FrankenRat's '66 Econoline

OK, here we go!!! Got myself a '66 Econoline window van thanks to some help from right here on this forum. It has a 240 six with an automatic ... I haven't had a chance to try and start it yet. I spent most of today just cleaning it out. I turned on my compressor and used an air trigger nozzle to blow out all of the little nooks and crannies. Then I washed it down inside and out. It has some body filler in the nose but, it looks like it was done right so I will just smooth out a few ripples I see and leave it. There is one place above the left headlight where the body filler has fallen out and it has a bullet hole. Easy fix. It has a little rust in the floor and some on the front edge of the doghouse ... nothing I can't fix. It will have to have a windshield. It will need throttle linkage. I'll be pulling the tank to check it out. That's about it for starters ... there's always more stuff that you discover on down the road ... as all of you know I'm sure. Anyway, here are a few pics ...



001 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


002 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


003 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr



004 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


005 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


006 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


008 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr

Looks very very solid!!! Congrats

Here's some more help.  The dude that has my old 240 would probably pull the linkage for you. Van looks good though.

very nice project, keep the pictures comming,,

nice looking van you have. What are your plans for the old girl?

Looks like it hasvsome popout windows?

Thanks guys ... I'm really stoked about this project. And yes, it has pop-out windows on both sides (four total).

Nice i just picked mine up from Texas. Doing the same thing. You got the cool roof rack and pop outs.. Nice find Ken

Thanks Ken, nice panel. The guy I got mine from had a '67 panel as well ... I had always thought that I would get a panel van but, this window van was just too good to pass up.

Your van is BAD A$$!!! I love it! what does the future hold in store for it?

Plans? Well, I am prone to changing my mind a dozen or so times by the time a project is finished. But, my plans for it at the moment (once all the mechanical stuff is done) is a Mint Green paint job with maybe a white roof (not sure on the roof yet though). Gloss Black steel rims with Spider Caps and Beauty Rings and a set Coker Wide Whites. Bamboo interior with a Tiki theme. That's about it ...

I have tons of mechanical and structural work to do before I get that far on it though.

I got some help and pushed my van into my shop today. I removed the driver seat (the passenger seat was already out) ... I took off a section of the doghouse ... and I removed the gas tank. The tank is really bad (pics below) lots of rust and varnish and tar ... I'll have to have it boiled out and treated. Plus I'll need a new fuel pick-up/sending unit. I blew out the fuel line between the tank and fuel pump. Thats about it ... it was crazy hot today and the A/C in my shop isn't working. 

You can see my other project in the background of one of the pics ... 1980 Pontiac Sunbird ...  really tough to find parts for.


004 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


005 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


007 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


006 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


001 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr


003 by Sunbird[80], on Flickr

nice shop,, it makes all the difference when working,, keep the pictures coming,,