Project Patina Azul
 

I first found my Burb about 4 years ago while cruising around after lunch on a deck job I was doing.I drove by saying ''man that is sweet'' to my helper/friend.I didnt have time to stop and ask about it,so I made a mental note of where it was and went back to work.Then a few days later after I finished the job I stopped by and knocked on the door.The guy was about my age(35) and was a pretty cool.I asked him about the Burb and he told that he got it over 10 years ago for $400 with no motor/trans!He was telling me how it was backed under his carport for 8 years and thats why the front clip is more weathered than the rest of the truck.He told me several people over the years have offered to buy it, but he stuck to his guns and said sry,not for sale.We exchanged phone #'s b4 I left and he told me I was the only person that he had given his # to about the burb.Here are a few pics of when I found her:chevy:
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/burb027.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/burb025.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I would stop by every once in a while to look at the Burb,day dream a little and then try to whittle him into selling me the Burb;)Early this year we had a swap meet at the Travis County Expo center.I drug my son Bryce behind me all day in a radio flyer wagon.He had a blast.Igot some nice aluminum pulleys that he was constantly throwing outta the wagon to the amusement of many of the people around us.After the swap meet I went over to visit the Burb.I had my truck with me that time and showed him all the things I had done to it and gave him a run down of the trucks history since it has been mine.He then told me its obvious how much I care about my truck and that he thinks the Burb would be better off in my hands than his.I didn't have much money at the time so we made an agreement that he would sell it to me when I had some cash

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

After finding this site and looking thru a lot of cool trucks,I found the Burb section.While looking around in there,I thought to myself....I gotta get that Burb!.I had a 94 Honda accord that I got for dirt cheap and it ran like crap and the PO's had trashed it.I sprayed it off with a hose,took a pic,put it on CL for 1200.Sold it with in an hour for 800!I took the money the next day and made a deal, 800 for the Burb!!

I turned this POS Honda

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/HONDA-1.jpg

Into this Beautiful Burb
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ayafter006.jpg

I would say thats a hell of a trade up!!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I called a friend of mine who has a wrecker service(good friends to have) and he hooked me up with a deal to get it home.I was following her home for a while with a giant smile on my face
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...rbnight001.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Nice score! CLR it :cool:

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I took a few pics that night to get some before shots.I knew I would be all over it in the mornin:chevy:g.

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...rbnight014.jpg
You can see where i rubbed my hand to remove the oxidized paint
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...rbnight019.jpg
Some interior pics

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...rbnight008.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...rbnight009.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...rbnight013.jpg
and the SPID
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ayafter003.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Thanks man.Still not done posting,just started the build thread a few min ago.Stay tuned:chevy:

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

The next morning I lightly scuffed off the oxidized paint with a green 3m pad and the hose
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ayafter006.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ayafter015.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ayafter011.jpg

I just took some dry rags and wiped down the interior.I swept a lot of tiny mouse $hit and chewed up acorns out as well the remains of an old funky mattress from rear.The interior is in super nice shape in my opinion.the cloth on the rear seat is still nice a pliable and nothings been cut up or changed.Except for the damn speaker holes evryone cuts in the doors that is.The driver seat is ripped up a bit but I couldn't be much happier with the shape of the interior
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ayafter001.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ayafter013.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Looking forward to following this!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

nic thread i will follow this one!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Now that she is cleaned up a bit,its time to give her a heart.The donor is a 95 GMC Vandura 3500.It has a TBI350/4L80E .This use to be my Dad's van and I drove it for two years until it would no longer pass the emissions test.I put my truck battery in the van and it started right up after sitting for a little over a year.After that I began the tear down process to extract the engine and trans
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...urbproject.jpg

I used my sawsall to cut out the bottom of the core support so the engine could come straight out.Then I had my neighbor use the John Deere from work with forks on it to come pull the motor.After he slid his forks in just on top of the air cleaner,I use 2ton ratchet straps to secure the engine to the forks.A few slick maneuvers by my neighbor and it was on the ground
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...Motortrans.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Its amazing how much beer you can drink while making a build thread;)

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

While I was cleaning out the Burb I found a few bits of paper work.I found a registration receipt from Mesa, Arizona.There was also a regi receipt for a 70 truck with license plate LADDA.I hope this rings a bell with a member or something and I can learn a little more history on the Burb.The Burb receipt was dated 95 and it has Texas stickers good to 96,so I think its safe to say it came to Texas in 95.

