1972 K20 Endangered species rescue thread

[WhiteWhale]

Now that I am waist deep in getting her back on the road I thought I would start my own build thread.

A little history on the White Whale, picked up the burb 16 years ago off of craigs list for $3500, apparently donated by the original owner to charity program. Still wearing its original paint and was running but had a rod knock, has all 3 seats and for the most part looked unmolested. Unfortunately the PO kept the perfect brown steering wheel, hubcaps and chrome bumpers. I didnt know this at the time of purchase but a few weeks later they came up for sale on CL. When I called he gave me the address and I recognized the same shop. I did not want to pay the $500 asking price but looking back I should have since I have not been able to find any comparable parts for reasonable prices since.











Took out the seats to start cleaning the OG floor mats, any recommendations that wont take the original tan coloring off?







Ill keep the wooden knob, just wish they didnt cut the OG panels for those crappy speakers!

Engine and trans are out and a crate 350 in on the way. Trans should be done in a few days, ended up staying with the TH350 and had towing upgrades done (extra clutches, HD sprag, HD drum, upgraded bands, seals, bushings, shift kit and cast deep sump), just wondering what converter I should go with. The shop recommends a 2500 rpm stall while Ive read about ones with as low as 1500 for increased mpg. Anyone have any input?

Working on brakes which Oreily surprisingly had in stock (Booster, MC, calipers, pads, rotors), and front bearings which I just ordered from Autozone. The axle is a 1st series so not sure if I should look into upgrading the tapered axles and smaller u joints to later model stuff.


Will keep updates

[Bigdav160]

While not twins, our trucks are certainly brothers. My VIN is just a couple thousand units before yours. A California truck also.

The floor mats are sandalwood color. Pretty sure it's original. I'm pretty sure the color goes all the way through. Does your mat go all the way to the back?

When I rebuilt my front axle I found the Timken Bearing - seal catalogs very helpful.

[vectorit]

Sounds like you are right on track to getting your Suburban back on the road!
I am going to move this thread into the Builds section for you.
Looking forward to all of your updates!

[Cobalt964ruf]

Cool truck

[LockDoc]

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As far as the floor mats I just used dawn dish washing soap/water and a stiff bristle brush. Then scrub them down with an old towel to dry them off. You might have to go over them a couple of times.

LockDoc

[WhiteWhale]

Thanks to all for the compliments and advice!

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

The floor mats are sandalwood color. Pretty sure it's original. I'm pretty sure the color goes all the way through. Does your mat go all the way to the back?

Yes they are original mats but they are black with a color top coat. In the wear areas of the mat you can see black coming through. I just dont want to make it worse when trying to clean it.

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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As far as the floor mats I just used dawn dish washing soap/water and a stiff bristle brush. Then scrub them down with an old towel to dry them off. You might have to go over them a couple of times.

LockDoc

Thanks, Ill hit it tomorrow!

[WhiteWhale]

just a little update, got most of the engine buttoned up but still need an original alternator bracket as mine walked away and cannot be found.





New booster with M/C went in easy but the hard lines have to be replaced and am waiting for my shipment from Classic Industries on a front hard line kit. Trans is also in but unfortunately the expensive deep pan on the trans does not clear the drive shaft









Eaton HO52 got new inner and outer hub bearings and seals, brakes, wheel cylinders, hard and soft lines, cover, third member to housing, pinion, retainer, and axle to hub seals. Couldnt bring myself to rattle can the suspension and axle, just some good old fashion stiff brush and pressure washer cleaning. BEWARE that third member is HEAVY!!!






Here are a few pics of the original 3rd seat, pretty delicate these days. Needs a good cleaning

















Got a set of stock 16 inch truck rims and some temp 165/75/16 ATs until I can get some 155/85/16 BFG A/Ts





One question, Ive seen this oil filler tube mounted on the front passenger side of the engine on non A/C trucks, is this the correct location for an A/C equipped suburban?




Anyone have a part number for the rubber grommet that goes on the bottom of the fill tube and seals the valve cover?

Thanks

[WhiteWhale]

slowly making progress, new brake lines make me feel all good inside!








engine goes in today!!!

[WhiteWhale]

Engine went in with out trouble, still waiting for my lower pulley from GM Parts direct and still on the lookout for the original cast lower alternator pulley # 3951337.




Here is the new OReily $200 radiator. Its a HD 4 core but does not have the correct return for the heater core so I had to put the nipple on the manifold instead. Hopefully it will run cool with the A/C while towing!



Headers are on and ignition is next in line.

[Cobalt964ruf]

motor looks good in there

[WhiteWhale]

thanks. I considered rattle canning the under carriage and engine compartment but left it in "survivor" status instead by just cleaning the heavy grease and such off.

Im surprised no one complained about the incorrect shade of orange on the SBC.

[WhiteWhale]

RUNNING!!!! DRIVING!!!! STOPPING!!!

New radiator from OReiley is leaking from a pin hole in the core...fuc#! Trans pan is leaking AGAIN, did I mention I hate automatics? Something in the drive line moans, Im guessing its the rear end as coast and decel there is no noise.

New tires tomorrow along with new pics... stay tuned.

