Hey, I guess winter is getting even now. It is 19 degrees outside here in Red Lion, Pa.

Friday I finalized a deal on a '99 diesel GMC 2500 Suburban. I was initially looking to by a used ZR-2 Blazer, but the place just got in this just about mint, diesel.
Now I am thinking about looking for a decent used, car trailer. My youngest son has decided to turn his '87 Trans-Am into a full drag car. If he follows through with that, the suburban will be the tow/support vehicle. He still says his last run was 12:02@117mph, or something like that. This is with a 305 TPI, bored .030, ported/polished, upgrade cam, headers, TCI trans, Auburn rear w/Richmond posi, and some other things. Now he wants this specially built 383 stroker a friend of his has with a build sheet of over 11k in parts--only the finest parts were used, and built to handle a huge nitrous shot. I'll have to see his next 1/4 mile run for myself to believe his last posted time though. Never satisfied I guess.

Already have some rims picked out for the suburban, and some other diesel goodies. Also, the thing comes with running boards.
Vehicle can be seen at website for Miller Auto Sales Dillsburg, Pa., and just click onto inventory, and then SUV, then just scroll down the page until you see the burgandy Suburban. Got a very good deal on it, and I would highly recommend this place. Just ask for Claude Knuckles in sales.

Think spring, and warm weather. I am about 10-15 minutes from the cruise-in at The Markets at Shrewsberry, in Pa.. I hear they really pack them in there, but it is only once a month. Never been there for the cruise ins. Do go there just about every weekend if only to get the hot dogs wrapped in a soft pretzel. As Homer Simpson would say, "hmm, hot dogs".
Miss the groups, and seeing everyone. As for the 2nd gen camaro, I have installed some more chrome/polished engine goodies, and still have to progress on the 3rd gen. Z/28 which I have been driving to work at 10 +/- mpg. Bummer, and I don't want it on the road all the time!!

Take care all, and keep the 3rd. gens running strong!

 

HI Rick! Congrats on the new purchase!

I've been to that cruise at the Amish Market! They hold it every 3rd or 4th (I think) Friday of the month. Usually about 500 cars come to the cruise! It's an awesome cruise and the food from the Amish Market is GREAT! One night while I was up there, a real nice 2nd gen parked next to me, make for a great picture! I might even still have it.

See ya when the weather gets warm.

 

Thanks Rick,

I can't wait for the warm weather. Right now it is very slick out in my area, with all the schools starting late.

Say hello to your neighbor John if you see him.

Yea, I hear they have a good turn out at The Markets at Shrewsbury.
Take care of your auto "gems", and see ya soon!
Oh, by the way, I was looking at pictures of this past summers Power Cruise in the Hot Rod magazine, all I can say is Neat, and I can see why you enjoyed it so much.

Now if I only had heat in my garage!

 

John's nice '56 is all apart, had the front bumper replated, installed a new rear bumper, sent a bunch of chrome parts to the plater some fresh chrome, polishing up more stainless, and generally getting it ready for show season. Also had 2 new tail pipes installed. I'll tell him you said hi!

 

Yo Rick,

So when does the bigger turbo and reprogramming the computer come for the burben??? You gonna be rollin on twenty fours? Or will you convert the sub to run veggie oil. Good for the fuel mileage not so good for the waste line. Makes me hungary smelling french fries every mile I drive.
Me an terry got big plans for the cars this spring. Lots-o-parts to install so far. Deals here and there. Let us know if your son gets rid of any good stuff. Also keep us posted on that 383 swap. Even if he decides to not do it, I know someone might be interested in the engine.

See Ya in the rearview (====] [====)

 

Hey Firechicken,

Love that name. Good to hear from you. It sounds like you, and Terry have some good things going on soon with the two vehicles. Your two cars always look nice, and Terry's for a Maco paint job looks great!

Gotta laugh, because before I purchased the suburban, I did alot of checking around on the dependability of the 6.5 GM diesel, and this one place "SS Diesel Supply" specializes in that very engine, and the guy is a Chevy/GM man with I think 2 classic cars. On his website he has the 4" stainless exhaust, the 85 hp. chip, and all sorts of upgrade stuff for this thing. Hey, in my search for a diesel suburban I found one of the vegie oil burner. Only problem was that with the filtering system, and some other accessories, it took up alot of the rear cargo area. It would be nice though to be snorting french fries instead of the normal diesel wouldn't it?

On another note, I drove my '81 camaro to work the other day when we were having the snow squalls. Didn't think much about it since it would clear up quickly, and then snow alittle, than do then same on, and off. Well, I had to work about an hour late, and on my trip back home up Rt. 136 everything was fine until I came to Dublin at the intersection of Rt. 1, and 136, and all hell broke loose. Instantly there was about 1 1/2 inches on the road, with total white-out conditions all the way to Whiteford. Took me over 2 hours to get home. Now this is a car that has no windshield wipers, a stiff suspension, and the 350 bored .040 over, with some other engine things.
I saw atleast 3-4 accidents where people just drove off the road, or slid off. Everytime I would just tap the gas I would start spinning. Just barely made it up the last hill on 136 by Quarry Rd. if you know where that is. Then it cleared up from Whiteford to just outside of Fawn Grove, then another quick snow squall hit, but didn't last long. Meanwhile two salt trucks went by slinging salt into my side, but I was so happy to see them that it was a blessing.
It was not too bad all the way to Stewartstown, but coming out of that town on Pa.Rt. 24 heading towards Red Lion it turned out even worse. The winds picked up with blinding snow, and I was back down to about 10mph at the best.
Man I was livid in driving this car, and the Z/28 at times, since my youngest has been using my little Tracker 4x4. Got home ok, but the grey camaro is now white/grey from all the road salt. My hose is frozen (sounds like a personal problem) outside, so I guess I'll have to take it to the car wash.
My son on the other hand has all these ideas, but no money. Wants dad to buy him that engine (383 stroker@505hp.)! Right. All he needs for the car to get on the road is to replace his hard brake lines to the rear brakes. That's it. Then get the thing back on the road, and if he wants to modify it more than go at it with your own money. I still have to see in person this 12:02@117mph, or somewhere close to that he said it ran the last time at Cecil. (305 TPI bored .030/ported &polished everything/GM performance cam/upgrade roller rockers/March pulley system/headers/upgrade fuel pump-pressure reg./cold air intake/heads shaved/custom valve grind-heads ported polished (Wallace Engine Co.)/TCI Street Fighter 700R4 with custom built stall by Roger Brown/trans. cooler w-pod gauges/Auburn rear with Richmond gears@I think it is only a 3:73 posi. he wants to go lower./and the B&M ratchet shifter. It is quick, but he came up to a new '06 Z06 Vette one night, and he was just about tached out he said, and this thing just screamed by him on top end like he was standing still. Oh well, ya play around enough you're going to get burned sooner or later. These vette's I have seen run 11:02's totally stock at Cecil. I saw two of them run up at Cecil last spring.
Sorry for all the babbling.

Hey what's this "see you in the rearview mirrow". I think you're right though.
Say hello to your wife, and Nitto!
Think spring, and sunshine, and the cruise-ins.

Rick