Vanning.com logo
Boxdin
Site Navigation


Advertisements
Recent Posts
Good day
by lukester - March 28th 2024 12:26 pm
Crazy mods
by MufflerMan Mike - March 28th 2024 9:38 am
Lew Greger
by MufflerMan Mike - March 27th 2024 5:15 pm
1987 G20 Gypsy
by SDMickey - March 25th 2024 9:39 pm
Featured Links


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
78 G20 Alive Again.
#723711 May 16th 2017 3:45 pm
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7
B
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
B
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7
My 78 G20 blew a head gasket last year. It was sucking coolant into one of the cylinders and white smoke was pouring out the tailpipe. I had built a 1995 350 roller motor and installed it 12 years ago. It looked too tight to do the head gaskets in the van so I pulled the motor. Didn’t want to disconnect all the A/C so I dropped it out the hole (the same way I did it 12 years ago). Tight fit but easily done. Used stainless steel head gaskets this time and also replaced all the engine gaskets along with new hoses/belts. The piston that is bright is the cylinder that was sucking coolant. Runs like new again. I had purchased this van new in 78 when I was 21. Has every option except rear A/C. Almost didn’t buy it because it cost so much, $7700. Couldn't be without my van this summer.

Attached Files Van1.jpgVan2.jpgVan4.jpgVan5.1.jpgVan92.2.jpgVan93.jpgVan94.jpgVan95.jpg1 Passenger Side.jpg6 Inside.jpg
Last edited by Billygoat; May 16th 2017 3:52 pm.
Re: 78 G20 Alive Again.
Billygoat #723713 May 16th 2017 5:30 pm
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,805
Likes: 123
Uncle Rust N Dents
Offline
Uncle Rust N Dents
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,805
Likes: 123
Beautiful van.
You dropped the engine out the bottom?



[Linked Image from farm3.staticflickr.com]
Re: 78 G20 Alive Again.
Billygoat #723718 May 16th 2017 8:47 pm
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7
B
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
B
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7
Yep, dropped it out the bottom. Took out the passenger seat, put the cherry picker through the door, picked it up a couple inches off the motor mounts, moved it forward slightly, tilted the engine back about 45 degrees and dropped it through the hole. That way I didn't have to take apart the front end and break the A/C apart. I just had it converted to 134a last August. The head gasket let go on Labor Day weekend coming home from a trip. Had been parked since then. Started on Easter Sunday and finished in 3 weeks. Took about 8 hrs to get it out. Twice that long to get it back in and everything hooked up. Could only work a couple hours in the evenings after work and on weekends. Had done this before 12 yrs ago so knew exactly what to do. Not a big deal (if you have the tools).

Re: 78 G20 Alive Again.
Billygoat #723721 May 16th 2017 11:59 pm
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 191
G
member
Offline
member
G
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 191
Wow, really steam cleaned that one piston.


"Sin Bin"
1984 Ford Econoline E150 Shorty
Re: 78 G20 Alive Again.
Billygoat #723722 May 17th 2017 12:14 am
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,805
Likes: 123
Uncle Rust N Dents
Offline
Uncle Rust N Dents
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,805
Likes: 123
Cool. I don't think I would have ever thought of that, but I always wanted a solution for pulling the engine that doesn't involve pulling my van's face off. smile


[Linked Image from farm3.staticflickr.com]

Moderated by  Astro 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Donate


Upcoming Events
discovery
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 30 guests, and 5 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
TheDrunkenGunsmith, Jac, LOVclassics, ZenMuffin, Milkman530
12724 Registered Users
Top Posters (30 Days)
SDMickey 129
CatFish 25
frscke1 25
Wedgy 21
Forum Statistics
Forums68
Topics35,746
Posts537,916
Members12,725
Most Online177
May 8th, 2013

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4