My 1965 Suburban

[tincan1966]

Finished welding in the big patch on the passenger side today, using an old door skin. Have a small rust area behind the lower rear patch to address, and finish grinding all the wleds. Also fabbed up the lower front fender brace/mounting and installed the fender. Will start on the door modification tomorrow. I am installing the rocker directly to the door,and extending the door skin down. to achieve a look similiar to the new chevy trucks. Will be posting more pics as it goes. had a good couple of days working on the 'Burb-glad to be feeling good and getting some work done!

[gostranger]

great progress glad to hear you are doing good!!!!!

[MikeS.]

Lookin good, keep it up.

[tincan1966]

Thanks! Will update with todays progress later.

[C@rnut001]

Your progress is looking good....keep it up. It must be hard to work in a shop with the heat...Thanks for the update pictures.

[tincan1966]

Here's today's progress on the door modification.

Starting off with I cut 3" off the bottom of the door skin,leaving the inner panel alone. This took care of the rust in the corners,too. Next I welded in a piece of 20 ga metal along the inner side of the door skin. I did this to re-enforce the skin. Then I cut the bottom 3 1/4" off the new lower door skin section,aligned it with the door and tacked it in place. And yes, as seen in the pics, I cut the door skin wrong and had to have 2 seams. I folded over the ends of the skin. I then trimmed off the top part of the new rocker panel, just behind where it steps up under the door. I clamped the step up tight along the door bottom, and welded it in place, using the groove to sink the welds flush. Everything is tacked up and ready to test fit on the 'Burb.

[tincan1966]

These pics show the new rocker attached to the door. Then the door on the 'Burb. Still have to finish fabbing up panels to close it all in and also the vertical panel that is the new rocker panel. Everything clearances good at the front. Very pleased with the result so far. I have never seen this look on our trucks, so thought I'd try it. Not too bad for a 1/2 days' work.

[longbed67]

Subscribed!

[tincan1966]

So finally getting around to adding pics of the drivers' side rear quarter repair. This side was a mess-- over 1/2" thick bondo from a previous "repair". Panels fit well and are tacked in. Still have a couple small patches to make, but at least I cannot see thru the quarters anymore.

[tincan1966]

Now for the latest on the new engine selection:
(still @ machine shop, will get pics soon)
Building and running without turbo, to dial in TBI system, then willadd T4 system.
1970 Chevy 292 block, all cleaned and crack checked
Block decked .020", new cam bearingsand freeze plugs
bored .040" over
Std 292 crankshaft, rods resized.
New flattop pistons(Sealed Power PN Z295AP) and Total Seal rings.
Rotating Assy balanced.
Cam: Designed for turbo and non-turbo use
Lift: I 521 E 512 Dur. I 218 E 212 w/ 114 degree lobe seperation
Stk 250 cid head,milled .020"
Autowerks lump port kit, heads studs.
1.84/1.60 stainless valves, HD springs, new retainers, locks, etc.
Harland Sharp roller rockers(1.75 ratio)
Comp Cams Hardened pushrods (.020' shorter)
Mercruiser Marine head gasket
Clifford 42-4501 intake with water heat crossover and Redline TBI adapter plate
Throttle body from a 1990 S-10 w/4.3L (500 CFM)
Howell TBI7747 ECM
Howell TP 257 inline fuel pump
Painless Performance TBI harness
TBI distributor from HEIDIZZY - small cap, 7 pin ESC(plugs directly into Painless/GM harness)
MSD 8226 dual plug coil
MSD 6425 Digital 6AL controller
MSD 8680 Adj timing control
MSD 31179 Wires
NGK V-Power plugs
Clifford Shorty split header(for now- SPA turbo manifold will be installed later)

If we did our math correctly, this combo, should be right at 9.4:1 compression, somewhere in the 260-275 HP range w/out turbo. Hopefully, we've got alot of adjustability built in so tuning changes can be made easily. Boost will only be in the 5-7psi range, mainly to provide a bit more mid-range/cruise RPM punch.
This engine is being built for about the same money as a decent SBC to achieve 1HP/Cubic inch.

[longbed67]

Have fun with the SPA! Be forewarned triple check and clean the casting sand out of every corner nook and cranny and have fun clearing the turbo on the frame rail and inner fender! Also make sure you grind down the corner of the manifold to clear the water temp sensor and clearance it in the right spots to clear you clifford manifold and cut notches so you can get you bolts in to clamp it down so that they arent cock eyed going in. Just saying from experience... it sucks

[tincan1966]

thanks for the info on the SPA. I have not purchased one, yet, and may not. If they're that much work I might just fab my own! I got skills! LOL! For the $500 I can scrap a lot of steel practicing!

[longbed67]

For $500 you could have someone build you a custom header for the turbo out of stainless! I only paid $285 shipped for my SPA!

