I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

argh lol, ...more Rt. 66 pics, ...you're killing me lol

Great shots as usual

Thanks!

Ok, had to photo bomb these pickups in Prescott at a new antique store (there are several downtown, like we need another one ).

[89AKurt]

Got driver quality backup lenses from burb71, the old lens fell apart when I pulled it out.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

...
So you must've renewed your membership, since your avatar's in Blue.

Yes, have shocks and a couple parts to sell.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Fleetside and Blazer parts are easy. Suburban tail light lenses are rare.

[toms68cst]

Kurt, You have a great photographic eye!

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by toms68cst

Kurt, You have a great photographic eye!

THANK YOU!

I might change my icon picture.


I report that Blue Cloud runs like a champ, but leaks more oil than I want. It bogs up long grades, and was bucking the 50 MPH headwind okay, but was a handful steering. It's "only" a 307, so is it worth tearing apart and putting new seals in, or just find a better engine?

['68OrangeSunshine]

The 307 is an orphan. It gets very little love or respect from the engine-building ''Hot Rod'' community. The 283s were revered for their spunk and surprizing torque, the 327s were legendary for being able to get turned into race machines. Either of those would get enthusistic support for a rebuild project. I did once talk to a wizened old mechanic in a long-gone junkyard in South Tucson. [C. 1994, I was buying a GM HEI for my '67 K/10 Suburban]. He had a 307 in his Camaro, that he'd rebuilt with some snakey tricks. It was so hot, he wouldn't let his goofy teenage nephew drive it... Some weird trick with bevelling an angle on the heads. IDK the theory there. Long Gone Technology now.
Anyway, unless you're going for Concours d'Elegance Originality points for having the Original Engine [''Numbers Matching'' does not exist for trucks. They were expected to use multiple engines in their service career] -- best advice is to get a Chevy 350 Mr Goodwrench Crate Motor. It will have a 3 year, xx,000 mile warranty. Fit perfectly, and give you 43 more cubic inches of power. Also economically priced. And probably less than a thorough rebuild of the 307.

Shop around. I got $100 off the quoted retail from Matthews Chevy at O'Reilley Chevy * for having a ''good Irish name'' -- Even though they were 10 miles out of the way and crosstown. [* No relation to the auto parts chain.] I have a crate 350 in my '71 GMC Jimmy. 21 years old and still running strong.
Jegs and Summit are good prospects.

[KevinK7]

Kurt, That 'Mountain Lions" photo looks great
...and ditto on the 350 crate engine idea, as noted especially with the warranty.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

The 307 is an orphan. It gets very little love or respect from the engine-building ''Hot Rod'' community. The 283s were revered for their spunk and surprizing torque, the 327s were legendary for being able to get turned into race machines. Either of those would get enthusistic support for a rebuild project. I did once talk to a wizened old mechanic in a long-gone junkyard in South Tucson. [C. 1994, I was buying a GM HEI for my '67 K/10 Suburban]. He had a 307 in his Camaro, that he'd rebuilt with some snakey tricks. It was so hot, he wouldn't let his goofy teenage nephew drive it... Some weird trick with bevelling an angle on the heads. IDK the theory there. Long Gone Tehnology now.
Anyway, unless you're going for Concours d'Elegance Originality points for having the Original Engine [''Numbers Matching'' does not exist for trucks. They were expected to use multiple engines in their service career] -- best advice is to get a Chevy 350 Mr Goodwrench Crate Motor. It will have a 3 year, xx,000 mile warranty. Fit perfectly, and give you 43 more cubic inches of power. Also economically priced. And probably less than a thorough rebuild of the 307.

Shop around. I got $100 off the quoted retail from Matthews Chevy at O'Reilley Chevy * for having a ''good Irish name'' -- Even though they were 10 miles out of the way and crosstown. [* No relation to the auto parts chain.] I have a crate 350 in my '71 GMC Jimmy. 21 years old and still running strong.
Jegs and Summit are good prospects.

The '69 I had before, had that engine! Makes total sense.

That idea sounds like a flamewar. *edit* I found this from 2018: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=762135&page=2

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 89AKurt

The '69 I had before, had that engine! Makes total sense.