[WhiteWhale]

255/85/16 BFG KM2

[twistedchevy]

Bump

[WhiteWhale]

Nothing spectacular to report. Replaced the u joint in the front driveshaft, replaced the ball joints, tie rod ends, axle u joints and small needle bearings.

Still cant get the trans to stop leaking though, put in a new cast pan with the reusable blue gasket which helped but found the smog pressure switch was bad and leaking a TON out of the middle of the switch itself. Replaced it with a brass plug which still leaked then switched to a tapered plug which still drips a bit.

The moan from the HO52 is getting pretty loud so debating if I should bite the bullet and pay the $500 for bearings and seals (and still risk the howl due to worn r&p) or just throw in a 14 bolt.

Plan on picking up a Detroit Locker from Summit and some 2.5 in front springs from TC. Will have to make up my mind about the rear end before I put the lift so I can get the correct length driveshaft. Also still debating on the ORD shackle flip vs. spring/zero rate rear lift since I plan on towing a 25 foot trailer in the future and haven't really heard any good things about a flip and towing.

Still trying to figure out a "marble like rattle" sound coming from the front right wheel under hard braking when turning left. It started after I changed the ball joints on that side and after pulling it apart a few times to inspect I cannot see what would be making the noise. Hopefully not a hub or spindle issue.

I will say the best thing Ive done was connect the vacuum advance can directly to manifold vacuum instead of the timed smog port on the carb, no more flat spot when mashing the throttle!! Only bad part is mpg is down now since it feels SOOOOO good when the secondary's kick in.

Hopefully going to see some dirt in Big Bear or Los Padres soon and get some action pics and try out the new GoPro.

If anyone has any suggestions on any of the issues Im facing please chime in.

T

[RedRoad]

UPDATE!!

I am the happy new owner of this beast! This was actually my brothers truck which I helped with since the project began, with a new kid on the way I had to sell of several other projects (71 2wd burb, 58 fleet panel truck 4x conversion, 64 VW) and instead of buying a minivan I got the OK from the wife to make this my man wagon.

Over the years we seem to sell our rides back and forth to each other to keep them in the family so a deal was made for the Whale and the Jimmy. The GMC has 5/4 CUCV axles with 4.56s, Detroit and tru trak which will probably make their way under Moby at some point.

A TC 2.5 kit will be added in the next few weeks so I will post some pics.

I wish I could mount the Weld rims with 38.5 swampers I was going to use on the panel and a bigger lift but loading the kid and groceries would be a bit much for this soon to be SAHD. Guess Im getting old being all practical and s#it!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by RedRoad

UPDATE!!

I am the happy new owner of this beast! This was actually my brothers truck which I helped with since the project began, with a new kid on the way I had to sell of several other projects (71 2wd burb, 58 fleet panel truck 4x conversion, 64 VW) and instead of buying a minivan I got the OK from the wife to make this my man wagon.

Over the years we seem to sell our rides back and forth to each other to keep them in the family so a deal was made for the Whale and the Jimmy. The GMC has 5/4 CUCV axles with 4.56s, Detroit and tru trak which will probably make their way under Moby at some point.

A TC 2.5 kit will be added in the next few weeks so I will post some pics.

I wish I could mount the Weld rims with 38.5 swampers I was going to use on the panel and a bigger lift but loading the kid and groceries would be a bit much for this soon to be SAHD. Guess Im getting old being all practical and s#it!

Glad you got the Burb! Sounds like a good deal all the way around. Keep us posted on any progress. Sounds like he was pretty close on getting it done.

LockDoc

[Bigdav160]

Congrats!

[RedRoad]

Got the TC 2.5 EZ kit installed. Also added a DIY zero rate to the rear to center the wheel in the well.

[RedRoad]

Been a while since I updated this thread.

Got some new shoes (315/75/16 with some WV 16x8 rims) and got drive flanges on and some stockish hub caps.

A few months back the "rebuilt" TH350 gave up the ghost, gladly in town and not on the trail 50 miles from no where (DO NOT RECOMMEND Alcantar’s Drivetrain Performance in E. Los Angeles!!). I decided a 4 speed would be way more reliable and with the eventual trailer towing would be a better setup.

Just finished rebuilding the SM465 and almost finished the NP205. The Novak rebuild kit for the trans was good with the exception of the front mainshaft bearing, terrible china crap. Cant beat an NOS bearing if you can find it! Got the clutch pedal and linkage installed and should get the new 5505 bell housing and such in the mail tomorrow!

[DeadheadNM]

Wow great build! Will follow. Too cool you went with drive flanges.

[vectorit]

I really like the direction you are going with this burb!

[RedRoad]

Thanks! Now that the kid is almost 2 I can let her "work" on her own projects. She LOVES the big bucket of nuts and bolts and now that she has her own tool box she really gets into working on her truck or push cart.

Got to start them young!

[60sIron]

Nice look! I pulling the trigger on tires next week. I'm still pissed about no 33/12.50 16.5. Is your burb lifted?

[60sIron]

Sorry I'm bad...... Just saw the post with the 2 1/2" ez lift. So would the 285/75 16's rub without the lift. That's the size I'd like to get. I have no lift on mine.