Hey ya'll, decided to start a readers rides thread. Most of ya'll have probably seen pictures of my van on here already, I'm happy to re-share them here!
Today's mission was to retrofit some screen on my cowl using some gutter guards I got at Home Depot. Got the idea from an older thread on this forum. Turned out real nice I think.
And here's the van in all its glory at the super tasty cheesesteak place in Atlanta, GA.
Reminds me of the White Buffalo.
Nice work.
Been inactive for a while, so hey ya'll. I put on the pop out latches Charlie sold me, they are A+. Then I epoxy the glass back into the metal edge. The sliding door is working as intended now, no loose windows.
Think my fuel pump is going, lost power and got misfires on the interstate on my way to a camping trip this past weekend. Changed the fuel filter in a O'Reilly parking lot in the dark on Friday, limped it to campsite and then back home on Sunday. Really rough idle at the moment.
I was unemployed for a while, thanks covid, but have started a new job a month ago, way better than the last thankfully. I'm finally dropping the van off Monday with my guy.
He's going to bolt up my brand spanking new chevy accessory drive kit, convert to R134, slap a condenser, valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gasket > found one to do EGR delete, and TBI rebuild.
Got some cash put away for the bill. It'll hurt, but I can't wait to see and drive it afterwards.
Hopefully he'll tell me I'm correct about the shot fuel pump. We still had fun camping.
I wouldn't of thought LMC did Van parts; I thought they were just truck people.
My van has been on their van page for yrs now ...
https://www.lmctruck.com/van
They have way more interior parts for trucks, and exterior trim. Decent amount of van stuff though. That grille and my wiper arms came off the Truck section of their site.
Nice pic frscke1 and nice choice of a S.D. Location!
How did the grill fit? and what was the part number you ordered? I've been looking for the same grill.
So if I remember correctly, the OEM one said "deluxe" or something on it. But I figured chevy didn't design special grilles for a van, and just slapped a truck grille on there. I actually googled photos the obs chevy trucks and looked at the lmc parts photos to figure out which one it was. Lmc 38-4159. Fits great except for the 33 year old plastic clip/screw what have yous snapping. Only needed one zip tie though.
Glad it worked out for you.
So if I remember correctly, the OEM one said "deluxe" or something on it. But I figured chevy didn't design special grilles for a van, and just slapped a truck grille on there. I actually googled photos the obs chevy trucks and looked at the lmc parts photos to figure out which one it was. Lmc 38-4159. Fits great except for the 33 year old plastic clip/screw what have yous snapping. Only needed one zip tie though.
Awesome thanks, the one LMC has listed for a van has been out of stock for a while.
So, some pretty crap news today. Cylinder #5 is running at 80 psi, and is really scored up. The mechanic has basically suggested buying a crate 350.
I would go for the 454 like frscke1 suggested, if I didn't already have this accessory drive kit and coated long tubes sitting in the garage.
The mechanic (Mark) says he's going to look around. Thinking about one with roller cam, and possibly aluminum heads. I see a blueprint brand block on summit with a roller cam and cast heads. The one with aluminum heads is much more expensive. I'd like to get one with a mild cam in there if I'm going to pay for an engine job.
I'd prefer to get something that I can run with the current TBI setup. I don't really like the idea of swapping to a carb, since I already have to buy a new motor. But I'm open to ideas if they aren't $$$$.
I'd say my budget for the dressed block is around $3k, since I already have the accessories.
Help me find Walter a new motor!
Time to try and enjoy the rest of my Van-less 2020. See ya'll next year I guess.
Edit: The engine tuner man and my mechanic are having a discussion, mostly because TBI heads are poo. I'll let ya'll know the setup we end up going with.
NICE that thing is going to haul !
NICE that thing is going to haul !
Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to put in a LSD now. We had the chip burned for a 3.73. How do you like your Eaton units?
Did you get an adapter plate for a square bore to TBI mount? I did that initially on an S10 swap i did then reverted it back to a carb. The ebay link sent me to their store so i wasn't sure if you purchased the adapter or a better flowing TBI unit. Looks like it's going to be a nice build harris does nice work with his chips.
