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New to the forum but I thought I might introduce myself in the corresponding subforum.
I recently acquired this Ford E350 Cutaway Skoolie which I will convert to a movable, small vacation home. It did sit for many years but started right up, drove around a corner and brakes did work. Not any substantial driving done yet.
I am an absolute rookie in Fords, E350s and the engine it has. A VIN check came back with a 6.6l engine. I have to admit that I am surprised that this engine shall only produce 153 horses. Unfortunately the bus is in California, so it needs to pass SMOG. As such I don't know if there are any modifications possible at all to unleash a little more power / improve the MPG.
Other than that, I am very happy what I got, it is a school bus but it is still small enough to park, store and work on it. Looking forward to the conversion and might need a few questions answered here and there. But will be reading first a little more on this forum.
right now the inside is an empty shell. Someone had started to convert the poor thing into a service truck, so the left windows were gone and covered with sheet metal. A lot of things were welded into the bus with angle iron. It was 2 full days work to cut it all out and another day to reinstall and re-seal the windows. Still some metal work to do but after that the wood work can start
most things cut out, still with the sheet metal window cover:
everythings gone
windows back in and first start after many many years:
If you live in California, everything 1976 and newer has to pass the smog test.
But, you don't live in California, you live in Germany (DE). Is this E350 going to remain here, or are you taking it "across the pond?"
If taking it to Germany, you don't have to mess with the CA smog dreck.
The 6.6L (400 cid) was installed in 1971/79 misc FoMoCo Passenger Cars, 1977/79 F100/350; 1978/82 Bronco; 1980/82 F150/350 & Econoline.
In California (possibly other states), this engine was detuned for smog...hence the anemic HP
8th digit of the VIN is the engine code: Z = 1980/82 6.6L (400). This engine has 8 valve cover bolts per side. Also available in E250/350: 7.5L (460 4V), has 7 valve cover bolts per side.
Ford never offered a 4V with the 400, but aftermarket 4V intake manifolds and carbs are available. Installing dual exhaust will 'wake it up' even more.
As someone who has bought a couple of 30 year and older vans, there are a couple of things I would recommend from experence..
Drain and drop the fuel tank and inspect it as well as inspect and flush the fuel lines.. Replace any rubber hoses on the fuel system as well as the pump and filter. Wouldn’t hurt to take the carb apart and rebuild it.
Replace any rubber hoses, heater, vacuum , belts, ect.
Inspect, repack, or oil any bearings. Sitting for years the grease will become dry and they will burn up in no time.
Inspect any rubber bushings and steering parts, clean and lube them.
Flush and replace all fluids including the differential and coolant, power steering, as well as changing the T-stat. Would be a good idea to flush the brake system and check the inside of the calipers and wheel cylinders. My 88 had a front caliper start to lock up on it on the way home with it after it got warm.
Silicone on any of the door seals and rubber gaskets will go a long way towards rejuvenating them if they are not too far gone.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!
Both of my vans had sat for years and had to have the fuel tanks replaced. I drove my 85 for 2 or 3 months before it quit running one day. The fuel pick up tube had rusted in to. you can imagine what the inside of the tank looked like!
Thanks for the warm welcome. The bus will stay in CA, will be my little home away from home sometimes (this year hopefully). As such it will need to pass smog. I still would like to find out if there is anything I can do to get some potential out of the engine. But first and foremost it is about building the conversion and start with some preventive maintenance. One of the first things for sure will be the brake system, installing new brake hoses and flushing the system with new fluid. Next will take the advice and go through the fuel system.
It will be a slow build as this will be done only on said vacation visits but I made a lot of progress over the 4 days I worked on it this months so I am confident...
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