1966 Chevy Sportvan questions

Hello everyone,

I was pleased to find this really nice and active forum.

I have a 1966 Chevy Sportvan in pretty rough cosmetic condition. I have it parked/stored about an hour away. It was an actively driven vehicle through the mid to late 1990s. I think it might have 150k on what I think is the original inline 6. I do have a spare engine with less than 50k that came out of another runner. I kind of ran out of time to mess with the van over the years but I need some assistance deciding what to do with it.

It has some rust, a cracked windshield, broken radio antenna, some dents and so forth. I have started it up and have run it down the road a couple of times over the years.

The van has some sentimental value to me but I don't have a lot of cash to sink into it or space to store/work on the vehicle. I saw another post on here asking how well your van's are accepted. The wife doesn't think to fondly of the idea of fixing it up. I have some mechanical ability/experience and some painting experience but I'm not sure how I would go about tackling body work on this van.

I think it would be nice to paint it and take care of any rust issues, put some new tires on it, replace the windshield, work on brakes and the carb and see what happens then. I wouldn't be looking at this as an investment but mostly just to keep the van around for sentimental value as I mentioned.

What kind of money am I looking at to replace the windshield and tires and also to paint the van? Without having seen any pricing, I'm guessing $280 for tires, maybe $150-200 for paint (spray it myself), and (no idea here) $400 for a custom windshield. Are these figures anywhere close?

In general, when you need parts, do you have to buy/fabricate custom?

The alternative is to sell it to someone else who has a love of vintage vans and who has plans to restore it. Anybody interested in the van/engine? It is located in UT.

I realize this is a general rambling but appreciate any comments/suggestions, thanks.

haggisholder wrote:



The wife doesn't think to fondly of the idea of fixing it up.

It has been my experience that wives come and go.... I'd keep the van if your passionate about it... My van has been the one and only project I haven't got tired of... and never will. As far as how much money will it cost is a good question... depends on how far you want to go... just a driver or a show van... Parts are available and alot of good guys here to help find parts.

Welcome!!!!

haggisholder,
First, welcome to the site! This is one, if not the best site for Vintage vans (My opinion) If you like your van, keep it. If not, sell it. We all have an attachment to our vans and they are more like a family member than simple transportation. I have a 65 Sportvan & a 66 Panel and I love them both.

Our Sportvan's have flat glass so getting a mew one is fairly simple from and glass shop and Paint is paint depending on the quality your looking for (Maaco for $500 or less) Bodywork? Lots of folks do it on the side fairly cheap. Don't have to do it all at once. I've been working on my panel for two years now. I do what I can, when I can.... No rush..

Just keep in mind 1965 Sportvan are rare when making your decision.

And again, Welcome.

Dan

haggisholder wrote:The van has some sentimental value to me . . .

Then by all means keep it!

haggisholder wrote:The wife doesn't think to fondly of the idea of fixing it up. . .

Probably ought to sell it!

haggisholder wrote:. . . Anybody interested in the van/engine?

Looks like you already have it figured out!

haggisholder wrote:. . . Anybody interested in the van/engine?

Post some pics if you want to sell it. There are still vans out there, so later, when you're able, find a van that's a little better and enjoy it!

Post some pics if you do or DON'T want to sell it !! Let us see what you have !
And Welcome !

donivan65 wrote:Windshields are plain flat glass,,,,,about $130,,,,,,,,and this is a 1st Gen SportVan's potential,,,,,,,,,

Yeah, that's a nice looking restore...

I'd like to say "thanks" right away for the replies. I can already tell that this is a mature forum.

If I keep it, it won't be a show-quality restore but more of just a driving restore.

I hadn't thought about the flat windshield glass being easier to deal with, so that's good to hear.

I will work on getting some pics.

Thanks

I spent all of about 10 minutes and was able to start and run the ol' 66 sporty....

I don't remember how many years it's been since I last ran the van. But today I did some stuff and was able to drive it around the block.

I first had to go buy a battery for it. I also picked up some carb cleaner and starter fluid. Then checked the fluids. Cleaned the carb body and linkage a bit. Used a little starter fluid. Choked the carb. She fired right up. The fuel guage showed a full tank. Last time I ran the engine I guess I filled the tank to the brim.

I aired up the tires to around 35 and took the van out for a ride up and down the street. Everything was just how I remembered it years ago. The last time I used it as a daily was 1998.

There is a problem with the brakes. The master cylinder was down/dry so I know there is a leak. A cursory look at the wheels shows that there has been leakage. I wasn't able to take the wheels off and look but there is a section of rubber hose at the front wheels anyway and I wonder if the leaking is from there? If not, perhaps the wheel cylinders.....

Anyway, so now I have some questions I'll post now and then I'll search around and see what I can find:
What kind of struggle is it to get parts? I'll send pics of the van as soon as I upload them, but let's say I need to replace wheel cylinders and the sections of rubber brake hose. I also would like to find a manual. Is it as hard to get parts as it will be to take care of the rust on the panels?

I was also able to get a little brake pressure but not much. The front passenger side seems to brake but everything else feels like nothing. E-brake works a little.

I would like to change the oil, fix/bleed the brakes, flush the coolant, etc. It would be *really* nice to be able to flush the transmission and rear differential also, but I'm afraid of getting into rusted bolts on the rear diff and also wonder about gaskets. What fluids should be used for the rear diff and the tranny and what are the capacities for that and the crank case? Anyone recently mess with tranny/rear diff want to talk to me about that?