Yeah, I bought a 46mm kit from SPR,
hereThe guy from SPR was super nice. Brian at TBI chips knows his stuff as well, very much looking forward to it.
I also forgot to mention EGR and smog pump are obviously going in the scrap bin.
Enjoy! looking forward to this build.
Finally an update. Got bored like everyone else with some cold weather and time off work, and decided to do some interior. I cut and sanded proper door panels and a headliner panel that isn't made of OSB. Took it to an upholstery guy, as I didn't want to try my hand at it. It'll just be black vinyl, sadly not velvet plush here, but it should look awesome anyways.
I'll post pics when I pick up the panels. The photo of the doors here was before I cut the speaker holes. Yes, I know, my windshield and pinch weld need some serious love.
Bonus plastic wrapped 350 crate. Still waiting on SPR to ship TBI unit...
Can't go wrong with a crate motor.
I finished up putting on the upholstered panels today. I think they turned out pretty sweet!
And the TBI shipped!!!
So ready to get this engine dropped in.
Glad to hear the tbi finally shipped!!!! Panels came out great!
I painted the inside of the shell black on Sunday. Since I won't be building an interior until the new windows get installed. Took almost a whole quart of gloss black BEHR.
I do have the windows, I'm just waiting until I feel like paying, because I want to have the windshield and pinch weld taken care of at the same time.
It looks so much better in there than it did with pasty yellow fiberglass!
He only printed a shipping label back in December.
I did finally get the TBI unit last week, and it does look really nice! I should have old Walter in the shop for the build to start this week. While I was waiting for the TBI, the seat covers showed up, so I got to put those on. They're not perfect, and I could re-tie a few of the passenger loops, but I think they look way better in the van than the tan chevy leather.
I picked up a Eaton posi last week, along with some 3.73 gears. I had the chip burned for that ratio, so it'll be nice to get it all knocked out at once, and hopefully she runs like a top. I also grabbed a steering gear and coupler as they were leaking PS fluid. Got various AC parts in there as well, got to get this thing blowing cold and converted to R134. The old compressor was seized. AC is just about mandatory 5 months of the year here in Georgia.
The mechanic doing the build has a late 70's square body with a 350 in it, and he told me he was going to drop his gears in this weekend, so that we get to only place one order for our new speedometer gears. We're also going to powder coat the air cleaner cover and battery tray to keep those things nice.
I told him we should race
His truck is obviously lighter, but his 350 makes less power. I think it would be really close. Maybe we'll find some sandbags to throw in his truckbed and let er' rip.
“If you talk about it, it's a dream, if you envision it, it's possible, but if you schedule it, it's real.â€
Here are some 'before' photos.
Hey Hey Hey. End up #5 had a broken rod. Glad I got the crate.
Sure looks nice in there. Good to see it in place.
Well the guys that put the motor in are too old fashioned to mess with computers. It's running, but it's sluggish and low on power. Cycles in and out of healthy and then wanting to stall at idle. Filled it with 93 and reset the ECM. Ran the code, got 34. Guess I'll have to have someone that's not a grumpy old boomer finish the job.
Good luck man, hope you get it sorted. Be sure to let us know what you figure out.
Thanks. I'm not mad the guy didn't want to mess with the ECM, potential vacuum or fuel issue, it's mostly frustrating the way he handled turning the van back over to me. I just wish he would have been a little more up front and honest about how it was running and what he chose to basically not do.
One of the hardest things to find anymore is a competent mechanic.
In with an UPDATE!
The morons just didn't connect the MAP sensor. ECM thought it was WOT the whole time. My other mechanic friend had one laying around. I will change the oil which is probably full of fuel tonight and add more zinc break in additive and take some pictures.
She is running like a top now. I was really upset yesterday. Today is going to be a much better day. So relieved.
In with an UPDATE!
The morons just didn't connect the MAP sensor. ECM thought it was WOT the whole time. My other mechanic friend had one laying around. I will change the oil which is probably full of fuel tonight and add more zinc break in additive and take some pictures.
She is running like a top now. I was really upset yesterday. Today is going to be a much better day. So relieved.
Awesome news! Glad it was a simple fix.
