HECK YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laz I paint my 64 undercarriage black after the rust convetor. If you have any undercoating before blasting you'll have to scape it off first because the sand will just bounce off. Undercoating after it's clean would be as good or even better than paint. Working on it later you may have to deal with scaping some off again

The red fluid is ATF, probably leaking from trans pan gasket, thats an easy/cheap fix.

The black oil on the engine is probably coming from the valve cover gasket, also an easy/cheap fix.

The suspension joint looked ok but you should do what I did and change every grease fitting you can find and re-grease everything with fresh grease (also a easy/cheap fix). One of my suspension joints is actually missing the rubber boot (dry rotted off), they sell them in the "help!" section of the auto parts store now so I'm going to replace the rubber part.

eta:
My engine was slathered in oil when I got the van, 80% of it came from leaky valve cover gaskets and a leaky oil pressure sending unit. The other 20% is the plastic bushing is missing from the oil pan drain plug, I just need to buy one and put it on and I'll be leak free.

that van looks familiar - was that gregs van? - oo3

Yes 003 Greg got a Sportvan and sold the panel, he was always more of a Sportvan fan and was kicking himself for years about selling his old one

slowflapper wrote:The red fluid is ATF, probably leaking from trans pan gasket, thats an easy/cheap fix.

The black oil on the engine is probably coming from the valve cover gasket, also an easy/cheap fix.

The suspension joint looked ok but you should do what I did and change every grease fitting you can find and re-grease everything with fresh grease (also a easy/cheap fix). One of my suspension joints is actually missing the rubber boot (dry rotted off), they sell them in the "help!" section of the auto parts store now so I'm going to replace the rubber part.

eta:
My engine was slathered in oil when I got the van, 80% of it came from leaky valve cover gaskets and a leaky oil pressure sending unit. The other 20% is the plastic bushing is missing from the oil pan drain plug, I just need to buy one and put it on and I'll be leak free.

Thanks, Snow Flapper. That makes me feel better. I didn't expect a perfect van, by any means, but it has some things I wasn't expecting. The ATF fluid is leaking pretty good. It seems to be leaking a good bit more than the oil. I think those who do this day in and day out wouldn't even think twice about it, so it wasn't an intentional oversight. And, in the scheme of things, I would have purchased it anyhow.

She does run great. As long as they aren't major expenses, that is fine. Not being a mechanic myself, it will cost me to have it done. I do know someone locally who will help me out and teach me at the same time. Since it's a business and plesaure van, I don't want to pull into someone's drive and leave a pool of red and black.

So, I paid my taxes on the van: $10.16!!! Finally "the man" got the short end of the stick!

I took my first on the road drive today (with an expired tag) and it was a new experience. I have a new found respect for power steering and brakes! I can see how my left leg muscles will grow larger than the left from braking...

After driving ten miles or so, working, then going out for lunch, I drove back the few miles to work when I pulled in the drive and she started dumping radiator fluid. I thought the DH was on fire before lifting the lid. I now realize that the switch the runs the radiator fan needs to be engaged ALL the time. One time out and overheated. Ha!

We spent ten minutes trying to get the cap off in a tight as crap corner of the DH before I realized there was a side access panel. Always an adventure...

After a while you'll get use to driving a early. I hop in mine now and can't tell I driving one now, but my 6hr drive home when I first got my 69 I thought what was I thinking. We are all spoiled by todays driving cars and forget back then you were really driving

The more you drive it the more you will want to drive it. That is the beauty of all early vans.

Lazarusvan wrote:snip

Thanks, Snow Flapper. That makes me feel better. I didn't expect a perfect van, by any means, but it has some things I wasn't expecting. The ATF fluid is leaking pretty good. It seems to be leaking a good bit more than the oil. I think those who do this day in and day out wouldn't even think twice about it, so it wasn't an intentional oversight. And, in the scheme of things, I would have purchased it anyhow.

She does run great. As long as they aren't major expenses, that is fine. Not being a mechanic myself, it will cost me to have it done. I do know someone locally who will help me out and teach me at the same time. Since it's a business and plesaure van, I don't want to pull into someone's drive and leave a pool of red and black.

One of the really good things about these vans is that they are very primitive in design. If you have basic tools and the ability to understand the shop manual there isn't much that you cant do yourself. I have had to take mine to the shop for suspension bushings and rear end work only because I don't have a garage big enough to that sort of thing in.

Keep in mind its old, really old, and some parts are just going to wear out. I spent a good bit of time just doing long neglected maintenance like the grease fittings, that's stuff you can do yourself in the driveway. On another note, if you don't have a good mechanic shop you should go ahead and find one. Anyone under the age of 40 is going to look at you like you have three eyeballs if you bring that thing in for service, try and find an old dude if you can

I just have to say after spending so long hunting for a van, the satisfaction of driving down the road, feeling the bumps and smelling the exhaust puts a smile on my face! Can't wait to take this baby to the next level of preservation.

After chatting with several vanners before purchase, I totally agree that vanning is about crusing in the right lane, especially when your speedo floats around the dash!