FREE Plow Truck! Will it Run? (Silly "Ford Fanboy" Gets owned by Chevy)

[@ThunderHead289]

Yall told me I forgot the link to the 3 wire cheap car radio with the speakers built in 😅. Here she is - This is what I use in my beaters: amzn.to/40TDq2d

[@jameskerrigan2997]

There's one in Alaska with a wood stove in the back.

[@boozieboise]

I was able to find it and bought one for an 85 K10 I inherited from my brother that I'm trying to make reliable. 👍🏽

[@SadPuppySoup]

I'm going to get one for my lawn tractor, tired of having ear buds fall out and chomped up and this way I can hear around me still

[@Binge420]

@@SadPuppySoupget some good earbuds fella. Try some raycons junk yard digs usually have a discount for them as sponsor them

[@philj3095]

Worth noting Luke the module should have some white greese on it between the bottom of the unit and it contact point . Also if you crank them without spark they can load up backfire when spark is restored and there goes your fancy muffler . Ask me how i know :-)

[@billsmith5166]

Your wife is a real peach. I get a kick out of her every time she's on.

[@DennisMurphey]

Luke, So glad you got back into the videos. I know its a pain to do but my golly we all just like them so much. It's like having a conversation with an old car buddy. Your new place is perfect for you both. Horse Pens and 4 car garage with extra sheds and barn. Amazing. You take care and thank you again for coming back. The world needs what you bring. Dennis in Virginia.

[@robertwest3093]

Well said!

[@gtown1742]

The roof got crushed by John's hoop shed that collapsed. I wouldn't try and open the tail gate unless you're prepared to do some body work to get it back on lol. I owned that truck for about 6 months, was going to use it to plow my driveway, but ended up selling the house. I didn't get to do anything to it, but the mouse was probably from my house! It sat in my back yard for that 6 months.

[@andrelyttle1615]

Glad to see that you dug into the problem and didn't swap the entire distributor immediately. Learn something every day

[@hanknipper3921]

I knew you could get it running Luke! Nice free snow pusher

[@feron450]

That thing seems to run real well. That was very nice of John. Hope it gets you thru the winter

[@ThunderHead289]

Extremely nice, probably going to save me where last year was nothing short of miserable. A city boy learning the hard way for sure

[@KameraShy]

Going to be a hard winter. Nov 21 heavy snow already in Chicago.

[@edrushbrook]

Luke, thanks for taking the time to make these videos and thanks to your wife for enabling you.

[@ThunderHead289]

I enjoy making them when I have time - and it is indeed nice that my wife doesn't get bent out of shape about me always buying, selling, and wrenching. Everyone needs a hobby I suppose, lol

[@benmiller3280]

"Your car is uglier than I am!" I appreciate the American Graffiti quote

[@LeonardMagnusson]

three seats. a party plow.

[@1944johndeerel]

Someone i know has an 86 Suburban with the same back door. You have to roll the rear window down before it will open and I believe the latch handle is on the inside once the glass is down. As I recall there should be a button in the front somewhere to operate the rear glass but I do remember the key slot in the back door also will raise and lower the glass assuming it all still works

[@davidweidner1675]

Luke, you are lucky to have such a great wife.

[@firewatch814]

"is it on fire? For God sakes!" 😅 A line uttered by many.

[@FangOfTruth]

I changed the distributor cap once on a GM vehicle of my brother. I didn’t see the ground strap. It looked like a miniature lightning bolt shooting from the coil to a bracket on the engine. Distributor was in front.Yes I am a Ford guy too.

[@kenleppek]

5:19 missing the ground strap that goes from the coil to the connector in the cap😂

[@jewllake]

this is what I thought. I haven't worked on one of these HEI units since I sold my 85 IROC back in 2004

[@vaselivitch]

4:19 ) don't know why this exchange made me laugh as hard as it did "that's not helping at all" followed by a perfectly cut "oh"...

[@markusher9975]

I worked at Standard in the early 80’s and got the original laser trimmer purchased to manufacture GM ignition modules to work. That was when the parts were manufactured in Long Island City, NY. The components were comparable in quality to NAPA products. The products are now manufactured internationally who knows where the quality is now.

[@workingcountry1776]

Standard blue streak caps and rotors are domestic still. Or ones I've seen in recent years are

[@LazloNQ]

This confirms it! Everyone is a mechanic! (previous coil installer)

[@bigjosh4810]

Im a ford man but I love Old Chevy as well

[@ThisFyneOleTruck]

I love my 88 Burb. I'm still looking for those running boards and a back ladder for my barn doors.

