Specifications of a 1959 GMC Truck
- The standard engines for 1959 GMC trucks were the in-line six-cylinder 270, 302 or the 347 cubic-inch V-8. The cylinder block and upper crankcase were cast as one-piece. The type 270 motor produced 130 to 140 horsepower at 3,400 rpm with a compression ratio of 7.75-to-1. The type 302 had a 4-inch bore and stroke and generated 160 horsepower.
- The 1959 GMC trucks' suspension consisted of semi-elliptic front and rear springs. The trucks had Spicer or GMC semi-floating hypoid axles with Hotchkiss drives. The axles had integral housing units. A vacuum-operated differential lock was optional. The trucks had mechanical or hydraulic power-assisted steering worm gears.
- The 1959 GMC trucks had a standard syncromesh three-speed manual gearbox with Hydra-Matic linkage. Four-or five-speed manuals were optional. The helical gear-tooth transmission was bolted directly to the flywheel housing. A 10-inch or 11-inch dry-disc clutch was standard. Trucks up to Series 250 had hydraulic drum-brakes. Series 300 and up used Hydrovac power brakes.