53 BURBAN barn find

[bjcaldwe]

I have a pair of these but I am a long ways off from mine being on the road. Is there anything to look for before one of these failing?

[CHIZZLER]

i dont think there is anything to look for.not really sure what caused it.nothing was rubbing on it.luckily it didn't blow when i was on the road.

[ratty 46]

Damn skippy on that. When I had my CCab dually I was always wondering if this could happen. I gues like any parts & such you'll get a fault every once in a while. You were very lucky it happened back at your place. That would have really sucked a few hundred miles from home.

Hopefully that won't happen again. I'd be inspecting and/or replacing the balance of those with a diff. mnfctr.

R46

[CHIZZLER]

yah its kinda weird.stuff happens.easy fix.luckily it didn't blow when i was driving.

[Scottshotrods]

Danny that really blows on the slam bag.We will send one out to you at no charge to replace the bag.

Justin

[CHIZZLER]

thanks justin.

[wood1]

PM sent

[Zach B]

I read that you could not find anything on the turn signals. That's probably because it never had them lol. 53 was the first year they were optional. I would look up when your state first required them. Chevy only offered them because a 3 states required them at that time and I don't remember which one. This little thing mounted on the colum with a lever switch you had to manually disengage. Your park lights where used as the front signals and your tail lights would have been used as the rear signals. Even though most people recommend them I never have. You are still required to signal though. You use your hand to do it. I don't drive much in the winter because you have to stick your hand out the window to do it legally. Often times when I signal people wave at me not knowing what I'm doing. Little advice if you want to avoid turn signals do not make the mirror any longer than it is. As for the carb that is specific to the engine it has. If it's the origanal engine it's a 216. Carter truck parts is about the best supplier of truck parts and tends to carry the best quality parts. There something about that engine that you should probably be aware of incase nobody has informed you. It's oiling system is a little abnormal. Is a splash system. Dippers pick up oil from the pan and splash the rods which carry oil to the head before running down the side of the block back into the pan only this time it's in a tube with nozzles for each piston which are sprayed like this. You turn to sharp and to fast and you risk burning something up but if you are carful it will be fine. Chevy made engines like this from 1937 to 1953. The only other engine I know of with this system (it's produced today) is minni coopers 4 cylinder. A common modification with origanalists is replacing the 216 with a 54 and up 235 to get away from the low pressure oiling system. With the factory rear end it's top speed is 45 mph though I was in one that did 55 going down a hill the whole time it sounded like it was going to blow up. Brakes were fixed after that.

[Zach B]

Lol. Sorry I did not notice that there was more than one page to this apparently I need to be more observant.

[Iceburgh]

Very cool burb....hope mine turns out half as good

[CHIZZLER]

good luck on your project.

[Advanced Design]

Way late here, love your Burb Chizzler. Keeps me motivated!

[CHIZZLER]

thank you.been following your build.looking good.

[NEWFISHER]

Where were you today? Looked for both your rigs at rust o rama and didnt see you.

[CHIZZLER]

couldn't make it this year.my partner at work almost cut his hand off on thursday.i spent friday at ohsu waiting for him to come out of surgery. im sure it was a good show like every other year.you gonna be at mcminnville cruise in?maybe see you there.

[pvienneau]

Wicked nice find. Please let us posted on status.

[NEWFISHER]

Every year at mcminville. I get there eay and post up in frontnof the pizza joint. Walk to the show then back to have a pie and wait for the cruise to get going. Sorry to hear about your buddy. I just took a tenden and a knuckle for the team.

[NotAverageJoe]

Incredible build on the suburban. Tremendous work. Wish I had found your thread 2 years ago! Very inspiring.
How did you install the champion radiator (appears to be the chevy model)? Looks like you trimmed the metal top on the GMC radiator support. Any info appreciated. Do you also run an electric fan?
Also, for your wheels, can you tell me the size and back spacing? I have a similar set up to you (50 Burb) although it's a heidts MII and a ford 9" rear.
Many thanks

[CHIZZLER]

i used the champion for a chevy truck. did not use the top piece that would cap the radiator. made a shroud with a 16" electric fan and made new mounts for it. wheels are aftermarket 15x5 and 15x6 unknown brand from a swap meet. backspacing is about 3". burb looks good.

[NotAverageJoe]

Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.
Your Burb has me motivated for the first time in a long time. Love the grill.
Very nice work.
Cheers.

[Advanced Design]

Chizzler, where did you put your pump and tank? Looking for ideas for mine. Thank you!

[Iceburgh]

Average Joe... just an FYI you can get chevy stuff for rad support, hood latch and such but the GMC stuff is not re-poped anyplace. Might want to consider that before you cut anything to put a rad in.

[CHIZZLER]

comp and tank are behind the running board on the drivers side. Its pretty tight but fits. Tank is a 5 gallon slim.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by CHIZZLER

comp and tank are behind the running board on the drivers side. Its pretty tight but fits. Tank is a 5 gallon slim.

Thanks Chizzler!

[Grizz1963]

Just read thought your complete truck and Suburban threads.

You know how to build them man.

Amazing skills.