1941 GMC K18 lives again

[1960studedriver]

Hey everyone,
Starting a new thread for the restoration of my K18 radio comm truck. So far, I have it all apart and am working on the mechanical stuff first. Vacuumed all the mouse nests out, pressure washed and cleaned everything. The engine actually turned over ok with a big bar on the flywheel, hooked up the starter and it cranked over nice and quick so I put all the spark plugs back in and it cranked just as fast as with no plugs.... pulled valve cover and pretty much all valves were stuck open so now the head is at the shop, cracked all the way front to back from freezing.

Anyone have a 235 GMC/Chevy cylinder head? Maybe a whole engine if its in descent shape?

$$$

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

You've got an awesome project there. Many of us are looking forward to watching your progress and this truck's resurrection.

Just remember.....

 

[topo]

Is your engine a Chevrolet 235 or a GMC 270 ?

 

[SCM35A2]

Subscribed!

 

[1960studedriver]

Is your engine a Chevrolet 235 or a GMC 270 ?

95% sure its the 235 but how would I tell the difference? From the research I did, the GMC 235 was what it came with.

 

[Oldfart]

NO! Almost positive the K18 GMC came with a 270 CID GMC engine. (and military version to boot.)

 

[Oldfart]

https://history.gmheritagecenter.co...ine_of_the_First_Century_of_GMC_Truck_History

 

[Oldfart]

It may well be a GMC 248 CID engine. In any case it is a GMC and not a Chevy. Found this post from a thread about K18 GMC's

Jeff Lakaszcyck
02-25-2012, 21:50
That's quite a rare truck you have there. The CF 351, or K18 in Signal Corps parlance, was used as a transmitting and receiving station, and was used with the trailer in the attached photo. The body was by the Hicks Body Company of Lebanon Indiana. If it still has the original engine it will be a GMC 248 ci overhead valve six with a 4 speed transmission. According to Fred Crismon's "U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles" the Army took delivery of 258 K18's in 1941, and 109 in 1942. The attached photo is from the Life Magazine Collection.

 

[1960studedriver]

NO! Almost positive the K18 GMC came with a 270 CID GMC engine. (and military version to boot.)

Ok I'm leaning closer to the idea of it being a 270. Most likely. I've only worked on Studebakers and airplanes so this is out of the ordinary for me haha.

 

[papabear]

If your engine is original it should be a GMC 248CI from all my research. Mine now has a 270 however as the 248 had a busted block as well as the head. It is stamped on the block but I can't remember where.

I hope you may find a little help by reading thru this thread I started on mine about three years ago:

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?118984-1941-K18-C-GMC-Recovered-today&highlight=


It is fun to drive and certainly turns some heads going down the road.

 

[wheelspinner]

Sacreligous I know, but have dreamed of one of those bodies on a modern driveline with a durmax.

 

[Oldfart]

Having looked under the hood of several K18's I would have to comment that as nice an idea that is, shoehorning a Duramax in that engine pit would take massive effort.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Somethings should remain a dream.

 

[papabear]

Having looked under the hood of several K18's I would have to comment that as nice an idea that is, shoehorning a Duramax in that engine pit would take massive effort.

I concur!! There's not room to whip a cat in that engine bay....actually, I don't see why anyone would WANT to whip a cat in the engine bay...But if they DID want to....

 

[porkysplace]

I concur!! There's not room to whip a cat in that engine bay....actually, I don't see why anyone would WANT to whip a cat in the engine bay...But if they DID want to....

Well maybe wreckerman , he probably has several recipes for cat/opossum.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Well maybe wreckerman , he probably has several recipes for cat/opossum.

Speaking of Wreckerman, he seems have been possum free for awhile now.

 

[zout]

How bout the body on an RV pusher rolling chassis...probably take some shortening.

 

[steelypip]

A saner choice of powerplant would probably be a Cummins 4BT. Probably doesn't weigh any more than the stock 6 cyl, is the right shape (long and narrow), and is shorter than the stock engine, so would allow some flexibility in transmission options.

 

[Oldfart]

Yes on the 4BT fitting. I once rode around in an M37 that was fitted with a Detroit Diesel 3 cylinder out of a Gamma Goat. The owner switched centers in Goat wheels to make them fit the M37. Duece transmission and more. It was a screamer in more ways than one. Something like that might fit as well.

 

[papabear]

Unless you change trans/rear axles etc it won't matter much how you power it. The 270 ( bored 60 over) in mine has more than enough power and I just keep thinking...dang...I need another gear!!