That idea sounds like a flamewar. *edit* I found this from 2018: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=762135&page=2

Sorry, Kurt. I didn't get you. Did your '69 have a Mr Goodwrench 350 or a 307?
Love the coffee table gag.
Personally, I have no experience with running a 307. I've had 350s, a 454 and I'm on my third * 292 L6.
The BBC 454 was big ugly beautiful brute with a bigdog thirst. In my '67 4x4 K/10 Suburban it was a tank. Off road, it was bruteforce vs nature. But the fuel gauge needle spun down in equal and opposite reaction to the speedo needle going up. I had the stock underbelly 20 gallon tank, and a PO's homebrew 16 Gal aux tank [made from an Army surplus gunpowder can -- w/ no gas gauge], even then I had to keep a lookout for gas stations on the way. 6 City -- 8 Highway. And only 91 octane please. Not a feasable rebuild when gas is around $2.95/Gal for Regular. Also Fred Flintstone had better brakes.
Not sure what displacement V8 was in my '71 Jimmy when I bought it. Local Unocal mechanics said it was a strong motor when checking it out for me
before I bought it. PO said it was a 327. He lied. Might have been a 307 or a 350. It flunked Pima County emissions. I played around with the carbs. It came with a non-original QJet. Traded that in at Checker Auto -- not knowing any better -- got a dog of Reman QJet back. Then I tried a Holley 780 CFM doublepumper, a friend gave me free. I was using some 105 Octane, when it sucked valves. Valves on Cyl's 6 and 7 got loose enough to crush the ceramic middles of both spark plugs. [Some bad JuJu that's over my head there.]
Anyway I bought a fresh Crate 350, Weiand intake, Carter Performance 9625S AFB, and Heddman headers. Winning combo. Later, a GM HEI.
If you had an L6 [I-6s are in Fords and Toyotas] I'd be emotionally involved, as my C/10 came with a 292 and I've rebuilt 2 of them. If you had a 250, I'd talk you into a 292. It's got a lot of torque, doesn't rev very high, but mule-like endurance and longevity. I got 250,000 out of a 1977 build.
[* Original Engine -- rebuilt after 25 years in boxes]

Flame war topics are:
V8 vs L6
Headers vs Rams Horn
QJets vs Holleys vs Edlebrocks [Carter dropped out of the Carb game]
Wix vs AC Delco

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Sorry, Kurt. I didn't get you. Did your '69 have a Mr Goodwrench 350 or a 307?
Love the coffee table gag.
Personally, I have no experience with running a 307. I've had 350s, a 454 and I'm on my third * 292 L6.
The BBC 454 was big ugly beautiful brute with a bigdog thirst. In my '67 4x4 K/10 Suburban it was a tank. Off road, it was bruteforce vs nature. But the fuel gauge needle spun down in equal and opposite reaction to the speedo needle going up. I had the stock underbelly 20 gallon tank, and a PO's homebrew 16 Gal aux tank [made from an Army surplus gunpowder can -- w/ no gas gauge], even then I had to keep a lookout for gas stations on the way. 6 City -- 8 Highway. And only 91 octane please. Not a feasable rebuild when gas is around $2.95/Gal for Regular. Also Fred Flintstone had better brakes.
Not sure what displacement V8 was in my '71 Jimmy when I bought it. Local Unocal mechanics said it was a strong motor when checking it out for me
before I bought it. PO said it was a 327. He lied. Might have been a 307 or a 350. It flunked Pima County emissions. I played around with the carbs. It came with a non-original QJet. Traded that in at Checker Auto -- not knowing any better -- got a dog of Reman QJet back. Then I tried a Holley 780 CFM doublepumper, a friend gave me free. I was using some 105 Octane, when it sucked valves. Valves on Cyl's 6 and 7 got loose enough to crush the ceramic middles of both spark plugs. [Some bad JuJu that's over my head there.]
Anyway I bought a fresh Crate 350, Weiand intake, Carter Performance 9625S AFB, and Heddman headers. Winning combo. Later, a GM HEI.
If you had an L6 [I-6s are in Fords and Toyotas] I'd be emotionally involved, as my C/10 came with a 292 and I've rebuilt 2 of them. If you had a 250, I'd talk you into a 292. It's got a lot of torque, doesn't rev very high, but mule-like endurance and longevity. I got 250,000 out of a 1977 build.
[* Original Engine -- rebuilt after 25 years in boxes]

Flame war topics are:
V8 vs L6
Headers vs Rams Horn
QJets vs Holleys vs Edlebrocks [Carter dropped out of the Carb game]
Wix vs AC Delco

The '69 had a 350 Mr. Goodwrench. The '48 I had last century, had a 235, not the original 216, was good enough for up to 50 MPH. I have to look now, to see what carb and distributor I got. Yea brakes have something to be desired, used to tripling stopping distance.

