73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: Captkaos on July 09, 2007, 01:51:43 pm
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(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/90_burb.jpg)
After our initial bout with the TBI on the Burb, we moved to the next project: Exhaust
Sunday July 1st: we removed the rotted tail pipe, muffler and what appears to be the original AC cat.
Monday July 2nd we started piecing together a replacement exhaust. I used one of the 3" tails from a leftover X pipe kit, the Magnaflow muffler off my Jimmy that is currently undergoing a TPI conversion and a portion of the 6.0L LS motor with the cat. We completed the system that evening.
Then we moved to the next project: Air Conditioning
We converted the Burb over to 134a over the past week. Last weekend we found out why the AC wasn't working. We dyed the system and immediately found the compressor was leaking out of the housing, so we picked up a new compressor.
Tuesday evening I removed the old compressor, cleaned up the Sepentine brackets and the front AC lines components were flushed out.
Saturday July 7th I reinstalled the compressor and pulled the rear portion apart and flushed the rear portion out.
Sunday July 8th we pressurized the system and found a leaky O-ring/seal replace it. Vac'd the system and installed the 134a. The rear system is Seriously blowing cold air, but it appears there is some clearance issues with the fan as it is grinding some (no headliner right now)
The front of the system appears to have some vacuum issues as half the cold air is going to the floor vents.
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I replaced the O2 sensor on the burb today and changed the oil for the first time since I got it. I also found the transmission plug was dangling down so I reconnected it, and I also found that the fuel sending line was crimped behind the transmission crossmember. I was hoping that would fix the sender problem, but it didn't.
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Apparently there is a slow leak on the Burb's A/C. After about 2 weeks of not driving it, the A/C isn't quite as cool anymore. Discovered it when the fuel selector in my R10 went out and had to use the burb for backup..
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What was wrong with this thing anyway I forgot?
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Injector going bad and bad distributor.
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what did you have to do to get the A.C. blowing through the correct vents? mine is mostly on the floor and I want to fix it before it gets too hot out. Thanx in advance.
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I don't drive this alot and it got cold before I drove it again. I am sure there is something amiss under the dash with the vacuum lines.
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Bringing this one back up. Within the last month I put the factory aluminum rims back on the truck and started driving it. Also replaced the fuel pump and sending unit (with pics). Also talked to a buddy about painting it this winter. Gonna try and knock out some of the small issues off the list.
Broken ash tray, non working fuel gauge, removing old tint of the front windows, charging the AC again (not sure how far this will get with winter approaching), installing new carpet, more to come.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-02.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-03.jpg)
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Looks a lot like my 91 Suburban. I'm probably going to part mine out though since all I'm doing is storing parts in it ;D
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I was doing that for the past year, but change of plans. Since my driver is about to go under for a transplant I wanted this for a backup to the Crew Cab.
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Sunday September 5th, 2010:
Pulled out the worn front buckets and put in some cleaner replacements.
Monday September 6th, 2010:
replaced the fuel gauge in the dash with a replcement. Positive is I know how much gas I got now, negative is the needle is bouncy. Still more to come.
Wednesday September 8th, 2010:
Picked up some GILA FR200 Window Film Adhesive Remover Solution and remove all the tint from the driver and passenger windows. MUCH better now. While I was at it I Rainx'd all the outside glass.
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how about some updated pic's?
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Monday September 6th, 2010:
replaced the fuel gauge in the dash with a replcement. Positive is I know how much gas I got now, negative is the needle is bouncy. Still more to come.
let me know how you fix this, mine does the same... I was thinking my sender's reostat got rusty after sitting for 2yrs in empty tanks - but if it's a gage-thing I won't have to drop the tanks.
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It is still just as ugly in the beginning, but I will get an updated one.
Will do Chip, I am wondering if I have a bad connection somewhere.
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October 3,2010: Pulled the ashtray out to replace the missing springs and missing bumpers on the stops. PO moved the stops so it flopped completely down. Still need some work to make it smooth, but at least it isn't hanging all the way down.
Replaced both rear door striker/bushings to eliminate the annoying clunking down and make is shut easier. MUCH better now.
Traced down the stereo speaker wiring trying to find out why I only have sound on the front driver out of the crappy stock radio, found both rear speakers are gone. Looking into a new radio and speakers now.
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November 22 ,2010: Ordered new bumpers front and rear to replace the bent/dented ones with rubber strips. No more rubber strips. They arrived Tuesday November 30, 2010.
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Friday, Dec 10th, 2010:Ordered some Boss 335's, should be here Monday or Tuesday. They will either go to the Burb or the Blazer.
