Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

I know what you mean! Heck, by the time I get this thing on the road gas could be $10 bucks a gallon! :dohh:

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Cool, and the upside is, that tank is a good ways forward, so if you should go through the very unfortunate experience of being ass ended, there is a much smaller chance of bursting into flames.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Thanks for the complements and ecouragement.

I guess I'm kinda going with a semi-stock/resto-mod/sleeper look. Just drivetrain upgrades and mild lift. Also going with a stock interior,....3 rows of bench seats,....stock door panels etc. So with that in mind I'm leaning towards some stock steel wheels and chrome 3/4-1 ton hup caps, along with some Goodyear MTR's,.... 33's or 35's. Not sure if this thing is going to fit thru my 7' garage with 35's and a 4" lift, so that'll determine the tire size. Can't be leaving this baby parked outside with all that's invested.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Nice job job far..

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

So finding a set of headers was a serious challenge,...BBC in a 4x4 frame with a SBC crossmemeber. GM Performance Parts tells you to use 2" primary and 3" collector headers for the 502HO. Not to many header companies make 2" primary headers, and I definately didn't want to choke down the motor with some 1-3/4", which everbody makes. I think just Hedman and Hooker make 2" BBC headers. I ended up going with Hedman. It still wasn't simple, I tried 4 or 5 different sets, and the only way I was able to make it work was by combining 2 sets. I used a 67 chevelle driver side and a 72 Chevy 2wd truck for the passenger side. Since Hedman sells a drivers side only for the 67 Chevelle, so I only actually paid for a set and a half of headers. I still also had to do some grinding to the frame to squeeze them in, and I shortened (cut and re-welded the flange) the driver side collector by about 4",...it was too long and too close to the trans crossmember,...not enought room to bend the exhaust pipe over the transfer case.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

After the headers it was time for exhaust. I'm going with dual 3" aluminized pipe. Its a universal set you can get from Flowmaster, it has two pieces of every bend,..22-1/2, 45, 90, straight, etc. I also went with a pair of stainless steel Magnaflow mufflers. I cut and welded the pipe up,..and around the transfer case,...pretty tight fit!,..nice not having the body on! Going to dump em out in front of the rear tires. Also going try and paint the aluminumized pipe with VHT ceramic heat paint in the future. Not sure if a h-pipe is going to work out yet,..gotta fit up the drive shaft and see.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

looks nice, any trick to welding that aluminized pipe?

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Thanks......If there are any tricks I don't know them! I'm not really a welder, I just pretend to be one in my garage.

I used a 120 volt Hobart 140 with shielded .030 wire, and #2 setting. The pieces that slip fit together welded up easy. the pieces that just butted together were tough, I kept blowing holes, but finally got it. If I had it to do over it I'd go with .024 wire, gas, and the lowest setting (#1). I tried welding the shielded .030 wire at the lowest setting but it wouldn't burn/melt.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Next up for the build was a GM Performance Parts serpentine system. IMO this is the way to go when starting from scratch on a big block swap. I looked into trying to find all the original v-belt brackets, pulleys, etc. But it probably would have cost me more than the GM kit ($700) when you add it all up, not to mention the time searching this board, ebay, etc. This is a slick kit! Everything bolted right up with the exception of a couple of bolts that were the wrong size. No big deal just picked up a couple new ones from the hardware store.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

....then I bolted up the core support, new 4 core radiator and shroud.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

.....and the rest of the motor dressings,

Holley offroad carb, 770 cfm
Summit Racing HEI distributor
Holley air filter
some K & N breathers
Summit upper and lower radiator hoses.

I took this stuff off before towing the chassis to the painter.

Now you are all up to date on the progress of the chassis.

I'm just waiting (and waiting, and waiting!) to get it all back from the painter so I can continue the build.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Lookin good!

She is coming along now...

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

What an outstanding project. Gonna be a killer Burb!!!!

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

big blocks are awesome!! very nice!!

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

While my paint & body man is still taking his time, I'm scrounging up the rest of the parts to finish the Burb. I picked up a set of 16x7 Ford steel wheels off ebay and had them powdercoated semi-gloss black. Have also got a set of 3/4 ton hubcaps, which I'm going to have restored soon.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

I feel for you with the painter delay - that can sure test a guy's patience!

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Do you leave those vertical bands on the new radiator? I have a similar radiator is why I ask.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

I cut them off. I'm fairly certain you're supposed to. On some of my pics if you see a line there its because they (radiator supplier) painted it with the straps on.

My Body Man tells me both driver and passenger rockers/floors are cut and welded in. I gotta get down there and get some new pics. With any luck he may be blocking and sanding,..maybe even spraying a little blue on the interior (ya, right!?). We'll see.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

I got the hubcaps restored at Hubcaps.com. $65 each. I'm very happy with the results. What do you guys think?

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

nice, I didn't know they restored...

SOmeone else had a set of those polished at a metal shop and they looked chrome..

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Holy sickness!! You are building my Burb, well like mine, but I opted to stick w/the 2wd chasis. I put my rear axle under the trailing arms and I am going to use a DIY4x set up for the front leaves (will eventually do a coil sprung front as well to match the coil sprung rear w/trailing arms!) Other than that I am leaning towards a BBC 496-505 but the old school way, stoked and poked! Sweet build and man did you start with a sweet Burb!


We need more picts!!

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

nice burb build!

i would like to build one someday.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

subscribed. Awesome build ! Looks like the color is close to my Dad's Blazer ('79). Can't wait to see it done !!!

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

In for updates. Cool rig.

Re: Project: 1972 502 HO 4x4 Suburban
 

Working on getting the 3 rows of seats done now. Had all the frames sandblasted and powdercoated. Then I bought some 1/8" masonite from Home Depot and used the old cardboard seat backing for a pattern to trace onto the masonite. I then used some tie-wire to attach the masonite. Turned out great.

I went ahead and had the front seat covered. I'm very happy with the upholstery guy that was recommended to me so I think I'll drop off the back seats soon.