86 Suburban w/ 56k miles

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by engineer_gregh

What backup cam is that?

It's a Yakry Y25. Some China manufacturer I assume. It's good enough and very easy to install. I think I was done in under 20 min. But I also knew exactly where the reverse light wire was because I had just fixed the 7-pin trailer connecter.

[Corts60]

Well with a little help from the factory Custom Cruise III manual and a "new" VSS buffer from member Mathew21, I now have working cruise control! So excited about this!

Thanks again Mathew21

[LT7A]

Wow, that thing is incredibly well-preserved. What a neat sled.

[Palf70Step]

Super clean looking Burb. Missed when you got it. She sure is sweet. I love that color combo.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Super clean looking Burb. Missed when you got it. She sure is sweet. I love that color combo.

Thanks Bill! I am loving this thing.

I've been doing little maintenance things the past week or so. Nothing post worthy. Just trans service, brake hoses, detailing door sills. Not sure how much major stuff I'll complete before winter sets in. Although now I realize I have to buy a winter car.... My wife has her car and I have the 67 and the burb. But I just don't have the heart to drive either one in the salt around here. I guess it's back to Craigslist!

[Palf70Step]

That is what I DON'T miss about the northern climate. Down here all I have to worry about during the winter is whether today is AC or no AC.

[Corts60]

Here's a sneak peak of the new meats...sorry the picture isn't good. It was dark out. But I am excited! the 255/70 tires fit great!

[Palf70Step]

They look good!!

[Corts60]

And the new meats are on!

[Boog]

She's a real beaut Cort.

[kwmech]

Looks really nice. Now you just have keep somebody else liking it more than you do

[Eyegore]

That is super nice and well preserved!!
Makes me miss my 86, white w/ blue center, 4x4

[Corts60]

Thanks everyone! I think that'll about do it for this year. She's getting put away in the garage for winter. Unless I get some heat in the garage, it'll be too damn cold to work on her until spring.

Next on the project list is: install RV/towing cam, trans cooler, and rear brakes.

[Corts60]

Well, the weather and my schedule lined up perfectly today so I took the opportunity to drag my Aloha camper to it's winter home in Michigan. The burb did great towing. Pulled at 65 MPH and averaged 8.5 MPG. Honestly, I thought I would get at least 10 MPG since the burb gets 15 MPG on the highway unloaded. But oh well. She didn't mind pulling the camper, but the RV cam I will be installing should help her out some.

Luna decided she would pose for the picture as well.

[mcnally351]

Beautiful burb!

[68Timber]

Cort, I'm convinced the fuel injection kits are worth it on these old trucks if you're going to still use them like they were meant to be.

Is that the same canned ham trailer you hauled with the diesel truck?

[Corts60]

Hey John, good eye! Yep, that's the same canned ham I've towed behind almost every truck I've owned. At this point, I think it has become a family heirloom. Haha.

Tell me about the fuel injection kit! Are you using a sniper or? I'm interested to know their reliability and if it is worth it to switch over. I just rebuilt the quadrajet a few months ago and it starts and runs perfectly with no hassles, even in 30 degree weather. No stumbles or sticking choke issues. So I figure I'll keep running the carb until it either can't be rebuilt or I do an LS swap or something years down the road.

[68Timber]

I don't have experience with any of the aftermarket fuel injection kits yet. I like the LS motors, nothing to dislike really. But the older the squares get the more preservation appeals to me. FI kits are a compromise, that's all. You can hide one under a stock air cleaner and most people won't notice. If you've got the carb dialed in and like it, I wouldn't change a thing.

[Corts60]

Hi everyone! No real updates as of now. Work is very busy and I bought a 4x4 Burb that has my attention right now.

We are also in the middle of buying a new house so I won't have much to update until after we move in and get settled. I want to try and pull the front clip off this winter and then pull the engine out. The front crossmember is the only rusty part on this rig and I think I need to address it before it gets to late. I also want to re-seal the engine, swap the cam out, and put new valve seals in.

I'm trying not to take too much apart on this original burb, but I think preservation trumps originality in this case.

[LT7A]

Cool! It sounds like a good plan and I look forward to updates when you're back on it.

[Corts60]

Not much lately to update, but I did get a nice shine on her for the upcoming C10 Nationals! I also replaced the carrier bearing last week but forgot to get pics. She’s been running like a top.

[Corts60]

A little late posting, but I had a great trip down to Nashville for the C10 nationals! Well the first day wasn’t all that great, had fuel problems all day. Couldn’t do more than 60 without the engine wanting to cut out. Found out late in the day that I had a bad fuel cap and the tank wouldn’t vent properly. At least that’s my theory. Removed the cap and she ran fine the rest of that day.

I forgot to get pics of the burn at the show! Haha. But I did get some pics on the way home and as she rolled over to 60k miles for the first time.

[Wwes]

Man that is one beautiful, clean Suburban.

Regarding the fuel injection, there are three ways you can go.
1. PFI has a shop in Michigan, and they sell a similar-to-stock TBI setup that is simple to install and operate. You'll have to put an in-line electric fuel pump to get up to 13 PSI, and the kit comes with one. Last I checked it was in the $700 range.

2. Holly Sniper EFI - easy and self tuning kit. Around $1200.

3. Build your own system from a junkyard. This is what I did for my square. It's actually very easy (minus a few small details) - just get a 88+ fuel sending unit, pump, TBI, ECM, and wiring harness. It is pretty much plug and play. The issue is finding all the compatible parts - I put mine together from ebay + junkyard trips + rock auto and have probably $600 all-in.

Any of these three options will be better than the quadrajet on it's best day. I'd expect +10% fuel economy and power.

I wanted my truck to be period correct so option 1 & 3 would be best for that.

[68Timber]

I bet you get offers and comments every time you drive it.

[Corts60]

Hey thanks for the advice! I’m not sure if I’ll do the fuel injection this winter or not. The quadrajet really does run well for me. I’ve had so many over the years I’ve Learned their little tricks for the most part and have this one dialed in pretty good. Once it really starts to give me a hard time, its gone.

But for now, I started tearing into the entire fuel system. Got the tank out and ohmed out the sender. It’s bad. So a new sending unit and all new fuel hoses are in order. The tank looked immaculate on the inside. But the outside where the little tar paper pieces that guarded the edges was glued looks a little iffy. I’m going to brush off all the loose rust and see if the tank is still safe to use.