Here are the pics that we all like to see. First off, a shout out to any other females on this forum. I know the majority of you are males, but I hope there are some other females who have a vision and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty like me. This is the first van I have purchased. I finished restoring a 1946 Ford pickup last year and decided a more modern eye-catching vehicle would be fun to build. It will be another learning experience, but I think it's off to a good start. I have a 350 SBC and turbo 350 trans to put in. The van was in great shape except for the floor under the existing sunroof which was rotted out. It also came with almost all the parts, which is great because some of the stuff is hard to find, as I have been finding out. Anyway, I got it home from the body shop last week and I plan on getting the engine, trans and brakes done first. I want to put headers on it, but I'm not sure which to go with, block hugger or long. Anyone have an idea of which would be the least difficult to fit?
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250 Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20 The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van) Outcast Vanners van club Support your local 2%
This is a pretty deep tear down of a van. Did you set a budget for the project or just let it progress as you see fit?
I'm always interested in the numbers side of things. Yes, Parts are like a treasure hunt. Some great people here who helped me find signal lenses for an early grill. (thanks Bob!)
My '78 van body is in pretty good shape. It was a craigslist purchase for $500. I spent $2400 on a new motor and $1200 on the install/belts/hoses/radiator/heater core and altenator. I spent about $1000 on used wheels/tires and captains chairs, ceiling & door panels, visor, and other various parts from a donor van to get me on the road and driving. I popped for an early grill and bumper for $400
At $5500, I have a really nice dependable driver with a 3 year warranty on the drive train (except the trans).
I'm up for paint, pipes, cragars/BFG's next. Then a hook up of the A/C. and maybe a sound system.
I'm hoping to be done for about 10K for a "new" van. I wanted to make sure I could get a return if I needed to or consider a second van project. I see values all over the place on ebay and craigslist. Some just throw caution to the wind.
Lastly, I've posed some youtube videos for a gauge install on my van. Grab your camera and hit record. Photos are great. Vids are better!
If you would like some pics of my headers I will be glad to take some. They are truck style headers. If you need anything just let me know. I am in the process of converting an 89 g30 into a 4x4. I will be using the parts from my current pathfinder 4x4. I'm attaching some pictures.
If you would like some pics of my headers I will be glad to take some. They are truck style headers. If you need anything just let me know. I am in the process of converting an 89 g30 into a 4x4. I will be using the parts from my current pathfinder 4x4. I'm attaching some pictures.
Yes, I would like to see the header pics. I am a big fan of 4x4 vans! Good luck with your build.
This is a pretty deep tear down of a van. Did you set a budget for the project or just let it progress as you see fit?
I am not taking budget into consideration. I just have to keep myself under control; it's so easy to go overboard once you get on a roll. You did great with your budget!
So this past weekend, I got the new front brakes, lines and shocks put on. Nothing very exciting or picture worthy, but it is progress. I also had the rear drums cut and got the rear shocks off. Just waiting for the rear shocks to come in. Not far away from putting the engine and trans in. Happy New Year to all!
Engine and trans are in!! Don't know what I will do if it needs to be removed for some reason; what a bugger to get in! Now I need to figure out if I have all the linkage parts for the 350 tranny. If anyone has a pic to share, that would be great. A picture is worth 1,000 words! Here are some shots of the engine.
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Such a cool van !!! Did you come up with the graphic designs? Love it. From what I've gathered from the fine people here, if you are thinking about side pipes, shorty headers might be a better idea. Seems you might have to run an s-pipe if you have long-tube headers(that's me). Coated headers are the way to go, easier than re-painting every couple years.
Keep up the awesome work, looking forward to more pictures!
Here is some pictures of the headers. I may be able to take the shift cable off of this van. If you want it, your welcome to it. That will solve your shifter linkage problems. I started tearing everything down yesterday. I'm going with the same headers but stainless steel this time.
Here is some pictures of the headers. I may be able to take the shift cable off of this van. If you want it, your welcome to it. That will solve your shifter linkage problems. I started tearing everything down yesterday. I'm going with the same headers but stainless steel this time.
If the shift cable will work with the Turbo 350 auto trans, then I'm interested. Thanks for the header pics; they look like they fit well. Did you have any clearance issues? Do you know the brand/style of them? Thanks much!
I've looked at the cable and it is specific to the steering column. You would have to get a steering column out of a 92 van to make it work. The headers are made by pace setter. Not really any clearance issues. They are in good shape but a little rusty. I will sell them to you for 50 bucks if your interested. I'm going with Stainless steel for my next ones.
They are pretty much the same thing as in the pictures bur are stainless steel. Good price. The flange is mild steel but still better than all steel headers.
They are pretty much the same thing as in the pictures bur are stainless steel. Good price. The flange is mild steel but still better than all steel headers.
I decided on Hedman Hedders and installed them this weekend. They were a good fit. It is ready to fire up for the first time. Just have to get an oil pressure gauge hooked up before I try starting it. It cranks good and there was no smoke or fire when I hooked the battery up . I've attached some pics of the headers and engine with everything hooked up. I may put the side pipes on before I start it up.
Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250 Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20 The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van) Outcast Vanners van club Support your local 2%
They are pretty much the same thing as in the pictures bur are stainless steel. Good price. The flange is mild steel but still better than all steel headers.
