Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage

[xtremek]

Good luck with the customer and the e-mails.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Sorry to hear about your lost emails, I have done things like that before, it *****.

Bummer on the cement storage fiasco.

The cement bags that are out in the yard, that are years old and already setup. Can you use them as fill up at the hill? I think you mentioned that you were trying to expand parking?

 

[Strouty]

S&A, those big bags are definitely going to be used as fill, I just have to move a few trucks around so I can get them to where they need to be.

Tonight we did do the spill and fill, the fluid and filter were disgusting, I was pretty sure when I bought the truck I had all the fluids changed, doesn’t look like the guy changed the transmission fluid, so I bet the gear oil and transfer case didn’t get changed either.

We will be working on that stuff next week, I want to run it for a bit with the new filter and fluid, then change the fluid again, half of it was still in the torque converter, so at this rate it would take a few changes to get all the nasty oil out, at least all I can. It did drive better, so hopefully I caught things before the damage was done.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Strouty boy, your life just keeps getting better. Maybe you need a vacation?

 

[Strouty]

Maybe next year.

 

[Strouty]

Didn't get lucky with the transmission, still shifting sloppy between first and second.

I am going to have to start building a truck soon, very soon.

 

[1Garageman]

Seems like everytime you go two steps forward, something happens, and you go three steps backward.

 

[Strouty]

It isn't the end of the world, but it does **** that I keep going backwards. Hopefully things will even out a bit, the daylight is longer every day, so there is more time to do things. I just need to get myself back into a decent rhythm, right now I am totally out of sync with just about every part of my life. I have been slowing things down very purposefully, trying to allow for some breathing room and a chance to catch up.

 

[xtremek]

I totally feel your pain on that.

 

[Kev442]

I'm finding it hard to believe that out of a dozen suburbans, none of them can be put on the road as is, instead of using a 300k beater on it's last leg.

 

[Strouty]

Every one of them has a semi major issue, every one. I didn’t buy any of them to drive as is, they were all parts for the project. Hope to start the final assessment of the other trucks soon, then we can move forward with the best combination of what I have. I did find a 454 to replace the white one from NY, that one will probably be sold rather than driven due to the fact that it is really clean and worth a chunk of change.

At this point, the plan is to swap transmissions in the one from Alaska, with a good one. Then make that my DD for the time being. Then I can start working on the gray one from Jersey. The maroon one may get sold.

 

[F451]

...I did find a 454 to replace the white one from NY, that one will probably be sold rather than driven due to the fact that it is really clean and worth a chunk of change.

At this point, the plan is to swap transmissions in the one from Alaska, with a good one. Then make that my DD for the time being. Then I can start working on the gray one from Jersey. The maroon one may get sold.

Forgive me for questioning your plans, but if it was me, and I was into Suburbans, I'd buy the best condition one that was as close to my ideal 'burb in whatever color combo and call it good and get on with my life (you may already have one of these?).

Then if I still had the itch to build my dream 'burb, I'd start on that project after I secured a nice reliable 'burb (assuming its your daily driver?).

And I completely understand the attraction of building one to your exact specifications, but with the amount of balls you are already juggling, I just don't see the benefits of accumulating more and more 'burbs (and other projects) that you don't seem to have time for.

Some time ago I used our move to purge EVERYTHING, including I don't recall how many motorcycle projects, an RV project, etc. 3 years later just sold my old 928. The 928 project I actually completed, got it running great, drove it around a little, sold it. Feels great.

Now that I'm pared down to basically no big projects I can focus so much better on what is most important, next projects, etc.

Anyway, I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, and please don't take it as criticism, just another take on the situation.

I admire your hard work and devotion to your family, and enjoy reading about your updates, just hate to see someone seemingly having additional stress added to their life.

Good luck with everything, we're all rooting for you.

And summer in Maine! Doesn't get any better, hope you get to enjoy some of it.

 

[Strouty]

I have found one that is essentially a livable (for me) Burb, not the right color, but everything else fits the bill, problem is, the only way to own it is through a sealed bid auction. Haven’t figured out my bid yet, but that won’t close until June 7th. I have been holding out for the latest NY one, but I don’t think it is going to materialize, really ***** as it is black, GMC, has fender flare, and it is an SLT. I could use it to recreate the OGMC, but it is literally a current DD that I could use until October.

 

[Strouty]

I found a rust free 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton, but it has some gold trim! I can’t get away from white or gold!!!!! It is running and driving, so might be the best way to go for now.

 

[F451]

Buy one. Have it painted. Take the hit on the painting expense to save on stress? Move on.

On the other hand, if the 'burbs are not a stressor for you, keep on keepin' on and disregard my input and its all good.

 

[neverdone]

Sorry to be blunt, but what you have in all of the suburban would probably get you pretty far into a brand new one.

 

[Strouty]

Why would anyone want a brand new one???

I bought another one, it has a very nice body it runs, but has no oil pressure at idle and even with that it wakes no noise. Anyways it will be the body for the OGMC, ***** about the gold on the lower portion, but I feel it can be repainted fairly easily.

 

[mybigwarwagon]

Nice burb.

 

[harley jim]

Not trying to be mean or embarras anyone but Strouty some people dont get it. At one point I had 16, 48 to 53 chevy and GMC trucks I have owned around 30 of them.
I got into square body chevy trucks once I had dozens of them. My daily driver was a 22 year old 76 dually,454 with 14,600 original miles on it. Wish I still had it.
I built complete trucks from many of them and sold tons of parts. Never got rich but didnt loose anything either. Just get an itch and need to scratch it.

Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Strouty]

Sometimes I don't get it either.........

