Our first van a 65' econoline

Got our first van. Lots of work ahead. Just got it home today. So far brakes are off and at the shop getting turned and new bearings pressed in. Will try to rebuild tomorrow with all new hardware, shoes, hoses, lines and master. Next to tackle is cleaning up the 200 ci and get it mounted!!!

Some pictures of getting her loaded up







The ladies working on getting the engine cleaned up.


The cross member was hacked by the PO to fit a Buick v6. Got a new one on the way. If anyone needs one for a conversion let me know and we can work something out.

Welcome to V V.

It looks like you got some great help in the garage.

Welcome and congrats on the Van! Looking forward to seeing more of your project! (If you resize your pics to 600 pixels wide, they'll fit better)

That's the trick. I'll see what I can do.

Does anyone know the length of all the hard brake lines?

I'm sure someone will get back to you soon on the brake lines.

I saved your pics to my desktop and reimported them at the 640 pixels and now you can actually see the little lady assistant to the right of the motor (don't want her to feel left out)...  Welcome to the site and I can't wait to see what you do with her because I really like the look of the window vans too!!!

BTW, nice looking Studebaker in that 1st Pic!

Thank you for doing that. I was gonna try to figure it out when I got him. Yes that studebaker is beautiful. I bought the van from a vintage restoration shop. Someone brought it there to have work done, then went awol on the owner. Score for me.

She has a Buick c6 with an auto stuffed in her that had been removed prior to my purchase. The shop owner, Walt, sold the van to me with a 200 from a mustang with a three speed. Unfortunately the cross member was mutilated as in the pictures from the first post and the shift and clutch linkage where missing. During my hunt to find those parts I stumbled across this site and was able to find all the parts I needed!!

A 25' coil of cupro type 3/16" was more than enough to do my brake lines. I changed my system but I think the feeder to the rear was 3/16" as well, but you may want to verify that the line to the rear tee isn't 1/4"

Welcome to VV. One can never have to much help when it come to these kinds of projects...even if it's just to hold the trouble light. That's a great looking van, and keep those pics coming as we fallow along on your journey.

Thanks Big W. I picked up all my brake parts from the shop today, short of the front drums as the bearing didn't come in in time and they weren't able to turn them yet. I got some NOS shoes for her too. Got get the hard lines out so I can get new ones made. I'm not a fan of flaring brake lines myself, I've had too many issues. Probably because my tool is a bit worn out. Till tomorrow!

Yeah a good tool is essential. Why ask how much line if you're having them made? Pull them off take them to a shop and have them replicated....

I was hoping to get an answer before I left work. Was gonna call the shop and ask them to make them to length, I'll bend. That way I could try to install tonight. I wouldn't have gotten them on anyways. I got the rear brake rebuild tonight. Didn't hook up the lines yet obviously.





I forgot to take a picture of the other side finished but obviously it's a mirrored image.  I did crimp the e brake c clip after taking the picture, but I'm realizing I need to flip the t clip behind the upper springs.

First time I've done drum brakes if you see anything else wrong in the picture I'd be happy to hear it!!

Ahh I see.

Is it me or are the pads the same size? Looks like maybe you put both of the small pads on the other side of the van? Forward pad should be smaller. Also the self adjuster is missing. And the anchor pin plate is upside down. It's a good idea to file or sand the backing plate spots where the pads ride flat if they are grooved from wear and put anti-seize on them and on the star adjuster threads.

You can get a kit that will provide you with all the parts for the self adjuster and a new star adjuster and rubber plug. You'll need a left kit and a right kit, the adjusters turn opposite ways on each side. Wagner # H2514 & H2515 or Raybestos # H2543 & H2542

Good luck with your brake work!

So all four pads where the same size in the kit and had the same part number on them. I checked, thought it was odd. When I disassembled there where no self adjusters. Is this something that can be retrofitted without issue?

Does anyone know if a three speed shifter from a 65 f series will work in our vans?

Yes, those kits have all the parts and a new adjuster. Someone has removed them at point. Your brakes should be assembled on the driver's side like the ones in the manual picture below and mirrored on the opposite side. The cable guide mounts to the same hole as the long upper spring, the spring holds it in place. It can be a bit finnicky getting it in place and the spring in before it pops out. The adjuster cable loop at the top goes under the springs at the anchor pin. On the other end it attaches to the lever where the lower spring attaches. The forward pad *should* be smaller

Thank you. My drivers side matches that. And mirrored on the passanger side. I'll pick up those kits!! It will be nice to have the self adjustment.

Seth g, you were right, pads were the same size. I fixed that, thanks for catching that. Got the t's turned around and got the front all done. Got the adjusters on the back and the front. I took the hard lines off and got them measured. Gonna get new ones made up tomorrow and installed. Have a new master cylinder to install as well. Got the e brake bracket and brake pedal painted up.

I got my new floor pans in this weekend as well. Things are coming together!!!

Wow your getting after it

Wow is right....got more done in one week then I got all year...lol.

Well thank you guys. I didn't get anything done yesterday. My brake shop was closed for Presidents' Day. I'm hoping to get the brake lines made up today and installed and get the system adjusted and bled! Then I'll be able to roll it around again.

Next, I'll dive into the engine and getting it painted and updated, i.e. Gaskets, ignition system, water pump, and belts. Hopefully the starter and alternator are still good. Only time will tell.

Well been waiting on the hard brake lines to get made. Supposed to be done today but they were not. I got the new cross member scrubbed and rust converter on it last night. Laid some paint on it today, along with the clutch pedal. Pictures later, forgot to take some today. I also started taking the accessories off of the engine to get it more scrubbed and throw a coat of paint on the block. I only broke two bolts in the head from the exhaust manifold again, pictures later.

I'm still on the hunt for a shift lever. Haven't had much luck in that realm. eBay has only turned up two compete columns and I don't want to spend that kinda money for one part. Anyone got a spare?

Till next time

I'm slow. Got pictures finally. Also cut out the front floor boards but had to quit when I sliced the tip of my finger. Try to get the pans dressed up to weld in.








New cross member all nice and painted.

What is that piece of metal with the "U" shape cut out of the top?  I found the same thing under the rubber floor mats on my 61...

That's the wiring harness cover for the dash harnes to the engine/body.