My one owner 66 A100!

HI, Im Cory from Texas. I posted this in newbie section but wanted to get a project thread started. I just picked up a 66 Dodge A100 Van, slant six, offenhauser 4 barrel intake, edelbrock carb, split headers w/ true dual exhaust. Slot mags as you can see.
Cool Story behind the van as it was a one owner van used as an electrical supply company until the owner gave it to his son during the 70's as a high school ride. Thats where it probably got all the performance goodies and retro dual sun roofs and side windows in the rear and rear fender fiberglass flares which I got with it. It sat on blocks since '82 due to brake issues. I dId a compression test ( Lowest cylinder Cold test yielded 115 psi), cleaned the plugs and I got it running today and it runs pretty good! Im fixing the brakes tomorrow so I can put it around the block. Can't wait! I have wanted one of these a long time. I couldn't get there fast enough with the $1000 I paid! Here it is on the blocks in the position it sat for 31 years. Im going t opowerwash it and take some more updated pics and engine pics tomorrow. Great site BTW!



Here I am just loaded it up ready for its new home. MINE!

WELCOME TO THE SITE.... NEWBIE HERE TOO. I LOVE THE LOOK OF YOUR VAN! HAVE FUN WITH IT!

Congrats!! Very nice find.

VERY COOL!

Sweet and Congratulations!!! Welcome to VV

Thanks guys! I definitely will keep up to date with pics. Should have some more today. Im about to go to my shop and get started. Hopefully if all goes well I will be driving it around by late afternoon.

A good looking and solid van you have and welcome to vintage vans.

Started the brake service. Took a little longer than expected due to parts issues with the parts house. Finally I got both front wheel cylinders, rubber hoses and new master cylinder today.
Very different to rack this thing but I finally got it where I was comfortable working on it from underneath with a little finesse.

So I went ahead and inspected and repacked the front wheel bearings, removed all the shoes and hardware. I cleaned and degreased everything and shot a fresh coat of satin black on the backing plate. Reassembles everything and lightly greased the shoe slide and pivot points and reassembled everything with a new wheel cylinder and rubber hose.
Here it is before:


and after with new paint and parts.


I went ahead and scuffed and shot the drums too.

I also got the new master cylinder installed. ALl thats left is I am still awaiting the rear rubber hose and I purchased two rear wheel cylinder rebuild kits. I am crossing my fingers in hopes the are honeable because $45 each for the rears compared to $3 for rebuild kits well, theres no comparison.

Heres the new m/c. Kinda a booger to get in and out. I actually used a new accordian boot off a shifter cable. It worked great and looked real similiar to the factory master cylinder pushrod boot.

sweet van !

Nice work Cory and very nice garage! If you need someone to get that little red corvette out of your way, I'm just the guy for the job!

He he! Ya, my van definitely a little out of place at the shop. Its no 64 fuelie! Im rebuilding the FI unit on that red one and a laundry list of other repairs. I tell ya, since I brought the '66 to the shop it has gotten more attention

These vans are a lot easier on the wallet than the muscle cars! Keep up the good work and she'll be cruzin in no time!

Thx guys, This board has been very welcoming. I appreciate the words of encouragement. I have to say with a lot of projects on my plate including my other personal project, a 59 chevy pickup, my buddies 53 studebaker champion and a slew of corvettes and muscle cars I work on M-F, I sure have enjoyed the ease of repair with the van so far. All my buddies at work are dreaming of doing some flying dragons, wizards and smoky mountain tops on the side. lol well see what happens...

Welcome to the site. Looks like you are doing some great work already. Mine needed a brakes overhaul as well after setting for several years. Keep us posted on your paint progress. Love pictures.

I did a lot of work on the van this weekend and a little today. I got the front brakes done done, still waiting on the rear hose. I gave the van a wash today inside and out. I got the underside and the engine as well. I also cleaned and put the seats in place. I got tired of sitting on the wheel well.
I promised some engine pics so I got those. I got a new air cleaner and changed the oil. Holy crap how much do these things hold! I think I put like 9 qts in there and it still barely showed on the dipstick. I couldnt find capacity specs anywhere. I ordered a service manual from feebay I got replacement side and rear door handles to replace the missing ones. I also got a new tinted rear roof vent. Anyways, here's the pics!

I'll say you got some work done! Looks great. Between the oil change, air cleaner and washing the dirt off, you'll probably get better gas mileage too!

According to a source online, it holds a maximum of 6 quarts. The dipstick may not be for that engine. Just wanted to let you know in case it is too full, could cause problems.

Tom

Well that's what I thought. Where did you find specs online? I couldn't find any specs at all on oild capacity. If that's the case I need to get correct dipstick but I swear this oil pan is huge. Did they offer heavy
Duty options? I thought maybe it had a larger pan or something due to it being a work truck. I'm glad I ordered a factory shop manual!

I looked in the 1966 service manual and it says oil capacity is 4qts. I have a like new service manual if you don't have one. I think I gave $25 for it. Sell it for that plus postage. Don

Typed in slant six oil capacity on Yahoo and it sent me to a forum for them. The spec was for a 225, I don't remember if you said that is what yours is.

Could one of y'all maybe measure your dipstick ? That didn't sound right, but you know what I mean!

cool