[@burtonbird5518]

More likely to run into same situation than super tuning anything. Great to see how someone would attack this. What a useful steed. Such a classic chariot. A few more tweaks everything will be too notch. Cheers 🍻

[@terrynixon8152]

"Those reluctor pickup coils never go bad". Except it happened to me once. It was a long 7 mile walk back home that day...😁

[@Thriller627]

If anyone can get it going it's you Ol mate Luke! 😊 Cheers!!!

[@IronArmPanda]

To open the back the window has to go down. My pops had one of these for a couple years, used it exactly as you said to haul around the kids lol.

[@martinmcdoniel4551]

Uncle Luke! Its always good to see a new video of yours! I actually dig the information you share regarding carb tuning. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I been a subscriber since the 4spd Maverick videos and you and your wife lived in the trailer Park. by the way my furnace went out and I refer back to your last video turned out to be a similar problem. fixed it by refering back to your video Thank you for that! Have a great Thanksgiving!

[@ThunderHead289]

I'm glad you were able to fix it - nothing like a furnace not running when it's sub 32 freeze pipe weather. A long time indeed, it's something how time flies isn't it - i was just looking back the other day on some of those videos and noticed how my wife and I both look much younger. Have a happy Thanksgiving as well, and thanks for being here 🙂

[@oldcars46]

You are right about getting bad parts back in the '70s I drove my dad 605 GMC and it quit running I switched the tanks and it still wouldn't run I switch the tanks and it still would run pull the fuel pump out went and got a fuel pump put it in and still wouldn't run pulled that fuel pump out did this three times before I finally got a good fuel pump. Also bought spark plugs for my V8 pulled a spark plug out no threads on one of the spark plugs.

[@kevingrant2067]

So I had a similar deal with my Square body Hei, I had done a tune up and had accidentally left the ground lug thing in the old cap (which I threw away), truck ran fine however for a good while until it shut down going down the road. When I pulled the cap the carbon conductor going from the coil through the cap was completely burned up gone. I ended up taking the spring out of a ball point pin and it got me 2 miles to the parts store. Will NEVER forget that ground lug again 😂

[@RollinMyOwn]

If your ever in the position of not having thermal paste use some of the tube never seize . It is thermal paste , I've even had to use it for a computer main fan on the processor. I was taught that by a friend that has a PC repair shop. Try it I'll guarantee it will work. And the edit here was to answer Kevin's question for ya... it's to tell the vehicle "good job and make me proud."...does it work 80% of the time but we do it anyways. Edit number 2... roll the back window down to open the back door...lol

[@JohnCraven-v1f]

Totally agree with you about the distributor placement on GM engines. Especially if the truck has a lift on it. Good thing the old trucks have enough room under the hood that you can just crawl in there and reach stuff

[@zwarst]

Sweet snow plough, a truck & utility all in one..

[@JVHShack]

Summer project idea for this rig: Convert it into a crew cab pickup since the roof is bashed and the rear wheel arches are toast. Any body part that is rusted out on that rig is reproduced by at least two companies that I can think of right now.

[@robertsnyder5193]

The only ignition trouble that nobody on KZbin has and i had growing up around square bodies and having them on and off throughout my life (58 years) is the rotors cracking and grounding down through it, we as a family always carry one in the glove box and some times two in case ones junk out of the box. Started when the only time my dad had gone to the neighborhood old country garage and they couldn’t figure it out until they called a cousin who had a Chevy swapped ignition parts till his wouldn’t start. Blessings brother

[@glenryan6569]

Make sure the heater and heater fan works and the blend door puts the heat on the wind shield. Wipers already work, nice having some lights that are higher than the blade as well. Off road only you can get a big light bar from Harbour Freight and mount it on the roof.

[@HiwasseeRiver]

Since it was free anything you spend on it is infinitely more than it cost in percentage terms. Nice job, good vid.

[@christimm394]

Looks like you might need a set of plow lights

[@robertvance1873]

Your wife is a cool lady.

[@christopheransell2179]

I would never ever have thought of something as simple as a ground on the distributor coil, the only eventual fix would have been installing a whole new HEI distributor. Yes, I as well thought you only ever owned fords. I have owned the big three, plus a Jeep Cherokee Chief. I figure they ALL have their problems, it just depends on which one you feel like working on that day. I greatly enjoy your videos!