Good to know what subjects to avoid.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Kurt if you want a Second Opinion, put a post under _Engine and Driveline_ with a title like: ''Should I rebuild my Original 307?''

['68OrangeSunshine]

Yeah, I hate it when some ''kid'' cuts in front of me -- seeing 5 car lengths -- and zips in, sensing his opportunity. He doesn't know he's now in my stopping zone, and if I crush his Prius, it was his fault.
[OK, just road rage fantasy here. I know I'm legally at fault if I hit someone from behind.]

Still thinking about a crate motor? You might price all the PHX dealerships.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Yeah, I hate it when some ''kid'' cuts in front of me -- seeing 5 car lengths -- and zips in, sensing his opportunity. He doesn't know he's now in my stopping zone, and if I crush his Prius, it was his fault.
[OK, just road rage fantasy here. I know I'm legally at fault if I hit someone from behind.]

Still thinking about a crate motor? You might price all the PHX dealerships.

I'm in no position to replace the engine, but should get somewhat educated before "something" happens. This is what I got. Since you live in Tucson, you ever have vapor lock when it's really hot? When I shut down, and started several minutes later, it started without trouble, but when I accelerated it stumbled bad, but cleared up. Is the gas line too close to the engine?


Today I wanted some pictures of the wildfire smoke that blew south. Took a shortcut that shook the hell out Blue Cloud. Makes me want to Trophy Truck the suspension.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Never on the 292, but the 350 in the GMC Jimmy has vapor locked, I thought. I put a high temp heat rap around the fuel line -- packrats ate it off.
Turned it wasn't vapor lock but a bad HEI coil. Replaced it and flushed the radiator with new coolant. Runs fine and cool.

[89AKurt]

Yea, bloody packrats!
Nothing else to report, other than it would be nice to get a positrac rear end.

['68OrangeSunshine]

On the '68 C/10 Stepside, I swapped in a 3.73 12 Bolt Corp rear with Eaton posi when my first diff burned up. That was Mid '80s. Got it off a '69 GMC in a junkyard in Tucson and had Simmons Enterprises set it up for me. Had to buy one new axle shaft from the Chevy dealer. Still running good.

The differential and axle bearings burned up my '67 K/10 Suburban. [3.73 12 Bolt, of course]This time [Mid '90s] GM was on strike, so I couldn't find new axles. Calling around, Moser Custom Axles made me the best deal. New 6 lug ''stock-like'' custom axles for a good price. Actually the hub flange was an inch and a half lesser in diameter than stock. Moser told me they'd warranty them for life. OK Sold. Also put in an Auburn posi. Tucson Differential did the set-up. Then a carb fire grounded the Sub, and she sat.

In 2010, I had to pull some old IH Scout hulks [an ex-friend had left on my property for 8 years] out of their ruts with my '71 GMC also 3.73 12 Bolt with factory Eaton Posi. About a couple weeks later, the rear end on the Jimmy lunched at a CircleK, a half mile from my house.
I pulled the rear prop shaft and limped home in front wheel drive. Then Dennis, my Buddy, and I cannibalized the Suburban's Auburn posi rear and put it on the Jimmy. Still working great.

I do need to get the GMC's OEM Eaton rearend rebuilt some day, but 25 - 30 years ago I dropped a grand doing that. So I know I can't afford it right now, since there's precious little work.
Positraction is neater than sliced bread, though. Only thing I miss is deliberately fishtailing on dirt roads. That was fun, but Posi won't let you do it.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

On the '68 C/10 Stepside, I swapped in a 3.73 12 Bolt Corp rear with Eaton posi when my first diff burned up. That was Mid '80s. Got it off a '69 GMC in a junkyard in Tucson and had Simmons Enterprises set it up for me. Had to buy one new axle shaft from the Chevy dealer. Still running good.

The differential and axle bearings burned up my '67 K/10 Suburban. [3.73 12 Bolt, of course]This time [Mid '90s] GM was on strike, so I couldn't find new axles. Calling around, Moser Custom Axles made me the best deal. New 6 lug ''stock-like'' custom axles for a good price. Actually the hub flange was an inch and a half lesser in diameter than stock. Moser told me they'd warranty them for life. OK Sold. Also put in an Auburn posi. Tucson Differential did the set-up. Then a carb fire grounded the Sub, and she sat.

