The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Life Is Good

I am at peace with the world.

My 1954 Chevrolet Suburban was put into hibernation in late November - I had changed the oil/filter before hibernation but I failed to put gas treatment into the full tank of gas.

Today, the temperature got up to 67, so it seemed like a good idea to take the Suburban out of hibernation. I pressed the gas pedal to the floor (to set the automatic chokes on the dual Carter-Webers on the 1960 261 engine),turned the key, pressed the floor/foot starter-button, and after about 10 seconds of healthy cranking (to get gas to the carbs?), the engine started and immediately settled at fast idle.

Ain't Life Grand.

I would like to note (to nay-sayer-posters), that the dual-carb linkage uses a universal, bent-fit, throttle rod; and the battery is a 5 year old 6v Optima battery. This is supposedly the unreliable Optima battery (of which I have three that have never failed - one in 5 years and the other two in 3 years). I do not remove the batteries from hibernating vehicles in my unheated garage AND I have never had to charge these batteries after a cold winter sitting in my trucks.

An observation/reality for those who have a hard starting 6v vehicle: if you have the right gauge battery cables (both cables), a good 6v starter, and a good 6v battery, it will crank rapidly every time.

While the truck was warming up (with steady oil pressure and steady charging), I increased the air in the radial tires to 35 psi (6 year old Cooper SRM II LT radials on original wheel - with radial tubes in them).

As soon as the temp gauge started moving, I flicked the gas pedal and the carburetors immediately went to a steady slow idle.

I then drove the Suburban on country roads for about 10 miles at 25-40mph, until I turned onto a 5 miles straight-stretch of smooth country road that had been used for drag racing in the 50s-60s (and, there were no vehicles in sight). The engine was purring quietly and the shake-out cruise had put me at ease (I guess the 4 month old gas is still good).

At present, I have the original three-speed and a 3.55 ring/pinion in the original torque-tube rear-end. The 3-speed is worn out, hard to shift, and pops out of third gear when cruising. It took me a while to get it into first gear, while I was sitting on the straight-away. When it was finally in first, and no cars were around, it seemed a good time to hit the gas and see if it was still in tune for a take-off.

The engine responded nicely as I started off, so I floored it. A few seconds later at 30 mph (in first gear), I shifted to 2nd and floored it. After what seemed like a few seconds later, at 50 mph I shifted to 3rd. It had plenty of torque and reached 70 mph in what seemed like a few more seconds.

This truck cruises smoothly and quietly between 55-65 and still feels good accelerating to 75 (I've had it to 90 but only a few times for short durations).

A few other notes (in response to recent comments in posts about these engines, about the 3.55 conversion, and about the dual-carb set-up): there is a noticeable increase in power with the dual-carb/dual-exhaust setup on a 261 (and, to a lesser extent, on my former 235); and, on flat ground, there is still good high-speed torque in these engine with a 3.55 rear end (both later 235s and 261s).

The poorly-shifting three-speed will soon be replaced with an SM420 torque-tube 4-speed (that has less than 1,000 miles on it). With the 3.55, I might find myself using 1st gear?

If anyone is going to Macungie PA in June, I'll take you for a ride (or, maybe even let you drive).

Life is indeed good.

It really is TC. Yesterday it was in the 60's here & I took my 58 out & to the car wash. Ive been working on it since last summer. It is running great & looks real good. It's snowing today though. I had some health problems & felt lousey for a few months, but now feel great, considering my age. Yes life is great when you are 76 & can still rebuild old trucks.
George

That's what it's all about, Tim. Great report.

Amen, George & Charlie

I doubt you'll use first gear unless you really want to go slow. If you do I'm going to wonder about your motor.

My GMC Suburban has a 270, so only a little bigger than your 261, an SM420 and 3.08 gears in the rear. Its not the truck to use when pulling a trailer but it has no trouble at all starting out in second and runs down the road just fine at 70+.

Interesting comments about gas without treatment. I usually store my truck 4-6 months each winter, depending on the weather, and have never used a gas treatment. I fill the tank to the top before storage and if I can I'll start the truck up every two weeks and let it run for 20 minutes or so. Never a gas problem.
A friend stores her 47 for 6 months and just puts it away, same gas and battery connected. When we take it out it starts and runs just fine.

Sounds so wonderful.

Tim, great post. Aint spring just grand? Hopefully my sub will be on the road this summer and I too will be enjoying the 2 lanes here in southern Wisconsin.

