Project Rusty (70 C10 Suburban)

[geoff.clark]

Here it is... I want to thank everyone who has helped me out so far. This is just the begining the project. We took delivery of Rusty 3 weeks ago and have been working on getting it running. Lets start with some photos of the project.











......

Thank you,

Geoff Clark

[geoff.clark]

Here's more pics....











Thank you,

Geoff Clark

[geoff.clark]

One last pic...



This next pic, becomes a question. Is the image circled the timing gauge. This engine really needs to be cleaned, 30 years of grease. Planning on installing a new HEI this weekend so want to make sure I am looking at what I believe I am. It dosent appear to have any notches in the gauge, should I expect to find stamped markings on the gauge once I clean it?



Thanks everyone,

Geoff

Blog: Project Rusty

[1956cameo]

Awesome project!! I always love suburban build threads, they are my favorite. Im suprised that suburban stayed in the for sale section as long as it did. It is in really good shape, and even if you paid his full asking you got it at a great price. It looks like it had alot of nice options; all you need is the missing seat and upper trim and you are back in business.

Yes the circled area is used to help you find where the distrubutor needs to be set at. There are numbers on it and a groove in the harmonic balancer (I think thats right). When you use a timing light the groove will become visible; and you move the distributor until it is advanced or retarded to where it needs to be.

[gcburdic]

Hey Geoff....

It's Geoff too...wanted to subscribe so I can follow along w/ your progress....Let me know if you need any help or want to get together for a few beverages and talk trucks!!!

[pickup67man]

It is nice to welcome another rusty 70 Suburban. At least yours had an engine so you could set the timing.

[geoff.clark]

Here is the latest update. The goal for this truck is a complete frame off resto, but I promised my son he would hear it run before we start tearing it apart. So off we go.

Decided to teach my son how to change the oil and filter. We got the oil pan and tools ready to do the job. I got under the truck with my son and said this is how you loosen the bolt just get ready for the stream - haha. Somehow I ended up removing the drain plug - man this kid is smart. Story reproduces itself for installing the new filter. He how ever did put in the new oil.

Next we removed all old spark plugs and wires. After a few runs to the parts store and couple other errands this was the end of Saturday.

Sunday we needed to get the engine to TDC, I could not find a way to get to the Harmonic Balancer bolt with out removing the radiator and fan housing. Maybe you guys have some secrets. After doing this we removed the old points distributor, installed the new spark plugs. Installed new HEI distributor, ran new 14g from firewall for distributor power. I was able to get my son to install the plugs, except for #6, not sure why he had difficulties with this one. Finally he found his stride. Created and installed new spark plug wires.

We are so close to starting this puppy - getting excited and tired. All of sudden I noticed my son placed a wrench on the battery - You guessed it - he crossed the posts with the wrench. Oh no - what did you do, kicked the wrench away so no more damage could be done. Well there went that battery.

Finished everything up... But what a let down for a weekend full of work, well hopefully this weekend we will get a new battery and get this puppy running.

I'll add some pics of the progress tomorrow when I have some sun light.

[geoff.clark]

Finally got back to the truck. I installed a new battery, and was able to get to turn over. But I only got it to backfire and start engine fires. After some help from you guys I redid my HEI installation and it started right up.

Here are some pics of the HEI install. It's not the prettiest, but knowing this is coming right out once I can move it into the garage I was ok with it.









Here is a video of the truck running, not bad for sitting for 14 yrs and only rough timing set.

YouTube- Engine Running

[geoff.clark]

Well when I tried to get the truck in gear it would not go into any gear. Discovered there was very little transmission fluid. I so I topped this off, it took 4+ quarts. After doing this I could only get the transmission to engage in reverse. Not ideal, but I did only need to get across the street into my garage.

So my neighbor, son and I pushed it into the street and drove it in reverse into the gargage. She is finally home, tight fit but she is where she belongs.

Pics of the truck in her new home.











Next step is to finish cleaning the garage to make more room to work, then we planning on pulling the engine and transmission. Debating on rebuilding the TH350 or install a new 2004R. This is planned to be a daily driver for my son.

Is there difference in gas savings between the two?

[geoff.clark]

Latest Update Front Clip removed....

