Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

The wires look good. Good work on the carburetor rebuild. I have generally found a spacer under the carburetor to be helpful unless your driving in really cold weather, like 15 degrees or colder.
One of the reasons I ditched the Edelbrock on my Burban was the choke never worked correctly in my opinion. It was too slow to open completely and if I tried to get it to open sooner it wouldn't close completely.
Tough to hear about your family. I hope they are going to make a full recovery. Too many folks just don't realize how serious of an illness it is.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Good to know its not just me. I've debated converting it a manual choke.

At some point I'll do a LS swap or maybe a 383 crate eng with Holley Sniper, but I wanted to learn more about making a carb work. And I'd like to actually enjoy this thing before tearing into another big project.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

I wish you were closer as I’d help you out on that choke. I’ve had a few edlebrocks that came with and I converted to electric choke. The 3 things that matter and easy enough to do but easy to overlook.

Make sure the spring on the inside of the choke assembly engages correctly, just google the instructions for orientation.

Set it dead ass cold with the key off, all you have to do is rotate it till the GAO is right on the butterfly.

Lastly the choke idle screw adjustment, reason I mention that is I’ve seen people adjust the round plastic piece and never touch the idle speed screw trying to get it to idle right when choked.

When set right you turn the key, push the pedal to the floor one time and fires right up. If you go manual choke you have to make the same adjustments anyways

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Thanks. When I had it apart I could see how it works, and set it so the spring is engaging the lever. It is a bit past the middle hash mark so there is some initial tension on it. When warmed up, it does rotate that lever on the top of the choke side fully, but even in that position it doesn't seem to fully rotate the fast idle cam. I'm temped to just dremel a bit off it.

Yes I have adjusted the choke idle screw and feel its in a good spot for cold starting. I does cold start really well, it just take a LONG time for the choke to disengage, and even fully disengaged it can still just barely catch the throttle, keeping it in fast idle.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

So I’m wondering when you say long time to disengage. The choke will not automatically disengage, you have to tap the throttle to release the pressure so it’ll fall off the cam. Text is hard to communicate sometimes so not sure if you meant with or without giving it throttle

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Thanks I think I understand what you are saying. I meant it takes a long time for the choke to warm up and fully disengage. It seems to take a good 15 mins before its moved all the way. Yes I bump the throttle to get the fast idle cam to move.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Installed some 'dynamat' in the back end of the suburban this weekend. I used the bulk 'ballistic' brand.

I promised my helpers they get to pound things (meaning flatten out the dynamat) and they were excited.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Pulled off the side panels and found them stuffed with household insulation. Not sure if that did much. I suppose it blocked some heat.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Was pleased to find the plywood in good shape. Only one spot showed any real rot. It was a bit mushy here.

Another hobby is restoring vintage arcade games. Some of them are particle board and they turn to mush if they get wet. I'd learned that this Wood Hardener was great for things like that. So I soaked some in to that spot (pic of game collection added just to show off.).

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

The plywood was pretty dry and didnt have much paint left. There was a big oil stain in the middle, so an oil based paint was in order. I realized I had two cans of oil based clear polyurethane left over from a furniture refinishing project so I used that. Its strange that its shiny, but its was about to get covered up anyway.

It made a nice hard finish that the dynamat stuck to really well.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Aand, all done. I didn't go crazy and cover every square inch like some do, but it should add some sound and heat insulation. I didn't take a pic of it all back together as it just looks like the starting pic.

I'll do the front half soon, but I want to do inside the doors, and while I'm at it I'd like to do window seals and maybe replace the drivers window regulator, and I need to get those items ordered up.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Nice work! It's really coming along nicely.

I'm not sure why, I but i just noticed you have a square body second row seat set too.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

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Looks good!

LockDoc

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Looks good, nice job. I love your game collection

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Yes the PO put those in. It was interesting to see how they mounted. They added a plate behind the second row for the rear seat latches. I do like having the full seat. I've got the matching 3rd row too.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Very cool. Any chance we could get some additional detail photos of the mounting of the square body second row? I've read HO455's thread numerous times now, just curious how the PO mounted the seats in your truck.

Thanks!

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

I'd be happy to. Unfortunately everything is put back together now. If I have it apart again I'll sure take some.

You can see in some pics there is a plate attached from the floor to the inner body area just under the window. It has the three bolts in it that mount the seat latches. Its probably not as robust as it should be.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Thanks very much....no hurry at all. This is one of those "some day" projects for my truck....at 6'6, being able to fold the bench flat will afford me the ability to sleep comfortably in the back with the wife and dog on camping trips.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

This weekend I decided to take on doing a new harmonic balancer and adding the serpentine kit.

I scored the kit on the Summit scratch n dent rack for $380. It included all the brackets, bolts, as well as a new water pump, power steering pump, and alternator.

One issue I knew of was that my AC pump is V belt and I didn't want to have to change it as its only a year old. So I got a new serpentine clutch. The swap wasnt too bad. Having the special tools and puller would make it go pretty easy. I had to improvise a bit, but got it done.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Once I was sure that was going to work out, I pulled the radiator and the rest of the accessories off.