Weeds

I think every one is right about 4-5 months not being bad for gas. It should be noted however, that different regions have different formulas for winter and summer gas. Also, after one long winter (Nov-May), every hibernating gas-implement in my garage failed to start. This is one winter-prep that is cheap and easy, is not harmful, and might even be helpful?


Best wishes, Weeds. I still remember my first ride in the Suburban after 10 years of restoration (and 13 previous years of sitting in the garage, rotting away).

We'll be looking forward to your write-up. And, when we read your write-up, we will be visualizing the broad grin on your face.

Tim, spring fever hit a wee bit early I guess. Sounds like a good day. I can't help but thinking about my ride (that may possibly be done this year)and how much it is like yours. I already have the 4 speed SM420 and the 261 in front of it. Also the torque tube with 3.55s in the back. I have some tall bias plies for now, likely keep them. Your story makes me want to finish off my panel this week.

Leo

Leo,

Take your time. Do it right.

It seems to always take longer and more $$$ than you planned for.

Keep at it. Git-r-done.

Good luck - please post progress reports.

Life is good. I woke my 46 from a four month slumber today with no problems ran smoothe and ready for the spring summer adventures.

.... and I really woke the 37 up yesterday. I smoked the tires up the street on my way to get a couple hot dogs and Pepsi What a gorgeous day!.... and now raining!

My story is a little different. We don't have to park 'em for the winter here. I didn't get my burb running until December. Since then I have kept it active but mostly on highway runs to Fort Worth for car shows (100 plus miles) and to Grand Prairie for the Inliners monthly breakfasts (150 plus miles). I hadn't driven it for the pleasure of driving an old truck in a while. Tim's story inspired me.

Today I took her out to drive some backroads in the area. I put about 80 miles on it. I even found some dirt roads and put in quite a few miles on them. No radio, just me, the truck and the dog. It was really enjoyable putting along at 20-30 MPH on county roads. The countryside is really starting to green up here.

Some of the highlights were crossing a low water crossing on a dirt road, having to drive in 3nd on some of the rough stretches because the road was too rough to drive fast enough for 4th, having to downshift for hills and driving through a wind farm.

This is the kind of stuff the truck was designed and built for and she performed flawlessly. I got to thinking about how this truck was the height of automotive technology when it was built.

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

By the way, it's a 248 with SM-420 and stock 3.90 gears. The suspension is stock. I'm running power discs on front.

I just got the call from upholstery shop, seats are done, spring is official, gonna go get the 46 goin'

Wonderful story, makes me want my '54 on the road. This has got to be the year. Fun working on it but I'm aching to dive it.

I've had my 53 out couple of times this winter, may have potential problem with noise in the area of the throw-out/clutch. It kinda sounds like a bearing, but comes and go's? I installed all new two years ago and maybe 500 miles. Last week while warming it up the "rubber" fuel line connection started leaking, looks like the hose was dry rotted. Or could it be the rotten gas? Anyway fixed'er up and took it for a spin, felt good and I'm looking forward to the first rod run May 2nd!

Indeed.

My job lets me travel south west Oklahoma and parts of northern Tejas. At least once a week (barring our blizzards of late), I take the '58 on a trip varying from 60 to 250 miles. Nothing like bombing down the road in some 52 year old iron.



I'm running stock suspension as well, just geared a bit different - 4 speed, 350, 3:35 rear.

Life is good. But Tim I'm jealous. I drove my 50 3600 last on Dec 28 when I took it to my friend Roger's house about 6-7 miles. It was cold with blowing snow and some ice on the road, and no heater. I parked it in his garage - and moved that night 330 miles away, and have not seen it since. (Mid-life job change and relocation.) It's finally spring here in Wisconsin and I miss my Chevy. Hopefully I can get it close to me soon.

Sounds like you've got a touch of 'separation anxiety' there Frank!

I'm jealous of Tim too,the weather's finally sorting itself out and I haven't got mine driveable yet

It was below freezing here this morning.

took my 55 out today to pick up a stainless steel work table i got from a resturant thats closing up. only paid 20 bucks for it.
it will make a great work bench in my garage.
got a few other items too ,but me and my buddy were calling each other lamant and big dummy. kind of felt like sanford and son.
anyway the truck ran great for the 10 mile round trip. farthest ive gone with it so far. got a lot of looks. life just seams simpler when i am driving my 55 pick up.

Tim, Life IS good.

I can't wait until I am in your boat :-)