1960 B Model 5500

[kennythedford]

Hey guys im new here but not to the v6 world. I have a 1960 B Model 5500 that i would like to get on the road but i cant find any info on this truck. It has 38,496.1 miles on it and has been sitting for 20+ years. Its a short wheel base single rear axle with a split rear end. It has a 401 V6 and air over hydralic brakes. The motor runs great but the clutch/brake mastercylinder,clutch slave cylinder, and wheel cylinders need to be rebuilt or replaced. I also need a fuel pump and a water pump. My question is; Are these parts the same as the pick-up version 305? I know the wheel cylinders are not but the fuel pump, water pump, and the slave look like the same thing as a 62 305 1/2 ton I drove for 17 years. The matercylinder looks the same but has a third line (return mabey) in the middle of the resevoir body. Goin to try and add pics. Any info or help would be great.

[6066gmcguy]

air over hydralic brakes would not have wheel cylinders, so you have a hyd brake booster and that 3rd line is how the brake fuild gets down to it. The Dual master cyl mite look tha same but its that 3rd line that makes if differant. clutch slave cylinder may be bigger than for a pickup, so far evey one I have seen is larger.

[6066gmcguy]

You can find info for your truck on my website, the 6066 GMC Guy, link below.

also on the GMC 3500-9500 Year & Model Information (http://www.6066gmcguy.org/TwoTon.htm) page & the 1960-1966 GMC B-Model Trucks (http://www.6066gmcguy.org/Bmodel.htm) Page.

I have posted a lot of info over the years on the site, but B-Model info is harder to find, but most of the info found on the site will cover differant parts of your truck.

[kennythedford]

Your site is the reason I am on here asking for help. Its great to have other people that find these trucks as cool and strange as i do. Im greatfull for all the work you have done. I hope as I get into this beast more I can help add to your vast knowledge.
As for the brakes on this monster, I think a basic V6 m/c will work if i drill and tap the third hole in the body. As for the slave I can not find one anywhere, not even a rebuild kit. The booster is a whole new challenge.

[bigblockv6]

Your 401 will have the larger style water pump that will not interchange with the 305 used in light duty trucks, your type is rebuildable. I've come across these on ebay and there was one on auction just a couple of weeks ago. Fuel pumps will be the same but you'll need the earlier 1960-65 style, I do have a new one of these if you're interested. Pete Chronis Northern Cal.

[6066gmcguy]

I have heard of peolpe finding rebuilt kits for the boooster, also you mite look on the links page of my site for "Burgie's 1964 Chevy", he cover just about the entire rebuilt of that truck. I'm pretty sure he covered that on there.

[kennythedford]

Thank you all for your help. I will check out all yall have given me. Im excited to get into this truck deeper, apparently these B models are kinda rare ugly ducklings. But thats why i like it. Thanks again and any other helpfull hints are great.

[Funky61]

Does it kinda look like this? Something from another truck site.

[kennythedford]

Yep thats it only not with the cool fenders and running boards...YET! Im trying to add a pic but im havin trouble. My skills on a keyboard are limited.

[kennythedford]

235 Ok here it is.

[6066gmcguy]

I like siting up hight like you do in a B-model, but for some reason every one wants to made them lowered. below are 2 photos, one of a B-model body on a 1 ton chassis and one that has had the wheelbase shortened

[BillT]

Truck looks great just the way it is. I like them up high as well. Looks like it has pretty nice sheet metal.

Bill

[kennythedford]

The body is in really good shape, just some minor surface rust. One small dent in the passenger fender right above the bumper. The pass side butterfly hood has a 1/2 inch tear in the sheet metal where the hing mounts to the center. The bad problem is the roof of the cab. The cab light seals have leaked and the inside of the cab above the sun visor is rusted out pretty bad where the water has collected. I think i can just cut it out and replace it, but thats in the future. Other than that its a great survivor. With 38,000 miles on it, the mechanical parts are good and tight, the motor runs like a sewing machine.