1966 SUBURBAN "Survivor" Now what??

[1966burb]

Reaching out to all the survivor, unrestored, factory correct truck enthusiasts on this site for input. My 1966 burb is a 98K mile survivor, it has had one quicky paint job , but otherwise original. I have owned it twice in the last 24 years. When I got it back the original 327 had been replaced with a later 350 but the complete engine was sitting in the corner and included in the sale. The engine and accessories are all numbers correct with proper date codes. Block, heads, intake and exhaust manifolds. All pulleys, alternator, distributor, carburetor and volt regulator are all correct.

I have pulled the front end off and the 350 engine is out. 327 is at the machine shop for complete rebuild.

First question, I am thinking of just scrubbing the frame and fender inner panels and putting it back together. My thought is trying to perserve it as is.
Any thoughts??

I did venture out of my keep it all stock box and made 2 changes to make it more driveable as I do pull a vintage travel trailer once in a while. I added disc brakes (it did have factory power brakes and I had the original booster rebuilt) And I added a 700R4 transmission.

My goal for the 327 engine is to do a factory correct restoration.

I did a 1961 Corvette Fuelie to NCRS standards in the 90's so I am familar with the challenges. The only thing is that Corvette had a judging manual which spelled out all the correct casting #s , part #s and paint colors which made it fairly easy to achieve the goal.

Thanks in advance, as I will be reaching out for correct part numbers and paint finishes on this restoration.

[1966burb]

More pictures

[1966burb]

pics

[1966burb]

More pictures

[Southcity]

"First question, I am thinking of just scrubbing the frame and fender inner panels and putting it back together. My thought is trying to preserve it as is.
Any thoughts??"

First off, as a fellow 66 Burb owner (non stock) you have a really nice example. I place my vote for just cleaning it up a bit and putting it back together....and then drive and enjoy it.

[1966 K10]

Im in a similar position, so far Ive just cleaned up all the years of grease. debating if I should use anything on the frame where the paint is gone with surface rust. fluid film?

[1966burb]

Very nice looking survivor!

[Corts60]

I’m sure oem4me will chime in here….

[oem4me]

Nice Sub. As for the question of restore vs preserve, the latter is always my first choice. That is, if there is enough originality there to warrant it. Broken stuff, heavy rust, previous repaints, etc., dictate a different approach.
The appeal of originality is simple: It's all about CONDITION. Something old that has honestly and obviously avoided ruin is rare and special. On occasion, there are things that are mostly well preserved but show some form of damage requiring repair. I say there is no harm in letting the repair show, just as honestly as the surrounding originality.
For example: Picture an art museum featuring pieces from antiquity, as in ancient stone carvings and statues and such. These pieces of art are seldom without some form of damage or loss. The missing bits are either left as-is, or if needed to complete the form, they are re-created in a material that lightly contrasts with the original. The added bits serve a purpose, but no effort is made to conceal their presence. Absolutely zero is dishonest or fraudulent about that.
Now, fine art and cars don't compare as for what they mean about the human experience, but the idea of being truthful about condition is the same.

[1966burb]

Clean up frame and lots of the paint was missing so it got a repaint.

[1966burb]

327 engine is finally back from the machine shop. I can finally moving forward towards getting it back on the road again.

[Southcity]

Nice early Christmas present, congrats! looking forward to updates/progress pics.

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice! I'm subbed to watch.

[1966burb]

Tin going on. Getting ready for paint.

[1966burb]

Getting closer to installing.

[The Rocknrod]

Wow - Nice work.

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks good!

[duallyjams]

Can't wait to see the 327 fired up.

[1966burb]

Engine is bolted into the chassis.

[Southcity]

it sure is and it looks great! nice work on this, thanks for keeping us all updated.

[youngrodder]

Very nice...I have a friend building a 66' Suburban. He is running an LS that he doctored up to look with a 327 with valve cover adapters and all.

I like where your headed with this one.

Marc

[LT7A]

Beautiful Suburban. The question of preservation vs. restoration is an interesting one. I think protection is a good determining factor. I might put more paint/coatings on something that sees use and weather. That said, don't own anything as nice or original as this. FWIW, I think you have charted a good course. If you need to take something apart for a repair, restoring the attendant finishes is probably worth the effort. But pulling it all apart to replate each fastener is probably not necessary. Don't get me wrong, I like those builds too. But more on something that has a lot of wear and tear/miles but is worth putting back to "like new" condition. Yours is so well preserved, I wouldn't pull it apart any more than you need to. I also wouldn't hesitate to put radials and new shocks on it. Can paint the new shocks to not stand out and put the originals on a shelf.

[1966burb]

Yes, I did upgrade to new shocks and painted them. Tires are radials that have the correct look at a glance. Also upgraded brakes to disc and added a 700R4 OD transmission.

[1966burb]

Getting closer to having it running. Still waiting for a few key parts.

[1966burb]

A little more progress.