This project has had a lot of 'do overs'. This is the third or fourth time I've had the radiator out, and second time I've had most of the front of the engine stuff off.

Looks familiar:

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Mounted up new balancer and timing tab.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Fuel line is in the way, so that will have to get relocated.

FYI - if anyone else does this, the instructions say to mount the water pump first, but it would go a lot easier if you did it after mounting the AC brackets

Another issue, the new bracketry is for a R4 type compressor and I have a Sanden 508. There are some adapter kits out there, so I gave that a try. Here is initial mock up.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

New alternator on. It moves the alternator up and in, so I had to make a new charging wire, and add the CS-SI adapter pigtail.

PS pump also moves up and in, so lines will need some tweaking. Fun stuff!

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Was making good progress and decided to tighten down the AC Compressor. I think the adapter was based on different bracketry, because some things weren't lining up great. I thought I had it good, and was tightening the last bolt and 'POP!'.

So yeah, this happened.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Also realized my water pump is now reverse flow, so I had to go get a new reverse flow fan and fan clutch - to replace the ones I added just last year. Also had to go to several places to find the odd ball fan clutch bolts, which were different than the oddball fan clutch bolts I had to track down last time.

Ended up getting a new fuel pump that points the in/out in a better direction. I probably could have made the old one work, but I didn't know how old it was and I figured, while I'm at it.....

I think the AC would be okay with the broken ear. It is firmly attached at three other points. I could also clock up up to the next set of tabs too, so its not the end of the world, just made for a frustrating day.

And I think my helper would rather be working on plumbing projects.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

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Seems like the bad luck never ends....:(

Yup, your helper looks like he is ready to go use the plumbing....:lol:

Where did you get the serp pulley for the Sanden 508? I need one of those too. Have a part number by chance?

Thanks,
LockDoc

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

As is my usual I scrolled down looked at the picture before reading and went oohhhh d0mm!!!
I know your pain brother.
Look's like your doing well otherwise!
Keep up the good work.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

PN MCH-P475 at Summit. Its $135. You can find them for around $100 on amazon and ebay, but since summit is local and is easy to do returns, I don't mind paying more there. I was actually there three times times weekend and will be back today.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Thanks for that. I will get one ordered. I wish I had one close to me.

LockDoc

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Not many updates lately. Got frustrated and didn't touch it for 6+ months.

Took a course on Manual Transmissions, Axles and Transfer Cases at the local community college. Was a cool experience. Got to put the suburban on a rack and run it safely to look for issues. Instructor agreed the issue seems to be in the transmission or transfer case.

Sooo....
I ordered up a NV4500 and 241 transfer case today. $$$$$! However I'm at the point where I just want to throw money at it to get it to a point that its driveable. Hopefully that will give me smooth shifting, overdrive, and cure my vibration issues.

Its going to be a PITA project. Shifter will be in a different location. Will require a different transfer case shifter. Going to convert to hydraulic clutch at the same time. Will require new driveshafts (again). My new exhaust will likely need modified. The trans/case should arrive in 2-3 weeks, so expect more updates then.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

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Good to see you working on it again. I don't know what year NV4500 you are getting or what your current transmission is for sure, but here is a thread where I installed an NV4500 in my '72 C30 using the stock SM465 bell housing, clutch setup, and clutch linkage.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=673588

LockDoc

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Thanks, I've read every NV4500 thread on this board, and yours several times, so I'll certainly be reviewing it. I am still debating whether to go with the stock clutch linkage or convert to hydraulic.

I was also looking at maybe scooting the engine forward a few inches to compensate for the different shifter location.

Midwest Transmission is actually building me a NV4500 with a dodge output shaft to mate with a Dodge 241 as the Chevy pass drop 241s are pretty rare. I requested the taller gearset as I have 4.10s already, and the 241 has a lower low range.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Sounds good. Keep us posted on your progress.

LockDoc

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Please fabricate a metal fuel line and don't use the one in the picture.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Got some expensive new parts in. Now to get them installed.

Looking at the shifter locations, I think I'm going to try to keep this simple and stick with stock engine location, and use the manual clutch for now. Still need to source a trans mount, and will have to figure out the crossmember mounting.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Looks like a great addition. Here is some information on how to update the factory clutch linkages so they hold their own compared to a hydraulic clutch.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/498...linkage-build/

And a link to the Speedway motors clutch fork which was not mentioned in the article. Using a heim joint on the clutch fork removes some more friction from the linkage making the pedal feel even better.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ork,37080.html

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

This is a great build.

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

Yep my plumber wears the same shorts wondering what the cost is for them

Re: 1971 4x4 Suburban Project - the 'Family Adventure Wagon'
 

I think it's very cool that you're building an adventure rig for your family. Priceless time with your boys working on the truck. Literally, even if you get nothing done. I'll bet there are many who would give anything they have now to go back and have that time again. In fact, my dad has told me that exact thing. Since your boys are working on it with you, the adventure of the adventure rig has already begun. Thanks for telling us about it. PS, I like the truck too.