[@stansdds]

Glad you got it running, but we all know that Chevrolet really means Cheap Heap Every Valve Rattles Oil Leaks Every Time. 😁 Actually, the square body Chevy's had really good engines, transmissions, and drive axles, but the bodies rusted horribly.

[@NGG1983]

You have more patience than me. the second I saw the inside of that HEI I'd instantly replace the whole unit. I have a name for her, she's half in the ground already, so she's 'The Subterranean'

[@glennnickerson8438]

The nice thing with a plow truck, as the panels rot off you kick them off and the truck gets lighter! I had friends who IH Scouts for plow trucks and after 3 or 4 seasons they were down to floor pans and a cafeteria seat!😆

[@Blakes_Makes]

I did the same on my summer daily. Grandpas 1980 Chevy big 10. I put a new cap on because it was worn beyond worn. Somehow it ran without the ground strap which I forgot to transfer. Must have grounded through something else somehow. It ran for a couple hundred miles before letting go at the farm I work at when I was changing a tire on the cultivator. Real convenient! There went 3 hours of my time figuring it out. I carry an ignition module and coil with me everywhere behind the seat. It ended up killing the old coil and I had to put the ground strap back and a cheap standard coil and it fired up like nothing happened. I keep another cheap standard coil behind the seat for when that one dies. I ended up leaving the standard module in it for a while until it started causing some really weird issues at certain rpms. I put the original back in and its been running fantastic ever since. That was my only break down in the truck since I got it running and driving after it sat in the bush for 25 years with small trees growing into it. I love watching your channel Luke keep it coming.

[@danielhn93]

This is great to see. I'd love to have an older Chevy in this style body and dash. My only experience with square bodies is my current 1990 S10 truck.

[@noahingram8052]

There are front mount distributor setups available for the engines

[@LazloNQ]

Absolutely was not driven there. Probably towed or rolled off of a trailer. I helped a guy work on an old late 60s GMC 4x4 that was parked in a hedge row because it just would not start. It was parked so long the mice had gotten to it. Had no spark at all. Even after installing and gapping new points - no spark. Known good coil - no spark. What a head scratcher. After more discussion and thinking, we wondered if the distributor was no longer grounding through the distributor shaft to the engine. We added our own ground wire and the brightest sweetest blue spark you ever saw started popping on the spark plug. There are parts replacers and then there are people who fundamentally understand how an ignition works and you can use this knowledge to make sure any ignition system conforms to necessary standards to function. I don't think I would have caught this missing ground strap unless I had a known good dizzy to compare to. Thanks for another great video! I'll be checking this on my 1973 barndoor squarebody suburban I inherited from my grandfather. From your neighbor by where the Vice Grip was invented here in Nebraska - well done! - and thanks for sharing!

[@Blakes_Makes]

I forgot the ground strap on my squarebody during a cap replacement and it did run a couple hundred miles. It let go at a very inconvenient time and took me 3 hours to figure out. It ended up killing the coil. I agree should not be possible I wouldn't believe it myself if I had not experienced it.

[@paulary5613]

Sweet man those trucks are rare, I spent from age 13 to 17 tracking one down that I could afford and got a loaded 100% complete big glass 305 4 speed 4x4 1961 gmc k-1000 long bed fleet side truck for $1,000 outta Colorado just this spring. Yes it runs but I am tracking down a steering box as mine has worn through the bushings in it and worn the case away too. It used to be a Forrest service truck

[@robis40]

Well I guess one Chevy won’t make me stop watching especially since it was free. 😂

[@Hobotraveler82]

These Suburbans are pretty neat. I grew up on these years of Suburbans. My dad drove one for work. A 91 2wd. That thing was notorious for eating transmissions. 😊

[@lovemye36]

I had a 2wd twin to this Suburban. What a great vehicle.

[@JohnC29]

I drove a slant six 15 miles on 4 cylinders after getting t boned. The distributor cap was broken where two plug wire contacts were hanging free.

[@GeekGinger]

I have a 71 Camaro but the HEI came out of a 77 truck. The cap, coil and module are all still the original GM parts. If something ever goes wrong I might be shopping at the local junk yard instead of the parts store.

[@oleukeman]

It’s a shame that your wife calls herself ugly. She’s a lovely young woman.

[@CircleM20]

It's a quote from the movie American Graffiti.

