1961 GMC Suburban - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigO61 · 03-22-2011, 01:24 PM

1961 suburban project/daily driver,

, my plans or this monster is to convert the front end front torsion bar to coil spring, strip the body and repaint since it was painted a year before i got it. 3rd owner and amazingly all the paperwork that came with it 3 envelopes full including the original owners manual!

This burb was loaded A/C, HD heater, posi with 3.92's, original 305 V6 4speed, only bad thing it has is the dash was cut out for the newer stereo, and not sure if the reverse lights are factory, also funky wheels been looking for stocks other than the spare but no luck. Let me know what you think!

neto · 03-22-2011, 01:43 PM

Hey welcome to the forum. That's a very nice 61. I just got a 63 but not nearly as nice. How do you like the 4 speed? Wow is the 1st low or what. I have been taking turns on 3rd and starting in 2nd. I just took the original tires off. They have the metal ring on them with snow tires.

jbgroby · 03-22-2011, 02:24 PM

Big06,

welcome to the V-6 Herd.

BigO61 · 03-22-2011, 02:43 PM

yeah gotta start off in 2nd also that granny is pretty low!

**Corts60** · 03-22-2011, 03:27 PM

Welcome to the V-6 and Suburban club! That is a very clean suburban. How about some shots of the interior?

BigO61 · 03-22-2011, 07:33 PM

yeah 1st big block V6! very impressed

**Captainfab** · 03-23-2011, 12:13 AM

Welcome to the forum

That's a nice Suburban

Why do you want to repaint it, it looks pretty good in the pics.

BigO61 · 03-23-2011, 01:05 AM

The paint looks good but not sure whats under the paint and i want to paint it the original green and white. theres no rust any where since its only been in california for 5 years its been a Arizona burban since new.

mikerod51 · 03-23-2011, 01:15 AM

Great Burb! I just joined this site and am excited to see so many old Suburbans to inspire me to get moving on all I have planned for mine. I see you're close by in WSac. I'm in Roseville so maybe we'll cross paths soon.

kalirodding · 03-23-2011, 02:35 AM

My favorite year of truck in a suburban, gotta love it. Looks real good.

gostranger · 03-23-2011, 06:07 AM

that suburban is extreemly nice great find welcome!

neto · 03-23-2011, 09:33 AM

How many safety belts do you guys have? I only have two on the front seat. Just thinking of adding 3 to the back seat but haven't seen how. Just thinking safety besides the thick sheet metal and big chrome bumper.

BigO61 · 03-23-2011, 03:12 PM

Theres 3 seat belts two in the back and one in the front but its has spots to have 6 belts 3 in front and 3 in the middle seat but nothing for the 3rd seat when i find one. Ive been looking for some other scissor type clamps so i can put the belts for the driver seat and center seats.

KIC · 03-25-2011, 12:14 AM

Welcome ! Looks great ! There is a thread for Burb pictures so post yours in there too. Looking forward to your build thread.

Stepside65 · 03-25-2011, 12:25 AM

Welcome from SE New Mexico. Nice find on the burb.

Driveway Dreams · 03-26-2011, 12:19 PM

Awesome Suburban! Looking at these pictures makes me want to go get the one that I have my eyes on. It will not be quite the gem yours is to start with but it is a 61 GMC as well.

neto · 03-26-2011, 03:11 PM

Hey BIGO61 does your 305 have the holley 500cfm upgrade? My stronberg carb needs to be rebuilt, its flooding and the needle is just not holding the float level. Ordered the kit today 18 bucks not bad. One other question. Do your tapets make a lot of noise?

BigO61 · 03-27-2011, 04:26 AM

yeah I have the holley it was a little dirty when i got it just sprayed some carb cleaner to clear it up.

when I got the truck the tappets were quiet and the oil was bad, changed it with 10/30 and now when it warms up I can hear them but they're not very loud.

duallyjams · 03-27-2011, 08:26 AM

You can get the valve adjustment info on here http://www.6066gmcguy.org/

jbgroby · 03-27-2011, 08:48 AM

Big,

I had a very good mechanic last years (passed away, miss him much) but he was a whiz with the older stuff. I have a few vids on you tube on the V-6. Mike Sage was him name and engine were his game.