On the way home heard a squealing noise coming from the engine, pulled over and didn't see anything. Drove on home.
Saturday, Dec 11th, 2010: Drove it to my brothers to help him on his 6.0L and when I drove off I heard what sounded like the belt beating around the fan. Pulled over and found the Idler pulley was GONE! I had 3/8" of belt still around the serpentine and the other wrapped around the fan. Pulled it all off and found the belt was riding perfectly on the pulley, risked it and made it home. Went to the parts store and picked up an Idler pulley and a new belt
Sunday, Dec 12th, 2010:Installed a the new Idler pulley and belt on the truck. Drove it around the block to see if I get the motor warm to check why I wasn't getting any heat. Got home and found the upper radiator hose was cold. Suspected the thermostat was stuck. On the way out with the family dropped off at the parts store and picked up a thermostat and gasket.
Monday, Dec 13th, 2010:Attempted to drive my Crew Cab to work only to stop at the pump to fill up and apparently the fuel pump it going out. Yippie. After multiple attempts at starting it, playing with the switch, ignition and pounding on the tank it finally cranked. Drove it home swapped to the Burb and drove in with no heat and 22 degree temps. That evening drove home and hooked the scan tool to it and when I left it said 89 degrees, when I got home 40 minutes later, 115 degrees.
Spent an evening in the cold changing out the thermostat, which there wasn't one! Now it gets up to temp and I can stand being in it.
Tuesday, Dec 14th, 2010:Ordered some 275/40/20's for the Boss Wheels that came in. Hope to pick them up this week.
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Thursday, Dec 16th, 2010:Picked up the wheels and tires.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Boss355.jpg)
These will probably end up on the Wifes K5 when it is ready though...
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Sunday, Jul 10th, 2011: Charged the AC as this heat was killing me driving this thing in 100 degree temp. Only had half the amount so ..
Saturday, Jul 16th, 2011: Finished up charging the AC. Rear fan is grinding on something so I only use the front AC for now, but the rear cools, just noisy.
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Saturday, Nov 19th, 2011: Had an issue with a loose connection on the starter solenoid and when I went to fix it I found the Knock sensor wire was rolled up around the transmission lines from the Previous Owner. I haven't ever been under this thing to "inspect" thoroughly it but the connector was broken/melted and the sensor is toast. Plans to splice a new connector one if it stops raining here...
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Monday, May 14th, 2012: This got a little love today. A while back a large limb fell on the roof and caved it in. I tweaked it a bit so it wouldn't be so obvious.
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Monday, October 8th, 2012: Haven't been driving this as much, but recently took it for a drive and had the power die, crawled under to see what was wrong and the power wire was loose. As I was tightening it I noticed a wire twisted around the transmission lines. I found that it was the Knock sensor. It has always been throwing codes and the SES worked intermittantly. I finally got to repairing it after getting a new connector.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-01.jpg)
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Thursday, October 11th, 2012: Took it for a drive and it started missing/backfiring after driving it for about 20 miles. Made it to where I was going and looked and didn't see anything obvious. Took it slow getting back home, SES is still acting funny. Got it home and put the Tech 1 on it and it was complaining about an 02.
Saturday, October 13th, 2012: Hopefully fixed the loose SES bulb/socket. Looked around underhood and found that #8 plug wire wasn't on. Squeezed the connector (it wasn't "clicking") and zip tied the boot. Miss is gone, but I still have the O2 issue. I am thinking it is either the ECM or wiring is bad...
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2012: Ran some tests on the Burb about 10 times, but it keep indicating I either have a bad ECM, ECM connection or wiring. So I decided to get my spare ECM and try.
Wednesday, October 17th, 2012: Back in 2007 when I was trying to diagnose this thing not staying running I bought a new ECM and never returned the factory one, so I got it, and the one out of my 87, swapped chips and ran the tests with both. So far I don't see the issue, but I wasn't able to drive it long enough to day to find out. Right now it has the original ECM in it...
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Monday, October 22nd 2012: After driving it with the orginal ECM back in it, so far no codes and about 100 miles..
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Saturday, April 27th 2013: Removed the bend up rear bumper and put one on there that was in a little better shape. Then proceeded to pulled all of the side molding off.
Sunday, April 28th 2013: picked up an eraser to remove the residue from the side molding removal got started but didn't get far.
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Wednesday, May 1st 2013: Started back on removing all the glue from the side got all done but a littel before it got too late
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-04.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-05.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-06.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-07.jpg)
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Saturday, May 4th, 2013: Finished the Drivers side removal, started on removing all the glue from passenger side.
