I am looking at a new project, a 1954 GMC 630 series road tractor, It has a 503 ci 6 banger and an sae bellhousinged 5553 spicer trans. I am wondering if I can get a 5.9 to bolt up to this trans. Just because it is an sae bell does that give some hope?

 

I know you can get either a SAE 2 or SAE 3 adapter plate. One the thing with them is the starter is on the passenger side.

 

Oh maybe I did know that, but aren't they harder to find?

 

Were these transmissions synchonized? I don't know, but if i remember correctly most back then weren't. You might want to check that out as well as the availabilty of parts. I had a spicer 4sp auxillary from a 63 or 64 Pete that parts were no longer available for it. Hope it works for ya but you might check this out before spending much on it. Good luck with the project.

 

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You may or may not find some information here :

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/SM420.htm

Scroll way down for the Spicer 5-speed listings.

If the information you seek is not listed, I bet if you join their forum a lot of those guys will know what you need to know.

 

More old GM information :

http://www.stovebolt.com/


Going back a little farther.

 

Im sorry about that guys!!

 

This is actually an old fire truck I want to turn into an old road tractor. It has 4,815 miles. I got a factory 1954 maintenance manual that practically tells you how to rebuild the whole truck. The trans is synchronized. However double clutching is suggested on downshifting. I think a 5.9 would be about perfect for this size truck. The trans is huge, with a 14 inch clutch. Not sure which size on the bell.

 

First has synco's? Most dont that i have seen. Even if it isnt, sholdnt need first most the time if it s geared low enough