1988 1 ton suburban buildup

[xpndbl3]

started to paint the block/accessories. Almost done with the harness as well. Hoping to yank out the old 350 tbi shortly, waiting for all this rain in chicago to go away.

 

[xpndbl3]

got the conversion adapters in today and installed onto the engine, factory oil pressure and coolant gauges can now be retained by using factory sending units. Also installed a block heater on the drivers side where the plug/blockoff for it is located, definitely will help on some of those cold chicago mornings this coming winter. hoping to yank out the old tbi engines one of these days. Can't wait to get her all buttoned up so I can go explore colorado or northern michigan, depending on budget when I'm finished.

 

[chilliwak]

XP, have you got any pics that you can post? I would love to see some more pics of your rig!:drool:

 

[xpndbl3]

sure i can snap some, what are you looking for exactly? I'm in the process of yanking out the motor still, but can snag interior, exterior, etc Let me know

old motor

inside my buddies shop after hooking up rear heat last winter

 

[aslack99]

Any updates on this?

 

[xpndbl3]

yes, i've had some updates, probably post up some new pictures on tuesday.

 

[xpndbl3]

How it sits as of a few days ago, motor will hopefully be out tomorrow night and then the 5.3L should be back in the chassis in a few more days.

 

[xpndbl3]

This has been going slower than expected....but got the motor out today with the help of a buddy.

 

[jturkey69]

Awesome!! are you doing any other work in the engine bay?

 

[xpndbl3]

pressure washing it, maybe a coat of wax and I'll probably have to relocate the battery to the drivers side since the 5.3L engine in a 2004 truck has the airbox on the passenger side in the same spot and I plan on running the complete factory airbox to save fab time.

 

[Kelly 4x4]

Hello, do you have the flex plate for the 5.3 or are using the same one out of the truck ? some are not compatable do to balance difference, so please check first . to save time and a redo!! like a 400 and a 350 eng are not compatable...

 

[xpndbl3]

no a gen 3 motor is completely different than a gen 1 motor when it comes to flexplates. So you have to run the gen 3 stuff. You buy a spacer and bolt kit that is for the 4L80E trans and it'll bolt to a th400 trans converter then as they use the same spacing/bolt pattern. You can't physically fit a gen 1 flexplate onto a gen 3 engine.

 

[Larry]

This has been going slower than expected....but got the motor out today with the help of a buddy.

Motor??? Was than originally an electric Suburban?? ENGINE, my friend.....ENGINE!!! Didn’t your autoshop instructors teach you anything? One of my biggest pet peeves is someone calling an engine a MOTOR!......... Crimany

 

[Kelly 4x4]

Good to hear .love it when a plan works... Kelly

 

[xpndbl3]

From websters dictionary........

mo·tor   [moh-ter]
noun
1. A comparatively small and powerful engine, especially an internal-combustion engine in an automobile, motorboat, or the like.