by BloodyKnuckles Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:06 pmJust a quick intro.
My name is Ron and I'm from Concord, NC. I have a horrible disease; I am addicted to old cars, especially traditionally styed customs and hot rods. I have a 1931 Model A, 1950 Austin, 1951 Plymouth, 1954 DeSoto, 1961 Buick Skylark and a 1963 International. 2 of them are drivers and 3 of them are about 80% completed projects. All of them were drivers when I got them but I can't leave well enough alone.
So, I saw a friend of mine a few weeks ago and we got to talking about different old cars and I mentioned the early Econoline vans. He procedes to tell me that he knows where one is and he will get it. I didn't think anything about it until he calls me and tells me to swing by his place to check it out. I get to his house and he tells me to get in the truck. We drive over his property to a barn that is way out in the field. We get out of the truck and what do I see? A well neglected 1961 Econoline van that has been in the barn since 1980.
It was beautiful (..in my little mind..). It had a rather large bail of hay that at some point fell over and rested on the side of the van. When I saw it I knew I had to have it.
Well today we went to pick it up. I planned on unearthing it from the barn but my friend already did the hard work for us and brought it up to his house.
Here is what I saw when I got there;
What a beaut! Huh??
Anyway, It is 100% complete. It has been sitting since around 1982. It has so much dust, wasp and other animal nests all through it but it is in great shape. It has no rust other than surface on the outside. It rolls and steers just fine. It has only 1 dent that is actually creased and a few that I already popped out. The seats are torn.
Since I was a little kid I have always wanted a van like this; Ford, Chevy, Dodge or Jeep. I never really thought I would end up with one but when I saw this one I knew it was meant to be.
Now, I know absolutely nothing about these things. It has a 6 cylinder which from a little bit of reasearch I did it could be a 144 which is a whopping 85, yes, 85 HP. It has a super small rear axle that has a rear removable cover. I hooked up a battery and check for something. I found that the solenoid clicks but the starter does not. The lights work but the turn signals don't. The wipers and the heater will not turn on.
It was stuck when I got it but I did a bit of work and...
It runs!!!!!!!!!!!!
...and it runs damn good. I have replaced the starter, cap, rotor, points, condensor and coil.
I pulled the gas tank out and it had 30 year old gas that was pretty nasty. It also has a few rust holes that have me concerned. I am going to look for other options as I feel that a replacement tank may be hard to come by.
I also pulled the radiator. I believe it is split at the bottom so I am on the look out for a new one.
Then on to the fuel pump, water pump, brakes and tires.
I know this is going to start to add up but what I'll have in it would be less than if I bought one running and driving already.
I have no real plans for this other than to get it running and driving and to just enjoy it for what it is for now. I have a list of projects that are so close to completion I can't even think of a full blown project on this one.
If anyone could shed some light on reference materials or web links that they would recommend it would be greatly appreciated.
So with all that being said, am I an Idiot?
BloodyKnuckles
My name is Ron and I'm from Concord, NC. I have a horrible disease; I am addicted to old cars, especially traditionally styed customs and hot rods. I have a 1931 Model A, 1950 Austin, 1951 Plymouth, 1954 DeSoto, 1961 Buick Skylark and a 1963 International. 2 of them are drivers and 3 of them are about 80% completed projects. All of them were drivers when I got them but I can't leave well enough alone.
So, I saw a friend of mine a few weeks ago and we got to talking about different old cars and I mentioned the early Econoline vans. He procedes to tell me that he knows where one is and he will get it. I didn't think anything about it until he calls me and tells me to swing by his place to check it out. I get to his house and he tells me to get in the truck. We drive over his property to a barn that is way out in the field. We get out of the truck and what do I see? A well neglected 1961 Econoline van that has been in the barn since 1980.
It was beautiful (..in my little mind..). It had a rather large bail of hay that at some point fell over and rested on the side of the van. When I saw it I knew I had to have it.
Well today we went to pick it up. I planned on unearthing it from the barn but my friend already did the hard work for us and brought it up to his house.
Here is what I saw when I got there;
What a beaut! Huh??
Anyway, It is 100% complete. It has been sitting since around 1982. It has so much dust, wasp and other animal nests all through it but it is in great shape. It has no rust other than surface on the outside. It rolls and steers just fine. It has only 1 dent that is actually creased and a few that I already popped out. The seats are torn.
Since I was a little kid I have always wanted a van like this; Ford, Chevy, Dodge or Jeep. I never really thought I would end up with one but when I saw this one I knew it was meant to be.
Now, I know absolutely nothing about these things. It has a 6 cylinder which from a little bit of reasearch I did it could be a 144 which is a whopping 85, yes, 85 HP. It has a super small rear axle that has a rear removable cover. I hooked up a battery and check for something. I found that the solenoid clicks but the starter does not. The lights work but the turn signals don't. The wipers and the heater will not turn on.
It was stuck when I got it but I did a bit of work and...
It runs!!!!!!!!!!!!
...and it runs damn good. I have replaced the starter, cap, rotor, points, condensor and coil.
I pulled the gas tank out and it had 30 year old gas that was pretty nasty. It also has a few rust holes that have me concerned. I am going to look for other options as I feel that a replacement tank may be hard to come by.
I also pulled the radiator. I believe it is split at the bottom so I am on the look out for a new one.
Then on to the fuel pump, water pump, brakes and tires.
I know this is going to start to add up but what I'll have in it would be less than if I bought one running and driving already.
I have no real plans for this other than to get it running and driving and to just enjoy it for what it is for now. I have a list of projects that are so close to completion I can't even think of a full blown project on this one.
If anyone could shed some light on reference materials or web links that they would recommend it would be greatly appreciated.
So with all that being said, am I an Idiot?
BloodyKnuckles
