by Exto Sat Aug 04, 2012 3:57 pmThanks ya all for the warm welcome and all the advice. Now that I've had some sleep (driving from Minneapolis to Kansas City, looking over the van and hauling it back in one shot took a bit out of me) I'm going to get the driveshaft back in and probably roll up to the local car show. Will try to get some pics for everyone tonight. This van is going to need some TLC, but that's half the fun right there.
+10
DanTheVanMan
Lazarusvan
sandyvan
dix
HandiVanMan
Camaro Addict
RodStRace
G-Man
Twinpilot001
Exto
14 posters
Sooooo... Should I get it?
Exto- Number of posts : 70
Location : Coon Rapids, MN
Registration date : 2012-08-01
kaz- Number of posts : 114
Location : Gilbert ,Arizona
Age : 65
Registration date : 2012-07-28
wait long enough the van for you will find you.
Exto- Number of posts : 70
Location : Coon Rapids, MN
Registration date : 2012-08-01
So I looked up the casting numbers on my engine and found out that I have a 194 made in February of 1964. Wondering if I should consider an engine swap for some more oomf or stay with the smaller engine for fuel sipping niceness.
Jay 13- Number of posts : 155
Location : clayton n.c.
Age : 53
Registration date : 2011-02-01
with gas prices what they are you may want to keep the smaller engine for a while and enjoy driving the van,you can always change the engine later,nice looking van
dix- Moderator 1st Class
- Number of posts : 8770
Location : pittsburgh pa
Age : 67
Registration date : 2008-05-29
jay has a good point gas going up you may find a good price on a v-8 later. just keep watching them.
_________________
still vannin since 1974
RodStRace- Number of posts : 3046
Location : Chino Valley
Registration date : 2010-01-21
I'd get it running and driving safely as-is. There will probably be lots of little things to do without having an engine swap right off the top.
Exto- Number of posts : 70
Location : Coon Rapids, MN
Registration date : 2012-08-01
Ya, it was just a thought. I was poking around on CL to see what I could see and stumbled across a 230 and a 292.
vanner68- Number of posts : 655
Location : Eastpointe MI
Registration date : 2008-09-22
292 is a tougher swap than a 250 or 230, but if it were me I would drive it as is for a year, fixing any mechanical issues that pop up before doing major mods.
When you are comfortable with it's reliability, then you can modify with confidence.
When you are comfortable with it's reliability, then you can modify with confidence.
Exto- Number of posts : 70
Location : Coon Rapids, MN
Registration date : 2012-08-01
Ya, I was putting the cart before the horse there. I should get the little stuff that I know I need (like a battery cover and a brake cover) and get a few other things tightened up first.
Exto- Number of posts : 70
Location : Coon Rapids, MN
Registration date : 2012-08-01
Just tossed some pictures up:
https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t30065-exto-s-65-sportvan
or you can go direct to the photobucket album:
https://s681.photobucket.com/albums/vv176/Exto/VANS/
https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t30065-exto-s-65-sportvan
or you can go direct to the photobucket album:
https://s681.photobucket.com/albums/vv176/Exto/VANS/
ChevyVanMan1- Number of posts : 425
Location : Your Nation's Capital
Registration date : 2009-07-19
Hopefully, that new paint isn't just Rustoleum hiding a bunch of sins. From the photos, which are like looking at an old vehicle from a distance, it looks good. Sloppy shifting is often the 50 cent rubber bushings you can get form GM. Most drivetrains in the old sound boxes are noisy so a whine doesn't mean much unless really loud on the highway or when turning right or left, etc. Everything but rust is replaceable. The rust replicates itself. Hence, that's really the only thing I worry about so 3 grand or so might not be a bad deal.
Good luck!
Good luck!