1997 E350 V10. Engine threw a rod.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Yeah that was a good deal---no wonder it was already gone.
Keep searching---something will pop up. Maybe call around local salvage yards looking for a donor? Missing or blown engine, transmission etc not a problem, buy it complete for its parts like wiring ECM etc? Bargain to have them tow it TO you too?!
Keep searching---something will pop up. Maybe call around local salvage yards looking for a donor? Missing or blown engine, transmission etc not a problem, buy it complete for its parts like wiring ECM etc? Bargain to have them tow it TO you too?!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Altamont, KS
I am going to keep looking. My van looks better in the pictures than it really is. Thinking about all the little things that need attention too. The AC is probably the biggest one. It does not work well. Front end probably needs some work too.
I am going to start with getting the engine out. If I find another van to use for parts I will fix this or this can be the parts van.
I am going to start with getting the engine out. If I find another van to use for parts I will fix this or this can be the parts van.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
I've just been sitting back, watching this post.
I think your going in the right direction with finding a complete donor for an engine swap, cause changing engine size, you'll need to swap over a lot of additional parts to make this work.
Having a donor parked right next to you, save a ton of time running around for parts needed, and, well, seeing what goes where.
JWA is right, that van you posted would go fast, anything under a grand is sold super fast these day, ever since the Cash-for-Clunker deal, the used cars/vans/SUV marked is short in stock today.
Here's a Link that might help you in searching for a used van for a donor.
Just type in "Ford Van" at the top, choose your state, and every Craigslist add will show up.
Ideally, if you can find is a van that got wrapped around a telephone pole, body is totally shot, but drive train is in tact, or most of it......
You mentioned that the AC is not working now, don't worry about that, as you need to pull the entire front end off the van to pull the engine, and the Condenser core will need to be removed, thus disconnecting your AC system, and afterwords, you'll need to pull vacuum on the system and have it re-charged if you want it to be functional again.
I think your going in the right direction with finding a complete donor for an engine swap, cause changing engine size, you'll need to swap over a lot of additional parts to make this work.
Having a donor parked right next to you, save a ton of time running around for parts needed, and, well, seeing what goes where.
JWA is right, that van you posted would go fast, anything under a grand is sold super fast these day, ever since the Cash-for-Clunker deal, the used cars/vans/SUV marked is short in stock today.
Here's a Link that might help you in searching for a used van for a donor.
Just type in "Ford Van" at the top, choose your state, and every Craigslist add will show up.
Ideally, if you can find is a van that got wrapped around a telephone pole, body is totally shot, but drive train is in tact, or most of it......
You mentioned that the AC is not working now, don't worry about that, as you need to pull the entire front end off the van to pull the engine, and the Condenser core will need to be removed, thus disconnecting your AC system, and afterwords, you'll need to pull vacuum on the system and have it re-charged if you want it to be functional again.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Altamont, KS
I swapped the engine in my Dad's Chevy van last year. Went from a 4.3L to a 5.7 along with a manual transmission. Bought a complete donar van that hit a deer. Only need to buy a pilot bearing and a new belt. Everything else was there. Much older van and cheaper.
No hurry on this project. I think that I am going to buy a newer one and just keep this until a donar shows.
No hurry on this project. I think that I am going to buy a newer one and just keep this until a donar shows.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
i know im late to the pary but i hade the same thing happen .. if you can find a donor motor out of anything that is a v10 ford before the new head design .. under $1k buy it and install it and sell it ir drive it .. search for my posts and you will see what i did and what it entailed
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
i know im late to the pary but i hade the same thing happen .. if you can find a donor motor out of anything that is a v10 ford before the new head design .. under $1k buy it and install it and sell it ir drive it .. search for my posts and you will see what i did and what it entailed
If not any idea when or in what forum they were originally posted?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
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here the first one is the big one with pics
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1300222-ugh.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-it-dead.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1300222-ugh.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-it-dead.html
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Altamont, KS
here the first one is the big one with pics
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1300222-ugh.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-it-dead.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1300222-ugh.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-it-dead.html
When I pulled the right side head the front cylinder was full of coolant. Not sure where it came from. The head looked fine. The gasket looked fine.
I have found another van with 40K on it, that has non working hand controls.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
My rod was alot more damaged. We have the motor out and completely torn down. 8 year daughter was helping.
When I pulled the right side head the front cylinder was full of coolant. Not sure where it came from. The head looked fine. The gasket looked fine.
I have found another van with 40K on it, that has non working hand controls.
When I pulled the right side head the front cylinder was full of coolant. Not sure where it came from. The head looked fine. The gasket looked fine.
I have found another van with 40K on it, that has non working hand controls.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Altamont, KS
I think I may have had the same thing. This van was not a daily driver. Only when needed. It sat 8 days when I started it and it snapped. Would have had all that time to sit and leak into the cylinder.
If I can find a cheap enought engine it will get fixed. So far the cheapest has been $1500 with 200K on it.
The van I am looking at is a 2003 with 40K miles. It will need all the hand controls, chair lift, and special seats removed. Then transfer over my steering column, foot pedals, and seats. It is an extended body, but we only use two of the benches so that is all I will install. Will still end up with a stockpile of parts.
If I can find a cheap enought engine it will get fixed. So far the cheapest has been $1500 with 200K on it.
The van I am looking at is a 2003 with 40K miles. It will need all the hand controls, chair lift, and special seats removed. Then transfer over my steering column, foot pedals, and seats. It is an extended body, but we only use two of the benches so that is all I will install. Will still end up with a stockpile of parts.
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