Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Are you going to keep the grease crayon numbers on the firewall? I would have cleaned that stuff off in a heartbeat and maybe I did on my first square years ago. But nowadays, they've been around so long that it's kind of cool to me that those marks remain. How many miles are on your engine? Last time I timed mine, I kind of had to average out where the timing light showed the mark to be. I'm due for a similar job. Eventually...

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Yeah I’m going to clean up around the markings but leave them there. I think it adds to resale because of originality, at least in my opinion. The whole rig has 136k miles on it now. So the timing chain was definitely due. All the spark plugs were white/tan showing perfect burn so the engine is still nice and healthy.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Nice looking Suburban! :metal:

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Thanks!

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Got all the gaskets replaced today. Spent 12 hours on it and I’m pretty sure 9 of those hours was scrubbing grease. Man this engine was filthy. But I got her back in at the end of the day. Tomorrow morning is just hooking everything up and firing it up.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Sure cleaned up nice! Got to be a good feeling to have all of that handled. I have 100,000 miles more on my TBI motor, so I'm probably due for the timing chain change. Although, I have owned it since new and have kept up well on the oil changes. So the wear is probably about as good as it could be, but still more than ready.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Thanks! Yeah for sure. Even with all the regular maintenance they stretch. I’m hoping to get at least 200k out of this engine if I can….

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Got her running around noon today and just got back from a test drive. Running smooth and awesome!

It’s too bad there is so much junk on top of these TBI motors after they’re installed. The never look good in pics. Haha.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

They are a good workhorse motor and will last well past the 200k mark, but they're not particularly appetizing to look at, haha. I have an open element air cleaner with a filter top from k&n and it lets you see a little bit more of the engine. I like how you went with natural or silver on the intake, because I believe it's aluminum correct? BTW, you can feel a seat of the pants difference with a k&n element, and even more with an open air cleaner, especially with the lid. It also really howls under heavy throttle which can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how much you like your truck to express its feelings, haha.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Yeah the intake is aluminum so I went with a cast aluminum paint. My hope is that I can get 250k miles out of this engine. It runs so good, plugs burn good and still good oil pressure.

Interesting about the air cleaner. I’ll have to try it. As someone who has owned a dozen or so quadrajet fed 350’s, I do love a good howl. Haha

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

On a whim, I used my phone to record the truck under acceleration. The high flow cat and exhaust are part of the ensemble too. But it worked better than I expected. So if you want to know what to expect, just PM me your email address. I don't know how to post an audio file here.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Father’s Day score! Got a 99% crack free dash off CL for $100. Pretty pleased with it.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Coming along nicely, Corts

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Thanks buddy! Little by little.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

My little girls new favorite thing to do when I get home from work is immediately getting in the truck and try to drive and twist all the knobs. She’s gonna be gearhead…or at least I hope so!

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Pulling boat duty today.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

That's a sharp looking combo. And I'm jealous of your new dash pad. That picture of your daughter is adorable. In my case with these trucks, growing up in a series of Suburbans similar to yours, familiarity is what started my affinity for these trucks, and I also associate them with my dad, even though he hasn't had one for decades. Even if she doesn't want a giant Suburban for her first car, haha, she will likely always enjoy going places with you in yours.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Thanks buddy! I sure hope so! I can’t wait until she’s old enough to tinker in the garage with me and get into this little hobby. And if she doesn’t, that’s ok too.

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

really, really nice burb Cort..!!!!

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Thanks!

My paint tech had a little down time at work this week, so I asked him to do me a favor:

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

That is just the epoxy primer. Hopefully we’ll be spraying the color this afternoon

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Got some color on! I have to wait a week before I can wet sand and buff. But it looks great so far!

Re: Picked up a 4x4!
 

Well got the hood on yesterday. Total bummer to see the color didn’t match at all. Oh well. Better than looking at the peeling primer spots that were there before.