Evening all,

Once upon a time I had a 1988 E250 cargo van I used for hauling race bikes. 302 and dual tanks. I loved it. I now have the chance to pick up a 1998 5.4liter Triton, regular gas model with 178K on the van. No rust at all. The price.........300 bucks. The catch is, the previous owner owned a business and the work crew of his earlier this summer sat in the van with the a/c blasting and ran it out of gas. they put some gas in from who knows where and the van has had absolutely no power since. It starts it runs at slow speeds but has no power. the business owner does not want to ut any money into a vehicle with 178K and just gave it to a shop I know. I can get it for 300 bucks. Not sure what al could be wrong with it.
The shop who has possession of it right now says they always did the maintenance on the van and it was always a good vehicle. Assuming I can figure out whats up with it, is it a decent motor and tranny do you all think? I loved the 302 and its tranny. Easy to work on and a solid runner.

What do you all think on the buy of the van and a possibility of whats up with it. I know I'm not giving you much.

Thanks

Sid

 

For $300 I'd definitely take a shot at it. Probably worth that in scrap. I would start with the fuel filter, you might get lucky.

 

I Totally agree especially since there is no rust

 

I'm not fond of old vans, and I don't like "project" vans, and your proposed van is missing two pistons.

However! I think you're on to something with that one.
Go ****** it up ASAP before they change their minds. Try not to let them see you smiling too much. Poker face Bro.

What state are you in? Is it a cargo van or passenger van? Maybe I'll buy it from you.

 

Sorry, I missed that part about the 2 missing Pistons?

 

He has a V8. I prefer V10

 

Mines missing 2 pistons too.
I couldn't even find a V10 when I was looking to buy.
I don't really need a V10 though. I don't do enough hauling or trailering.

 

Thanks all,

I'm in North Carolina, Hickory area. The van is in central VA. I have a 96 F350 460 crew cab.. Original owner and my truck although a tad rusty, is still awesome at 156K. I'm just concerned at 178K. I'm hoping they put bad gas in it. Maybe sucked something up into the fuel pump or worst case, put diesel in by mistake. I have my nephew on Monday checking for codes if there are any. He says its shifts fine. How were the trannies in those vans?

I'm only going to be hauling a couple dirt bikes in the back of it. Nothing crazy heavy.

Thanks

Sid

 

Bad gas, possible , just drain and refill
Diesel, possible, pull the cap and smell it
I'm thinking fuel filter first though.

 

That went way over my head

 

I daily drive a 98 5.4 cargo van. For 300 go get it, replace gas filter, drain the tank, fill in fresh gas and off you go. Check for CEL codes.