GM Semis

[junkmandan3]

That crackerbox on Craigslist has a few different options.............like the dual headlights, I've never seen that treatment before, but those fender panels are fiberglass so could easily be modified. But what puzzles me is-----Where is the shift lever. Normally the lever sits on that pad that stays down when cab is tilted, plus the pad with brake valves is smaller than I remember . Ad says 5 and 3 which would be an Eaton 3 speed axle that was popular in that era on tandems . Truck looks good but 2-3000 is more reasonable for the antique. Owner is a farmer because of the box for sickle bar knives on the doghouse.

238 and 6-71 or 6V71 is used interchangably , as is 318 and 8V71 ..........just the popular max HP rating of the respective engines.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Dan,

Now that I study on it a little, those Headlight Bezels look a lot like '59 Chevy car Bezels.

I thought the same thing about the Shifter, lol. Where is it? But as mentioned, I don't have much experience with these type of trucks and thought maybe it was hiding along side the seat ??

Bill

[junkmandan3]

Bill-------I'll never forget the shift lever coming up through the platform fixed over the engine..............because if you didn't position the lever just perfect when you let the cab down, it would set on the lever and spring the bottom of the cab hole which meant noise and dirt forever. The first bunch of a half dozen or so that Gateway bought had the 6V71s that didn't have water below port blocks . Cables on shift linkage that got stiff, so GMC came up with a rod setup which was better. But because of the block design, the original engines only went 100 to 130K before overhaul in tandem axle tractors. Those were 60-61 vintage . About 1962 or 63 they got about 20 IHC DCO405s that had the V6 with water below port blocks that lived better. Also bought some single axle units from GMC that were OK . I had been transferred to Cleveland in '63 when they got a small group of B series with inline 71s. The Florida company,[Tamiami] , had a bunch of D 860s when Gateway bought that company . I picked up some literature this summer and Tamiami had glowing comments about that combo.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Dan,

Luckily (matter of opinion though I guess), the company I worked for always bought Conventional Cab trucks. The main reason I have little experience with Cab Overs. A friend of mine drove Medium GMC COE's and he would complain about them now and then. I actually can't remember ever driving any type of COE. Rode in a few though. The exception would be GMC "Old Look" buses. I drove a few of those along with 1 GMC "Fishbowl" (one style newer than the "Old Look" (Jackie Gleason type) for those not familiar with the term).

Bill

[studda]

Here's another Craigslist find:
1977 GMC 7500
twin screw road tractor
427 gas
5 tranny with 2 speed rear end
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4272798932.html

[KQQL IT]

Beer... in my best Homer Simpson
Voice

PAcarhauler pic

[studda]

A few more of the same truck above:

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Nice Heavy Medium.

Not a bad price either, although they are calling it a "Farm Truck". May not be road worthy in it's present condition, but still looks like a pretty good deal.

Bill

[junkmandan3]

Nice truck, clean, and money is fair, but.........those alligator hoods are accidents looking for a place to happen.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by junkmandan3

.........those alligator hoods are accidents looking for a place to happen.

Dan,

I don't have much experience with these newer Mediums as I stop at '72, but what is an an "Alligator Hood" ??

[studda]

I think the "alligator hood" is a reference to the way it opens. Think of an alligator opening its mouth. Just imagine a motor between the bottom rows of teeth.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by studda

I think the "alligator hood" is a reference to the way it opens. Think of an alligator opening its mouth. Just imagine a motor between the bottom rows of teeth.

I believe you are right, lol !!

I agree, that truck should have had a Tlit Front End. I almost thought it did for a second as there is some kind of Rubber Seal on the Fender, but obviously it doesn't.

Bill

[junkmandan3]

Bill---My descriptions for 3 types of hoods for conventional cab trucks is : Alligator [Studda is right], Butterfly [opens both sides], and tilt.............. I had a '73 GMC 7500 6V53 horse van with butterfly hood , they are deadly like an alligator hood unless you carry a step ladder . There was NO way a driver could pull a dipstick or check coolant level safely. OSHA shudda barred them years ago .