Ran fine for 50 miles, got onto the interstate and had problems. Pretty sure my 700R4 wasn't a fan of the new power plant and rear end ratio. 1st gear is there but 2nd goes neutral. It's off the the transmission shop. I'll see what they say. Probably needs a full rebuild.
Seems like I just can't catch a break. It'll be nice to round out the big three, but dang it if I don't wanna be dealing with this right after paying for the engine work.
That SUCKS! I know that feeling all too well. Astro is parked waiting on major work, Civic needs a valve adjustment, G10 still needs a lot, too many other things to even list between more vehicles than I should own and two freaking houses. Hopefully they find something simple, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Love the swap!!!
Any more news? I'd like to drop a 454 in place of my TBI 5.7 but cant find anyone who wants to work on a van. I would myself except I'm working on my truck in my driveway
Heyo! The transmission is most likely fine. The guy working on it is fixing up lots of the engine installers mistakes like plug wiring routing, alternator position, cheap intake gasket, bad vaccum line routing, oil cooler line routing, etc. He's gunna get the AC going too, and put on this rosta cruise unit. He's just busy as hell. More cars than he can shake a stick at. He claims end of month, but I'm not holding my breath.
Hope you find someone to work on your van. Yeah, I've definitely experienced the folks who scoff at vans. They are lame folks who I don't want to give money to anyway. The guy I found here in Atlanta is really cool, super smart, just absolutely swamped and slow.
Been off the site for a while. Van is running good, minus some belt squeal. Once that is sorted, next up are getting the Rostra cruise put in, putting on a new gauge panel cover I got off ebay (It's mint), and fixing the speedometer whirring noise. Pretty sure the head is the culprit. After that, it's conversion window and windshield replacement.
Right now I'm fixing my doghouse console. Here's some pics of the repairs.
Good luck on your progress.
Ditched the old torn up fiberglass insulation today. Got this stuff from summit, very similar to sound mat. 60" x 36" was enough to do almost 2 whole layers. I've got a piece of foam backed one as well, I'll see how this does then add that if I need it.
Keep us posted on how it holds up down the road.
I think that's the same stuff I have bookmarked. Looks good.
So my noise is not belt squeal. The folks at ATK (they built the engine) have made an educated guess that it's the rear main making the annoying noise, I guess somehow it was put on incorrectly at the factory. They claim some tabs can wear down and allow something to rub the crank that shouldn't. Making it sound like it's coming from the front and the back, since the sound travels along the crankshaft.
They're going to reimburse the labor and parts for the shop to pull the trans and change out the rear main. I just have to pay up front and the shop has to send photos. Anyone have any thoughts? I really hope it's just this and not something more serious with a brand new motor. The guy on the phone did sound pretty familiar with the problem.
Why should you pay any thing ? Manufacture defect .. you already paid to take out the old and put in their new .. now they have to fix it ... to make you whole. the installer didnt make a mistake puttin it in ... the factory made a mistake building it.
Absolutely. They're paying for it, just not up front. I'll be fully reimbursed. I think it's just how the ATK warranty works.
I am curious if anybody has heard of this rear main squeaking issue ever before.
Don't know how common of an issue it is, but I've seen post on other forums of this happening.
They pulled it today, you can see where the tabs scratched up the crank. Gotta drop the oil pan to change the rear main cover. ATK will now owe me $1200.
Hope you get your funds in a timely manner. The mail out here has gone to "Heck" . It took a letter I sent from San Diego to Phoenix Arizona = " 15 " days ! UNreal.
Some good news, I found a fan shroud in a junkyard! Neither the top or bottom piece was cracked.
Some bad news, the noise wasn't from the rear main cover. The motor is back out of the van and on it's way to Texas. ATK has some really crummy warranty terms. Maybe they'll change their tune after they break down the engine and find out what they did wrong.
Current labor bill sits at $3,000. I just don't think I could have had a worse experience buying my first crate motor and having it installed. You live and you learn I guess.
Current labor bill sits at $3,000. I just don't think I could have had a worse experience buying my first crate motor and having it installed. You live and you learn I guess.
It may get worse if ATK says it wasnt anything they did wrong and you get stuck with the bill....
Finally back on the road, running great!