YouTube - First time Start-up of a GMC 305...

This one is longer and shows some FLAMES!

YouTube - Start up of GMC 305 V 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigO61

yeah I have the holley it was a little dirty when i got it just sprayed some carb cleaner to clear it up.

when I got the truck the tappets were quiet and the oil was bad, changed it with 10/30 and now when it warms up I can hear them but they're not very loud.

neto · 03-27-2011, 08:50 AM

Thanks Bigo61 and Duallyjam. I did check that site out I have a chilton book that starts from 61-72. I adjusted the intake to 14 and exhaust to 22 hot. The last time I adjusted this time of rocker was in late 70's on my brothers 61 belair. WOW, that was a long time ago.

BigO61 · 03-28-2011, 02:38 AM

dually,
great website! thanks for the help.

oscar

BigO61 · 03-28-2011, 02:39 AM

JB, before i signed up on the forum i was checking out your engine on google good job looks and sound great!

BigO61 · 04-01-2011, 06:28 PM

finnaly a good day to wash the burban!

justcuz · 04-20-2011, 03:39 PM

Personally I would keep the torsion bar front end. The ball joints are bigger than the coil spring front axles and they are pretty bullet proof.

03-22-2011, 01:24 PM	#1
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	1961 GMC Suburban 1961 suburban project/daily driver, , my plans or this monster is to convert the front end front torsion bar to coil spring, strip the body and repaint since it was painted a year before i got it. 3rd owner and amazingly all the paperwork that came with it 3 envelopes full including the original owners manual! This burb was loaded A/C, HD heater, posi with 3.92's, original 305 V6 4speed, only bad thing it has is the dash was cut out for the newer stereo, and not sure if the reverse lights are factory, also funky wheels been looking for stocks other than the spare but no luck. Let me know what you think! Attached Images

03-22-2011, 01:43 PM	#2
neto Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Madera, California Posts: 291	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Hey welcome to the forum. That's a very nice 61. I just got a 63 but not nearly as nice. How do you like the 4 speed? Wow is the 1st low or what. I have been taking turns on 3rd and starting in 2nd. I just took the original tires off. They have the metal ring on them with snow tires.

03-22-2011, 02:24 PM	#3
jbgroby Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lacombe, LA Posts: 2,772	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Big06, welcome to the V-6 Herd. __________________ http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/jb...23904108567829 Last edited by jbgroby; 03-22-2011 at 02:25 PM.

03-22-2011, 02:43 PM	#4
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban yeah gotta start off in 2nd also that granny is pretty low!

03-22-2011, 03:27 PM	#5
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Welcome to the V-6 and Suburban club! That is a very clean suburban. How about some shots of the interior? __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

03-22-2011, 07:33 PM	#6
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban yeah 1st big block V6! very impressed Attached Images

03-23-2011, 12:13 AM	#7
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Welcome to the forum That's a nice Suburban Why do you want to repaint it, it looks pretty good in the pics. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-23-2011, 01:05 AM	#8
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban The paint looks good but not sure whats under the paint and i want to paint it the original green and white. theres no rust any where since its only been in california for 5 years its been a Arizona burban since new.

03-23-2011, 01:15 AM	#9
mikerod51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 9	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Great Burb! I just joined this site and am excited to see so many old Suburbans to inspire me to get moving on all I have planned for mine. I see you're close by in WSac. I'm in Roseville so maybe we'll cross paths soon. __________________ 1966 GMC Suburban 1951 Chevy 5W PU project 1941 Chevy PU project 2005 GMC Yukon (Weekend Driver) 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona (Daily Driver) Too many vehicles...too little time & $$$...something's gotta go

03-23-2011, 02:35 AM	#10
kalirodding CLASSIX Truck Club Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lodi Ca Posts: 318	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban My favorite year of truck in a suburban, gotta love it. Looks real good.

