JayDogg's Suburban

So this project started a few years ago and was going to be a quick get her back on the road in original condition project…
It is now a frame off resto with some modifications: new rearend with 3:55 posi and A 518 overdrive tranny (727 with an overdrive).
Here are a few pics


The original 59 engine was replaced with a 62 318 so I could use the 518 without an adaptor


Tranny fits…need to get new crossmember made to fit behind the original one


Todays project complete…dual carb intake on and torqued down.

Had a problem with the frame going to the ground after the engine was put in…Then I figured out I put the torsion bars in while the car wheels were flat on the ground…therefore no torsion..oops…So I pulled them out today and decided to make sure that I didnt mix the right and the left one… The right (passenger) said R 606 …so I must be good…but I checked the left side anyhow and it said R 604…??? So somewhere in the life of this wagon someone replaced the driver torsion bar or there was a serious screw up in the factory in 1959…I suspect it was the former. After discussing it with John Fowlie and looking at the parts manual I have decided that I have a torsion bar for the right for a 6 cylinder wagon (MP1) and a torsion bar for the right for a 8 cylinder wagon (MP2)… Im glad I looked this could have been bad once this is on the road.
So thats where Im at…once the new transmission crossmember is in I will measure for the new drive shaft and this part will get put away and the body started on…May have to modify the tranny tunnel a bit due to the new overdrive but thats what a plasma cutter and welder are for.
more pics to follow.

Jaydog - I’ve recently seen torsion bar sets for sale on ebay. A member Ed Eckerson listed a pair on ebay, I do not know if he still has them or not.
Dick.

Opps, sorry John F.
Dick

I appreciate the heads up on ebay. John is looking for me now so will see what he comes up with.
J

Nice work!
Love those wagons

What motor are you using a 360? Was the frame originally a V-8 or 6 Cylinder?

That is a 1962 318 poly…the original engine was also a 318 but switched to later model due to compatibility issues with the a518 (46rh) transmission. It was originally a 3 sp manual with or but the od was shot so went with the 518 od… By the way still have the 59 318 engine if anyone interested.