1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'

[ManNamedJed]

Mounted up new balancer and timing tab.

[ManNamedJed]

Fuel line is in the way, so that will have to get relocated.

FYI - if anyone else does this, the instructions say to mount the water pump first, but it would go a lot easier if you did it after mounting the AC brackets

Another issue, the new bracketry is for a R4 type compressor and I have a Sanden 508. There are some adapter kits out there, so I gave that a try. Here is initial mock up.

[ManNamedJed]

New alternator on. It moves the alternator up and in, so I had to make a new charging wire, and add the CS-SI adapter pigtail.

PS pump also moves up and in, so lines will need some tweaking. Fun stuff!

[ManNamedJed]

Was making good progress and decided to tighten down the AC Compressor. I think the adapter was based on different bracketry, because some things weren't lining up great. I thought I had it good, and was tightening the last bolt and 'POP!'.

So yeah, this happened.

[ManNamedJed]

Also realized my water pump is now reverse flow, so I had to go get a new reverse flow fan and fan clutch - to replace the ones I added just last year. Also had to go to several places to find the odd ball fan clutch bolts, which were different than the oddball fan clutch bolts I had to track down last time.

Ended up getting a new fuel pump that points the in/out in a better direction. I probably could have made the old one work, but I didn't know how old it was and I figured, while I'm at it.....

I think the AC would be okay with the broken ear. It is firmly attached at three other points. I could also clock up up to the next set of tabs too, so its not the end of the world, just made for a frustrating day.

And I think my helper would rather be working on plumbing projects.

[LockDoc]

-
Seems like the bad luck never ends....

Yup, your helper looks like he is ready to go use the plumbing....

Where did you get the serp pulley for the Sanden 508? I need one of those too. Have a part number by chance?

Thanks,
LockDoc

[HO455]

As is my usual I scrolled down looked at the picture before reading and went oohhhh d0mm!!!
I know your pain brother.
Look's like your doing well otherwise!
Keep up the good work.

[ManNamedJed]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
Seems like the bad luck never ends....

Yup, your helper looks like he is ready to go use the plumbing....

Where did you get the serp pulley for the Sanden 508? I need one of those too. Have a part number by chance?

Thanks,
LockDoc

PN MCH-P475 at Summit. Its $135. You can find them for around $100 on amazon and ebay, but since summit is local and is easy to do returns, I don't mind paying more there. I was actually there three times times weekend and will be back today.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by ManNamedJed

PN MCH-P475 at Summit. Its $135. You can find them for around $100 on amazon and ebay, but since summit is local and is easy to do returns, I don't mind paying more there. I was actually there three times times weekend and will be back today.

Thanks for that. I will get one ordered. I wish I had one close to me.

LockDoc

[ManNamedJed]

Not many updates lately. Got frustrated and didn't touch it for 6+ months.

Took a course on Manual Transmissions, Axles and Transfer Cases at the local community college. Was a cool experience. Got to put the suburban on a rack and run it safely to look for issues. Instructor agreed the issue seems to be in the transmission or transfer case.

Sooo....
I ordered up a NV4500 and 241 transfer case today. $$$$$! However I'm at the point where I just want to throw money at it to get it to a point that its driveable. Hopefully that will give me smooth shifting, overdrive, and cure my vibration issues.

Its going to be a PITA project. Shifter will be in a different location. Will require a different transfer case shifter. Going to convert to hydraulic clutch at the same time. Will require new driveshafts (again). My new exhaust will likely need modified. The trans/case should arrive in 2-3 weeks, so expect more updates then.

[LockDoc]

-
Good to see you working on it again. I don't know what year NV4500 you are getting or what your current transmission is for sure, but here is a thread where I installed an NV4500 in my '72 C30 using the stock SM465 bell housing, clutch setup, and clutch linkage.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=673588

LockDoc

[ManNamedJed]

Thanks, I've read every NV4500 thread on this board, and yours several times, so I'll certainly be reviewing it. I am still debating whether to go with the stock clutch linkage or convert to hydraulic.

I was also looking at maybe scooting the engine forward a few inches to compensate for the different shifter location.

Midwest Transmission is actually building me a NV4500 with a dodge output shaft to mate with a Dodge 241 as the Chevy pass drop 241s are pretty rare. I requested the taller gearset as I have 4.10s already, and the 241 has a lower low range.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by ManNamedJed

Thanks, I've read every NV4500 thread on this board, and yours several times, so I'll certainly be reviewing it. I am still debating whether to go with the stock clutch linkage or convert to hydraulic.

I was also looking at maybe scooting the engine forward a few inches to compensate for the different shifter location.

Midwest Transmission is actually building me a NV4500 with a dodge output shaft to mate with a Dodge 241 as the Chevy pass drop 241s are pretty rare. I requested the taller gearset as I have 4.10s already, and the 241 has a lower low range.

Sounds good. Keep us posted on your progress.

LockDoc

[BigBird05]

Please fabricate a metal fuel line and don't use the one in the picture.

[ManNamedJed]

Got some expensive new parts in. Now to get them installed.

Looking at the shifter locations, I think I'm going to try to keep this simple and stick with stock engine location, and use the manual clutch for now. Still need to source a trans mount, and will have to figure out the crossmember mounting.

[HO455]

Looks like a great addition. Here is some information on how to update the factory clutch linkages so they hold their own compared to a hydraulic clutch.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/498...linkage-build/

And a link to the Speedway motors clutch fork which was not mentioned in the article. Using a heim joint on the clutch fork removes some more friction from the linkage making the pedal feel even better.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ork,37080.html

[layinrocker65]

This is a great build.

[ManNamedJed]

Originally Posted by HO455

Looks like a great addition. Here is some information on how to update the factory clutch linkages so they hold there own compared to a hydraulic clutch.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/498...linkage-build/

And a link to the Speedway motors clutch fork which was not mentioned in the article. Using a heim joint on the clutch fork removes some more friction from the linkage making the pedal feel even better.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ork,37080.html

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[best view]

Yep my plumber wears the same shorts wondering what the cost is for them

[LT7A]

I think it's very cool that you're building an adventure rig for your family. Priceless time with your boys working on the truck. Literally, even if you get nothing done. I'll bet there are many who would give anything they have now to go back and have that time again. In fact, my dad has told me that exact thing. Since your boys are working on it with you, the adventure of the adventure rig has already begun. Thanks for telling us about it. PS, I like the truck too.

[ManNamedJed]

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately other things have come up and haven't started the trans swap yet. I think I may have to take a few days off work to dive into it.

[ManNamedJed]

My old man claims to be bored and needs a project to 'fiddle' on and offered to do my trans swap. He is a retired mechanic who specialized in big rig trans and diff rebuilds so he'd done about a million trans installs.

I think he took pity on me seeing I was buried in other projects and would not have gotten around to it anytime soon.

Popped by his place to help with a few things. Trans is out, thankfully didn't have to cut the new exhaust.

[ManNamedJed]

Snap on wrenches after 40yrs of use - the logos have gotten faint:

[ManNamedJed]

A tour around my old man's place.....

The 1965 'parts hauling' truck. It has a rebuilt 292 with a clifford intake, 3x3 dual exhaust and header, and a 3 spd transmission. Its fun to drive! Note the repurposed old ladders as side racks.

[ManNamedJed]

1961 GMC with a 70s truck 454. His 67 Skylark convertible is under the cover.