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It’s super nice to hear from you. Good thing, we are going to have a cover of the soap operas, looking forward to seeing and reading the new episodes to come 😉.
Nice job cutting panels avoiding the frame. It's clean.
The tip of the day? inspect the roof gutters very closely and try to spot any rust immediately
Thanks Fred. I did knick the frame a tad bit, but plan on filling in any spots with the welder before I weld the panel.
The roof gutters are in pretty good shape. A few spots that need attention, but nothing that’s ruining the roof at all. I’ve been debating on removing the rain gutter rails completely…still haven’t decided on that, but not important right now.
Got some work done finally. Long time coming. Got the one panel welded in after some trial and error with my new-to-me welder. Not the prettiest, but doesn’t need to be. It’ll be covered up by the seat anyway.
Once I get the other panel welded in I’ll be able to go over the entire Van and weld up the spots that need attention.
Then spray the inside with sound deadener.
Spot welds Filled in some random screw holes Only had gloss black rust stopper.
Got the other panel welded in tonight. I think my weld job was way better this time around. Still learning as I go. Ended up scrapping the first panel I made for this section. I found a thicker piece of scrap metal in my pile. Again, I don’t care how it looks for the most part, as long as it’s solid.
I left longer tabs on the end and hammered them down to weld to the indentation portion of the floor. This side came out better. Will grind the welds down more when I prep the entire floor for sound deadener. Have a few random spots I want to weld up before then as well.
i'm in the middle of rebuilding my steering column, do you happen to know the part # and supplier of the bearing you found for the bottom of the shaft? The nylon bushing on mine is quite sloppy.
i'm in the middle of rebuilding my steering column, do you happen to know the part # and supplier of the bearing you found for the bottom of the shaft? The nylon bushing on mine is quite sloppy.
I’ve had this panel haunting me since I removed the seats. It’s under the passenger side seat. I drilled the rivets out and low and behold, more rust. Got it cut out and hopefully can get it welded up by the end of the week. I need to go get some more scrap sheet metal.
Wow guys, it’s been a heck of a past handful of months!
We sold our house May of 2021, planned on renting for a year or two, but ended up buying 6 months into the rental. So, we’ve packed up and moved twice in about 8 months!! I’m so done moving…I’m gonna die in this house, lol.
Happy to say that the Van and all it’s parts have made it…I think. Literally haven’t touched it since the last post except to move it again.
Current status is to make it to the junkyard to cut some sheet metal out of something to finally finish this floor. Then strip it down to bare metal and bed line/sound deaden the entire interior and firewall. Then run the brand new chassis wiring.
Slight chance there may be an idea change for the complete drivetrain. As my budget was smaller when I started this project, a blessing of a slightly larger budget has presented itself and the wife has given me the green light on it. And when the wife gives the green light, you don’t hesitate! The drivetrain swap may change from a 5.0L SBF to a 7.3 Godzilla. It’s not for certain, but the size dimensions could definitely work from my research.
I hope to get more consistent with the updates and not have this build thread turn into a dead end!
A 7.3 in a mid, where you gonna sit, it will not fit, a 351 requires cutting, it's not even a direct bolt in.
QUOTE=BOOM_FIST;20411266]Wow guys, it’s been a heck of a past handful of months!
We sold our house May of 2021, planned on renting for a year or two, but ended up buying 6 months into the rental. So, we’ve packed up and moved twice in about 8 months!! I’m so done moving…I’m gonna die in this house, lol.
Happy to say that the Van and all it’s parts have made it…I think. Literally haven’t touched it since the last post except to move it again.
Current status is to make it to the junkyard to cut some sheet metal out of something to finally finish this floor. Then strip it down to bare metal and bed line/sound deaden the entire interior and firewall. Then run the brand new chassis wiring.
Slight chance there may be an idea change for the complete drivetrain. As my budget was smaller when I started this project, a blessing of a slightly larger budget has presented itself and the wife has given me the green light on it. And when the wife gives the green light, you don’t hesitate! The drivetrain swap may change from a 5.0L SBF to a 7.3 Godzilla. It’s not for certain, but the size dimensions could definitely work from my research.
I hope to get more consistent with the updates and not have this build thread turn into a dead end!
A 7.3 in a mid, where you gonna sit, it will not fit, a 351 requires cutting, it's not even a direct bolt in.
Have you even looked up the specs/measurements?? Very doable. Width is only about 2.5” wider than a SBF 302/351. 1 1/4” each side. Worth figuring out and not worried about it being a direct bolt in. There’s enough aftermarket support (motor mounts, front accessory relocation, oil pan) at this point to figure all of that out. Luckily, modifying the doghouse will be the only “major” modification and I have 2 doghouses to play with. May just fab an entire new doghouse by the end of it.
I dont need to look it up, i know, i have only seen the 351 swapped in and it is nothing but a head ache to get in there, the radiator soes a poor job cooling the 302, but by all means, cut yours up in hopes to go bigger, you will soon see why there was an entire forum that was dedicated just to them and everyone there would tell you the same. The 351 is taller and wider, requires modifying the doghouse, which just happens to rest against the drivers leg as is.
Originally Posted by BOOM_FIST
Have you even looked up the specs/measurements?? Very doable. Width is only about 2.5” wider than a SBF 302/351. 1 1/4” each side. Worth figuring out and not worried about it being a direct bolt in. There’s enough aftermarket support (motor mounts, front accessory relocation, oil pan) at this point to figure all of that out. Luckily, modifying the doghouse will be the only “major” modification and I have 2 doghouses to play with. May just fab an entire new doghouse by the end of it.
I dont need to look it up, i know, i have only seen the 351 swapped in and it is nothing but a head ache to get in there, the radiator soes a poor job cooling the 302, but by all means, cut yours up in hopes to go bigger, you will soon see why there was an entire forum that was dedicated just to them and everyone there would tell you the same. The 351 is taller and wider, requires modifying the doghouse, which just happens to rest against the drivers leg as is.
Dude, are you still bitter about the gas tank!? Lol
I’m trying to be decent towards you with your trolling comments, but your stank attitude makes it hard to.
Are you referring to the 10+ yr old threads?? Man, look, I hear what you’re saying about room inside the Van. Trust me, I know…I daily drove this thing for 1.5yrs. The measurements are what they are. But custom fabrication leaves the possibilities endless. Offset motor mounts could alleviate some driver side space issues. It’s doable….I never said it would be easy or a drop in. I’m up for a challenge for the overall gains of this swap. I have the means and determination to at least attempt it with a great possibility of making it work. I guess we’ll find out though eh!?
I dont care about the gas tank, I was trying to help my friends who aren't here, you wanted to show your ***. I try to help all my friends with these vans as they ate hard to find parts, you don't gotta worry about me helping you tho.
I dont care about the gas tank, I was trying to help my friends who aren't here, you wanted to show your ***. I try to help all my friends with these vans as they ate hard to find parts, you don't gotta worry about me helping you tho.
Ok buddy. I think I’ll be ok without ya. Could you stop clogging up my thread with your trolling though, appreciate it bud.
The engines already offset. The pass seat is offset further back also as there is no foot room due to the engine offset. I won’t be mad if you stuff a Godzilla in there though. I’ve seen mids for sale that say they have a 460, would have loved to see the work.
