Green Bank, WV Suburbans? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Alex V. · 11-27-2015, 10:43 PM

I was at the radio observatory in Green Bank, WV last July and saw 3 or 4 '71-2 Burbs in the back lot. All C10's painted blue, with "8-350" badges on the fender but a cord hanging out of the grille as to indicate a block heater. All vehicles at the observatory are diesel because spark ignition creates interference with the telescope, so I'm wondering what's under the hood. Anybody know more about them?

**LockDoc** · 11-29-2015, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex V.

I was at the radio observatory in Green Bank, WV last July and saw 3 or 4 '71-2 Burbs in the back lot. All C10's painted blue, with "8-350" badges on the fender but a cord hanging out of the grille as to indicate a block heater. All vehicles at the observatory are diesel because spark ignition creates interference with the telescope, so I'm wondering what's under the hood. Anybody know more about them?

Not me, but that certainly sounds interesting.....

LockDoc

**Already Gone** · 11-29-2015, 11:27 PM

Did a little surfing and came up with this.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...burban_C10.jpg

In The Ten Ring · 11-30-2015, 01:28 AM

I can't say what's in them but I have driven a couple of those Green Bank (NRAO) 'burbs before. I took a couple of grad classes there in astronomy and being one of the few students that could drive a manual, I was the driver for a couple of our trips around the place.

Anyway, the burbs I drove were 3 speed in the floor manuals with almost ZERO power for acceleration! As I recall, they have a manual throttle you use to kill the engine.

Alex V. · 12-01-2015, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I can't say what's in them but I have driven a couple of those Green Bank (NRAO) 'burbs before. I took a couple of grad classes there in astronomy and being one of the few students that could drive a manual, I was the driver for a couple of our trips around the place.

Anyway, the burbs I drove were 3 speed in the floor manuals with almost ZERO power for acceleration! As I recall, they have a manual throttle you use to kill the engine.

Hmmmm - poor acceleration and manual shutoff valve seem to point to non-turbo diesel.

rx78nt1alex · 05-02-2016, 10:56 PM

Diesels make sense, they make less electrical noise than an HEI would, particularly near a VERY VERY sensitive radio telescope, and I remember reading somewhere about using diesels as often as possible.

11-27-2015, 10:43 PM	#1
Alex V. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Campbellsville, KY Posts: 888	Green Bank, WV Suburbans? I was at the radio observatory in Green Bank, WV last July and saw 3 or 4 '71-2 Burbs in the back lot. All C10's painted blue, with "8-350" badges on the fender but a cord hanging out of the grille as to indicate a block heater. All vehicles at the observatory are diesel because spark ignition creates interference with the telescope, so I'm wondering what's under the hood. Anybody know more about them? __________________ Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue.

11-29-2015, 11:27 PM	#3
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,068	Re: Green Bank, WV Suburbans? Did a little surfing and came up with this. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...burban_C10.jpg __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

11-30-2015, 01:28 AM	#4
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	Re: Green Bank, WV Suburbans? I can't say what's in them but I have driven a couple of those Green Bank (NRAO) 'burbs before. I took a couple of grad classes there in astronomy and being one of the few students that could drive a manual, I was the driver for a couple of our trips around the place. Anyway, the burbs I drove were 3 speed in the floor manuals with almost ZERO power for acceleration! As I recall, they have a manual throttle you use to kill the engine.

05-02-2016, 10:56 PM	#6
rx78nt1alex Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: CEDAR HILL, TX Posts: 43	Re: Green Bank, WV Suburbans? Diesels make sense, they make less electrical noise than an HEI would, particularly near a VERY VERY sensitive radio telescope, and I remember reading somewhere about using diesels as often as possible. __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Fleetside C-10 1971 Chevrolet Fleetside C-10



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