The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1954 Chevy Suburban

Ok hopefully all y'all can help me out here......i just inherited my grandfather's 54 Chevy Suburban......and Im not sure where to begin...it hasnt run for about 20 years....Should I disassemble to engine, and rebuild it, then try cranking it up...same with he tranny? Also I havent a flipping clue what kind/size engine this puupy has. The air filter it had on it...was full of oil, and was just plain nasty.
Also..I intend to restore this back to factory...and not hot rod it out like some Chip Foose creation...I like the Old School Original look. If any of yall could gimmie alittle insight, that would be greatly appreciated.

cool ride welcome im not to sure on a 1954 becouse im in to 41-46 trucks but some one will be along soon who is in to that year welcome to the bolt

Do not mess with anything until you have a clearer understanding of the vehicle. I would start by getting a manual on it or something close ( 48-54 )or even the same year range in pick-up version, then I would start looking and checking all fluids,elect connections, brakes, etc. The oil in the "oil bath" air filter is normal, just clean and refill it. If the engine turns by hand, you could then procede to put in a battery and crank it over to see if it runs, and even do a compression test. Check radiator for leaks before letting it get hot !!,I am going through the same process now with a 50 that was parked since 92. Study the important things first, and find a friend that knows old trucks. If the sub runs, look at ALL the brake components real close and make any repairs on the system before going any further, as you will want to or be temped to test drive and you do NOT want any failures in that department. Ask, ask, ask as you go along. Welcome and the best of luck to you. Jon

Hey welcome to the bolt!

Come over to the panels and burbs forum when you start asking things specific to that body type. We can always use another Suburban owner!

Welcome to the forums. The first thing to do is educate yourself. There is an education to be had in this website. Browse through the tech tips. Be sure to read FAQs. Use the search function of the forums. Everything you need to do has been done by many on here before you. You're in good hands. Keep us posted.

watts,

If you have the original engine in your Suburban it is a high-pressure oil system 235 engine. A fine (3rd or 4th generation) stovebolt six (this generation was introduced in trucks in 1954). You can confirm the year of the engine by cleaning with a wire brush the ledge to the rear of the distributor. An engine ID/code is pressed into that ledge and in 1954 - post the code here and someone with a code book will decode it. My book is lent-out but I think the truck 235 had a code starting with a letter and then "54" (as I recall, F54xxxxx, means 1954 engine built in Flint, MI).

Search this forum for advice on starting an engine that has sat for a while. As stated above, if you can turn the engine a few revolutions, everything is free and it is worth a try restarting it. If it has sat for a while, you might want to disconnect the tube from the fuel tank to the fuel pump and have the fuel pump suck from a can or jar of gas (rig a line at the intake end of the fuel pump).

It is a joyous sound to hear one of these old engines come back to life. I bet the success rate for starting a stored 216/235/261 engine is quite high.

The oil bath air cleaner can be cleaned with kerosene and dried out. Then, fill the base with 50 wt oil to the fill line.

I have owned a 1954 Chevrolet Suburban since 1970. It has been restored to original condition/appearance. There are many other people on this site with experience maintaining and restoring these trucks.

Pictures?

Good luck, and let us know what happens if you try to start that engine.

Tim

Welcome to the BOLT, if you are intent on a true restoration here is a site to visit. Might want to join also lots of great info and people.

www.vccachat.org

Wow. That was fast. I have some pictures on my work computer, at my shop..coincedently where I have the 'burban. I'll try to upload some.
I was diggin thru a parts box, things that had been put asid ein the garage.....one of them looks oddly enuff like a drive shaft....bout 2 to 3 feet long, 4" in dia round...shakes head...oh boy...this will be fun.

That sounds like a cool project you are about to embark on...I know it's a family heirloom, but if you change your mind, I'm looking for one of these...and I'm in San Diego! Good louck! ---Rich

Watts,
welcome to the Stovebolt! Well, you happen to have one of the most desired vehicles around. The fact that it is a family vehicle just makes it even better. We all look forward to your photos!