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I'm using the van gas tank and lines so I don't have to buy anything like a new pump and all that.The van tank is 2 inches wider than the lower portion of the Burb frame rails.The van tank is much bigger than the factory Burb tank,I would say close to twice the capacity.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup007.jpg

After removing the Burb tank,feed and return lines,I fed in the van fuel lines and loosely mocked them up to make sure they reached the tank.The Burb tank and lines will be going under my truck to get the gas tank outta my cab.Hey...there's a budget mod right there;)
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup003.jpg

Then I ground off the rivets for the rearmost cross member and removed it to be positioned after the tank mock up
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup002.jpg

I took careful measurements and slit both sides of the lower frame rails leaving a small section uncut every 6-8 inches.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup004.jpg

Then I used my mini sledge to bend the cut sections up to make a 90 degree angle.The uncut sections I mentioned earlier made a great place for me to hammer and tuck the section flush with frame cut.I will weld this in after all the mock up is complete to box the frame a bit to add back any strength that I may have taken out slimming it down
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup008.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Today I mocked up the tank and slid the cross member up to it.I gotta say the fit is very nice.It looks right at home,no rubbing the sides,3/4 inch clearance on top and the bottom of the tank has nice clearance too

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup009.jpg

Now I need to mock up the van tank straps on the cross members for a factory looking install.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup010.jpg

There's about a foot of space from the bumper to the tank.With the cross member there bolted back in place that should be enough clearance to be safe from a rear collision.

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup012.jpg

The only issue I have with the tank is the filler location.With the tank positioned as it is the filler neck is just under the top of the frame rail.I have center of the filler marked for reference.

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...kmockup013.jpg

I'm going to use a 2 inch or 2 1/4 hole saw to make a hole for the filler tube.Then I will reinforce the frame accordinly

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

cool story and build....persistence pays off....always:D

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Thanks Geoff, persistence does pay off.I spent the better part of 3 years workin on this guy trying to buy the slots I now have on my 70.He sold the truck they were on and I made him give me the phone number of the guy he sold the truck to.I called the gentleman up and told him the story of how I had been trying to buy those slots off the other guy for 3 years.How I offered money,another set of wheels,do all the jack work,pay for mount and balance of his tires and the whole shebang.The guy was quite impressed with my story and determination to get the slots and agreed to sell them to me for the same deal as I had mentioned above.Now I have my period correct sweet looking slots and a cool story to tell while standing around our trucks enjoying a cold one:chevy:

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...Mytruck003.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Now that I have the motor/trans out of the van,I was thinking about using the stock harness.I am not the best when it comes to electrical stuff so I made a thread about my wiring issue.I had some good responses with great info.The people who had mad the stock EFI harness work said it was a PITA and they would never do it again.MARKDTN came thru for me with a harness from Howell.The part# is H9395 at the bottom of the page,here is the link: http://howellefi.com/gm-tbi-products...sses-only.html
If anyone is thinking of doing this conversion this is your harness.These TBI motors are plentiful and can be had for cheap.I got mine for nothing!!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Link doesn't work :chevy:

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Link should be fixed in the previous post now,sry about that:chevy:What do you think about the fuel tank install?

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Link works fine!!!

Tank looks like it was made to go in there!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Thanks VA72C10,thats the look I was going for.Now that I know I'm using that harness I need to replace the freeze plugs on the motor while its out and get it installed.Then I can mock up my exhaust.I am going to use the van Y-pipe since it has the O2 sensor in it just after the Y.The van tubing is 3'' as well so it should have a nice deep exhaust note exiting all the way to the rear.I have an old 2 chamber flowmaster that I am going to try out to see how it sounds.I'm going to pull the front clip this weekend and get the engine bay prepped.More pics to come soon.Let me know what yall think.Thanks:chevy:

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

ohhhhh ahhhh .... very cool .. BIG thumbs up to guys with no garage!!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Thanks man,its sucks loosing washers and stuff in the dirt not having a nice concrete floor.I had a scorpion crawl all the way up my forearm and almost into my sleeve before I shook him off and stomped him!!I plan on building a big carport soon,large enough to fit 4 trucks with room to walk b/n them.Them pour a floor and hang cool crap from the rafters;)I'll post pics when I start digging holes for posts.Taking the Burb front clip off this weekend.Will post pics of engine bay clean up.Yall be good:chevy:

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

As soon as I saw the KDKB sticker on the glove box, I knew where it was from. Looks like the burb a friend had, but it was shiney back then.

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

If it was your friends that would be very cool!!I would love to learn more about its history.I have a temporary registration receipt with name Ronald Obrien, *** S. Valencia,Mesa Arizona.Let me know,thanks:chevy:

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Thats an awesome looking burb! Looking forward to seeing more.

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

looking good. stepside also looks good. nice set you have there.

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Great looking burb! Good luck on the build! Sharpie

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I have wanted to do the same build for a while now, looks like you got a great deal!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Love the burb and the stepper. Cool story how you persisted until you got to buy it. I did the same thing on my 67 years ago. I had it about 90% restored when my nephew pulled the same thing on me. Every day he would call or come by trying to buy it or trade for it. Just before he turned 16 I gave in and traded him for a 67 camaro (needs total restoration still). Pretty even trade in my mind but man do I miss that step side.
any chance you have a thread for your step side? BTW, I did a TBI swap using stock harness on my son's 86 (avatar pic). It was a pretty straight forward swap and he has driven it daily for almost a year.
Subscribed.

