Hey Rich any luck finding out the back story to the GMC 361s?
I had an idea or theory really. Maybe they were built in the later days of WWII as a more powerful replacement engine for the half tracks and cargo trucks. But never or rarely used.
On pg 216 of RGS Story vol 12, there is a shot of the just rebuilt 361 for #5, the caption says in part. "
The straight-six engines were built to military specs in 1946-1947 at GMC's Pontiac plant in Michigan, and they were intended for use in vehicles such as half-tracks and six-by trucks." This supports my theory, The use of the word "intended" to me implies a replacement to me.
What do you think?
Also recently there was a letter on ebay for sale from Hamilton motors in Montrose, CO dated July 31, 1936. (A Buick, and Pontiac dealer.) The letter was to C.W. Crowser in regard to the ford v8 they bought for #7. The gentleman from Hamilton Motors was advising them that the v8 would give them troubles, And he recommended a motor with 150 brake test HP. He went on to say that they have motors only developing 85hp that he did not recommend, but he did recommend GMC, valve in head, heavy duty motors. Here is a link to the ended listing.
ebay I forgot to bid on it, dang.
This letter could be pre-dateing the 361s but its pointing in the direction on a GMC straight six as early as 1936. And it could explain where they might have ordered the engines.