Vannin' Home Forums General Discussion Readers Rides Eyeteeth's someday ride - 75 Dodge

Greetings...

I've had a few postings, but thought I might now take the time to add some pics and information. For whatever reason, I've long wanted a Mid Dodge. For me... the sexist lines ever applied to a van. I don't have a garage, and have no facility to perform body work so the challenge was to find something affordable without rust.

Found that from a Desert in Texas. Took a chance and figured for the price IF it ran it would be a bonus. Bought it in 2020. Then we all stayed home. Including the van in Texas. while figuring out how to get it way up north, shipping prices doubled. But I was fortunate in the seller was heading north and was willing to tow it up if I bought the equipment and was willing to split fuel. DEAL as it was far less then any other option. he brought it right to my son's college place where he lives with a couple of other gear heads. I told him if they could get it running, I'd let him use it to get stuff back and forth to the race track. While they did semi get it running, the motor was too far into retirement.

Next we went down, and towed it the rest of the way home, where it got to wait over the summer. Knowing it needs a motor swap, and not having the facilities to do that big of a job, with the help of friends, I was able to find someone willing to do it on the cheap AND go through some of the other important items to help make sure it would go down the road. I found a used motor for $300, and got a mice performance manifold and four barrel Holley to go on it. The exhaust was cut off right after the stock exhaust so I picked up a set of headers and side pipes.

Now... they say you get get things done fast, cheap, and good, but you can only ever combine two. So... being on a tight budget... I opted for good and cheap. Over the course of the summer, picked up a few additional parts as needed, Master brake cylinder, radiator, alternator... new belts, hoses... and finally got the call it was ready. Just in time for the snow to fly and me to put it back away... but... I was gonna at least get to drive it.

The place working on it is about 45+ minutes from my place, so it would be a nice shakedown to get home. While everything has bee going well, yet slow... this is unfortunately where it goes a little sideways. It really wasn't fully ready to go. The gas tank wasn't hooked back up, it was running off a hose into a gas can, the mirrors weren't installed yet, and he couldn't find the second set of bushings I left for the windshield wipers. And... it was raining/slushing. So after doing a little more wrap up, I then learn he had never done any type of a test drive either. So, now raining, and dark, I'm expected to get it out of his shop with no shakedown... And the icing on the cake, is the dash lights are 'finicky' and won't stay on without holding the knob in a certain position.

The good news... it starts right up, idles nicely, steering is the expected sloppiness... but tracks well down the road, and is great to finally be driving. passenger low beam ended up burning out... but I get the dash lights on, and discover oil pressure is at rock bottom as she starts complaining. So... now its back at the mechanics place... and I have to regroup. Really don't have funds for another motor... or... another motor swap at this time. So, probably need to find another home for it for the winter, and give it another go next spring. The van itself is just too good of shape to NOT try and save...

There's my story... long introduction... now... hopefully some picks.

Well.... sorry... thought it would embed the photos....

Welcome to the site ... nice catch on the van ...havent had to deal with pic from shutterfly. maybe someone here has and show how to fix'em ...

Again welcome ...

Figured out the picture bit...

Awesome van.

Congrats on the van. I feel you on the Doe-Ray-Me pinch. Bought my 74' G10 in October 2020 and have to hold off on my plans. I'm lucky it drives strong and is reliable for now.

Bitchin' van man! I freaking love it. Can't wait to see her progress over time.

I love that interior

Very nice!