1960 GMC Suburban

[KIC]

Still working on it. Just keep finding lil nicks and imperfections that we can't get past. So we keep sanding and priming and sanding. Did run into a problem..as I was taping up the front grill area I noticed that the hood that had already been painted and clear coated was rusting in the seem area. That really sucks.

[jbgroby]

Kic,

I hate to see that happen to you, your build is one I am following and it has gotten me back in the hurry up and finish itch. The painter who is doing my truck used seam sealer in every crack and seam he and I could find. I'm in south Louisiana and is super humid.

If you finding yourself having repaint it, use the seam sealer.

The seam sealer is a 3-M product.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by KIC

Did run into a problem..as I was taping up the front grill area I noticed that the hood that had already been painted and clear coated was rusting in the seem area. That really sucks.

Has it been stored outside this whole time? Even if it has, being that you're from AZ, I wouldn't think that would happen so fast.

[KIC]

Yes, unfortunately it has been outside this whole time. If you look back you can see the several times that it was down to bare metal and it was rained on. So i'm guessing that there was rust in the seams that we didn't see and was trapped under some primer. Probably end up stripping and re-spraying the hood.

[MikeS.]

That does suck, but it's good you caught it now.

[KIC]

SO..... work has resumed after so many attempts to put color on this Burb. We have taped the windows so many times that 3-M stock has tripled.

[KIC]

A couple more from last week.

[KIC]

Yesterday.... it just keeps getting closer... hope the weather holds for another couple of days.

[KIC]

Few more from yesterday. Checked it out today and the sides are baby butt smooth. When he got it smooth and shiny, he saw a "problem" on a rear corner panel that wasn't perfect so he did a little more final body work. Hope to out color on it either tomorrow afternoon or Thursday if the weather holds, which it is supposed to....

[kikkegek]

Nice. What you going for on colors?

[KIC]

We are doing the original white over forrest green except I am not painting the roof dark green due to Arizona summers...

[gostranger]

great progress! looking good!!

[KIC]

So she is SSooooo ready for color. Unfortunately the weather has not cooperated as we are in the hot rainy season here, so it is now back on hold until things cool off and calm down.

Someday....someday..

[kikkegek]

nice progress....hard work will finaly pay of

[1962 Panel]

*Subscribed* Nice work man!

[KIC]

I know I posted this on a different thread, but I am wondering what other stock Burb owners have found to fit on the stock suspension and body set up.

I am wondering what size radial tire is best, and fits the best, for my 60 Burb. It used to have the typical taller bias ply type tires. I have the original 16-inch rims and want the tallest and widest "normal" looking tires I can put on it keeping the original rims and hubcaps. I don't want it to hit the inside of the fender well when turning and the rear inner fender well isn't the widest either. I am keeping the stock suspension.

Just wondering what other owners of stock Burbs have found to be the best stock 16-inch tires that look healthy and work on the burb, front and rear.

[KIC]

Okay, so I screwed up. Everything in the last post is correct except that I have the original 15-inch rims, not 16-inch. Being TDY for 4 months made my memory incorrect.

The original tires that came on the Burb were 7.10 X 15 6ply.

So I did some research. I want to get the biggest stock looking tire possible. I know there is a big difference in ride between a bias ply and a radial on these tanks.

So……..

Tire width is the width of the tire measured in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. The first three-digit number in the tire size refers to the tire width in millimeters . For example a 215/65 R15 tire, the width is 215 millimeters. Aspect Ratio is the ratio of the height of the tire's cross-section to its width. Obviously the R is for radial.
A metric tire's section width is measured in millimeters. This measurement is taken from sidewall to sidewall.

Aspect Ratio - "65" This number refers to the height of the sidewall. It is a percentage of the section width. For example, 65 percent of the section width of 205mm (8.07inches wide) equals 133.25mm, this converts to a sidewall height of 5.25 inches. So I made the following charts:

205mm = 8.07 wide 65 = 133.25mm = 5.25 height
210mm = 8.27 wide 65 = 136.5mm = 5.37 height
215mm = 8.46 wide 65 = 139.75mm = 5.50 height
220mm= 8.66 wide 65 = 143mm = 5.63 height
225mm= 8.86 wide 65 = 146.25mm = 5.76 height
230mm= 9.05 wide 65 = 149.50mm =5.88 height
235mm= 9.25 wide 65 =153.75mm = 6.05 height