In 2010, I had to pull some old IH Scout hulks [an ex-friend had left on my property for 8 years] out of their ruts with my '71 GMC also 3.73 12 Bolt with factory Eaton Posi. About a couple weeks later, the rear end on the Jimmy lunched at a CircleK, a half mile from my house.
I pulled the rear prop shaft and limped home in front wheel drive. Then Dennis, my Buddy, and I cannibalized the Suburban's Auburn posi rear and put it on the Jimmy. Still working great.

I do need to get the GMC's OEM Eaton rearend rebuilt some day, but 25 - 30 years ago I dropped a grand doing that. So I know I can't afford it right now, since there's precious little work.
Positraction is neater than sliced bread, though. Only thing I miss is deliberately fishtailing on dirt roads. That was fun, but Posi won't let you do it.

Thanks for the input! I'm not going to fishtail (or do the Ken Block gymkhana) with this truck! LOL

Didn't work on Blue Cloud, instead I pulled this 1970 Raleigh Chopper from the shop rafters, which has been there for about 35 years. Cleaned and lubed it, and hacked a chainguard from a range front. Prescott Antique Auto Club show coming soon, first week of August. Wanted to accessorize. LOL





I took more pictures than this.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Cool bike. I have a Raleigh Royale in the same color. Royale was a 5-speed with rams horn handlebars. I bought it in the PX at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. We could take our bikes with us [on flatbed semitrailers] when we deployed to other bases in the West Pac. Kadena Okinawa, and Cubi Point, Phllipine Islands. At a bike shop in Iwakuni I had it modified with a SunTour rear gear set and new double sprocket front crank = 10 speed, and 27'' wheels. Needs work and a new saddle. It had a Brooks leather saddle. The kind that gives you a free proctology exam with every long ride. Packrats ate the leather.
Who's Ken Block?

[KevinK7]

That is a very 'Kool' bike Kurt ...those things bring crazy money these days...

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

That is a very 'Kool' bike Kurt ...those things bring crazy money these days...

That's what I found out! Much like anything old, and if it was desirable at the time. Just like our trucks. All the Hot Wheels, and Corgi toys I wasted too......

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Cool bike. I have a Raleigh Royale in the same color. Royale was a 5-speed with rams horn handlebars. I bought it in the PX at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. We could take our bikes with us [on flatbed semitrailers] when we deployed to other bases in the West Pac. Kadena Okinawa, and Cubi Point, Phllipine Islands. At a bike shop in Iwakuni I had it modified with a SunTour rear gear set and new double sprocket front crank = 10 speed, and 27'' wheels. Needs work and a new saddle. It had a Brooks leather saddle. The kind that gives you a free proctology exam with every long ride. Packrats ate the leather.
Who's Ken Block?

I'm familiar with those saddles, avoided them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuDN2bCIyus

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 89AKurt

I'm familiar with those saddles, avoided them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuDN2bCIyus

OK, Now I know who Ken Block is. Wow, that's some stunt. Not sure if his Ford Focus is the front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Drifting with FWD is easier, but in some slow-mo shots, it looks like the rear wheels are smoking too. If not driven, friction would have slowed them down. I guess the hockey stick control modulates power to the rear differential. I thought it was a bootlegger brake, but there's more going on there.
Imagine all the P.O.-ed S.F. commuters!
I learned to drive in the Hollywood Hills. Some of those moves would've been handy there.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

OK, Now I know who Ken Block is. Wow, that's some stunt. Not sure if his Ford Focus is the front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Drifting with FWD is easier, but in some slow-mo shots, it looks like the rear wheels are smoking too. If not driven, friction would have slowed them down. I guess the hockey stick control modulates power to the rear differential. I thought it was a bootlegger brake, but there's more going on there.
Imagine all the P.O.-ed S.F. commuters!
I learned to drive in the Hollywood Hills. Some of those moves would've been handy there.

His Focus is purpose built with AWD. His Mustang "Hoonicorn" is too. I'm jealous of his life, doing what he loves, lives in Park City, Utah. But he should get braces, gap in his teeth kinda bothers me.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 89AKurt

His Focus is purpose built with AWD. His Mustang "Hoonicorn" is too. I'm jealous of his life, doing what he loves, lives in Park City, Utah. But he should get braces, gap in his teeth kinda bothers me.

I'd wear Keds, just to stick it to the Man...

I learned a new word, too: HOON. Must be a contraction of Hazardous asshOle and goON.