Chevrolet 1956 Truck User manual

TRUCK
"OPERATORS
MANUAL

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PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
The following table will indicate some of the things which
should be done at regular mileage intervals to assure your
receiving the maximum in performance and economy.
I
Com·
Lubri· Clean plete
Pack
cate Change Air
Clean
Cross·
Tune
Inspec· Front Adjust
Mileage Chassis Oil Cleaner
Spark
Change Engine
tion
Wheel Brakes
* t t
Plugs
Tires By Bearings
Dealer
---- ---
---
---
------
---
------ ---
500 0
_1-
---- ---
---
--- ------ ---
1000 0
-1-1-
0
----
--
--- ---
---
2000 0 0
01==
----
3000 0
----
4000 0 0 0
o I 0
---
------ ---
5000 0 0 0 0
----
------
6000 0 0 0
----
-1-
=1=
7000
0
----
------
8000 0 0 0
---- --- --- ---
---
---
--- ---------
9000 0
------ ---
---
--- --- --- ---
10000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
After 10000 miles, repeat above schedule starting with 1000
mile operations at 11000, 21000, 31000 miles, etc.
Change Powermatic Transmission Oil every 15000 miles.
Change
Hydra-Matic Transmission Oil every 25000 miles.
For maintenance instructions, see "Transmission," in Chapter
II and "Automatic Transmission" in Chapter III .
.'
*For complete instructions, see Charts in Chapter III.
tFor complete recommendations on changing oil and proper grade of
oil
to use, see Chapter m.
:j:Also crankcase ventilator and hydrovac air cleaners when used.
The following operations should be done as indicated:
I
Flush
Period Check Check Air Cooling Add
Battery in Tires System Anti·Freeze
Weekly 0 0
Spring
0
Fall 0 0

OPERATOR'S MANUAL
For 1956
Chevrolet Light, Medium and
Heavy Duty Trucks
INTRODUCTION
This operator's and owner's
manual has been prepared to fur-
nish information pertaining to the
driving, care and maintenance of
Chevrolet trucks as well as to pro-
vide technical data that may be of
value or interest to truck owners .
The subject index at the right
is a ready reference to the key
subjects and will assist in finding
any subject covered in the booklet .
All information, illustrations
and specifications contained in
this literature are based on the
latest product information avail-
able at the time of publication
approval. The right is reserved to
make changes at any time wi th-
out notice.
Part No. 3730791
Chevrolet Motor Division
General Motors Corporation
Detroit 2, Michigan
Repri nted with Permissi on of
General Motors Corporation
SUB.JECT INDEX
Driver 's Operating
Information
Page
Breaking-in Period ........... 3
I nstruments and Controls ... .. 4
Prestarting Inspection ........ 14
Operating Instructions ........ 14
COld Weather Operation ....... 23
Hot Weather Operation ........ 24
Description, Care and
Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance .... . COver
Engine . ... .. .... . ..... .. .... 25
COoling System .. ... .. ....... 36
Clutch .. . ...... .... ......... 41
Transmission .... .. .... ...... 42
Rear Axle .. .. ............... 45
Front Axle .... .. .. ......... .. 49
Steering Gear ....... .... .. ... SO
Brake System.. .. .. .. .. ..... . 50
Springs and Shackles .... .•... 58
Electrical System ............. 58
Tires ....... .. .... ... .... ... 63
Tire Inflation ........ .. ...... 71
Lubrication
Engine .. .... .. ...... ........ 72
Rear Axle and Conventional
Transmission .. ... ... .. .... 77
Automatic Transmission ....... 79
Universal Joint. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 82
Propeller Shaft Slip Joints .... . 82
Front Wheel Bearings .. ....... 82
Rear Wheel Bearings ... .... ... 83
Chassis . ............... .. ... 83
Technical Data
Unit Capacity Chart ....... . ... 96
Lamp BulbChart .. ....... .... 96
Specifications ...... ....... 96
Adjustment Specifications .. ... 97
General Information
Manufacturer's Warranty ...... 98
Tire and Battery Warranties ... 98
Owner's Service Policy .... . Inside
Back Cover

Fig. J -Instruments and Controls
(Top) '12 and '14 Ton
(Bottom) J, J '12, 2 and 2'12 Ton

CHAPTER I
DRIVER'S OPERATING INFORMATION
BREAKING-IN PERIOD
The crankcase of the engine in this vehicle, as received,
is filled with a light body "breaking-in" oil. Use this oil
only during the breaking-in schedule shown below. It should
not be used after completion of the breaking-in schedule.
Check the oil frequently during the first 500 miles and at
the end of 500 miles, drain the crankcase-while hot-and refill
using
the grade of oil recommended in Lubrication section.
To properly break-in the moving parts of the engine do not
drive faster than:
35 miles per hour for the first 100 miles
45 miles per hour for the next 200 miles
50 miles
per hour for the next 200 miles
Continuous driving at high speeds should not be attempted
until the vehicle has been driven 2000 miles..
Fig. 2-lnstruments and Controls-Tandem Axle
• 3 •

