Vannin' Home Forums General Discussion Readers Rides Eagles Nest

Thanks for the compliments. I hope to see many of you soon. Can't wait to get out there on the road.

Another project I'm working on is my roof vent. Plan A and B is out so now on to Plan C.

There is the roof vent that was already on my van when I got it. It is a Winnebago roof vent.



I really don't like the plastic lid. Plus it is very brittle and crumbles to the touch.

So I purchase a new low profile metal lid roof vent. Plan A



I like the lid but wow at the number of holes I would have in my roof. Don't think so... The Winnebago vent only has the big hole in the roof and uses a compression ring and seal. So Plan A is out.

Plan B involved replacing the plastic lid with the metal lid off the new vent.





Well I got both lids off so now to complete the project and reinstall the vent.



It doesn't fit. So now Plan C. I am going to make a metal lid for the Winnebago Vent. Not sure how yet but I have a couple of ideas. First idea is to get some heavy gauge metal and mig weld a band around it. Second idea is to get some 16 gauge metal and hammer out a new lid. Time will tell.

Use a biscuit pan!


I like your approach to this problem...
I don't like plastic in the sun, nor do I car for putting 100 holes in my van.

[quote=Rusty_Pancelode] Use a biscuit pan!


Well you how one idea sparks another... I could use a metal paint roller pan. Since these are angled it would be aerodynamic. And we all know how aerodynamics is on the forefront of any Vanners thoughts.

What is this aer-o-dy-nam-ics you speak of?

Flairs and spoiler look hot!

Looking good Dave!

Well I know its been a long while but things with Eagles Nest are finally progressing again. Work has just been very busy.

While I have many projects in the works that should be completed in the next 30 days I thought I would wet your appetite.

So the basic goal right now is to get the van mechanically new from bumper to bumper. So out came the engine.





Got a lot of neat stuff to go on the engine. I will finish tearing it down today and get my bottom end to the machinist tomorrow.

I scored a set of 375 HP double hump Heads with angled plugs. Fresh from the machine shop ready to bolt on.

I haven't decided on which cam to use. I'm thinking about the old standard 350 HP 327 cam. I don't think I want an RV cam. Any input appreciated. I'm not super knowledgeable on cams for Chevy's. Much better at Mopars.

Oh and it will stay a 350 as of now. I had thought about upping it to a 383 but I don't think I will. Now that may change on Wednesday.

I did run into one problem with my front suspension. I ordered a set of 2" drop springs for a 77 Chevy truck from LMC Truck and it dropped it too low. I had the floor jack under the crossmember. When I let it down all the way the jack still had weight on it. Plus the fenders were sitting on my new 235 60 15 tires. Not sure what is up with that. I had installed the lower rubber A Arm bumpers yet and I had to jack it up to put a 2x4 block where the rubber bumpers go just to be able to roll the van. I have a feeling that once again Munz is going to tell me I should have ordered the front springs for a 67 to 72 truck and not the 77. I hope that's all it is.

Now that the engine is out the whole front end will come out including the crossmember for a much needed cleaning and painting.

I also plan to change it over to the later serpentine belt. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also it will be getting a 700 R4 to replace the original Turbo 350.

More to come in the next few days.

Very good to hear from you and to see progress on the van.
I dropped mine with spindles.
Wish you could make it to Spring Meeting in Greeneville, TN in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the pics.

Hey CatFish I don't see it being ready in two weeks. I do plan on having it on the road by the last weekend in April. That's my goal right now.

I might just order a set of stock height springs and go the drop spindle route. That way I will maintain full suspension travel. Thanks...

Got the engine ready to make the trip to my machinist. It's a 4 bolt main. No surprise but glad to see it is. Oh and I can now say for 99% certainty that the van is a 49,000 mile van not a 149,000. The camshaft is like new and the lifters are still flat.

I talked with my machinist today and it looks like it will be a 383. Kinda excited about that. He just got a 400 crank in a recent buy. So original GM steel. Doesn't get better than that. Plus I'm going to put the long rods in it.

I'll know more tomorrow on what I will be building.



So Thursday I plan to remove the complete front suspension and start the cleanup while awaiting machined parts.

This is so much fun...