Thanks so much for the help. For a decade I have been assuming it a P-series. The digits are E30. Is this just a stretched 1 ton van with a 2000 pounds of Grumman chassis set on top?

In western Oregon there are dozens of these Wonder bread vans that have had the in line six removed and a tiny turbo diesel made by white-hercules installed. It is a poor match for the T-18 speed manual tranny yet gets 20 MPG(at 50 mph) so I put up with it.

I would love to slip a different tranny in this beast yet know not what other tranny would fit this ford/hercules combo with its adapter plate. I did pick up a brownie over/under a few years ago yet am not sure the 80 or so horses of this engine could handle an additional piece of drivetrain.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

I insured mine for years as a just a one ton van yet. I found business use insurance to be less! Ala, I am but a private individual so I jus added it to my Geico policy. I am converting to it slowly to an RV. My insurance company may not like this idea yet I am pressing forward.

 

Just as I suspected, it's an E350 (1 ton Econoline) Cut-Away, series code: E30 = E350 Cut-Away Cab-RV

Ford took the cargo van, cut the body off behind the front seats so that Class C motorhome bodies could be installed.

Ford also sold the E350's rolling chassis to UPS, RV dealers (for Class A motorhome) and etc. so they could install their own bodies.

btw: In 1967, Al Pratt, the fleet manager at Stockton Quincy Ford in Westwood (near UCLA) bought 100 surplus P350's from Frito-Lay.

These were 1961/64's with 223 I-6's, most had over 100,000 miles on them. Al had his mechanic (he was 80 years old and senile!) do minor mechanical work, then sent 'em to Earl Sheib to be painted white.

Then he sold them with a 6 month warranty. Some were converted to campers by their new 'hippie' owners.

You can guess what happened next, many were soon towed to the dealership, as their engines had blown up. Al was known forever therafter as Al P. Ratt!

 

Thanks Bill. Do you have any experience with the entire diesel-conversion thing promoted by Hercules? I saw a brochure on eBay once yet that is all I have ever come across. Did the conversion use stock ford parts except for the adapter plate? The clutch is amazingly difficult to depress so I think maybe this conversion was not well thought out or a really HD clutch was used. Thanks

 

I haven't a clue and read post #48 again, as I edited in a story about P350's that, as a parts guy, I was personally involved with.

 

Not understanding the question here. Sorry I cannot help.

 

looks like i am screwed here.my transmission is a 3 speed granny .want a 5 speed any sugestions .would like higher gearing rearend

 

wish i could figure out how to put my trucks pics with my posts .i put them on here somewhere.damn i am computer dum!

 

When composing, look for the paper clip to the right of the smiley and click on it. Then you can download a photo from your gizmo.

 

What do you suppose the chances of that are?

Thanks for all of your assistance with parts. I was chatting with Randy the steering box fellow who knows of you just yesterday.

Michael

 

Having pulled the grill, I find a typical Scheib paint job over the rubber welting. Of course, it has been painted with brush and roller numerous times since then.

My biggest anxiety after doing all the fixes to brakes, wiring, wheels, etc., is how the old 223 will be... Now what did I do with that compression gauge?

Thanks again for the story!

Michael

 

I have a 1987 Grumman Olson E350, need a wiring diagram. Do you know where to get one?

 

E350 is an Econoline. Try faxonautolit.com

 

When you say "six " is that a 6 straight?

 

I have a 73 ford curbmaster By any chance can you help me out . An tell me what you know about my truck. I brought it in july an i think she's ready to go show her so i put her in a "pre 87 car show" an this is my first classic. I wanted a 50s sweet stop but w my budget i went mobile an went classic. Due to price of 50s )) but any ways i freaken love it an i wanna know everything there is to know about it. If u know . Please an thank you. If not no bigge .