So I just picked up a turd of a van just to have some fun with and learn a few things. Aside from needing every brake part on the thing replaced, it seems fairly sound. Good runing 300 6, C-4 or 6 tranny(and idea of I.D.ing?), 9" rear. But, despite how well it runs, it is sucking air from between the upper and lower half of the carb. Near as I can tell it's held together with two or three(?) screws that thread in from below. IS the only way of tightening these by removing the carb?
Also, EPA stuff...Removal? Any good way of sealing the opening between the exhaust and intake manifold? I know I could buy different units, but, the brakes have drained my budget for the next decade and I looking to do some of that hot roddering, or rat roddering?...stupid roddering?
Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Brett

 

Had same intake/carb leak on my former 82 300 6cyl E-300 was an easy fix. Popped off carb, applied high temp rtv and re-installed carb. While its off its a good idea to give it a good cleaning inside and out or take it to someone for a rebuild.
The parts to rework the EPA stuff you'll likely never be able to find. If you can get by with out it (off road, farm use, etc.) I'ld go that route.

 

Probably a C-6, if you crawl under there, it will probably have "C-6" in big letters on the pass. side casing. Not to mention it will be about 36" long and look huge. C-4 is short and I have never seen one behind a 300.

 

Trans code for a C6 is K, the pan has a large notch in it and 17 bolt holes.

 

I have the same year van, same transmission. Maybe not a complete "turd" but it did have some issues that needed fixing after I got it. The engine runs great and transmission shows hardly any wear. The body is still in good shape and the undercarriage too.

It is as barebones a 300 engine as you can get (although automatic..no overdrive). One of the reasons I wanted it. I just pump the foot feed a couple of times before turning the key (a little trick I was told about). Easy enough to work on, despite the 300's "tallness" compared to the 302 V8 my husband's van has. Has a stock carb on it (had the insides gone over). No computer to mess with like my husband's 83 E 150/302.

It does have EPA stuff as Phoenix requires periodic emission checks. Out in rural Arizona, I do not go through this.

Just a former hard used water delivery van from Phoenix that some friends bought to convert into a camper (it's foam insulated inside). As a local mechanic, the husband loves the 300 and why they bought it. He went over the engine and transmission so why I had no qualms about trading for it despite it being so hard used by the original owner. However the wife went in for an operation and that idea was dropped.

As it is empty inside, it serves me as an enclosed "truck" for general use. However, they gave me the paneling and some extras bought for it...so eventually, I will fix it up inside.

It did have some issues that were taken care after I first got it in late 2004. The couple told me what they had done and had not done yet. Like you....it needed new rear brakes (missing parts!) Replaced the rotten radiator with a new one. Had headlights/brake lights rewired. Some things are just plain common sense TLC.
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It came with a dual gas tank (22 and 18) system. Both gas tanks work, but only the 18 shows on my gas gauge when I switch it over (sensor needs replaced).

Tip: Whatever you do, if you have the same dual system....make sure you NEVER go completely dry with the main tank. The electrical system reverts to the main tank when you first start it up...even if you had switched to the 18 prior to starting. The engine will act like there is no gas..... even if your auxicillery 18 tank is FULL.

I thought for sure it was a fuel pump acting up when this first happened to me. I came home on a dry 22 main tank and had switched over to my 18 along the way. The next day, it would not start on that tank. Came here to ask "why" and was told about this idiocyncrasy. After putting some gas in the main tank.....started right up.

Just in case you didn't know.

 

Ow, didn't know that one, VikingBabe. I must be just plain lucky with my '82 E-350 460 V8 with the dual tanks. Or maybe I just always run the small tank empty 1st since the generator runs off the big tank. Does yours have the screwy hot idle fuel recycle setup too?