Hey there, I've been on this board in various other parts for a while now.

For the last 6 months or so my dad has been asking me if I want to buy his '82 E-150 and this week I finally pulled the trigger, mostly because the rearend gave up in my car. I got it for $300.

The 300/I6 still idles as smoothly as it ever has but is down on power(really, it can't get out of its own way anymore). The front seal on the tranny leaks after sitting for awhile, the headlight circuit breaker is just about dead, and it has a few cosmetic blemishes but is otherwise in great shape. The A/C blows cold, it doesn't leak water, rides smooth and has no electrical issues.

The brakes are a bit weak by my standards. Is it just a matter of swapping on some late model brakes to improve them?

Is there any place like LMC Truck, that has all the small parts for these vans?

My friend has been bugging me to find a use for this 351C/C6 he has, he'll sell it to me for $500. Is this a worthwhile solution to the power problem? I don't know much about it except that it was running when pulled, is dry on the outside(no leaks!) and I spotted a "Weiand" stamping on the intake when I gave it a quick look over several months back. If I'm thinking right, the power steering lines, oil pan, A/C and exhaust fab work would be the hardest part of the swap, right?

Anyways, I'll throw some pics up this week if I get a chance. I'll be picking up the van on Friday evening and heading out of town for 6 days early the next morning. I'll have more specifics and questions about it when I get back.

Thanks!

 

I wasn't able to pick it up last week, so I picked it up last night. Here is a pic.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/...40e251cb_b.jpg

 

The 351 swap should be easy enough and fairly legal too since it was an option. All the parts should all be out there to do it - but you might have to scrounge a bit since a lot of scrap yards have crushed a lot of '80s era vehicles. I think the hardest part will be ignition - you'll need to find the right ignition controller or use a stand alone controller from someplace like MSD. Don't forget to upgrade the radiator so it all will stay cool in the summer!

Good looking van!

 

You'll need the "frame rail/cross member" brackets out of a V-8 van do the convert from a 6 cyl. The Dura Spark ignition system will run the V-8. Good luck on the Y pipe for the exhaust.

 

Probably going to need a custom exhaust anyway so I wouldn't worry about the Y pipe.