axles.
Classic "Split" axle

Banjo Type Axles:  These split parallel to the axle shaft and look similar to modern rear differentials.  They are used on all Chevys and 50% of the CCKW's.  The FRONT axle is the same as the Chevy except for the U-joint yoke and steering ball.  They share the same bearings/seals/brakes, etc. The Banjo axle is considered to be the stronger of the two.

Sources:
Standard Catalog of Military Vehicles 1940-1965, Thomas Berndt, 1993

TM10-1127 Chevrolet Maintenance Manual 1 1/2 ton Trucks 1941
US Military Wheeled Vehicles, Fred Crimson, 1983
Vehicles of Victory Portrayal Press

The GMC - A Universal Truck    Jean Michel Boniface