Chassis & Engine Number Interpretation

[Researcher]

Gents,

This is my first post, and I admit to being pretty ignorant in the subject matter, so please forgive the elementary nature of the question.

I have a reference to a GMC 1964(?) Carryall, 4x4. It had the following engine and chassis numbers listed (below). My query is: what do these numbers 'tell' us?

Engine: 305E/30407A

Chassis: PF1463A

It was a rather special vehicle converted by Sperry-Sun systems to a 4 wheel steer for use with a Ground Elevation Meter.

Any info about the above numbers would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike C - 'Researcher'

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Researcher

Gents,

This is my first post, and I admit to being pretty ignorant in the subject matter, so please forgive the elementary nature of the question.

I have a reference to a GMC 1964(?) Carryall, 4x4. It had the following engine and chassis numbers listed (below). My query is: what do these numbers 'tell' us?

Engine: 305E/30407A

Chassis: PF1463A

It was a rather special vehicle converted by Sperry-Sun systems to a 4 wheel steer for use with a Ground Elevation Meter.

Any info about the above numbers would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike C - 'Researcher'

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/VinNumber.htm will give you the info that you need. one needs the complete vin# to identify the truck. what you gave gives the location of assembly, year , the nbr od build and the axle capacity.
if you look more into that site it will hold most info that you need. it is a 305 eng'
there is also a picture of that vehicle in one of the galleries
I did ask some questions about that articulating rear axle a few years back but got know answers.
these guys will want pictures so you better post some before they bug the crap out of you
ron

[Researcher]

Thanks, Ron,

That site helped a lot.

The four wheel steer vehicles were produced in both LHD (maybe four?) and RHD (two only). They were converted to carry the Ground Elevation Meter (GEM) part of which was a short swing arm with a fifth wheel mounted under the body below the driver. The fifth wheel measured distance travelled, while a pendulum device attached to the front and rear axles measured tilt, ie angle. By combining both measurements, changes in elevation were calculated, thereby giving altitude at any point along the route of travel. The four wheel steer was necessary to ensure the fifth wheel tracked with the front and rear wheels when cornering.

Used by USGS, Canadian Geodetic Survey and in Australia (RHD version).

Mike C (Researcher)