Van info needed....

[doghows]

Brian this is directed to you mostly; I finally have a good line on a van. It doesn't run but I think I can handle that. My question is it is missing the seats. How hard will it be to fine something to work for it or do you know of any out there?? Also what should I look for as far as trouble spots before I drag her home?? It is a 63 and I was told it is all stock with low miles? (whatever that might be) Other than the seats it looks to be pretty complete.
Also does any one have parts for these other than Macs, and E-Bay? I figure if I go loaded with info I can talk them down even more price wise. Although $1000 doesn't sound too bad right now..
Thanks Steve.:rocker:

[BPVan]

Ok, here goes.... A stock 63 will have a 170ci with a 3 on the tree and most likely a 7 1/4 rear end, possibly an 8. The dash should have a Gen and Oil light instead of the gauges.

Trouble spots on these are not much different than a car. Since the main air intake is right underneath the front floor it is susceptible to rot especially where the heater box is mounted and right in front of the radiator. Check the wiring pass through fittings on the very front floor where it meets the front of the van, near the headlights. One big thing that is damaged or goes missing are the cardboard defroster vents and hoses. They are not easy or cheap to find.

Try to get your head underneath the steering wheel and peek at the back of the instrument panel. Something I find a lot on these is altered wiring for added lights, switches, etc including random drilled holes especially in the dash. I looked at one van where someone drilled a hole in the front of the roof and the backside of the mirror to put a large treaded eye in... Camping? :confused:

There are trim pieces that may have been taken over the years. Each front door should have an Emblem and if it is a Falcon Bus the rear right door should as well. The rear license plate should be on the bumper on a 63. Miscellaneous items would be a windshield washer pump located underneath the floor under the driver seat and the reservoir directly under the driver seat. The brake master cylinder is under a small access panel right in front of the driver side seat leg. Be sure the battery box has not been taken, it sits on the floor behind the driver. If you have a Falcon Bus model get a good look at the mechanical passenger step. One more: The factory rear view mirror was mounted to the roof with three screws, I see many missing with the generic stick on.

I have an extra driver seat here that I am not using but it will need reupholstering. You have the opportunity to put something more comfortable than the stock seats back in if you like. The trick with these is having the mounting brackets since one side mounts to the fender well and the other to the floor. Once you have those you have some options for seats. Pontiac Fiero seats seem popular as they are narrow and seem to mount up nicely. At the bottom of this thread a guy did an interesting setup in his Econo pickup:

http://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t15268p15-3-way-seat-belt-install

Parts are available from many sources. I have been surprised at all of the parts Summit has had in the non-performace variety. Keep in mind a lot of the Pick-up and Falcon parts from the era transfer over. Besides the ones we all know (Rock Auto, Classic Inlines, Jegs, eBay, Amazon, Napa, Oreily's) Here are the sources I get mine from:


Dennis Carpenter
McVeigh Springs (http://www.mcveighstrucksprings.com/) - They have bushing and suspension parts
C&G Early Ford Parts (https://secure435.hostgator.com/%7Edlvry40//ufolder/SelectSection.php?c=3)
Mac's - I use them for reference mostly
D&D Brakes (http://www.dddiscbrakes.com/index.html)
Redgranite Flat Nose Vans (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Redgranite-Flat-Nose-Vans/182044425165279)
EconoParts USA - email (econousaparts@fuse.net?subject=Parts%20Request) only or through Vingtage Vans (http://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/u17), Tim is a great resource
Van Forums for hard to find Original Parts:

Vintage Vans (http://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/forum)
Old Econolines - Yahoo (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldeconolines/)
Early Econolines - Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/74137590861/)



There is also a somewhat dated listing here (http://earlyeconolineresources.blogspot.com/).


As always feel free to shoot me a call with any questions.

[doghows]

Cool Thanks Brian. I will keep you posted on how it goes. I am going on Sunday to look...
I hope it works out because I just sold the free 65 ranchero and am hoping to turn it into a van...
By the way i am cleaning your parts this am and hope to get them coated while Patrick is here. I will let you know on those. If not I will be in the Sea-Tac area on Sunday and maybe we can meet up??
Thanks again for all the info you are the VAN MAN!!!

[doghows]

Brian give me a call at the shop I have questions thanks Steve: 360-681-5412...

[BPVan]

Too bad that one didn't work out. Also, too bad this one is not a window van, its right near you and has the ideal motor in it:

http://olympic.craigslist.org/cto/2956200250.html

[pbrown]

Too bad that one didn't work out. Also, too bad this one is not a window van, its right near you and has the ideal motor in it:

http://olympic.craigslist.org/cto/2956200250.html

That would be a perfect Mystery Machine.

http://www.automopedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mystery-machine3.jpg

[doghows]

Wow did not even see that one, and it is right down the road! I think I will have to check it out. Thanks for the tip..