[@rexkean]

The bodies on those always rust bad, but they are tough rigs as far as running gear. I've had a few, they're awesome toys!

[@camino6431]

The modules in the distributor are supposed to have some lithium grease between them and the housing for heat transfer and the rotor looks like it could be carbon tracked. My suggestion is to replace the rotor, put some white lithium grease under the module and clean up and lube the mechanical advance. I think that would help you.

[@ToddAdams1234]

I had more customers replace HEI modules than coils and anything else on those ignitions (except cap and rotor) than everything else COMBINED! It’s definitely something that I can believe is an issue. Also, that heat transfer paste is ALSO an electrical conduction paste.

[@davidkehn6960]

Had an old suburban 2wd had those running boards. Hit some drifts on way to work, they planed it up off the pavement. Also hit deer one day, drivers side running board started dressing process, actually did a good job.

[@josephjoestar3275]

This sounds like my experience HEI swapping my AMC 258 😄 That little ground strap caused me so much grief....

[@bbrut3332]

Tell Ms. McGee that she is a great person to put up with your innuendos. Be careful TH289 about those children comments as it has been said before women can or can not make it happen. 😅😅😅

[@Ianplimbley-e3r]

It is a fine plow truck sir.....Maybe the horses could pull it along if ether wont wake it on a snowy morning 😀

[@torceridaho]

the trouble shooting and mechanics is a step beyond my understanding when it comes to distributors and carburators, but was still a great video. Thanks, Luke

[@joshuagibson2520]

When i was a young chap, we would slide the hand back and tuck the hair under the hat backwards. Now a days I see a lot of people wear it more like Luke. Nothing wrong with either. I am just being an old man shouting at clouds.

[@fritzkinderhoffen2369]

A real back saver. You've done well.

[@MattsRageFitGarage]

One thing I have to say about standard brand products. I've had really good luck overall with their products as long as they did NOT come from eBay. Every eBay standard brand part I ever bought did not work or did not last no matter what the application was other than a couple sets of ignition points.

[@larrysilverthorn9353]

I have found several wires to the pole piece broke from vacuum advance. Advancing timing and have freed up several weight shafts.

[@veb92168]

Thats gonna be a tank in the snow ill bet! Pretty dang nice truck! My dad had earlier one i think a 74 ; beautiful truck! I always wanted a 4wd suburban!

[@bmacd2112]

I'm with you on the distributor location. I've had quite a few GM products over the years and I absolutely hated it whenever I need to fool with the distributor.

[@yamahaguy1732]

Love all the content lately! Been seriously considering one of your dial back timing lights👍🏻

[@anthonyhenderson2614]

I've bought parts like that myself it's frustrating great work you're doing

[@isfahelww]

You have to lower the back glass to open the tailgate. The key in the back lock will lower it or the button on the dash. Then you have to use the tailgate latch on the inside.

[@rayclark9643]

Luke says "oh look we're almost out of gas" and then immediately takes it out for a drive to see if the gauge is accurate or not? 😂🤣😅

[@zacharycote675]

loving the content luke keep up the awesome work !

[@wobblysauce]

No school snowdays when you have one of these.

[@theeastgate]

Just another prime example of why I love this channel

[@mikesthundergarage3793]

if i remember right you gotta rotate that handle thingy to open the back hatch

[@devisionhun]

10:16 proper banjo pickin’ solution as you’d say 😂 love it! 👌

[@darrenhawken9766]

Great work, sometimes we got too look twice , thanks for sharing 👍💨💨

[@manytrickpony695]

Use the round key to roll down the back window. Also a switch on the dash somewhere.

[@timmatheny-lo9ze]

Iowa winter 5 degrees with a north wind. Inside with heat and pushing snow. What’s not to like. Thanks Luke. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@ThunderHead289]

You aren't kidding - happy Thanksgiving to you as well 🙂

[@johnellis3309]

Not too long ago used to see the Chevy suburbans everywhere my nephew had one that was a diesel four wheel drive that thing was almost unstoppable

[@ScullyBrewing]

Ive always preferred to grab GM ignition components from the junkyard over going to a parts store. They’re just bulletproof and last 30-35 years no problem. Standard are good for fuel injectors, but their ignition is doodoo faeces for sure

[@nunyabinis]

Wow. That is the most awesome "free" find, ever!

[@maxbialystock254]

On the kids thing. I made it to 39 before the first one but they are best thing I ever did. Uncle to Dad is a big step but you have the boot for it.