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Thanks man,much appreciated.I will be doing a thread on my stepper soon.As soon as the Burb is on the road and I'm confident its going to be a reliable DD,I'm going to tear down the stepper and start a frame off resto mod.I have a 71 high nickle 4 bolt 350 that came outta a GMC van.Virgin block standard bore.but is now 30 over.Its built and waiting for me to finish paying it off at the machine shop.My neighbor does circle track racing and I got a forged steel crank,6.125(6 1/8) inch forged steel Childs and Albert rods and forged Mahle pistons that look like hockey pucks the skirt is so short.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ke/burb035.jpg

My Dart Pro 1 215's are going on top of the new motor with a solid mechanical roller cam.I have a nice port matched,polished Victor JR and 650 Speed Demon carb to top it off.A 4 speed behind that and the Posi I got for it is gonna be a hand full to drive,but I bet its gonna be fun!!

We need to talk about the swap you did cause I'm about to buy a $400 harness from Howell.If you think you can help use my stock harness,That would save me some cash.Then I could get my 4/6 drop for the Burb.Any help would be great.Be good:chevy:

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

That engine looks great and sounds like you are going all the way with quality parts. Gonna be putting some HP on the rear tires too :burnout:


As far as the TBI harness goes......don't let me talk you out of the Howell. I have only read good stuff about that. I was only saying if I can do it anyone can. I only wish I would have taken more time and stripped all the unecessary circuits out mine. Its really pretty straight forward with a diagram.

HEREis the thread that has most of the info I used. It covers all kinds of issues and has the full list of pin outs for the harness.

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Last week we had a big storm roll thru and it soaked and softened some of the road gunk on engine crossmember.I pulled the front clip last weekend and done some other small stuff.So I got out the pressure washer and went to town on the frame rails and cross member.After that I was already soaking wet and filthy so I said"WTH" next thing i knew I was on my back under the Burb in the mud pressure washing the entire under carriage and frame!!!.I crawled on my belly like a snake and on my back like an otter washing from all angles and doing a good job as I sure didn't want to do it again.My efforts were rewarded with a nice clean under carriage and frame that are now miles ahead on paint prep.I'll try to get some pics after work.Shoulda taken some before pics too.Ah hindsight.....Yall be good

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I did the same pressure washing maneuver a couple of weekends ago. What a difference!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I just ordered the wiring harness I need to get the ball rollin on my Burb project.http://howellefi.com/tbi-harness-uni...95-trucks.htmlIts been a while since I have had anything good to post.I have a few loose ends to take care of and a lot of little things to do but I'm confident that I will have my Burb on the road by Aug 18,my B-day!.One cool update to add is that when I did the power washing,I found that the PO had the cross shafts for the upper control arms replaced.The bushings were new and the bushings on the A-arms are new as well.SCORE!!I'm going to get some paint this week and paint the frame and front cross member b4 putting the engine in.Yall stay tuned,more to come soon;)

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

I have got quite a bit of work done on the Burb in the last week or so.I put the boy to work with a wire brush on the frame rails and cross member.We blew everything off with my compressor and sprayed some rustolium satin black.I made sure to prep and paint everything that would be hard to get to when the motor is in.I plan on painting the rest of the frame in sections working my way back.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2030.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2040.jpg

Then I replaced all the freeze plugs in the motor.A few were showing rust spots so I separated the trans and got the two plugs back there.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2038.jpg


Next I cut the hole for the filler neck of the van tank.I used a 3/8 drill bit and made a big hole with a bunch of little holes.I drilled the holes close enough where I could push the bit side ways and cut the material b/n the holes.Not the prettiest end result but it gets the job done w/out an expensive hole saw.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2007.jpg

I used the same method to make slots for the tank straps in the cross member behind the rear end.Then I secured the fuel lines to the frame making sure they were nice and tidy.After that I reinstalled the rear most cross member and used my step bit (very handy) to drill to large hole fore the J-hook tank strap bolts
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2010.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2009.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2013.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2014.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2015.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2020.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2017.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

Next I got out the wiring harness and read the installation manual a few times.Then I went out to the motor and stripped off the old stock harness and put on the new one.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2043.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2044.jpg


Then it was time to pick up the motor and trans and put it in its new home.I found out the stock style 67=72 perches and motor wouldn't work with the manifolds from the van.My friend Steve made me an even trade for some 73-87? style mounts.They clear the exhaust manifolds nicely.Tomorrow I'm going to start getting all the loose ends tied up and hopefully I'll have the Burb on the road very soon.More to come,Let me know what yall think:chevy:
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ankmockup2.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...mockup2046.jpg

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

looks nice!!!

Re: Project Patina Azul
 

her is a pic of the custom filler neck I made from some exhaust tubing.Its not very pretty but it'll get the job done.Also I've got the front clip back on and have been taking care of a lot of loose ends.Progress is the name of the game:chevy:
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ontclip002.jpg

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/...ontclip012.jpg