[doghows]

Went to e-mail on the port angeles van and the posting is gone?? Must have sold it. Bummer, on to the next one.

[Luva65wagon]

I just clicked on the link above and it's still coming up on CL. Did you call the guy?

Call (360) 417-3913 ask for Tom

[Jeff W]

... and if that is the "original front passenger seat" like the seller claims, I'll eat my hat.

[doghows]

No no no, he said he has the original seat as well. I did get a hold of him and I am going to look at it tonight. For some reason it will only come up on my computer if I look in the Olympic Peninsula header? If I look under Seattle Tacoma I don't get it?
Anyway I will let you know what happens. Thanks everyone.

[doghows]

Van was in very good shape. It was very hard not to take it home right on the spot. Very firm on price so I thought I would let him sweat for a couple days.
I keep going back to finish the delivery first??:doh:

[BPVan]

Did the side doors have windows? The pictures looked good but there were not enough of them.

[doghows]

No windows at all except the rear doors. I might still pick this one up, for some reason the way he posted his add, it only shows up if you look in the Olympic peninsula section over here so he said he hasn't had a lot of reply's?
I need to finish my budget on the delivery and see what I have left for spending money...

[BPVan]

Ironically the setup I was looking for originally. When I searched it it was on the Peninsula page. I have a search that runs through all of the local regions (Spokane, Bellingham, Oly, etc...). Let me know how it goes.

[doghows]

I will keep you posted. Thanks for all your help...[thumb]

[doghows]

Anyone in the Kent area have time to check out a van for me??
Found another one at Binford metals. It is a 65 window van which is what the wife wants. Still haven't ruled out the no window van in PA.
The 65 is black and white but looks to be all there. I will give a discount on powder coating for your time?? Thanks Steve.

[BPVan]

I can volunteer Saturday morning if you want to set it up again, give me a call.

[doghows]

If you happen to be in the area and have about a half hour to spare. It is the same guy same place. This one seems to be in better shape than the red one, but who knows. This Tex guy is very vague about things over the phone. He just keeps saying you need to come and see it. Well that is a little costly when you live 2 hours away!! Thanks Brian, if you make it great if not I am sure it will be there for a while. He still have the red one. Just send me a E-mail if you make it. I have a car show to do this weekend over here and another one next weekend so the schedule is filling up quick.[thumb]

[BPVan]

That would be a perfect Mystery Machine.

http://www.automopedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mystery-machine3.jpg

And here's your chance to have it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Falcon-SURF-Van-Bus-Like-Vanagon-Westfalia-Volkswagen-The-MYSTERY-MACHINE-Scooby-Doo-Van-/230789014810?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35bc18e51a

[redfalken]

That's groovy man!!

[modified17]

And it's right down the street from us!!

[BPVan]

Steve -

This looks like one up your alley, its even a falcon bus.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/3015990128.html

[Luva65wagon]

Somebody emailed me the pics of the Mystery Machine ad this weekend and said I needed it now that I sold my flatbed F350. I flat-out said that I don't want another project. At least that's what I keep saying, anyway...

[AGREE]

[doghows]

I like it Thanks Brian. Got an e-mail off to him so we will see.
How hard is it to drop an engine into the van? Do you just swing it in through the side door??[thumb]

[BPVan]

Somebody emailed me the pics of the Mystery Machine ad this weekend and said I needed it now that I sold my flatbed F350. I flat-out said that I don't want another project. At least that's what I keep saying, anyway...

[AGREE]

Project? I think that van is ready to start a business with...

[BPVan]

I like it Thanks Brian. Got an e-mail off to him so we will see.
How hard is it to drop an engine into the van? Do you just swing it in through the side door??[thumb]

The manual says to drop it out from below, however it assumes you have a way to get the van high enough to do that. I did mine through the side doors with out much issue. I removed the entire doghouse, both seats, the transmission and fan. I also recommend you remove the torque converter. I have seen some where they did it through the passenger door, but much more clearance through the side. A basic engine hoist will reach. One other thing I had was 4 guys, one of which was hanging off the back of the hoist to stabilize it since I had the arm all of the way extended.

[Luva65wagon]

Project? I think that van is ready to start a business with...

Maybe I was confusing it for the window van post at the time. But I always make a project out of a non-project. Can't leave well-enough alone.

[modified17]

I havn't had a van in 15 years but when I swapped out the engine I just took the back off of the engine compartment. Then put a small piec of plywood on top of the floorjack and raised it up to the level of the floor and slid it out the back then trough the side door.

[BPVan]

Steve -

You might want to jump on this one:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/3066653217.html

[BPVan]

Steve -

Here is another. No pics but might be worth a call.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/3107752521.html

I need to head south soon for work if its not to far off I'll stop and see it.

[doghows]

Already on it Brian. Waiting on a return call now. Hopefully It will be good enough and I will just bring it home. Thanks for the heads up....[thumb]