Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Rather than clutter the board with a new thread each time I want to post something, I'll just keep coming back to this one most of the time (Hint, hint, subscribe, wink wink ;) ). I haven't done much work on the Sub lately, but have driven it pretty regularly. I have some small parts from LMC I need to put on as well as (hopefully) get the drive shaft fixed once and for all, but that'll all come in due time. I stumbled upon an all-original '67 275 HP 327 last month for real cheap, which I hope will contribute a lot of $$$ to the 'Burb once I get it cleaned up and advertised.

Anyway... We've taken it to the local drive-in twice now to see new releases. This was a few weeks ago for Man of Steel:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps60e27f7a.jpg

I gave the engine compartment a good soap-and-water cleaning yesterday - looks pretty good now that I've fixed the PS leak and minimized the leaky valve covers/breather:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...psb7f2d9eb.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps492dad27.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps070c8663.jpg

The 4G and points ignition are gettin' along just fine :burnout:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...psec1c792b.jpg

And a video of the ol' girl at speed. Doing about 70 when I pass the camera:

More later.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

lookin good!

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Well, let's see - it's been a while since I've posted anything here! Haven't done much to the Suburban except drive it and hookup the defroster since the weather cooled down and I bought a 2013 Cruze - which is no substitute for the 'Burb, but after 9,000 miles seems like a great little car, gets 35 MPG dependably, and runs/drives like a go-cart. :)

The biggest news for the 'Burb is that I came by a nearly-exact correct 327 long block last weekend, which was one of the bigger missing pieces in my bone-stock restoration puzzle:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...psc3c8781f.jpg

Casting code 3892657, stamping suffix "YS" (translates to a 220HP, 4 bbl., manual trans. truck application) 327 with casting no. 3814480 heads (70CC chamber, 1.72" intake valves), #4577 forged crank, a full set of rods and pistons, and most of the small internal parts. The bores and crank journals are all standard size, so it looks like I've got a great starting point for the powerplant. Build intentions are 100% stock - aside from simply wanting to experience the ol' girl as she was meant to be, I'd like to nail down some gas mileage and dyno figures eventually so I can publish some actual numbers for comparison's sake rather than the ever-more-frequent theoretical estimates or memory of how these engines really ran right off the assembly line.

Just stopping by to keep this current, more for documentation as the beginning of my build thread than anything else. Merry Christmas!

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Cool Burban... I liked the fly-by vid, I miss mountains and trees (real trees)

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

looks very nice but I think I'd fix that heater real soon. Might get chilly.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Thanks guys. The heater's fixed, it just needed new control levers and defroster ducting which I put in about 2 months ago. The rust holes that let the heat out are a little different story! :p

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

-
Lookin' good Alex. It all takes time...

LockDoc

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Thanks, LockDoc. Yes, and there'll be no corners cut on this resto so I'm prepared for it to take a while. I'm just glad it's very driveable now, so I can enjoy it until I'm equipped to tear it down - unlike the rest of my projects. :-/

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

As with my last update, the Suburban hasn't gotten much attention lately except the occasional excursion to town and filling in as my commuter when the snow gets too deep for the Cruze. With getting a raise at work this week and getting my continual budget in a little better shape I hope to do several heavy repairs to my '85 1-ton (rear springs, trans. rebuild, new bumper hitch) and finally get the slightly wobbly driveshaft fixed in the 'Burb.

Anyway, the reason for posting is that I thought ya'll might like my most recent blog entry, paying homage to the Suburban: http://facingthepromise.wordpress.co...y-green-giant/

Happy truckin'. :D

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Nice story about your Suburban.
I can relate to a lot of what you wrote in your blog.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Thanks, vectorit. Glad you liked it. :truck:

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Alex, really enjoyed your blog posting! I have a similar, personal attachment, to my rig as well. I wonder how many others are in the same situation.
Thanks for linking to your blog.
Rob.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Thanks, Rob! I appreciate my writings being appreciated. :D As many of these vehicles - pickups, included - that have come to board members from their family, I'm sure my story isn't the only one.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

I think it's neat that you have a family history with your burb, since I too have a history with my burb as well. Not too many people from what I have seen on the forums, can say that they have grown up in the same truck that they are restoring.

