Electrical Problems

[jaydogg]

I used an aftermarket wiring system similar to but not from painless, Worked pretty good when done...Did have a issue when I converted to Alternator and switched to Mopar Electronic ignition but finally when I was at wits end some Mopar friends (one being Mopar Ricky) helped with getting it buttoned up.

Glad I now have the security of a fuse block and I wrapped mosts of the wires in Mopar non-adhesive tape to make it look as factory as you can at first glance.


John Q.

My goal is to make it look as factory as possible with a few aftermarket additions that you would probably see from somebody who owned this in the 60's. I think the fuse block will be an advantage and safer and let me add a few extras. I have not decided on which way to go on an alternator yet. Vintage mopar or newer summit etc, one wire vs 3 wire...etc. Probably going to pertronix electronic ignition.
Vintage air has an old school looking ac you could have gotten then and will probably add that down the road. Will add radio where there was just a panel covering the hole and turn the empty cigarette opening into a power outlet for kids stuff. Will look original but have better usability.

A question: What is the material that covers the wheel wells in the cargo area of the suburbans?. It looks like a tar impregnated cloth that is laid down and possibly painted. Trying to figure out what to use to replace it. considering felt backed vinyl to match the white of the door panels.

Getting a friends cherry picker tomorrow and pulling the engine and tranny. All unhooked from the body except one bolt on each of the front motor mounts. Will see how it goes. Got items in mail today to rust protect some parts and going to port and polish the heads and intake. Got kids media blasting the interior trim for paint and going to start on making floor boards this spring break.

Will post more pics from iphone

[rogerh]

I do NOT know what that material is that mother Mopar used to line the Suburban cargo areas, and I've never seen any thing offered that comes remotely close to that look.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

I have seen material like that in the pad between the gas tank and the body of the car and also in and behind the small cardboard side panels below the dash as a sound deadener.

I will try to take a picture of that pad to see if it is similar to what you are seeing on your wagon, Mostly I think it is a sound deadener and being with the tar like substance it does not retain water or moisture...


John Q.

[jaydogg]

engine out

So engine and tranny out and off to the shops to get rebuilt. Building a powdercoating oven to do the larger parts inner fenders seats etc. It is almost done so can get to work cleaning those up.
Fabric came in from SMS so ready to go on that, and wiring harness is here...now all i need is to skip work for a few months to get everything done.
Here are a few more pics...

[big m]

You're making good headway, Jay!!

---John

[jason]

Looking great Jay! If only we could afford to take months off work here and there to finish our cars. I'd have alot more done that's for sure.

[jaydogg]

Looking great Jay! If only we could afford to take months off work here and there to finish our cars. I'd have alot more done that's for sure.

Yeah wouldnt that be the life Unfortunately it will be a couple hrs here and there for a long while.

[Dick Koch]

Well us retarded folks get to work on our cars a lot but somehow all the other facets of daily living seem to get in the way. Sometimes I wonder how I had enought time to work when I was working.
Dick.

[jaydogg]

Ok
So portland swap meet was yest and a friend who is restoring the last part of my 53 chevy conv calls and found
a "dual intake manifold poly a 318" at the meet.
Looks like I got me a new car part to play with

[rogerh]

I've always had a good time at PSM.
I see these manifolds on eBay from time to time. It will be interesting to see what you make of it (do you own a gas station? )

[jaydogg]

I've always had a good time at PSM.
I see these manifolds on eBay from time to time. It will be interesting to see what you make of it (do you own a gas station? )

Yeah I may need to put a tow hitch on the back and tow a station behind me.

[Dick Koch]

Jay - You won't need a Gas Station, I installed a Dual Quad setup on my 318 engine and the milage is very good. I went to Orlando, Fl. this weekend for a All Mopar show. When I gassed up to come back home we had travelled 174 miles cruising at 70 mile per hour, using 11.122 gals of regular gas, thats 15.64 miles per gallon and as far as I can remember I used to get about the same when it was a single 4 bbl. carb engine. Remember with progressive linkage the front carburetor is at idle most of the time, my front carb is set to kick in around 75 miles per hour.
Dick.

[rogerh]

Great report, Dick! I trust you and Yvonne had a nice time.
I hope you all saw my comment as a bit of a joke..2x4 set-ups not only look cool, but provide the power to pass!
I wish I could squeeze more than 11 mpg outa my v-8 2000 Dakota 4x4! (sigh)
Yet another reason I should dump it and get a Sport Suburban!

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Jay - You won't need a Gas Station, I installed a Dual Quad setup on my 318 engine and the milage is very good. I went to Orlando, Fl. this weekend for a All Mopar show. When I gassed up to come back home we had travelled 174 miles cruising at 70 mile per hour, using 11.122 gals of regular gas, thats 15.64 miles per gallon and as far as I can remember I used to get about the same when it was a single 4 bbl. carb engine. Remember with progressive linkage the front carburetor is at idle most of the time, my front carb is set to kick in around 75 miles per hour.
Dick.

Wow, great mileage on your trip! What gear ratio is in your (your cars that is) rear end? The stock 2.94? or 3.23 gears (3.21?)

John Q.

[Dick Koch]

John - It's stamped 2.93 both of my other ones are stamped 3.13.
Dick.