Sunday, May 5th, 2013: Finished the passenger side. and pulled the rear door panel on the cargo door to fix the hit or miss lock mechanism for the rear doors.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-08.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-09.jpg)
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Monday June 3rd, 2013: After a couple years and not driving it as much the AC finally ran out of cool. Added about a 1lb of 134A to it and it is working much better. Also during a stint in some routine maintenance during the winter I found that the Vacuum hose for the AC was missing and the source capped off. This ended the mystery on why the AC was not working and blowing everything down to the floor.
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Sunday, June 16th, 2013: Got all the vacuum hoses sorted out and now the AC is blowing on both upper and lower levels and is blowing around 60 degrees. You can see where it tees in the below pic.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-10.jpg)
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Glad to see I'm not the only one that has sputtering and missing issues. Thanks Chris for giving me a few more rabbits to chase on my burb. 8) Man I like that black and silver combo too only seen a few like it.
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Sunday, September 15th, 2013: I have had carpet to go in the burb for a while but last year I waited until it got to cold to put it in. This year I planned on getting it in there.
Step one was to get it all out on the ground and let it get warm enough to move. Mine has the mass backing so it needed all the warmth it could get. While it was laying out I started removing all the old carpet.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-11.jpg)
While it was laying out I started removing all the old carpet. Here is it before I pulled it out for a comparison.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-12.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-13.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-14.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-16.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-17.jpg)
Started in the back just in case I ran out of daylight and needed to move it as it was just a simple removal
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-15.jpg)
Then pulled out the rear seat bottoms and mounts/stands and seatbelt mounts. Pulled the original out and used it as a guide to trim the new carpet. I got it all cut and trimmed, but ran out of daylight before I could mount everything down.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-18.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-19.jpg)
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Sunday, September 15th, 2013: When trying to reinstall the rear seats I found a few stripped holes and ended up having to tap them to one size larger. I eventually got everything back in.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-20.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-21.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-22.jpg)
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Thursday, November 14th, 2013: Drove the Burb to pick up the headliner pieces and got to the company to pick it up and on my way outside to load them in the truck found anti-freeze spewing out from under the truck. Upon inspection I found the water pump is leaking. I did make it back home though.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014: After being neglected for a while and driving it short distances with a leak I finally broke down and removed the water pump.
Tools used: 15mm, 1/2", flat head screwdriver, 3/8", phillips head screwdriver
First order of business was to drain the radiator into a catch pan
Then remove the Serpentine belt with the 15mm wrench
Then out comes the fan shroud, 2 3/8" bolts on each side on the top and 2 phillips head screws holding the 2 halves of the shroud together.
Then remove the upper and lower radiator hoses with a flat head screwdriver, dumping the lower coolant into the catch pan
Then remove the fan from the pulley with 4 1/2" nuts
Then remove the actual water pump with a 1/2" deepwell socket.
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-23.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-25.jpg)
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-24.jpg)
With everything removed it was time to clean up the mating surface. Once clean and new gasket siliconed to the new pump it was time to get it back together.
Reinstalled the newly painted pump with 4 1/2" bolts
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-26.jpg)
Reinstall the pulley and the fan with the 4 1/2" nuts
(http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/projects/Suburban/Burb-27.jpg)
Then the Lower radiator hose and upper shroud and upper radiator hose. Fill it with Antifreeze mix and crank it up and top it off.
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the carpet certainly makes the interior more inviting. I had to laugh at the sawhorses at the end of the driveway. I'd do the same thing so the wife and kid wouldn't pull in on the new carpet. lol
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Saturday, September 26th, 2015: This will be the last entry for this Suburban. For the past 4 years it has been my most reliable and dependable vehicle but I just have to many so I decided to let this one go. It was sold yesterday.
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Sorry to see it go
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So now that there's more project money in the pot from the Burb...what's getting upgrades?
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Getting the Camo K5 finished up for driving in the winter, and then K5 that I converted to 2WD will probably be the beneficiary of the funds.
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So jealous. .. there was an 80's k5 sitting in the coast guard parking lot up here on base for ever just rotting away with all the windows down until the resurfaced this past weekend and it just disappeared. Would love to have it but I got no way to get it to GA
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Frotosride, was it a Military blazer parked at the Coast Guard Station?
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No it wasn't unless I'm mistaken it was blue and white and looked like a lot of just to get it working kind of mechanical pratices. I'm sure it was just someone's project that they were just stirring on base