03-23-2011, 06:07 AM	#11
gostranger 65 suburban vortec 5.3 bagged Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: upstate new york Posts: 1,317	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban that suburban is extreemly nice great find welcome!

03-23-2011, 09:33 AM	#12
neto Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Madera, California Posts: 291	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban How many safety belts do you guys have? I only have two on the front seat. Just thinking of adding 3 to the back seat but haven't seen how. Just thinking safety besides the thick sheet metal and big chrome bumper.

03-23-2011, 03:12 PM	#13
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Theres 3 seat belts two in the back and one in the front but its has spots to have 6 belts 3 in front and 3 in the middle seat but nothing for the 3rd seat when i find one. Ive been looking for some other scissor type clamps so i can put the belts for the driver seat and center seats. Attached Images

03-25-2011, 12:14 AM	#14
KIC 1960 GMC Burb Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 385	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Welcome ! Looks great ! There is a thread for Burb pictures so post yours in there too. Looking forward to your build thread. __________________ 1960 GMC Suburban 1/2 ton V-6 2nd generation original owner 60 Burb Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1960+Suburban 60 to 66 Burbs only Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=burbs 2003 Tahoe LT

03-25-2011, 12:25 AM	#15
Stepside65 Still Truckless! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Valrico, Florida Posts: 3,166	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Welcome from SE New Mexico. Nice find on the burb. __________________ ~James Truckless 2009 Hyundai Sonata<~~Wife's sedanomatic 1997 Nissan Pickup Father-in-law's tonka toy I am forced to drive Founder of The 60-66 Club Tutor Et Ultor



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03-26-2011, 12:19 PM	#16
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Awesome Suburban! Looking at these pictures makes me want to go get the one that I have my eyes on. It will not be quite the gem yours is to start with but it is a 61 GMC as well. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

03-26-2011, 03:11 PM	#17
neto Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Madera, California Posts: 291	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Hey BIGO61 does your 305 have the holley 500cfm upgrade? My stronberg carb needs to be rebuilt, its flooding and the needle is just not holding the float level. Ordered the kit today 18 bucks not bad. One other question. Do your tapets make a lot of noise?

03-27-2011, 04:26 AM	#18
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban yeah I have the holley it was a little dirty when i got it just sprayed some carb cleaner to clear it up. when I got the truck the tappets were quiet and the oil was bad, changed it with 10/30 and now when it warms up I can hear them but they're not very loud.

03-27-2011, 08:26 AM	#19
duallyjams Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Deale Md Posts: 4,663	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban You can get the valve adjustment info on here http://www.6066gmcguy.org/ __________________ James 63 GMC V6 4speed carryall 65 chevy swb bbw V8 auto 68 K20 327/4 speed, buddy buckets 2002 GMC CC Dually Duramax 64 GMC lwb 3/4 V6 4speed SOLD 66 GMC swb bbw buddy buckets SOLD IG duallyjams The only thing that stays the same is constant change!

03-27-2011, 08:50 AM	#21
neto Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Madera, California Posts: 291	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Thanks Bigo61 and Duallyjam. I did check that site out I have a chilton book that starts from 61-72. I adjusted the intake to 14 and exhaust to 22 hot. The last time I adjusted this time of rocker was in late 70's on my brothers 61 belair. WOW, that was a long time ago.

03-28-2011, 02:38 AM	#22
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban dually, great website! thanks for the help. oscar

03-28-2011, 02:39 AM	#23
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban JB, before i signed up on the forum i was checking out your engine on google good job looks and sound great!

04-01-2011, 06:28 PM	#24
BigO61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Sacramento, Ca Posts: 85	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban finnaly a good day to wash the burban! Attached Images

04-20-2011, 03:39 PM	#25
justcuz Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, Ca. Posts: 930	Re: 1961 GMC Suburban Personally I would keep the torsion bar front end. The ball joints are bigger than the coil spring front axles and they are pretty bullet proof.

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