Proud new owner

Hello all,

I have just registered here as a new owner of a G10, it was owned from new to 2007 by the first owner and from then till now by the second.

I'm afraid I was very bad and removed the "shag pile" and dark brown wall boards right away, however it revealed undamaged walls and floors that had obviously never seen any cargo.

The first owner had replaced the 230 engine with a 250 which I really like for it's torque

The second owner had just replaced the tires, brakes, belts and hoses, water pump and alternator before deciding to sell to fund his 56 Ford pickup rebuild.

A couple of days after I bought it Charly came round with a box containing a full set of new door and window rubbers, a new kingpin set and the owners manual and original sales brochure in pristine condition plus a load of other bits he had accumulated ready to restore her

He had only put 2000 miles on it since 2007 hence the belts etc, he told me his friend had zero'd the speedo when he installed the new engine, it now shows 7007 of which I think I've done 3000.

My only complaint is that I think it sits overnight thinking how to kill me! in the wet, or braking hard in the dry it wants to swap ends faster than a Porsche 911

I restore vintage motorcycles, which is why I searched for a vintage van, when I have a bike loaded it is very civilized and I can brake pretty much normally, empty is another matter, the rear weight is missing which probably doesn't help.

I pulled the drums and the large shoes are installed differently front to back which I think is wrong.

Apart from very light rust on the roof where the last owner started to prep for paint it is totally rust free and every panel is dead straight and no dents.

I just love driving it and get smiles and thumbs up all the time, it's as cute as a button and I am finding out somewhat of a chick magnet, which at 67 is a bit bloody late! oh well I can still flirt with them.

Any suggestions or advise will be most appreciated, and I hope enjoy this for a long while then pass it to another caretaker.

Best regards,

Ray Iddon.

Welcome in !!!! Did you say what Year you have there ???? or did I miss it ?? Post up some Pictures for us when you get a chance .. we Love Pictures !!!!!

Pix or it didn't happen....Welcome and enjoy the ride!

Hi,

It's a 66, trying to upload pic's, can"t seem to make it work!

Ray

Sounds like a nice van there!!! I would either keep a bike in it, replace the weight or some kind of tool cabinet over the rear wheels for ballast. For pictures try fotki or photobucket for hosting. Its free! Welcome!!!!

Start with the basics on the brakes,,,,,,,the primary shoes are the shorter ones,,,,,they go towards the front on each axle,,,,,make sure they are not on backwards or 2 primarys on one side or 2 secondarys on the other,,,,,,,adjust the brakes,,,,,,bleed the brakes,,,,,,see that oil aint leaked all over the rear shoes,,,,,,,drums could be out of round,,,,,,,worn out kingpins, spring bushings and tie rods will make the brakes do weird things,,,,,,

I pulled the drums a few weeks ago, and noticed that on one axle. cant remember which,
the large shoe was at the front and on the other it was at the back.
The shoes were all new as were the drums, just some brake dust, no oil leaks.
I will pull the drums again and reset the shoes, see if that improves things.

Thanks for the info.

Ray.

Still trying to upload photo's, watched Viewmasters video, but when the file appears in the box there is no "copy" button at the end of the box?

Hey Ray, Merry Christmas, Congrats on the new van and welcome to VV.  You can look forward to good help and advise here.  I have a 65 panel van and I know that if you are running an empty van you will find that stopping quickly can an interesting experience.  Fixing your brake shoe issues will be a good start.  In my younger days I had a couple near death experiences in one of these, but I still love driving them. (I drive smarter now) I like the look of vans that are raised in the back but have resisted that since that transfers more weight off the already light rear end. I also find handing and stopping to be greatly improved with a couple hundred pounds in the back.  I also had trouble loading pics here at first. Just keep reading the tutorials and eventually it will click for you.  Enjoy the ride!  Jerry

Hello Ray, Merry Christmas and welcome to VV. Nice to here that you're starting out with a van that has a lot of the hard work already done and a whack of parts to boot. Can't waite to see some pics when you get that figured out.

Welcome to VV... ..Sounds like a "Nice Solid" project I don't think the Chevy/GMC Van's came with the weight in the rear witch I think they should have..!!!..I have the wider rear tires and jacked up in the rear with a 307 V8 and had the sh#^ scared of of me twice on wet roads.. .. it looks "COOL" but is not safe... I will be raising the front of mine to transfer some weight and hopefully the interior will help out also..!!!..I am looking forward to seeing some pictures of your van... ..

Welcome Moggy and merry Christmas

Yes one of your brakes are incorect, shorter shoe farward, longer shoe aft. Like Don said everything has to be correct or the van will act up. A manual Disc/drum set up cures alot.

On the picture posting I found some of the provided buttons in the windows don't work so well. I just cut the "Image" line as if I were working any word document and paste it into the "reply box I am creating a responce in and it allways works for me. However I do resize them smaller or you will get only 60% of the image apear.

M1D

" I don't think the Chevy/GMC Van's came with the weight in the rear witch I think they should have."
The weight was definitely an option at least in the 64 Chevy. I got one. Toss in a V8 with an auto and an interior in the back and you get close to a 60/40 weight bias. I also take care on wet roads even at that. It still only weighs 3600 + lbs. Like M1 says, discs cure a lot.

,,,Chevys have the weight bolted above the gas tank,,,,,,probably the no doors,,,,,,they are the lightest vans,,,,,

Hi
Here are some shots of the van

Winch and cab shots

sure looks like you use up a lot of energy turning that steering wheel trying to park that van,,,,,,,

Looks real good !

Welcome and congrats on scoring a sweet van!

Great lookin' van you got there Moggy!

donivan65 wrote:,,,Chevys have the weight bolted above the gas tank,,,,,,probably the no doors,,,,,,they are the lightest vans,,,

Well that's something I did not know I asked this question in a previous thread and was told the GM vans did not need them... I pulled my tank down twice and nothing.!!!...Sharp looking panel you have there Moggy looks "Nice and Solid".!!!...Still be careful on wet roads with the wide rear tires after a hard 2nd gear shift about 35mph with a auto trans and the same tires (Cooper Cobras) I was in both lanes almost sideways..!!!.. ...JMO...

Congrats on the sweet looking Chevy and welcome to the best vintage van site around! Looks nice and solid and straight. Score!!!!

Welcome to the site