Specifications

OldSub.com Specifications

The site runs on a Dual Processor Pentium II 400 with 768 MB of RAM, running Apache on Red Hat Linux 8.0. That is what you wanted to know isn't it?

Sub Specifications

Its big and heavy. The title says 3920 pounds.

The engine is a GMC 270 cubic inch inline six probably built in 1960 or 1961. I've decided I don't really care exactly what year it is, I'll replace it with a V-8 before I'll do anything that requires knowing what it is...

The transmission is a four-speed with a granny first.

The rear axle is from a 1973 Chevelle Laguna station wagon. It has 3.08 gears, and 11 inch drum brakes.

The front brakes are 11 inch disks from the same Chevelle wagon. I bought a kit to support this conversion, and while I can't complain about the kits contents, I would not be as positive about the instruction sheet. There was a lot it didn't say... I also updated to a dual master cylinder, added residual valves, and ran all new brake lines. Fun job. It took about ten weeks all told...

The electrical system is twelve volt. It has a generator and an under-the-floor battery. I've removed the foot-operated starter switch and now use a key like modern cars. I originally thought it was six volt, but I was wrong. While looking for casting numbers of the block I noticed the coil said 12-volt, and a little chasing around turned up that the battery is 12 volt. I was pleasantly surprised, since I'd been working through the conversion in my mind, and now I find its been done for me!

I've now rewired everything back of the dash. I don't mean the stuff behind the dash, though I did rewire some of it. I mean all the wire that is in the vehicle rear of the dash.

Before the rear axle update it burned gasoline at an observed rate of 12 miles per gallon. The new rear has 3.08 gears, and the first tank run only on that rear went at a rate of 14.5 miles per gallon. A significant improvement!

It came to me without a radio. I've now installed one ($27.95 at Best Buy) in the hole where the ash tray belongs. (I don't smoke, and don't think anyone I know currently does either.) Someone had already modified the hole to fit a radio, and it seemed logical to put the radio there. An area lower on the dash, that looks like where heater controls should be mounted, is the original location of the long missing stock radio. There were already holes cut in the doors for speakers, and I put new speakers in those holes.

Interior is done in a combination of light and heavy rust, and some painted highlights. It came with seats, one of which has brown stuff on it, and the other has blue. I've purchased a pair of power leather bucket seats from a Honda Accord on eBay. It took a bit of work, but they are now mounted, along with some seatbelts, and that made a great improvement in several ways. Its cool to be sitting there moving the seat by pressing buttons. Some of us are easily amused.

Oh, the horn did work. Interestingly, there is a second horn, which is not connected, hiding behind the grill. I don't know if the one in the engine compartment is original, or if the one behind the grill is. Another mystery to research. But more important is that the once working horn no longer works, and it appears to be a problem with the horn button or related wire. From a point just out of the steering column it works...

And all the instruments work, including the tach. When I first saw it the tach wasn't doing its thing, but it was just a problem with the connection.

My intentions are honorable, and as I have better specifications I'll think about updating this page.

Last update: April 2, 2003

Last updated: December 31, 2006