Yesterday I fixed up all my locks, they all work, and all take the same key. The rear door mech was just packed with crud, so cleaned it out and greased it. The sliding door just has a broken interior lock switch, but locks fine with a key from outside..
Did ya'll know they make door lock knobs with skulls on them? Well I ordered some, along with around $200 worth of peel and stick butyl roofing (sound deadener).
The project carries on. I'm looking forward to this spring when the daylight hours allow for a little more time to work!
Happy new year everyone
Glad you seem to be running smooth again. Happy Trails.
Found a local hot-rodder parting out a 95' Beauville he pulled the engine and trans out of. I got my sheet metal! Absolutely 0 rust. Couldn't be more excited.
The bumpers were in excellent shape, so I picked them up too. Got a few interior parts, definitely some things some folks could use. I'll post them in a for sale thread.
Yep that the way to do it ! ! ! KUDO'S
That van has remote mirrors. People looking for those. Not me
That van has remote mirrors. People looking for those. Not me
YES it does .... good catch Terry
GET THOSE MIRRORS and the controller that sits on the dog house ... make sure he clips the wires so that you get the color coated wire connectors
Might get them for 30 ea and 5 for the controller if he doesnt know what he has ...
Last set went for a couple hundred !
I didn't even notice them. I got the console, and the controller is on there, but sans wires. He said he might have someone else coming to look at it, hopefully they don't want the mirrors.
When he returns my call, I'll offer him some more cash if he'll take off the mirrors and put my name on them.
Ive only seen 3 sets in tack and 1-2 sets of mirrors but no controllers ... I know I sold a set to Wedgy for 150 but that was best friend price and another on here sold a set for 200 plus shipping ...
QUITE RARE OPTION to be found ,,, worth the work to get them.
Starting to prep for the spray job. We're going to do stone gray bed liner all around.
So I'm sanding everything with 80 grit and making sure it feels smooth to the touch. Gotta heat gun all the decals off. Got my new hood bolted on, only one low spot, couldn't be hammered out, but very minimal filler required.
Progress!
Very nice.
What brand of paint are you using?
I shot my jeep a few years ago with U-Pol Raptor Paint.
Love the way it came out. I was thinking of doing something similar to my van. Cant wait to see how yours turns out.
Looks awesome.
An in law works at a plastic manufacturing / coatings shop down in Atlanta. So I don't know if the material is even branded. His coworker is a car guy and has done a porchse 944 that turned supposedly turned out good.
I'll pull pretty much everything, except glass. However the three conversion windows will come out, since they're being replaced. I think the sliding door will be the trickiest to mask. These guys spray anything and everything all day, so hopefully we can get it masked up solid.
I'm on the fence on pulling door handles, but will probably end up pulling them.
can't wait to see the pics after the spray job
Got the rear suspension done! The Addco rear sway looks really nice. Hope that it helps, haven't been on the interstate yet.
Next weekend I'll start tackling the front.
Please give us an update when you road test it
Ladies and gentlemen, the front suspension is done!
The shaft kit I bought for the lowers was the last one on Rock Auto, made by FVP. I had to use washers on top of 2 of the u-bolts, since the replacement shafts were a smaller diameter and I ran out of threads.
I had a shop push and pull the control arm bushings. They said it was not easy.
Here are some before and after photos, and one of the whole setup with the Addco sway bar.
Now that it's back on the ground, I can log some OBD1 data with my ALDL cable and send it off to TBI chips to get a better fuel map burned.
Good looking work! Time for a run up to 129?
Funnily enough, I've been a gearhead for over a decade, never done that road. I've spent a lot of time in the Nantahala forest, was just never there to do the dragon. I need to go on a weekday. On the motorcycle.
In with a small update
Ended up adding 1 inch wheel spacers. With stock wheel and tire offset, hit the addco sway bar just a tiny bit at full lock. I do really like the look of the spacers though, 1 inch is perfect. The van drives immeasurably better at all speeds. Hard to judge just the sway bars since I did everything at once.
Paint and body is very close. Pulled the first conversion window today. The same shop is going to weld in my new top windshield metal, and do raptor liner. There will be stripes. I'm beyond excited.
That's awesome. I'm so far from that point and getting thru a complete powertrain and suspension build.
I need to go on a weekday. On the motorcycle.
