1971 Project

[theclockdoctor]

I picked up a 1971 GMC Suburban last weekend in Oregon. Trailered it home against 25 mph head winds and snowy roads. Made it home in CA after 14 hours due to only being able to go 45 mph with fishtailing. Happy as can be, but have my work cut out for me. Hoping to get a little help from the members here on a few things along the way. Previous owner made a custom tank, but no sending unit. I purchased new tank with sending unit and straps, but can't find any wire to hook up to sending unit. Don't even see a cut off wire. Can anyone tell me where it comes from... along the frame, or from the corner chanel with the tailights wiring?

[Bigdav160]

Drivers side rear.

We like pics

[theclockdoctor]

Thanks, I'll look, and hopefully previous owner left wire and connector intact.
Sorry for being lazy with last post and no pictures. Here's what I'm starting with. Also another question. Do I need to use the extra two ports on the new tank, there are some extra clipped hoses under there.

[RoadDawg]

Congrats on the find, it looks like a great rig...3/4 ton? I brought a 1971 GMC Suburban ambulance home from almost all the way from Oregon (Siskiyou County) this past summer and had a considerably easier time with transport.

I second the motion for pics, I'd love to see more photos of GMC 'burbs.

[theclockdoctor]

Just 1/2 ton, but I'm not planning on any heavy towing. Just nice daily driver, camping,going to the cabin rig.

[67 Burb]

Looks good! Welcome to the forum.

[Bomp]

Welcome.
Clean lookin rig.

[juddss]

Very nice, Welcome. When I bought my suburban the previous owner had installed a brand new tank. After I got it running and diving I noticed I had a fuel leak. I found those two extra ports had a rubber cap on them and no clamps. I just ran a hose from one side to the other and clamped both ends. Will probably do a better repair in the future but cant think of a better way to cap it off.

[theclockdoctor]

Just got a factory service manual today, an found out where everything is supposed to go. Problem is I think the evap canister is gone. I think I'm going to do the crossover and clamp method also.

[RoadDawg]

Originally Posted by theclockdoctor

Just got a factory service manual today, an found out where everything is supposed to go. Problem is I think the evap canister is gone. I think I'm going to do the crossover and clamp method also.

I'm in need of a factory service manual as well...mind sharing where you picked yours up from?

[theclockdoctor]

Search on eBay, there are a number of sellers there. Here is a link

[Bigdav160]

Fuel separator or charcoal canister? The canister is hard to see as it is in the fender behind the battery.

PDF's of the factory service manuals are floating around this site <wink>

[theclockdoctor]

Found the canister, bit it has a hole broken in the top of it.

[theclockdoctor]

My rig has the full length overhead air unit which I don't really like the way it looks. Is it worth repairing, or just getting a dash mount Vintage air unit?

[theclockdoctor]

Fitting the new gas tank up tomorrow, but was looking at the factory manual and it showed some kind of spacer between the frame rails and the flange. Anyone know how thick of a spacer that should be?

[Average Joe]

Originally Posted by theclockdoctor

Fitting the new gas tank up tomorrow, but was looking at the factory manual and it showed some kind of spacer between the frame rails and the flange. Anyone know how thick of a spacer that should be?

I just cut rubber strips from an innertube IIRC.

[LockDoc]

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I used strips I cut from an old truck mud flap. About 3/16 of an inch thick.

LockDoc

[theclockdoctor]

Got the tank in yesterday, and with 4 quartz of tranny fluid, it drives forward and backward now. YooHoo! Went to hook up the fuel sending unit wire up today and found that previous owner had not only cut that, but also wired up some backup lights on the bumper by running a wire through the backup light lens. He removed the backup light buld sockets, and I can't seem to find a listing for them. Anyone know what part number or where I can get some?

[theclockdoctor]

Been busy the last few weeks, had the transmission and transfer case gone through and sealed up, removed the factory mid and rear seats, removed linings from floor to see floor board holes,removed overhead ac unit and headliner, including a shopvac full of mice and rat feces. Removed and replaced the raingutter seal, but still getting just a tiny bit of moister into the front side kick panels. There are holes rusted out there which also need to be taken care of. Have the new floor panels, but I want to make sure I have all the leaks solved first. Anyone have any ideas of where the last bit of water could be getting into the driver side kick panel?

[LockDoc]

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On my '67 Panel Truck the body seams at the top and bottom corners of the windshield were rusty and it was leaking there. I had to pull the windshield out to fix it

LockDoc

[theclockdoctor]

Thanks Leon. I'm afraid mine might be the same. I need to wait till better weather to take out the windshield. That means I'll have to wait to do floorpan and kick panel repair also.

[twistedchevy]

Random but, do you have any pictures of the previous gas tank?

[theclockdoctor]

I'm out of town tomorrow, but I'll post some on Friday.

[68panelman]

Great looking burb.

[theclockdoctor]

Got the new custom rear bumper done today. Tim Williamson of All Pro Fab in Turlock, CA. He does all kinds of manufacturing for the food industry, and as a side business builds some of the wickedest 4x4 jeeps and machines you'll ever see. Great to have a friend who has even better fab skills and tools than I do. Also got the Rack he made me moved from the 1989 Burb to the new 71. A few new pics.