[gcburdic]

Little by little it comes apart....keep at it Geoff...you coming to the Charlotte Autofair this weekend??...might be a good time to pick up a few items and save on shipping!!!

[geoff.clark]

Thanks - as this is my first, I spend most of my time running to the auto store buying tools. Eventually I will enough tools to actually get some real work done.

I want to come to the autofair, this weekend is my sons 13 birthday - so I will have to play it by ear. Maybe I can sneak out earlier on Friday and head over there.

[gcburdic]

....I completely understand that!!!.....

If you get a chance to head over...I'm meeting up with a couple members from here Friday morning...we'll be perusing the swap meet pretty hard...come join us!!!

[culp7]

Sweet, looks great I love them old burbs

[geoff.clark]

New parts. Getting ready to replace drivers side Rockers, Floor Pan, Pillers, Cab Mounts & Door. I have most of the parts, but still need to get door. And most of all a welder. Plan on getting the welder here in the next couple weeks.

I will most likely start cutting out the existing floor and rockers so I will be ready to go.

Wish me luck as this is my first attempt at this kind of work.

[gcburdic]

I was wondering about you the other day Geoff....looks like you are ready for the next phase....well...when you get that welder....might want to look into purchasing video's done by member 'ebfabman'....he is a master welder and produced what I hear to be some really awesome videos with exactly what you are getting ready to tackle....heck, he lives close to ya over in Concord....you could probably got pick them up....think he's working on a burb right now at his shop too!!!!!....

[geoff.clark]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

I was wondering about you the other day Geoff....looks like you are ready for the next phase....well...when you get that welder....might want to look into purchasing video's done by member 'ebfabman'....he is a master welder and produced what I hear to be some really awesome videos with exactly what you are getting ready to tackle....heck, he lives close to ya over in Concord....you could probably got pick them up....think he's working on a burb right now at his shop too!!!!!....

Thanks Geoff - I actually rented his videos from some online store. I watched them about a week ago. I feel more confident now. I do need to buy them - so I can go back and watch them again.

When I was younger I use to do cliff diving. That was the scariest thing I had ever done - took forever to get the courage to jump, but once I did - it was so great. I assume this is the same, just pick up the cutoff wheel and welder and never look back.

[pickup67man]

Where did you get the parts from. I got mine from LMC and most fit good. The floor needed some modification because it was a patch panel for a truck cab.

[geoff.clark]

Originally Posted by pickup67man

Where did you get the parts from. I got mine from LMC and most fit good. The floor needed some modification because it was a patch panel for a truck cab.

I got them from http://gmcpauls.com/67-72_parts.htm.

Hope they fit great. The arrived in great shape, only one minor scratch on the outer rocker.

[kev2809]

good luck, it really isnt as bad as it seems. just measure 64 times and cut once

[geoff.clark]

Alright here I go starting to cut this up. More work todo... Having a great time with this, but with this heat it kicked my butt today.

[BlackTopMotors]

Post more as you make progress!

[geoff.clark]

Alright everyone - I am back and glad to be. We having been moving and selling our old place over the past couple months. Moving into the new place was a lot of work. Replacing alot of sub floors, redoing shower. Replacing plumbing, toilets. Clean, clean, clean.... Previous owners left us with a mess. It took about 10 loads of a 12 ft trailer to dump just to clean the garage and shed. But all that is done now, still a couple home projects to complete - but I am finally able to get back working on the Suburban.

Before cont. on the floors, I decided to attack the inner cowl. This has really been bothering me, with all the rest and rats nest inside. So this opened new problems for me.

I posted a question here...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=437099

If you have any thoughts go ahead and add them to that thread. Once I get a better understanding of this - I will be back to the floors.

I hope everyone has a great holiday.

Thank you - as always.

[gcburdic]

Hey Geoff with a G....good to see ya back!!!....Glad you got all moved in and taken care of your honey do lists....I think brn agn (Jesse) did some work like that on his cowl too....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=370815

hope this helps ya out a little....

[geoff.clark]

Geoff - Thanks for the link that should come in handy. Buy the way where do you pick up your sheet metal from? Just sheets not replacement parts.

Thanks,