Back when I decided to restore my Suburban, every person I talked to about it looked at me like I was crazy. Most people still do, except here on the forum. Which is why I like to hang out here with like minded people.

Pay no attention to the people making off color jokes about about your burb. Since in all the years I have been working on mine, all of those hecklers are just jealous that you have something to be passionate about.

Keep on keepin on :metal:

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Appreciate the kind words, vectorit. If the underlying tone of disgust ran noticeably through the whole story that was not my intent - it was mostly to provide an introduction and summary. I wish you and your 'Burb many more years and miles together.

And just out of curiosity, do ya ever ask yourself, "What will parts availability be like when this thing's 75 years old?" :P

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Nice Burb!

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

When my Suburban is 75 years old, I hope I am still around to keep enjoying it.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Woops - sorry if I stuck my foot in my mouth! :confused:

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

No foot in mouth that I see :)

I'm the same age as my Suburban, so one can only hope that I will live to 75 :lol:

Parts are getting reproduced more, mainly for the restoration hobbyist.
Everything else is pretty interchangeable, so I think as far as old Chevy trucks go there will never be a problem with getting parts as years go on.

Locating them, and paying affordable $.. Now that will always be the challenge, and part of the thrill of the hunt when building something old.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Here is my story, 1972 Suburban bought by my Dad back then. I learned to drive on it (and on a 1956 Napco Carryall Sub). I can still here him saying 'do any of you kids want the old truck !! Never found out where the 56 went ! Anyway we saved the 72 !! Currently doing a frame off. It was in pretty good shape for a Canadian truck . Years and years of oil spray to clean off but it protected the body.If you don't believe oil spray makes a difference, look at those fuel / brake lines after 42 years !!
Here are a few pics.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Good point, vectorit. After all, it is Chevrolet we're talking about here - I think it's safe to say, if you can get a part for any make vehicle from a certain year, GM will be it.


Nice story, Franks_72 - your 'Burb's a good solid start for a restoration! Thanks for sharing.

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Not much new with the 'Burb lately - not even making the slow progress on the drivetrain/suspension I'd hoped to, but I've been gathering up the parts for a much-needed repair stint on my C3500 so all is not stagnant with my old Chevys. :)

I did have the occasion, however, to take her on a 100+ mile run to a friend's shop last Saturday. It puts a smile on my face every time I hear that small block talking!

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps742751a4.jpg

The Wrangler ahead of me is a '95 2.5/5-speed that's been warmed up a bit (4.0 throttle body, port/polish, etc.) - the 'Burb ain't got much (4G on an unknown-but-plenty-warm cam = way undercarbureted), but it had enough to step right up to 80 on a good long straight stretch and keep him from passing me. :burnout:

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Thinned the herd a little yesterday - my '90 Jeep Comanche found a new home. The friend that bought it has a shop, and I needed a wheel changed out and balanced on the 'Burb anyway, so for the first time since '01 she threw her weight into towing dad's well-used car trailer. That darned cam in the 350 isn't getting nearly enough air through the smog heads and original intake/carb., but for a coil-sprung 1/2 ton she handled it fine.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps0268a763.jpg

And today I saw her off to central Kentucky with my BIL at the wheel - he and my sister were up for a visit over the weekend and, with my plans to move to that area in a few weeks, the ol' girl needed to make the trek sometime! Ain't many people I'd turn loose with the 'Burb for a 500 mile trip with as little apprehension as I did him, but he's used to his '71 IH 1110 304/4-speed so he has the feel for it. Me and the Oneton will haul the rest of my collection down there in the near future, which will be staying in a 30' x 45' concrete-floored shop that's open to rent as soon as I get there. :D

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Well, since shortly after moving to KY the 'Burb got tucked away in the garage and the insurance dropped until about 2 weeks ago. She's just too cool to leave tucked away so I've put insurance back on it now and will stretch its legs occasionally as I try to revive the car culture in town. :cool: Last week my sister got behind the wheel (yes, she does alright with the NP435 :D ) to follow my BIL and I out to Green River lake, and we swung by the coffee shop on historic Main street in Campbellsville on our way.

The 'Burb, BIL's '71 Honda CL175, and my friend's '75 Yamaha XS650.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfd569347.jpg

Re: Here n' There (Pics, videos, updates, etc.)
 

Lookin' good. Sounds like you are going to have some fun down there....

LockDoc