Off to search for info.....

donivan65 wrote:,,,,,,in my book,,,,,,,,that single line master cylinder is the worst piece of equipment on a 64-66 Chevy/GMC van,,,,,,,we use a dual line master cylinder from a 67-70 Chevy/GMC van and change out the old 45 year old metal and rubber lines,,,,,,you need GOOD brakes,,,,,,,,no way around it,,,,,,,and if you want to get fancy,,,,,,we put front disks on them and even 4 wheel power disk brakes on these vans,,,,,,,,but at least,,,,do the master cylinder and brake hoses and lines. Everything is available for these vans,,,,,,it might come off something else,,,,,,but it works......

Thanks for these tips. I agree about good brakes but I don't think I can go as far as discs and so forth. A new master and lines is a great place to start, no doubt.

donivan65 wrote:And like just ask 1 question per reply,,,,,(you can do a lot of replys),,,it makes it easier for us to answer the question. So lets do the rear end,,,,,,pull this cover,,,,,drain the oil,,,,,,make a new gasket out of gasket paper from an auto parts store,,,,,,look on the ring gear,,,,see what gear ratio you have,,,,,undo the screw off the pinion shaft,,,,pull the pinion out,,,,undo the c clips on the ends of the axle,,,,,,pull the axles out,,,,,see how badly they are worn,,,,,put new seals in and bearings if needed,,,,put it back together,,,,,use 90 weight or 85w-90 gear oil,,,,like 2 quarts,,,,manual transmissions use the same stuff......

I have been into a rear diff. on a 92 Isuzu pickup when I had to do axle oil seals. That's my experience with rear diffs. Wasn't too bad of a job except for that it was in the dead of winter and I had a hell of a time trying to pump cold gear oil back into that beast! hahaha...

Make my own gasket... got it. What options do I have if the axles are severely worn? Should I just check with the local parts stores (NAPA, AutoZone, etc.) for parts despite the year? Didn't even think to look at the gear ratio. Thanks for that tip. I always thought the gearing on the ol' gal was too low. I never pushed the van faster than 65-70...

If the axels are badly worn there are probably a few vanners out there with a good set of axels. Bill

The leak at the wheel is most likely a bad wheel cylinder. Easy to replace, and shouldn't cost you more than $20. You can get these at any parts store. It could be the rubber hose too, just make sure to inspect these carefully.

I just re-did the brakes on both my '65 and my '64... I replaced the master cylinder and all 4 wheel cylinders. Its still the factory style with the single barrel master, but they both run and drive and stop now. Eventually, I will do disc brakes, but the factory stuff is OK if you rebuild it then it at least is good enough.

With drum brakes, I like to rebuild one side at a time, so I can look at the other side for reference if I need to figure out how stuff goes back together.

Have fun and POST PICS

kookykrispy wrote:The leak at the wheel is most likely a bad wheel cylinder. Easy to replace, and shouldn't cost you more than $20. You can get these at any parts store. It could be the rubber hose too, just make sure to inspect these carefully.

I just re-did the brakes on both my '65 and my '64... I replaced the master cylinder and all 4 wheel cylinders. Its still the factory style with the single barrel master, but they both run and drive and stop now. Eventually, I will do disc brakes, but the factory stuff is OK if you rebuild it then it at least is good enough.

With drum brakes, I like to rebuild one side at a time, so I can look at the other side for reference if I need to figure out how stuff goes back together.

Have fun and POST PICS

Yeah, found out wheel cylinders and hoses are cheap. I'll be working on that stuff first for now.....

I wasn't able to find what I was looking for in terms of identification. When I call the parts stores, I haven't been able to know exactly what to give for ID for my van. This is what I do know:
1966 Chevy Sportvan
Inline 6
3 speed manual transmission
Unassisted manual brakes

It seems like there was 4 or 5 engine displacements - from 3.1 up to 4.8 or something? Not sure if it's a half or 3/4 ton, etc....

Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks

Hey Haggis, glad to see another Sportvan owner! I'd say that "sentimental value" is the main reason any of us own these early vans. There ain't much monetary value! But even that is a good thing -- it keeps our restorations a lot cheaper than most other classic car projects.

You know, you can take Don's info and go to NAPA online and check prices and availability on any part.

www.napaonline.com

You'll even see photos of the parts. It's much more pleasant than standing at their counter hoping the guy knows what you're looking for.

I had trouble tracking down wheel cylinders for the rear, I guess because I have a 12-bolt rear end. It really helps to take yours apart first and measure their inner diameter, to make sure you're getting the right ones. There were many different sizes.

OK, that's it. No more info until you post some pictures!

So there are some pics. You can see it has seen better days. Lots of cancer. Does this look like a 1/2 ton G-10, 90 inch wheelbase, with a 230ci I6 as Donivan65 says? I already know it's an I6 but not sure where to look on the engine to find the ID stamp...

Notice the rust. Also notice no radio antenna (I might be able to find that in the back yard somewhere...). Broken "reverse" light covers. Broken windshield. Rear doors were impacted by a vehicle that rolled down a hill. My van was parked years ago and someone didn't park their car properly on a hill and it rolled and hit my van. Various dents. The dented front grille happened with a sibling was driving the van and hit a deer at like 45mph. Van came out better than the deer. I should be able to just pull the grill out.

At a minimum, I'd like to make it drivable again at least be able to do some paint/body work.

Now.... open for comments of course. Would you guys work on this van or would you say to just pass and look for one in better condition?

Hey,

Cool old sportvan... yeah a few scrapes, but I like how each has a story!

Yes

When asking for parts tell them:

1966 1/2 ton Chevy van G10, with a 230 cubic inch inline six (which is factory equipment unless your van has had an engine swap)

I'm from Michigan and that van looks great to me, nothing there that can't be made to look great again

kookykrispy wrote:Hey,

Cool old sportvan... yeah a few scrapes, but I like how each has a story!

Yes

When asking for parts tell them:

1966 1/2 ton Chevy van G10, with a 230 cubic inch inline six (which is factory equipment unless your van has had an engine swap)

Thanks