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| | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 | i bet that thing was fun to stop in a hurry. you gonna do the brakes while your at it?
2003 Grand Caravan Member Vanatics Van Club-Spfld, IL Member Florida Van Council Member Central Florida Vans,-Orlando, FL | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 | Dragg- Well for the rear (for now), I simple greened the shoes, and brake parts cleaned it (still a mess of dried on gunk). This thing has always stopped on a dime. I just did the pads and all 4 shocks, and the brakes are even better now. I have to still grease the nipples in the front and repack the wheel bearings. I did pop the dust caps off to make sure the cotter pins were in place still (which they are).
Vanatic- No clue, but that would be a good theory. When I yanked the old seals out, I didnt leave much to be desired from them.. lol | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 | I am thinking about replacing my fuel sending units, gauge, and pumps in the tanks. The rear pump is noisy but functional. The front pump is only noisy when the tank gets low on fuel. My question is, can I run the front tank only for a week while I have the rear tank out or should I do the r & r on the sending unit and pump in one shot? Would it be wise to run new wiring to the new gauges? I am thinking about 2 fuel gauges in a pillar pod leaving the fuel selector switch under the dash. Is this doable or should I stick with one gauge for both tanks? | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | The pumps in my 89 are noisy too. Why complicate your life and spend money you don't need to? If the output of the pumps is within spec, leave well enough alone and keep the factory setup.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 | Well Reed, I would hate to have a pump quit in the middle of nowhere if I took the van for a trip (which I am thinking of doing next summer). I realize both wont quit at the same time, but I am only thinking for peace of mind sakes. Looking at all the repairs I have done thus far, I have ensured this thing will disintegrate around the drive train. I am now done with repairs aside from the fuel thing.
I have decided against going alternative fuel (due to angry g/f and her ... ) The last things I am doing to the van are carpeting or putting fabric on the walls, overhead console, new gauges to replace the factory cluster (shhhhhh this is a secret still in the works), divider wall between the mid seats and bed area, and paint/bodywork (including the front end swap). After all this, I know the van would be worth $3,500 easy. Luckily I'll only be in it about 2k by then. | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Going alternative fuel would take quite a bit of work. You would need to make sure all the fuel system components could handle the fuel and somehow reprogram the computer to compensate for the different fuel. Further, if you are using something like straight ethanol, you would need to at least mill the head to bump up the compression ratio to make up for the decreased energy stored in ethanol as compared to gasoline.
My advice remains to leave the pumps alone unless you KNOW they are failing. My original pumps are going strong after 167,000+ miles.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 old hand | OP old hand Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,020 | I have no clue what the mileage of my Econo is. I know its rolled at least once... my guess is really 3 times, but that is just a guess. I was going to go Propane (eliminating F/I with a Propane carb), but the g/f is having a fit of having a giant tank in the yard so that I can refuel the van. I have an Impco here that is a direct bolt on to the slanty which is another reason why I wanted to find me a Dodge slant 6 with a 4spd. I unfortunately have to take what comes my way since my options are very limited out here. Anyways, the worse thing I am going to do this engine is eliminate the cat and go dual exhaust since I have the 2 exh manifolds. I was thinking 40 series Flowmasters.. but maybe I'll just straight pipe it I did forget to mention, I found a broken plastic vacuum hose that leads to the air pump assembly. I keep forgetting about it. I think when I do the wires and plugs I;ll get that fixed. | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Definitely get that vacuum hose hooked back up. The fuel injected motors are very sensitive to vacuum and exhaust leaks.
If you ever decide to get rid of the slant six propane setup let me know.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: My FREE '87 Econo I drove 350 miles home (57 Pics) | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 | that thing will be ridiculous loud with straight pipes. I had a single straight pipe on a 79 F100 with a 300 i6. I hated it, and i was only 19 and liked loud crap.
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