[@mattj6676]

Don't forget to make sure the heater works, you'll be needing it when plowing.

[@Terminxman]

Man, not a GM guy but I love the square body suburbans (mostly because of Dante's Peak). This one is just a little too roten for me though. That thing is toast lol

[@kennethsonier1766]

Good morning from Cape Cod ⛵ good eye on the subscriber that caught the ground lug 👍 she certainly looks like a pile of rust but it'll get the job done, also you don't have to worry about it 😉 mention to your wife that she is a sweet and lovely woman and shouldn't hide 👍 I get it I don't want to be on camera either 😂 anyway thanks for another great video and keep up the great work ✌️🇺🇲

[@danw1955]

LOL, there's a LOT of different grades of 'parts store modules'. I think I've had the worst luck with the old Ford 'blue grommet' modules around the mid-90's when they all started failing. The chances of getting a good aftermarket replacement was about 50/50. GM's WILL run at least for a while, without that ground strap, on the original HEI modules, until it smokes the internal ground circuit. Then you HAVE to have the ground strap for them to continue to run. My guess is that 'Standard' module suffered the same fate, but probably took out the switching transistor that fires the coil as well. The original HEI setup is hard to beat for reliability!😉👍👍

[@markmcclenaghanirish23]

I love your vlog! You explained enough, that even i can understand! Keep up the great stories. Hey! I seen a 1951 Ford square box in the back of the barn. What's up with the car? Would love to see a vlog on that one. Thanks Mark

[@braxtonnelson5375]

Always an interesting experience with Luke (and Emily)... such a nice couple.

[@J-High666]

Nice Thunderplow289 your intro could be "let it snow"

[@billtopka2584]

Great plow truck. It should serve you well! 👍😎

[@uncle_moose]

"Horsepants mcgee" LOL LOL.

[@joshuagibson2520]

That tan colored horse has some damn haunches, I tell ya!

[@ericcrawford326]

I'm a Ford man myself. But I do like square body suburbans.

[@whitetailfox1]

Always loved these. You're hard pressed to find a nice one tho

[@philwilberg6004]

Makes you wonder how it “drove on the trailer”

[@MikeOsborne-fp9bf]

I prefer distributor in the backless chance of getting moisture in it back there

[@ThunderHead289]

I've never had it happen on a ford and I've driven windsor stuff all my life, but yes that is technically an advantage to being in the back, I agree.

[@MikeOsborne-fp9bf]

​@@ThunderHead289well brother I have hit mud puddle a bit hard

[@jedclampett6466]

Luke, I bought a complete HEI for my BBC off Amazon for $88. It went 5 miles before the module gave up.

[@DependableAutoTruck]

back in the 1980s i had a wrecker service in Dothan Al. i would make 5 or 6 trips a day to the mall and hei that wouldn't start drove to mall just fine turned off no start. about 1/2 were the rotor burned hole in it the rest were either the module and coil

[@RuffTymesBob]

I have owned two square body Suburban's, and they were awesome! I would still have them if I didn't live in Pennsylvania where the frames don't last from all of the salt and brine they use on the roads. It doesn't matter what brand of vehicle you own here they just don't last unless you can afford to park them in the winter and drive a beater in the snow.

[@ThunderHead289]

Same here, heavy read salt for 6 months - roads are sparkling white in most places through that time. Your state is extra difficult since they seem to care about rust holes on the body which is largely superficial only in nature

[@eightycutty]

Theres quite a few videos out there where some guys run a SBC with only one head on a run . Its some crazy stuff lol

[@kbVACArestatecarsnrvs]

Wow, a "snowplowmobile" Suburban with no rust, power seats/windows and previous owner, who, Wolverine himself (per seats and dash)? But hey, it was well gifted to the right guy and as long as it gets the snow job done (hope the heater works, sure it will, it's a Chevy) for you, all is good. Looking forward to seeing what you do to it or not what you do to it.

[@MrKnotWright]

Luke that dent will buff right out!

[@ffarmchicken]

Yup, I’ve installed brand new electrical parts that don’t work. A mechanic friend of mine restores old mustangs for a living. He spoke to manufacturers that are contracting out the manufacture of parts to China. Because it’s cheaper to make overseas, even with shipping, than in the US. He said they don’t care if 10% fail. They just replace them for free….if you take the time to return them. They don’t even care if they lose a customer. They make that much profit with Chinese made parts. It’s just the business model these days. Sad.