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'89 Burb - Izzy got heads

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izzy1776

izzy1776

I caught the CK5 bug
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izzy1776 submitted a new Build:

'89 Burb - Izzy got heads

Alright so although I was very excited to work on the K5 something just didn't feel right about it.:confused:

Well as it turns out, that nagging feeling showed its ugly face when I was arranging all of our camping gear and realized that with me, wife and 2 kiddos, all our gear wouldn't fit.

Enter 1989 Suburban 3/4T
View attachment 230967





Found it on craigslist in the next town over. Turns out it was owned by a coworker, who bought it from another coworker, who states the he bought it directly from Gale Banks.:eek1:

It came with a 6.2 but has been swapped to a 6.5 (supposedly by Banks himself). Unfortunately it needs new heads.

Plan is to either fix the 6.5 or swap in the TBI350 I have to get it going, then fix the 6.5 over time. I also have the 4" rough country lift I bought for the K5 that I will use under this rig. I think I'll need new U bolts but everything else should work out.

More pics to come when I get it home.
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Read more about this build here...
 
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Yeah it has the banks kit on it. I found an interview with Gale Banks where he mentions using his personal 89 suburban to test his new sidewinder turbo. Maybe I now own a piece of diesel history. :dunno:

I don't know why the PO took the heads off in the first place but he got them magnafluxed and they were deemed unusable due to cracks. Never had the cash to get new ones.

I think the headliner falling and the fading paint are the only blemishes.
 
are the rest of the engine parts there? Seems like it would be easier to buy some new heads to get it back on the road right?
 
skunked said:
are the rest of the engine parts there? Seems like it would be easier to buy some new heads to get it back on the road right?
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Everything is there. Or so I'm told. It would be easier but I'm not sure about cheaper. Best I can find is $400 per head plus head studs. I've got a cousin asking around for anyone who might have spare heads too. That's the route I want to go.

I have a complete TBI350 sitting in an unmolested '90 2wd truck that I could swap in. A lot more work but I guessing much cheaper. I could be wrong and if I am please correct me.
 
The One Undeniable Upside To Keeping The 6.5 Is Mileage, And Probably Power As Well. For Some Reason Im tempted To Remove My 454 In Favor Of A 6.5.
 
I think by the time you swapped the motor, converted the harness and fuel system, and got the gasser running good you would be behind on just finding a good set of heads.
 
Agreed, get a set of heads, put it together a rattle on down the road.

That's a clean suburban, the fact that it's 6.5 swapped is really cool too.
 
Got it home and wa able to snap a few more pics before the rain fell again.


 
Dang! Keep that thing until Banks Dies and it will be worth a fortune! Or at least a few thousand bucks... I would have to keep the 6.5 just so it maintained its history.
 
Hell, I'd give Banks a call and see if he wanted to give you a hand in getting it back alive. I guarantee he has a soft spot for that truck.
 
When I opened the glove box and pulled out the paperwork, it was like...
I FOUND THE GOLDEN TICKET, I FOUND THE GOLDEN TICKET!

I did post up on thier Facebook page asking if anyone remembered it or had any other information on it. Might send an email to. I'd drive to SoCal for an autograph.
 
Question: I bought a Rough Country 4" lift with rear block for the 77 K5 I was going to build. I plan on using it on this instead. All new still in box. Do I need different u-bolts, or anything else that you know wont fit?
 
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