The Surfing Guy's 65

Scott...Your van is turning out awesome. The work getting done is 1st rate in anyone's book. Not having mechanical knowledge is sometimes a good thing. With a teacher like Don doing the teaching, you get to learn it the right way the first time. And the more you all learn as you go, the more you can help out the next person that requires a helping hand. I to enjoy this thread and can't waite to see all these vans lined up at your next event with all the pics.

Scott .. if you Get Board ... or things Get slow .. Take a Ride with Don Over a speed Bump !! LOL ...

the_surfing_guy wrote:If there's any bright spot in all of this...I did only pay $500 for the van and NOT the $1500 that Chris was asking!!!

This whole thing is a bright spot! When I first went to see this van a few months before Scott got it, the previous owner was asking $3300. I told him right off he was dreaming and within a week his ad had dropped to $2200. I went to look at it twice with the owner and probably three stealth drive bys because I really wanted a 1st Gen. But I knew I could never deal with that roof, I had not the skills or the location to do the work. I told Chris that even at $1000 it wouldn't work for me. So what you and Don and the rest of your helpers have done is very cool.

Custom! Looks good and almost done too! Nice work Don.

Don, I have a couple of questions about replacing wiring in these older vehicles.

I am not a mechanic but I am curious about how you would know that the person(s) who previously owned the vehicle hadn't already messed things up so that just replacing individual wires may be just repeating what they've already messed up.

How do you know what gauge wire to use and where they are supposed to "Correctly" go? Would the service manual show all the different areas of the van and how they are supposed to be wired? And, is this something a Non-mechanic should attempt or is this something better left to a pro?

If I'm asking too many questions, please feel free to tell me to back off!

Don, thanks for all the great information. When I do get another one, my main goal is to make it as safe as possible. This is just the kind of info I was looking for. This site and the people who contribute to it is an invaluable asset to those of us who want to keep these treasures running and safe.

Excellent electrical write-up, Don! It ain't rocket science, and the electrical diagram shows you the colors, wire guage, and the connections. It's all DC, so you can't get zapped like you can with house electrical. (Okay, there are a couple ways you can get a tingle with a capacitor or spark plug wire...)

Then we could have a whole thread about the proper way to crimp connectors and splice wires and stuff like that.

When I switched to an HEI electronic ignition distributor and got a modern alternator so I could eliminate the external voltage regulator, I nabbed the entire wire loom from under the hood of a newer GM as my starting point, one that had HEI and the 3-wire alternator. Came with the fusible link, and all the wires are the proper colors and guage, with the proper terminals on the ends. I still need to tidy mine up but it was a quick headstart.

Don, when you test, you Really TEST! Let us know how you make out.
Scott,you might want to start out with a somewhat smaller hill???

Speaking of which, is there a surfboard rack in Glacier Blues future?

vanny wrote:Speaking of which, is there a surfboard rack in Glacier Blues future?

Yes, there is...however it will be an interior design. Not quite as "fun", but my boards are only 6' tall (not like the 8-10' boards that are kinda too big to fit inside) AND the sun baking down on it, is not good for the board. Nonetheless, I will past some photos once they are installed....

I'm thrilled for you Scott! You've got two passions coming together, surfing and vanning. But best of all, you've got some great friends helping you to get there. I tip my hat to you guys for doing sooooo much in soooo little time!

You speak the truth Vanny! That is why I bought the van in the first place (bringing surfing/early vans together) and why my interest has grown so much since (the forum/friendships)!

All this nice talk makes me wish I had a van of my own to work on! I have renewed my efforts to get my van out of body shop jail. Started pestering the body man again. I'll start dropping in to bolt stuff back on it. He doesn't like me working on it in their shop -- so there's one way to keep that from happening: gimme back my van!

Just think about how far your van has some since this photo above, Rich. Maybe you need to make up some signs for the release of Rich's van and picket the body shop! I can hear it now...What do we want? We want Rich's Van! When do we want it? NOW!!!

vanny is your name Steven Wright ???