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by junkmandan3

Bill---My descriptions for 3 types of hoods for conventional cab trucks is : Alligator [Studda is right], Butterfly [opens both sides], and tilt.............. I had a '73 GMC 7500 6V53 horse van with butterfly hood , they are deadly like an alligator hood unless you carry a step ladder . There was NO way a driver could pull a dipstick or check coolant level safely. OSHA shudda barred them years ago .

Dan,

I'm well familiar with the Butterfly and the Tilt, but never heard the term "Alligator" before, lol. Makes sense though.

I had a truck pretty close to what you had. I had a '67 GMC 7500 with a 6V-53 and a Butterfly Hood. It's been a while, but I used to put my foot up on the Bumper somehow, jump up on it and would balance myself the best I could to check the Oil. Only one day I was concentrating too much on jumping up there and forgot to duck the corner of the Hood that was propped up in the air. I can still remember the pain.

Now I believe you had (or have) a few yourself, but my '71 9500 had a Tilt. As drivers, like most, we were required to check the Oil and Water every morning. I also did some minor repairs on it. Sure was a big difference.

Bill

[studda]

Originally Posted by special-K

She's a stout one. Maybe a grain hauler is what they meant. Those trucks usually age more gracefully. My back hurts just looking under that hood.(it was already hurtin,to be honest)

I see a lot of grain trucks here in the Midwest that are lightly used and look almost brand new. Farmers only use them very shortly at harvest time. Every other time of the year, they are shacked up in a barn.

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

I believe you are right, lol !!

I agree, that truck should have had a Tlit Front End. I almost thought it did for a second as there is some kind of Rubber Seal on the Fender, but obviously it doesn't.

Bill

I thought it did too, at first (I took a second look), based on the split in the front fender flare.

[special-K]

She's a stout one. Maybe a grain hauler is what they meant. Those trucks usually age more gracefully. My back hurts just looking under that hood.(it was already hurtin,to be honest)

[KQQL IT]

Not quite a semi but too cool

[studda]

That's one slick looking truck. Is that an LCF (new to the terminology)?

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Nice truck. A lot of people out there are fans of "patina", but I'll take brand new fresh paint anyday. That is some nice paint.

Studda, right, that is a Low Cab Forward.

Bill

[special-K]

Yep Studda. In this size GM the COE ended with the Advance Designs and the Task Masters began the LCF.

[junkmandan3]

Tim------In your post # 1 from Jan. 25, 5th picture down of the MH 9500 with the load of logs . Did you notice the triple train horns on the cab . That is a factory photo , and I've pointed that horn option out to people . I have a GMC sales data book from 1966 and shows that as an option . At the Mid America Truck show in Louisville , I asked at the Grover booth if they still made that horn . The lady factory rep did get back to me about 2 weeks after the show, and said "no longer available" . I' have pictures of one on another MH 9500 at the Colorado ATHS convention and show. Thanks for that pic.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by junkmandan3

Tim------In your post # 1 from Jan. 25, 5th picture down of the MH 9500 with the load of logs . Did you notice the triple train horns on the cab . That is a factory photo , and I've pointed that horn option out to people . I have a GMC sales data book from 1966 and shows that as an option . At the Mid America Truck show in Louisville , I asked at the Grover booth if they still made that horn . The lady factory rep did get back to me about 2 weeks after the show, and said "no longer available" . I' have pictures of one on another MH 9500 at the Colorado ATHS convention and show. Thanks for that pic.

That picture is a '67 GMC Trucks ad postcard they sent out. I have a set of 5 from pickup to that full tilt MH9500. I didn't know that. But,now that you pointed that out,I imagine they wouldn't show a truck dolled up with things they didn't offer. I know the dual stacks was an option. That's some truck!

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Dan,

Did your truck have an 8V-71?

[junkmandan3]

Originally was an 8V71, as were 99% of the MHs, but I have an 8V71T with front mounted turbo, similar to the more recent engines where they lowered the sillouete with the newer style plumbing that eliminated the emergency stop. Has the "broken back" rack with single adjusting screws which came out about 1977. Mine also had the RT 910 and was changed to 9513, SLHD Rockwell with 4.10 gears, Hendrickson spring and Stopmaster brakes .Our local vocational school did most of the modifications for me, I was on the advisory board for 27 years and gave them some "real world" projects .

[C10 - C90 Bill]

I sure would have liked to have been there at that Vocational School. Pretty cool project to work on.

Bill