Fred

Watts,

I'm gonna move your thread to Panel and 'Burbs. I think you'll find more specifically-related info there. Plus, it'll keep more of our guys reading some of the other forums!!

And welcome aboard!

Thanks,
Peggy M

welcome to the stovebolt page. i noticed you live in orange county,,check out "the truck shop" in orange,on batavia ave. they have a ton of parts,but the counter help isnt all that knowledgeable.
good luck with your new truck and keep us posted.

As you can see there will be plenty of good advice on this site. I strongly recommend that you take the gas tank off and have it cleaned. Old gas and the sludge it creates will mess you up. Be patient, be rich, and best of luck

Ive got some pix of my Burban...how do I go about getting them uploaded...or maybe I should post them in one of those photo bucket things.

Watts,
yes, thats how most of us do it. Just put them up there and post a link here. It will be great to see them.

Cool lets try these.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/DWATTS5250/100_5068.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/DWATTS5250/100_2134.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/DWATTS5250/100_2135.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/DWATTS5250/100_2143.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/DWATTS5250/100_2155.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/DWATTS5250/100_5074.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/DWATTS5250/100_5073.jpg
Hopefully these work out....

NEAT!!!!!

I'd say, clean the heck out of everything, inside and out. Steam or pressure wash the engine and underside. Then get your creeper and a flashlight and give it a good inspection, inside and out. Take a pad of paper with you and make a list of things you see that need to be fixed. Include the big things like engine rebuilds, brake rebuilds, etc. When done, have a look at how big the list is. Don't let it discourage you!! Just break it down into sub-systems and concentrate on repairing those areas until complete. Just remember, some of those systems will tie into other systems. As an example, let's say you decide to rebuild the engine first. After it is complete, you can't just plop it in and fire it up! You might need to address the coolant system, fuel system and the electrical system before you can do that. While the engine is still out, you might want to address the transmission, etc.

It is important to remember to take your time, this isn't a race!! And never lose hope! Suburbans are a big chunk of steel for the home restorer. Unless you're into COE's. If you need to take a break, do that! Regain your focus. I bet you most of us here will agree that these restorations take a bit longer than we had originally planned!! But sticking with it has many benefits!

BTW, I'm up here in Pomona. If you have any questions that I might be able to help with, feel free to send me a note. I can get busy sometimes, but I usually always get to my email!

Thanks for the advice...Ive started a list....it keeps getting bigger and bigger....Im still cleaning 20 yrs of crap out of the inside. i ran the SN# and from what I can tell its a Commercial build, 1954 Sub, produced in the L.A., factory, # 694 in production...and I think the orignal color may have been yellow...

Oh, and on one of those pics is the engine block with a bunch of #'s....I didnt see anything that indicated what size engine it was...

Did you look mfor the code to the rear of the distributor? Sometimes it is missing because it was ground off sometime during the life of the engine.

The casting numbers/codes in one of your photos might mean something but I do not think it is the block code (maybe someone will post information about the code in your photo).

The block casting code is behind the right rear of the starter (you might have to clean that area). If you can find it, look for the number in this page , or post it here and someone will decode it.

Wow, that is a nice Burb! It looks very straight. You will have a ball with it. Man , some of us are just plain jealous!

Take your time and enjoy the journey. When and if you decide to start her up, you can get all the help you need right here on the Stovebolt.

Oh yeah, get a restoration pack!! They are pretty cool!!

The Restoration Kit

Okaaay..So I dialed up chevy, gave them my info, gave them my year, make, model, and VIN....after being in a holding pattern for 5 minutes..."Kimberly Francis" from Who knows where tells me.. the oldest restoration kit they have dates to 1971. 1971...hmmmm. This may take afew more operators to get thru...unless there are any other sites out there.

:o