I think the most stressful part about all this is finding the right combination, this is probably as close as I am going to get. I am sure if I search for the next year I will find a clean all black one, but I think that having a 90% one is better, it lets me move forward without having to really second guess things.

 

[Strouty]

The emails are restored!! So far every attachment I have tried to open is still there too. Phew!

I am trying to get things together for the contractor at the office, I hope to have some time to put the newest burb on the lift and give it a good once over. I am thinking that the sending unit for the oil pressure might be bad, need to find my manual gauge and test things out before I write the burb off as parts, would be nice to drive it for the summer and early fall.

 

[xtremek]

Glad you got your e-mails/files back. So what's the plan for the summer? One good, stable Burb for the winter? The office done. The wall of Lista done. And a plan for your Perk(new perk?) complete?

 

[Firebrand]

Great news on the email recovery.

Why not take that black one with the gold bottom stripe all set as the DD then have bed liner sprayed over the gold and run it? Durable DD Burb and Go!

 

[Strouty]

X, plan would be (if engine is OK) to fix and drive as is until October, in that timeframe I would build the gray burb into a 3/4 ton diesel. The wall of Lista would be built, rework and replace lights and electrical on non lift side of shop, get the office done, then get Perk’s transmission swapped and the hydraulic system all upgraded. That should be plenty and I am sure there will be more stuff to fill in any gaps.

I was very happy that the emails were restored, hopefully the new Burb can be a DD.

 

[harley jim]

Good call on checking the oil psi gauge/sender Chevys are notorious for that failure.

Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Strouty]

The only issue is that the gauge does do something, this is an only at idle situation and it probably reads between 3 and 5 PSI, but it is better when regular driving. Can’t remember if it was the same at idle in park or if it is just when in gear. I will be unloading it soon and will have to do a few more checks.

Today is not going very well so far, I think last week’s stress is catching up to me, I am exhausted both mentally and physically. I am going to take it easy tomorrow, Monday is going to be a lot of running around as taxes are due.

 

[walrus]

I was very happy that the emails were restored, hopefully the new Burb can be a DD.

Is it a 6.5? Ifs its a daily driver better have a back up. When a 6.5 is running well they are good, when not you can pull your hair out

 

[Strouty]

The new one is just a vortec 350.

 

[F451]

...
I was very happy that the emails were restored, hopefully the new Burb can be a DD.

Right on man, great news on the emails. Good luck with the burbs. -Ed

 

[Monza Harry]

The only issue is that the gauge does do something, this is an only at idle situation and it probably reads between 3 and 5 PSI, but it is better when regular driving. Can’t remember if it was the same at idle in park or if it is just when in gear. I will be unloading it soon and will have to do a few more checks.

Today is not going very well so far, I think last week’s stress is catching up to me, I am exhausted both mentally and physically. I am going to take it easy tomorrow, Monday is going to be a lot of running around as taxes are due.

As I recall [most of my experience is from the 70's and early 80's] a small block Chevy Oil Pressure light switch used to come on at 3#'s so 5#'s pressure warm at idle is common/ok. That is also common problem with the switches but all of mine that failed left a warning puddle [LOL] D'OH! All of my gauge senders also left a warning puddle A mechanical gauge is an excellent idea for investigative study/diagnosis! Harry

 

[mybigwarwagon]

The general rule on those 5.7s is that if it ain't knocking it has oil pressure. I would put my money on a bad sending unit. Cheap fix. I only have about 8 of them around here, come on down and snag one. You will have to buy me a beer though.

 

[Strouty]

The general rule on those 5.7s is that if it ain't knocking it has oil pressure. I would put my money on a bad sending unit. Cheap fix. I only have about 8 of them around here, come on down and snag one. You will have to buy me a beer though.

One of these days!

 

[Strouty]

I have to ask you non gender specific people, do you think that it is weird that while the contractor is working on the office above the shop, I don't feel like doing anything? I feel like I don't even want to be here, it is a weird feeling, can't quite explain it, but it really ruins my Saturdays. I definitely don't get a lot done and I feel awkward to say the least. Maybe I should just plan on not being here at all on Saturdays and see what transpires. I have so much to do, but I don't like the feeling of having someone "watching over" me, like I said, not sure it makes sense. Of course this is going to be every Saturday for the next five months, so I have to figure it out.........

 

[mybigwarwagon]

As long as they are doing their thing, and I am doing mine I could care less. Although first I need a shop and an office and an upstairs....

 

[Strouty]

This is the cold oil pressure:




Hot oil pressure at idle:






With a bit of RPMs:



Not even a hint of lifter noise or anything, the guy has been driving it like that for a while, he said it is just a mind game and you need to bet one it.

I am still going to do a bit of investigation into it, but I figure I can drive it and if it blows up, oh well, I still have the body.

 

[jakemac]

I’m still in the camp that says it’s a wonky sending unit.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[oldmxracer]

How difficult is it to put a real mechanical gauge on that engine ?

 

[xtremek]

Weak oil pump or worn bearings? If it were me, I'd drop the pan, measure the crank, throw some bearings and a pump at it and see what I had. Should get you another 100k. Friend of mine had the same issue on a new engine (air cooled VW). Turned out to be large bearing to crank tolerance. Put in .001"(?) under bearings and problem solved.

 

[Strouty]

I plan on testing pressure manually, should be relatively painless to plumb it up. Then I will decide what to do from there. I don’t actually need this truck to drive, I have the Alaska Burb, this week I will make all my decisions on how to move forward with things. Got to do a lot of shuffling for sure.

 

[xtremek]

With that kind of mileage, I'm willing to bet you dinner I'm right. Is it hard to drop the pan? The Girlfriend is 2wd, so it was a piece cake.