That is a great price; thanks for the info!
I bought a set of these and asked a shop to install them when they replaced my exhaust. They said they couldn't put them on because there wasn't enough room between the engine and the body on either side. I have a '76 with a SBC, so why would it be any different than yours?
80% of all statistics are made up. - Abraham Lincoln.
I doubt it. But it does sound like a size problem to me. Ball size, composition. I don't think the Headers are too big, it just very well could be that ...
Lots of progress this weekend. Bumpers are on, grille is on, windshield is in, brakes are bled, headlights, parking lights and side markers are in and working in front. Still have to work on fixing the tail light sockets/wiring. It should be able to drive under it's own power with the next week or two. Have to decide on some captains chairs very soon. Here are some more pics.
Tires are on. Slowly starting on the interior now. I cut some flooring mats to fill in the ribs on the floor; still need to glue them down but I got them all cut. A couple of progress pics are attached.
Tires are on. Slowly starting on the interior now. I cut some flooring mats to fill in the ribs on the floor; still need to glue them down but I got them all cut. A couple of progress pics are attached.
Looks great!
Do you have a link to the mats you used to fill in the ribs? I'm having a tough time finding something that is the right thickness.
Tires are on. Slowly starting on the interior now. I cut some flooring mats to fill in the ribs on the floor; still need to glue them down but I got them all cut. A couple of progress pics are attached.
Looks great!
Do you have a link to the mats you used to fill in the ribs? I'm having a tough time finding something that is the right thickness.
Work continues on the interior. I put sound deadening on the roof, furring strips, reflectix between the strips and finally luan panels. I just have the front section left which will be the most difficult with the sunroof. My arms are getting tired from all the work above my head
Jim & Lucy Newkirk 1965 Chevy Bad Influence 1981 Chevy-the Love Shack 2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van 2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet. Club Vannerz. vanninvanner@comcast.net
I finished putting the luan on the ceiling and got the headliner foam layer glued up. Fabric layer will be next. I also made the back door shag panels. I am a bit worried about gluing the fabric to the foam; there is no room for error during that process. I think I need to invest in 3M based on the amount of spray glue I am buying
When I had my headliner done they glued the fabric to the luan before they mounted it in the over head.
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
When I had my headliner done they glued the fabric to the luan before they mounted it in the over head.
I waffled between doing panels or a continuous seamless headliner. If I had done panels, I definitely would have done it that way. Doing it this way, I won't have any visible screws or seams. I may end up regretting my decision in the next week or so! I always have to figure out the best way to get things done by myself with very little assistance.
My EXT has a 15 ft headliner done all in one pc.... it took 3 of them to put it up till they got the cross slats put in.
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Big weekend project - The headliner fabric is up! It's not perfect but I'm pretty happy with it. If you can't tell in the pics, it's a velour upholstery fabric with a galaxy/stars theme.
Jim & Lucy Newkirk 1965 Chevy Bad Influence 1981 Chevy-the Love Shack 2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van 2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet. Club Vannerz. vanninvanner@comcast.net
Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250 Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20 The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van) Outcast Vanners van club Support your local 2%
I finally got my flooring in. It's glue-down vinyl plank (very messy job). I also got my stereo head unit put in the dash and am working on running the wires for the amps, subwoofer and speakers. I am also working on making the base for the platform bed. Lots of projects started but I have to get the wires ran before anything else. Was not able to do any work on it this week with the -30 to -50 wind chills. Hopefully more progress will be made this weekend.
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
I put in the aux battery, stereo, amps, sub, and speakers. I made a plywood panel for the speakers, covered it in foam and leather-looking vinyl. Got all the wires ran and connected. It sounds awesome! Can't wait to drive it with the tunes cranking. Next step is carpet panels for the front and front doors. It will be ready in time for the nats, but it's too far away for me this year.
Jim & Lucy Newkirk 1965 Chevy Bad Influence 1981 Chevy-the Love Shack 2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van 2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet. Club Vannerz. vanninvanner@comcast.net
Got most of the shag on the walls; few pieces left to cut/secure. I have to decide what kind of material/panel to put on the bottom of the driver and passenger doors. Guess that will be next on the list. Here's some shag pics.
Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250 Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20 The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van) Outcast Vanners van club Support your local 2%
Jim & Lucy Newkirk 1965 Chevy Bad Influence 1981 Chevy-the Love Shack 2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van 2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet. Club Vannerz. vanninvanner@comcast.net
Had it outside for the first time in 2.5 years! It was sooo dusty and dirty so I got it cleaned up a bit; still a lot more buffing, polishing, and waxing to do. I drove it around the block a few times and think I need to rebuild the carb or buy a new one. It falls on its face when under a load; when idling it sounds great. It's an older carb that has been sitting for a while. Once I get that done, it should be ready for longer drives. I'm including some pics of it after the initial clean up.
Kind of looks like a black light in the picture with the black headliner, but no. Just blue LED. I didn't want color-changing. I have a couple more to install in the front under the dash.
Jim & Lucy Newkirk 1965 Chevy Bad Influence 1981 Chevy-the Love Shack 2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van 2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet. Club Vannerz. vanninvanner@comcast.net