'60 GMC Suburban (Project D-Daddy)

[Corts60]

Well, I got the tank in and the new fuel pump installed but it started to get late and just when I thought I was almost done, I realized the new fuel pump didn't have the soldered on fuel tank connection so I have to get a fitting tomorrow at work. Dang. I guess I can drive it tomorrow.

[Driveway Dreams]

Good for you. That thing is sweet!

[Corts60]

Alright! I got the fitting this morning and drove to work with a REAL gas tank! It is a nice feeling. The gas gauge works and everything. I am super stoked that I now have a driver. Monday when I have some time I am going to hit the highway and get her up to speed to see how she does.

[Corts60]

Drove it on the freeway tonight. The engine cruises at a way lower rpm than my truck did. My truck had 3.90's and a SM-318 and the rpm's were around 3000 @ 60 mph.. I'm not sure what the axle is in this but I know the tranny is an SM-420. I don't have a tach but from the sound I would guess she was at about 2200 or so rpm's at that speed. I love it.

She did great though. Here is a pic after I got the license lamp wired up before I took off.

[Surfdaddy]

Very cool. Can't wait to see what you find when you get it on the road. I'm hoping to get mine on the road by next weekend. Have to redo the whole brake system.

[justcuz]

Cort,

You probably have 3.73 or maybe even 3.42's in the Burb. Great buy! I think GMC still used Dana 44 rear ends in these years so parts are easy to get. Your rear springs have plastic spacers in them that help when they get old and sag. Knock those things out of the springs, clean them up and reinstall them. It will probably drop over an inch or more with those spacers out. I would suggest going to standard 1/2 ton pickup springs if the originals don't drop it enough for you. Chevelle springs are taller and softer, a set of Chevelle wagon springs may work. You will need some additional support in the back while towing, maybe airbags inside the springs? If you look at most 1/2 ton Suburbans, the rear springs are generally heavier than a 1/2 ton pickup (especially in the newer ones) that why I suggested 1/2 ton truck springs. Are you going to install a 2 barrel carb on the burb or put your twin carb setup on it? Don't sell that old SM 420 short, besides being a little noisy that trans is bullet proof and the granny gear is great for the slow crawl through the campgrounds or cruise night! Sorry I have not kept up lately, been pursuing other interests, but I am retiring this year so I'll be around more. Were your front wheel bearings roller or tapered? I think the originals were rollers, my 61 Chevy was I know. The replacements were tapered Timkens.

P.S. I looked again at the spring spacers, you may have the old 2 piece metal style that bolted together, anyway those are a Mickey Mouse fix for sagging springs. Take them out you will definately lose an inch or more.

[Corts60]

Thanks Justcuz! I thought about taking those things out of the springs and seeing what happened. Haven't done it yet though. As far as the wheel bearings they were ball/roller bearings and I just re-packed them and put them back in. They were in great shape. Those tapered replacements are damn expensive and I didn't see any reason spending money on something that wasn't broke.

[Corts60]

OK, I've gotten quite a bit accomplished over this last week. I pressure washed the engine, cleaned up some other stuff, straightened up the bumper (FINALLY!) and installed my new grill I got for a $100. I am super excited about the look now. I also decided that riding around on the bumpstops was not for me so I put the factory springs back in. I do miss the way it sat when it was lowered though. Oh, well. When I get some money later, I will bag it.

Here are some new pics:

Old vs New

[CHIZZLER]

Looks good cort.you got that grill at the swap meet this weekend.lots of goodies there this year.i got www with about 1000 miles for $180.truck looks good.

[Corts60]

Thanks man. I actually got the grill from a guy that lives a few blocks away. I saw a couple venders at the swap meet that had some stuff but I only got about a 1/4 of the way around. Next year I want to try and do the whole thing but may need to buy a damn golf cart.

[Surfdaddy]

Great buy on the grill!!! What a difference!! Looks real good.

[Corts60]

Thanks!

I was working on the instrument cluster that I got at the swap meet for 10 bucks. I got the oil gauge from ebay and the "motor minder" from a close friend who has had it since he bought it in the 50's.

For a 51 year old engine, 30 psi and 19" of vacuum at idle are pretty damn respectable. I love these V-6's!

[justcuz]

How much did it sag with the spacers out of the stock springs?
Needs some stock outer mirrors and brackets. Black brackets with chrome round mirrors. Get some old fashioned clip-ons for towing, they set in the window sill and had a strap to the bottom of the door.
You'll learn to love that trans, it give the truck character with gear whine!

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by justcuz

How much did it sag with the spacers out of the stock springs?
Needs some stock outer mirrors and brackets. Black brackets with chrome round mirrors. Get some old fashioned clip-ons for towing, they set in the window sill and had a strap to the bottom of the door.
You'll learn to love that trans, it give the truck character with gear whine!

yeah, the tranny isn't as loud as the SM-318's though. When I downshift to 3rd coming to a stop, it is much quieter than when I would downshift to second with the 318 in my old truck. It's not bad though.

[protrash64]

The new grill looks great; good job on the dash, Cort.

[justcuz]

If you change the gear oil once every 5 years that trans will outlive us!

[Surfdaddy]

I remember a vacuum gauge like that on the early 80's caprice's The gauge would let you know when you were not getting the best milage. Trying to get you to keep you foot out of the gas. We used to make a game out of trying to keep it in the green all the time. Great addition.

[irish1966]

Lookin sweet man. I hear ya on the golf cart. I'm no slouch but walking that swap meet definitely wore me out. You comin out to hillsboro for the cruise in on Sat?

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by irish1966

Lookin sweet man. I hear ya on the golf cart. I'm no slouch but walking that swap meet definitely wore me out. You comin out to hillsboro for the cruise in on Sat?

Didn't know about it...when/where? I work until 6 so I'll probably miss it.

[wutnxt]

Think I walked past that grill......looks great man...
I walked around the track twice looking for a good hood....I saw a red one at the expo but one of you guy's probaly got to it before me cause it was sold when i got to it...lol...

[thebeast61]

I love that burb man it is really cool. I was wondering what carb you put on it? mine needs a rebuild and was thinkin about just replacing it but wasnt sure which one to go with. im not looking for performance or anything fancy.

[Corts60]

Hey beast 61, I am running a rebuilt Holley 1904, which is the factory one barrel. As soon as I get a two barrel manifold, I am going to throw on a Stromberg 97 that I have.

[Corts60]

Hey everyone,

I haven't accomplished much mechanically on the ol' girl recently...but I have been doing some shining. All of you that truly believe a turd can be polished should enjoy these pics. Right, I have only polished the turqoise on the driver side and the front end. Hopefully by the weekend, I will have the other side completed along with the roof and the white parts. Enjoy.


It was getting dark out when I took this pic so it doesn't quite do it justice but it gives it a nice satin look

[Surfdaddy]

Looks good. I used comet and sctoch brite then went over the whole truck with 1000 grit and wetsanded. It took care of the chalking and stains. I sprayed some of that quick wax on it and made it look like a satin / flat finish. But my truck was repainted in the PO's backyard and not washed in 30 years. With your factory paint it looks really good.

[Corts60]

OK, been awhile since I updated this. Really there is not much to update I guess. I have been out of town a lot lately. And broke, so....

Here is a current pic with it lowered again and with some Fiesta hubcaps. Those factory GMC caps are going to be the hardest find of my life I think.


I am trying to get it ready for two car shows this month. The biggest hassle I am going to have is to figure out how to make the homemade hitch lower so I can tow my camper. I've got two weeks...