[tincan1966]

apparently I am shopping in the wrong place. I think I found the listing on HotSixes, so that includes the trip across the pond. I am more concerned about the frame clearance issues now that you mentioned it. I have rack and pinion steering , so space between the eng and frame on drivers side, around motor mount is tight anyway. Have thought about mounting on passenger side, similiar to a Cummins and piping from OEM manifold, under oil pan to turbo, then over valve cover to intake. still early, but sure appreciate the fitment concern info!

[tincan1966]

Latest update and very hard to say--
Unfortunately, due to some extenuating circumstances, the "Burb is for sale.

Please review my build thread for most of the info on what has been done. Nothing that has been customized cannot be undone.
I am asking $3500 for everything I have for it, not including engine/trans,which are not completed or installed.

A few high points- all wiring is Painless performance, incuding the Phantom Key System, 21 circuit chassis harness, and TBI harness.

Custom built front crossmember-raised 3" in frame and forwar 1". Power rack and pinion steering. Stock front spindles(was going with 6 lug disc conversion) rear disc brake brackets on stock 12 bolt.

D2600 front air bags. VAir compressor w/auto control, and 3 gallon tank(chassis mounted under rear. Dual guage control panel(F,R,L,R)

All sheet metal to reapir body is either installed or included. Have extra parts, too.

For more info, call or text 620-330-7641, if I miss your call, pls leave a message.
Thanks!

[duallyjams]

sorry that you have to let this go

[Realnoisy]

Tincan, did you end up selling the burb or did you change your mind?

[tincan1966]

So far, we still have it. A few good things have turned our way.
A great jub opprotunity presented itself and it allows me to keep my shop open, too.
Figured with good jobs with good benefits so hard to find, I'd better jump.

Should actually get some new work done on it soon and will update the thread.

Thanks for asking!
Of, coarse, anything can be for sale, given the right time and right amount of $$$$ LOL

[Realnoisy]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

So far, we still have it. A few good things have turned our way.
A great jub opprotunity presented itself and it allows me to keep my shop open, too.
Figured with good jobs with good benefits so hard to find, I'd better jump.

Should actually get some new work done on it soon and will update the thread.

Thanks for asking!
Of, coarse, anything can be for sale, given the right time and right amount of $$$$ LOL

Good to hear and congrats on your good fortune! From the looks of your build, you have put your heart into the the truck and it'd be a bummer to have to sell.

[travz500]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

So far, we still have it. A few good things have turned our way.
A great jub opprotunity presented itself and it allows me to keep my shop open, too.
Figured with good jobs with good benefits so hard to find, I'd better jump.

Should actually get some new work done on it soon and will update the thread.

Thanks for asking!
Of, coarse, anything can be for sale, given the right time and right amount of $$$$ LOL

good to hear glad things have turned around for you pal if you still want that 292 I got its getting cheaper I sold some parts off of it here in the last few days but I still got it hope you get to keep and fiinish your truck looks as if you have put alot of heart and sole into it

[tincan1966]

Thanks guys for the enouragement! it was an odd year, and I know I am not alone.

travz- I will find a way to get back with you on that deal. yes am still interested.

[McMurphy]

Whew that was a close call eh?
I am not sure which one I hate the most, the guys who have to sell their sweat, blood, and time builds that rip a part of their hearts out....
or the ones that are built just for sale.

Probably the first one.

Glad you are hanging onto it, hope you get the time to work on it more soon and congrats on the new job/opportunities !!

[tincan1966]

For a little update- no new pics of anything, but here's where we are now. We've cleared the shop of all customer projects, completeing a 1979 El Camino 4 speed conversion(removed 305/TH350 and 7.5" rear/2.42 gear.) Installed a fresh 406 smal block,10.5" clutch and Saginaw 4 spd. Replaced rear end with 8.5" 3.73 posi.
So...now the 'Burb is front and center, up on stands and getting quite a bit done. The dughter(now just 16) has taken a real interest and is busting knuckes with me(very cool, BTW) We have the "dummy engine" mocked in for mount fabrication. have the basic wire harnesses(chassis, EFI and Phantom Key) installed and stubbed out. Will be finishing RF floorboard this week and then moving on to finish the rear quarters.
Machine shop has been slammed, so engine progress is slow, now on my 3rd block, trying to find a good one(first two were cracked.) Hopefully this one will clean up at .040" over. Lump kit is installed in head.
Made a great friend who started out as a customer, and he's pushing me on this and keeping me motivated. His project is a 1976 C-10 Short Step with 555cid twin turbo.
Again thanks to everyone for the encouragement, I enjoy seeing all the different projects here- there's so much fantastic talent.

Will post up some pics later this week.

[CRGRS 66]

Hey! How are things? Making any progress? I just subscribed, hope things are going well for you.

[1963c-10]

Hows the progress going?