I've drove it a few times in the GMC. But
only in the cold of winter and
only on a weekday. That road belongs to the bikers.
What primary color is the van gonna be?
TANWEN is a dragon name and is Welsh for "White Fire".
Can't wait to see the paint pics
What primary color is the van gonna be?
Gray. With some semi boogie 80's stripes. On the fence about doing the grille and headlight bezels black. I'll have to see the finished product first.
Getting the wheels repainted too. With mega flake.
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about much of anything.
I can relate; "hoping" to have my powertrain and suspension done by end November
The best things in life take time ... even a marriage lol
Picked her up last night... looking incredible. I'm headed up to Jasper early tomorrow morning with the GoPro. Going to try and get some proper shots at the golden hour on a gravel road. Stay tuned y'all.
Picked her up last night... looking incredible. I'm headed up to Jasper early tomorrow morning with the GoPro. Going to try and get some proper shots at the golden hour on a gravel road. Stay tuned y'all.
Sharp Top, Burnt Mountain? The old marble plant at Nelson or over at Stancil's Store would be great locations too. Talking Rock is a beautiful area. Mountains and a van,,,,You really can't go wrong.
I used to live up Reavis Mountain Rd in the old Four Mile area in north Cherokee.
Looking Good!
I like the ol' school mirrors.
That looks awesome. Love the color
So I put underglow on yesterday. I went to the Big Chicken tonight and took a pretty killer photo.
Van looks primo. Never seen mirrors like that on a Chevy. Nice touch
That thing looks SICK
Love the older style mirrors. Been itching to do something similar with mine.
Have you had any problems since switching out the control arms/ball joints etc?
It's been on my list (along with sway bars) but the old ones are working and at this point I've learned to pick my battles lol
No issues to speak of since replacing all the suspension. The rebound is pretty quick since every dampener on there is new, but that was expected. Filled up with firewood the other week, she rode like a dream.
I still get surprised for how well it handles curves at speed for such a big, top heavy truck. It was worth all those hours.
Finally got the dash back in tonight! Had a local mechanic do a blower motor, wiper motor, heater core, and hydro boost install. He said all three wiper motor bolts broke putting the new one in. Glad I dodged that bullet.
I put a tachometer and a clock in the spare holes in the dash. New knee panel is awesome, no cracks! Thanks Wedgy.
I also fixed my courtesy lights, basically by accident in the process of putting the dash back in. Headliner is also back in with a classic dome light. Also installed lap belts and got rid of the shoulder harnesses.
I've got the same guy that linered the van painting a spare tire cover Catfish gave me. Should turn out wicked. I asked him to do a small logo of his, to leave room for airbrushing. I'll post pics when I get it.
Van drives mostly okay, but I replaced my throttle position sensor, since it threw intermittent low voltage code. A new ICM and coil should be here tomorrow.
Bout that time to really start thinking about the interior!
Right on. Can't wait to see the pics
Well, the guy painting the spare tire cover Catfish gave me sure isn't in a hurry.
Anyways, I'm in the process of installing insulation. I'll also pull the seats Sunday and put in my red ACC carpet for the front. I'll post pics when I get it in. Hopefully it's not to difficult to get it to sit right with a heat gun.
I can't wait to get a floor and walls in this beast! Been a long time coming.
Spare tire cover finally got painted!
Thanks so much catfish. Really ties the rear end together. Kinda like that rug in that movie about bowling.
Looks really good! What's the airbrush gonna be?
Looks really good! What's the airbrush gonna be?
Just now saw your reply. I think me and the ol' lady need to do some brainstorming. Need to think of something Americana that has the color purple in it!
We played hookey and put the floor in today. Paid for birch. $90 a sheet for 3/4. Took a case of construction adhesive, same as the foam board under it. Floor is solid as a rock. Think I'm going to coat it in this spar urethane here I used for my deck. The wood grain looks nice. At $90 a sheet I don't know if I can bring myself to cover it.
I did sand that joint, light was fading and I was trying to get a photo. Next I gotta figure out some kind of trim for the edges.
That floor is looking sweet ! ! Kudo's
Those rallys came out nice and the floor speaks for itself.
Nice floor, cant wait to see the walls