Hello, first time Burb owner.

[sickser66]

I thought I'd come in and introduce my Suburban.
It's a 1990 GMC V1500, 350-700r4 with 245,500 miles on it.
It's as nice on the inside as it is on the out. Someone took real good care of it. Not a trace of rust on, in, or under it.
When I bought it, it still had the owners manual, window sticker and all the dealership paperwork in the console.
It's been living in my town it's entire life, and according to the alignment tech, most of the miles it has accumulated are highway miles. It still has all the original ball joints and tie rods, and is still within spec.
What did I pay for it? $1800. Yup.

By the way, I have really been enjoying browsing the site and wanted to say you guys have some really cool Suburbans!

 

[Big Ray]

I hate you already...

I keed, I keed...welcome and congrats on the score

 

[sickser66]

Thanks!

If it makes you feel any better, the engine does spit out a cloud of blue smoke on acceleration after sitting at a red light too long.
Must be the valve seals, or, could it be an issue with the T.B.I.?

She does run a bit rough, I haven't done a tune up on it yet. I'm going to stick to OE on the parts when I do anything to the engine, for reliability sake.

Other problems that need fixed are:

#1 Fix a slightly loose front bearing

#2 Replace the tail pipe after the muffler

#3 Fix the heater blower mix door

#4 Replace the rear barn door handle button that I broke trying to get the door open...

#5 Fix the drivers side electric door lock switch

#6 Find and silence an annoying little squeak somewhere in the dash

I have already put new tires on it and converted the auto front hubs to WARN Premium manual units, replaced a few burned out interior light bulbs, replaced the rear shocks with air shocks so it doesn't sit so low.

It's going to be a fun project!

 

[Big Ray]

Do an engine compression test & give it a tune up...that should point you towards whatever's ailing it...

that many miles, you're probably looking at a rebuild.

p.s., 4x's always sit a low in the rear. my 86 2x actually had a little rake to it.
You have a good looking truck, it'd be worth fixing IMHO.

 

[Larry]

Very nice burb! You stole that thing!

 

[K85 Octane]

yeah, nice rig, but here is some advice most will tell you right now

DON'T spend any money on it unless you have to. Try to fix what you can for free or cheap. It sounds like you are in for a rebuild, more than just valve seals, it sounds like rings to me. Valve seals are normally that cloud of smoke in the morning, since it leaks past the seals while sitting. The cloud of smoke on take off (even when warm) is because the rings are lose (excessive cylinder wall/piston clearance wear) and tends to leak oil past. Check to make sure your PCV valve is clear so you don't have excessive crank case pressure, might help too.

Check the basics, but I wouldn't spend a lot on the tune up.

 

[Deuling]

Fantastic looking rig! Love it. Keep it perdy

 

[sickser66]

yeah, nice rig, but here is some advice most will tell you right now

DON'T spend any money on it unless you have to. Try to fix what you can for free or cheap. It sounds like you are in for a rebuild, more than just valve seals, it sounds like rings to me. Valve seals are normally that cloud of smoke in the morning, since it leaks past the seals while sitting. The cloud of smoke on take off (even when warm) is because the rings are lose (excessive cylinder wall/piston clearance wear) and tends to leak oil past. Check to make sure your PCV valve is clear so you don't have excessive crank case pressure, might help too.

Check the basics, but I wouldn't spend a lot on the tune up.

You're probably right. I thought I would do what I can for now as far as making it run as good as possible since I can't afford to either rebuild the engine or replace it right now. I can use the tune up parts after I fix the motor. My plan is to keep it running until spring time when funds permit an overhaul.

I was wondering, what things on the engine (sensors and such) are being ruined with it smoking like it does? I imagine the catalytic converter is being trashed, O2 sensor, obviously plugs, etc.

I've never owned a GMC or Chevy 350 before now and have a bit to learn about the fine details of these engines. I have been a small block Ford guy all my life, and know the 289/302/351 family very well, so it's not like I'm new to the scene. I have been doing some research on the TBI 350 and want to make sure I don't unknowingly buy parts for it thinking "a 350 is a 350".

If anyone want's to suggest what route they would take, (rebuild/replace) on the engine, I would appreciate the advice!

My goal for this Burb is reliability. I don't plan on doing any extreme mods to the mechanicals unless it's a benefit to the trucks lifespan. I want it to be a "go anywhere, do anything, always there for my family" kind of rig.

-V

 

[muddysub]

Beautiful rig man, super clean for the price you paid. If you're considering engine work, you might consider an LS swap, a lot of guys are doing/have done them. They're damn good engines.

 

[sickser66]

Some pics of the interior and engine bay.








Finding a 23 year old vehicle in this un-molested, original condition makes me happy!

I have a theory about the original owner. It was a woman, small in size, wore a dress most of the time, had long fingernails, and used a lot of hairspray, almost always had a passenger with her that fit the same profile.

How did I come up with this theory?

Well, small woman because the seats are very firm, very little wear, door sill on the drivers side has paint worn as if cloth has been dragged across it many times, tiny scratches behind the door handle and around the ignition, power window switches, etc. from fingernails, and sagging headliner, both driver and passenger side because of the chemicals in hair spray. And the BIGGEST supporter of this theory: The truck hasn't been cut up or F'd with, meaning she paid a shop to do all the work! Lol....

 

[thearborbarber]

Sharp burban. Our 91 has become our favorite ride.

 

[U-711ipmc]

Welcome! They are addictive! I bought one 89 v1500 no where near as clean. Then three others came along and needed a good home!

 

[sickser66]

Welcome! They are addictive! I bought one 89 v1500 no where near as clean. Then three others came along and needed a good home!

I hear you! I have owned over 50 cars/trucks/whatevers since I was 16. They all needed good homes too!

Right now I have a 1973 Ranchero GT that will be getting sold to pay for a new project I have my eye on.

It's a good thing my wife loves cars too, otherwise I would have ended up sleeping in one of them....

-V

 

[K85 Octane]

really clean find!

Run some SeaFoam through it, several times over lol. You might be in for a cat and sensors afterwords though. It would probably help a great deal. If you are thinking about replacing the sensors, do the Seafoam first.

 

[Big Ray]

if that were mine, here's what I would do:

1) new crate motor...they're cheaper than rebuilding.

2) Drop in a Bow Tie Overdrive - they have a great rep here

3) rebuild the transfer case

4) rebuild the axles (fresh bearings & seals, regear as needed)

do this and it'll effortlessly go another 250k miles imo

It's a very nice truck

 

[sickser66]

Anyone have any recommendations for a crate motor? I find plenty on-line, but I would like to get one from a good builder with a warranty.

 

[K85 Octane]

gm performance
out of summit racing or whatever

 

[Big Ray]

For a stock replacement Scoggin-Dicky and Pace Chevrolet both sell factory GM motors at a good price.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

Good lookin' Burb

 

[82355]

That thing is too clean an unmolested for a Gen III swap. It would be different if it were carbureted, but it's already an EFI rig. Your local GM dealership can sell you a reasonably priced replacement engine.

Martin