new to me 52 suburban - possible changes?

[52Suburban]

I am a recent owner of a 52 suburban! I have always loved wagons and these wagons in particular!!

It is already 12 volt and has working overdrive with stock 218

I am considering:

Changing out distributer for HEI via Langdon

Changing carburetors - but here I have some questions

 

- I see edgy two two's and that seems to be a bit too much - I want to take the top speed from 60-65 to 70-75 when I need it this is a right lane car on the highway

- So I see the offy 2691 which is two one barrels - I did some searching, but can not find what carbs are used - do I get another stock carter???

- Looking further at the stovebolt site I see there is an adapter and a progressive Holly 2 barrel - this is what I am leaning toward but tell me if I am wrong and why?

This brings up the point of heated intake and I see that there is a solution again from the stovebolt site - have people found this to be an issue???

 

Finally - front disk brakes

I see several "kits" some say no modifications required/bolt on, but after talking to AAJ it sounds like I will have to tap the steering arms and cut out a bit of space to get to the new master cylinder. I know I need to look at my brakes now and from the bit of reading I've done it looks like the fronts may be a bit of a pain.

 

I do have a nice budget from the sale of my previous project to get this one so I am also wondering if I should just lay out twice the cost of a disk kit and go ifs and new front end?????????????? i think heidts has one and saw another place i have not heard of before HELIX SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

I have an email out to them

 

I was originally thinking of staying mostly stock and would if I did not change the brakes - are they functional when done right??

[greg g]

dual carbs are typically 2 stock type Carters.  Remember the progressive 2 bbl was designed for and fitted to a 1.6 liter Ford Pinto engine.  In 56 Plymouth offered an optional 2bbl carb similar to what was used ont he small V8 of the day.  An adapter is available for that style of carb to the stock manifold.  Check with member olddaddy at Rustyhope.com for disc brakes.  Stock front end is tunable by changing to frame mounted front shocks.  no real need to put a new front suspension under it.

[martybose]

Engine mods are very much the choice of the owner.  I started out stock, then added a mild cam and an Offy manifold modified to use a pair of Stromberg 97's.  It didn't run worth a damn, couldn't get the carbs jetted to work at all speeds.  Then I build up a 230 with higher compression and an Edmunds manifold modified with the Stovebolt adapter and dual Carter-Webers.  This setup runs like a dream.  Over the years I've purchased a bunch of Weber jetting parts and tried changing it, and always wind up back where I started.  Both versions had the Stovebolt HEI ignition and a set of cast iron headers.

 

Most people just put a second stock carb on the Offy manifolds, and they seem to work quite well, I just like to try things a little different ........

 

Marty

[mrwrstory]

I do have a nice budget from the sale of my previous project to get this one so I am also wondering if I should just lay out twice the cost of a disk kit and go ifs and new front end?????????????? i think heidts has one and saw another place i have not heard of before HELIX SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

 

 

Forget Helix.  I assume in your research you found them to be the cheapest.  My limited experience sees them as really cheap,.. cheaply made and requiring lots of extra and creative modifying to make them fit as advertised.  Customer service sucked too.

I'm surprised to see that Heidts makes a kit but if they do, they're a quality outfit and I would have comfort buying from them.  Waaaay back I installed Fatman's spindles and brakes, and but for the machining you mentioned it was a no-brainer,....even using the stock suspension, M/C and steering.  A neighbor opted for the Fatman "clip",...more money but you're also paying for new brakes, steering and suspension.  It is a solid product and a good value in my opinion.

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Sometimes the hardest part is making the decision.  Good luck and keep us posted.

Edited December 21, 2014 by mrwrstory