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
The type, location and operation of instruments and con-
trols vary on different models and makes of vehicles; there-
fore, regardless of the experience an owner or driver may
have had, it is advisable to familiarize one's self with the
instrument and controls and their use before driving this new
truck. The locations of various instruments and controls are
shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Instrument Group
The instruments are grouped in a single triangular cluster
on the instrument panel directly in front of the steering wheel
(fig. 3).
Gasoline Gauge. The electrically operated gasoline gauge is at
the upper right side of the instrument cluster (fig. 3). It is
wired through the ignition switch and, therefore, only indi-
cates the amount of fuel in the tank when the ignition switch
is turned on.
Fig. 3-/nstrument Group
Temperature Gauge. The water temperature gauge is at the
upper left side of the instrument cluster (fig. 3), with the
sending unit located in the water jacket at the left rear of
the cylinder head on 6-cylinder engines and at the front of the
intake manifold on V-8 engines. Normally, when the engine is
thoroughly warmed up, the needle will register near the center
of the gauge . The driver should watch this instrument closely,
·4·

as a quick rise in temperature usually indicates trouble . Should
the needle move all the way to the right the engine should be
stopped and a check made for cause of overheating.
NOTE: Do not remove the radiator cap when engine is exces-
sively hot, do not put water in an overheated engine, and do
not run engine when indicator is above "H."
Ammeter (Battery Indicator). The Ammeter is to the left of
center near the top of the cluster (fig. 3) and indicates the
flow of current to and from the battery, except the current
taken by the starting motor. Should the ammeter show dis-
charge when the truck is being driven at medium speed, trou-
ble is indicated in the charging system and the battery will soon
become discharged.
Oil Pressure Gauge. This instrument is to the right of center
near the top of the instrument cluster (fig. 3), and indicates
whether or not the oil pump is working, but does not indicate
the amount of oil in the crankcase.
A low reading is normal at idling speeds with a warm en-
gine and light oil; however, as the engine speed is increased
the hand should register near the center of the gauge. In cold
weather (especially with heavy oil) the hand may move over
to the "60" mark at comparatively low engine speeds.
NOTE: Do not accelerate the engine excessively until the oil is
sufficiently
warm to permit a lower pressure. If the gauge does
not show any pressure, stop the engine immediately and deter-
mine the cause . .
~
Speedometer. The speedometer is located in the instrument
cluster and the hand moves across the dial indicating the
speed of the vehicle in miles-per-hour.
Odometer. The group of figures visible through the opening
just above the Chevrolet emblem on the instrument cluster is
the odometer and indicates the total mileage the truck has
been driven.
Headlight Beam Indicator. A red light in the recessed area
below the 50 mark on the speedometer lights when the head-
lights are on the upper beam .
• 5 •

Fig. 4 Ignition Switch
Switches
Ignition Switch. The ignition switch
is located near the bottom of the
instrument panel slightly below and
to the right of the instrument cluster
(fig. 4), and is connected in the low
tension circuit between the battery
and the coil. This switch is used to
make or break the ignition circuit
when starting or stopping the engine.
The key is turned clockwise to
turn the switch on and counterclock-
wise to turn the switch off.
On vehicles with ignition key starting the key is turned
clockwise from the "ON" position to engage the starter, and
counterclockwise to lock.
Fig. S-Ughtlng Switch
Lighting Switch. The lighting switch,
located to the left of the instrument
group (fig. 5), controls the instru-
ment lamps, headlamps, parking
lamps, tail lamp and interior lamp.
When this switch is pulled out to
the first "on" position the instru-
ment lamps, parking lamps and tail
lamp are lighted. When the switch
is pulled out to the last position the
headlamps replace the parking lamps. A dual circuit breaker
is incorporated in the main light switch to isolate the head-
light circuit for gl'eater safety. If a short should develop in
either the headlight circuit or in the stop and dome lamp cir-
cuit, one or the other of the two circuit breakers will relieve
the load on the electric~l system, and at the same time, lights
on the unaffected circuit will continue to function. A fuse in
the switch protects the instrument panel and tail light circuits.
Dimmer Switch. The dimmer switch located on the toe-board
to the left of. the clutch pedal is used to switch the head-
lamp beam from "high" to "low" or "low" to "high." Each time
the switch is depressed the light beam is reversed. A headlamp
beam indicator is located below the 50 mark on the instrument
cluster. When the lights are on upper beam a red light is visi-
• 6 •

ble through the indicator opening. Avoid use of upper beam
when meeting other vehicles on the highway or in city traffic.
Fig. 6-Dome Lamp
Dome Lamp. The dome lamp located
directly above the rear window of
the cab is controlled at the main
lighting switch. Pull knob out to first
position
and turn all the way counter-
clockwise beyond the point where
a slight resistance to turning is
encountered .
Hom Button. The horn button is conveniently located at the
center of the steering wheel.
Controls
Choke Control. The carburetor choke
control knob on all models except
those equipped with automatic trans-
mission is located to the left of
and below the instrument cluster on
the instrument panel (fig. 7). The
purpose of this control is to close or
partly close the carburetor choke
valve. This restricts the air intake
and produces a richer fuel mixture
for starting, while at the same time
Fig. 7-Choke Control
opening the throttle by means of a fast idle link on the car-
buretor except on those models equipped with an updraft
carburetor. All models equipped with automatic transmis-
sion except Forward Control are provided with an automatic
choke.
When the engine is warm and the weather is warm, it
should not be necessary to use the choke when starting the
engine. When it is necessary to use the choke for starting, it
should be pushed part way in as soon as the engine starts and
all the way in as soon as the engine will run smoothly with-
out its use.
CAUTION: Excessive use of the choke will provide a fuel
mixture too rich to burn. Some of this unburned fuel will leak
past the pistons and dilute the engine oil and result in improper
lubrication, excessive engine wear and poor performance.
• 7 •