So a friend of mine had been trying to sell a van for awhile now, but got sick of waiting and just up and gave it to me-- an 82 G20.

I have a hard time saying no to a free van, being something of an addict for both vans and free goods... But...
I'm a Mopar guy. I've never even owned a Chevy in my life.

It's got some healthy miles on it, but seems to run enough to get around. Don't know if it'll smog, doubt it.

Is there anything I need to be aware of for GM vans? The only problem it seems to have was it's upper radiator hose fell into the fan housing somehow, so blew out most of it's coolant. Didn't overheat, never left the driveway.
I think it's got a 305, but I'm not sure...

They sure didn't give you a whole lot of room in the engine compartment.... I thought Dodge vans had it bad, but DAMN.

I'd throw some pics up, but the weather is not willing currently.

That's a good friend. I hope you buy the beer next time......
From what you say I gather you've never worked on a Ford van.
I'm a Ford guy surrounded by Chevy's and I can avow that my Ford demands blood every time I work on it.
The only thing you'll need to really watch out for is "Bowtie Infection"..... it's easy to catch.
You know ... like going to the parts store for something for the Chevy and they've got six in stock instead of having to wait for two days for one on order .....

Welcome to the General's Camp, Don't let it get to your Head.

Congrats on your new to you van. I think you will like the Chevy just fine. I was thinking just what Catfish said. Try working on a 3rd gen Ford van.

Happy Free Van Day!

I'd wonder why that hose blew off...ancient hose that got super soft and failed? (Look for factory markings on the hose). Failed clamp? Or system pressure too high due to failed or wrong cap? Blown head gasket pumping exhaust into the cooling system, causing high pressure? (There is a test for exhaust in the coolant).

NAPA Block Tester

Grew up all Mopar, but always liked all of the American brands. Have had many GM vehicles at this point. it'll grow on you.

Welcome Mr. Miyagi! Way funny, sad but true. Blood, sweat, and tears, blood, swear, and beers. All good though. Lol.

You may be correct abour your 82 not passing smog, especially a carb motor. My 88 B250 was soo bad, timing was ridiculously out, but a compete tune, with wires helped it tremendously. I've got a few vehicles through that way. Dirty oil, air filter, clogged PVC, EGR, bad Cats/clogged exhaust do not help. At all. Lol!

I know you know all this, but Cali smog is a hard nut to crack. Good wrenching on the Van.

I was/am a GM/Chevy guy all my life, but fell hard into MOPARS. I can tell you however, that the 454 is tight in a GVan. Ha!

Van On!

It didn't blow off, an elbow in the hose fell into the fan housing and got ate up. It's still on there, but I imagine it's completely whupped without that having happened, it's pretty soft.


I had one once, an 80 or 82 (I forget). Never had to do anything besides replace the starter. Though it didn't look fun to change those spark plugs...

On a Chevy, Changing the ft passenger spark plug isnt fun either

Fortunately, doesn't look like I have to. I haven't pulled one out to check the electrode, but the porcealin is still nice and white and the wires look pretty fresh.

I once changed the plugs in my buddy's S10 pickup with a v6, and the steering column interfered with one plug. I had to slide on the plug socket, then use a wrench on the socket's hex end. The steering column wouldn't 't allow space for anything to utilize the 3/8" drive hole. You just had to bust it free and take the socket off, because if you loosened it entirely with the socket, the socket would contact the steering column before the plug was all the way backed out.
Also, GM's 350 starter peculiarities come to mind...

I look forward to discovering the particular placement quirks of this GM, though. It's...more original than any van that I've had in the last 5 years.

Not to change the subject, and I know this will give away my age but.......the late '60's big block Mustangs and especially the 455SD Firebirds required cutting (and then patching) the fender well to get to the rear plugs. (It was the fastest and easiest way)
I worked at a Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer in the late '60's doing new-car prep. As a teenager, it sure was hell getting paid to take a test drive in the Buick GSX ram-airs, GTO's and Firebirds when they were new.

Not to mention the pick-ups, vans and those battleship sized Electra 225's......