This will be a slow going project as I'm still wrapping up others, but figured I'll at least start a thread. I originally found and "rebuilt" back in high school 15 years ago. Drove it regularly up till 10 years ago and then sat more than drove. It had a nice rebuilt 390/C6 combo and ran mid 13s. I've had fast imports for daily drivers and it never felt fast again. Now I have a 300 SRT8 and since I started rebuilding the '59 I want it alittle nicer.

So I picked up a '04 Econoline with a 5.4 2v for the drivetrain. Plan is a simple turbo setup aiming for 350 to 400 whp to make it fun and with AC , EFI and power steering to make it livable. Everything else factor-isk with a factory look. Going to strip it back down and actually do body work this time. Chassis is already rebuilt and POR15'd from last time.
Going to paint it April Green/Colonial White.

Back in high school:


The plan:


Just before I pulled the 390/C6:


Hopefully next week I will start pulling the donor apart. Time for fun.

 

Did you say apple green??????........Econoline??????.....


nah....too much body work to make one of these outta a 59 (heh heh)

Mikie
near ottawa canada
58 M-100 panel &64 econoline p/u

 

I like your plan Brendan!
Subscribed!

 

Catching up on the progress report. I pulled the 390 and getting everything pulled back and ready for the 5.4. Hopefully pulling the donor apart this weekend!

 

Looks Nice! I wish mine had a 390.

 

With the engine out of the '59 I replaced the heads, intake, and a bunch of seals and gaskets to put it back in my dads truck. We originally built the engine together then found the '59 for a lighter drag/fun truck so I pulled it out and we installed it in the '59. I finished putting it back together in time for my dad's birthday in December. The '67 has been sitting since 2001. He was very happy to have it back.



As delivered up to my dad at his place.


Back to our normal project. Van is coming apart!


Main harness out!

 

Engine is almost out. Just need to disconnect mounts and shove the hoist in there.


The pile of stuff to keep grows.

 

And its free from the lowly van hole!



I'll start cleaning it up and get it ready to start doing some test fitting into the '59.

 

Its been slow going, but with a push from my dad we got rid of the van and pulled the '59 into the shop. Started mocking everything up and drawing out the motor mounting plates. I'm using the transdapt transmission crossmember and so far it looks good for locating side to side, but I had to drop it 3/4" from the bottom of the frame rail. I also moved the centerline line over 3/8" to gain room on the driver side for the exhaust manifold. It still looks like I'm going to have to cut the fenderwell to make room for the driverside manifold and the u-bend. The passenger side looks great and it seems I have plenty of room for the 4" downpipe.

 

Got alittle bit more done this weekend. The mounts are made and the engine is finally sitting in there with out a jack or hoist. Now its the oh so fun part of wiring, wiring, and some more wiring. I also may go ADD and work on my scout.




I made the mounts by capturing and boxing in the original van frame mounts. I also added a cross brace with drop outs so I can pull the oil pan with the engine in place.

Here it is all in her final home. If you look closely you can see the brace before it runs under the oil pan.

 

Nice, very clever the way you tied the mounts together!

 

Thank you! I'll get a couple more pictures from underneath next time I'm at the shop. I didn't take more then as I was so excited to have an engine back between the fenders.