205mm = 8.07 wide 70= 143.5mm = 5.25 height
210mm = 8.27 wide 70 = 147mm = 5.79 height
215mm = 8.46 wide 70 = 150.5mm = 5.93 height
220mm= 8.66 wide 70 = 154mm = 6.06 height
225mm= 8.86 wide 70 = 157.5mm = 6.2 height
230mm= 9.05 wide 70 = 161mm =6.34 height
235mm= 9.25 wide 70 =164.5mm = 6.48 height
205mm = 8.07 wide 70= 143.5mm = 5.25 height
210mm = 8.27 wide 70 = 147mm = 5.79 height

215mm = 8.46 wide 75 = 161.25mm = 6.35 height
220mm= 8.66 wide 75 = 165mm = 6.5 height
225mm= 8.86 wide 75 = 168.75mm = 6.64 height
230mm= 9.05 wide 75= 172.5mm =6.79 height
235mm= 9.25 wide 75 =176.25mm = 6.94 height


However, it seems the the 75 is a taller tire and fills up the wheelwell better.

The fitment issue is in the "235" size that may need or require a minimum 6-inch rim and I believe the stock 15-inch is 5.5-inches wide. There has been some who have successfully used 235’s on 5.5-inch rims.

One tire that was suggested is the Primewell PS850 but it is only a 4-ply tire.

Also, the Yokohama RY215 7.00R15 D is suggested but is a commercial all position tire that is designed for light to medium duty commercial applications. This is an 8-ply tire that will have a rough ride and run about $170.00 each. The Yokohama is 29.4" tall and the P235's are 28.9" tall.

A P205/75R15 is 27.2" tall

What I hope to do is decide on a size, buy a used set for rollers while putting the tank back together and then buying new tires when it is road ready.

A picture of the RY215 7.00R15 D is below:

[KIC]

Thanks to MusicMan70 for the comparison and picture below. Gave me the info I was looking for:
( Sodly also said he has used these on two of his and likes them)


(MusicMan70)
Here is my 61 with the Yokohama's on 15 x 5 wheels. I felt they rode fine on stock suspension and shocks with only lowering blocks (2") and torsion bars slightly turned down. Prior to this I had 235 x 70 x 16's and those rode nicely too, but I used spacers for late model truck wheels.

I tried 215 x 75 x 15's but they were too short. I wanted the skinny tire factory look. Here are some tire compare pics

[The_Hub]

Looks good man. You're making great progress. No matter how small moving forward is moving forward! Keep it up!

[The_Hub]

Any updates?

[KIC]

Unfortunately no. No activity. That's the way it has been. Between finances, weather and time. None of them match up. Still hoping something will happen. Built a paint tent and before it could be used, an unexpected storm came through and destroyed it.

Still trying. Will never give up. Just wish I could get her done while my Dad is still healthy enough to enjoy her.

[The_Hub]

Originally Posted by KIC

Unfortunately no. No activity. That's the way it has been. Between finances, weather and time. None of them match up. Still hoping something will happen. Built a paint tent and before it could be used, an unexpected storm came through and destroyed it.

Still trying. Will never give up. Just wish I could get her done while my Dad is still healthy enough to enjoy her.

All you can do is keep rollin. Let us know how it goes.

[KIC]

Well, although I have said it before, this time it looks like things will start to roll again on the Burb. My father decided that he wanted to see the Burb back on the road again and wants to help financially.

I have to start over again trying to locate the best deal on the best parts to get things done.

Right now I have been trying to find somebody just to shoot (finish) the paint.

I will be asking for info on best places and deals on parts etc since all my original research and lists are from 4 years ago. Have to update my catalogs since they are all 4 + years old.

[KIC]

So anybody have a hidden site that has good, but reasonable radiators for my 60 V-6 Burb ? The local shop want $500 just clean, rod an solder/braze a leak on the top of the original. Replacements are 389 - 420+ and that price makes me think that I should go with the $500 to keep it original..thoughts ??

[Llay R. Rac]

20 or so years ago i had local glass guy replace the rubber on my side windows, he used some generic rubber weatherstripping off the roll. if i recall correct there were a few choices of which generic weatherstrip profile to use. i went for the thinnest, because it was the cheapest. they have held up well except for coming unglued at the corners. I had some extra cash a few years ago and bought a expensive correct set from steele rubber. i havent put them on yet, but they definitely will look a lot better then the skinny home made stuff i have now.